Funding Wizard

California B-WET funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs involve learning both outdoors and in the classroom as students engage in issue definition, outdoor field experiences, synthesis and conclusions, and action projects. The goal is to increase understanding and stewardship of the ocean, its local watersheds, and special areas like national marine sanctuaries. Projects advance the Next Generation Science Standards, the California Environmental Literacy Standards and Concepts, and the Ocean and Climate Literacy Essential Principles.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of:• Promoting research collaboration between the NRCS Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) and university cooperators on significant national issues;• Providing technology transfer and training for NRCS staff;• Assisting in training of students in soil science and related fields.Proposals must be for projects based in the United States and its territories and possessions and focus on the priorities described in Section A of this notice. Research proposals are sought. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2022 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network (http://www.cesu.psu.edu/). Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration.The agency anticipates making selections by June 1, 2022 and expects to execute awards by August 15, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 12, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact. Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

SOURCES SOUGHT/MARKET SURVEY 5-page limit does NOT include the cover page. All other information remains the same. SOURCES SOUGHT/MARKET SURVEY 2023 AFRL/RW Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) FA8651-23-S-0003 NAICS Code 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Science (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) NOTE: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. I. PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: AFRL/RWK, Eglin AFB is conducting a sources sought/market survey to gauge interest in various research topics associated with a future Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA).  The Government is seeking Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) with entities that will facilitate joint projects and accelerate technology transfer/transition between the AFRL and the commercial market. These intermediaries will act in a matchmaker capacity, to assist companies in identifying federal technologies that can be licensed and commercialized, with a goal of successful collaboration between the AFRL, small businesses, academia, and industry. The PIAs Program goals are: Transfer technology developed by/for AFRL into Commercial Markets. Transition commercial and academic innovation for use within AFRL. Foster partnerships between AFRL, industry, and academia. Inspire and support the next generation of technology leaders through STEM initiatives. Foster and support innovation both within and external to AFRL. Support transition of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III SBIR/STTR-developed technology. The PIAs Objectives are: Technology Transfer (T2): The PI shall assist AFRL/RW with all technology transfer related activities to include regularly outreaching to inventors, increasing invention disclosures, marketing and outreach to potential collaborators to increase Technology Licensing Agreements (TLAs), Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs). They shall also prioritize connecting the AFRL/RW with nontraditional companies and universities increasing exposure to innovative technologies of interest. Actively promote AFRL/RW technology transfer partnership opportunities to entrepreneurs, businesses, and academic institutions. Conduct technology and market landscape analysis and forecast studies to identify future directions for specific technologies and provide broad situational awareness regarding the origins and development of a particular technology domain or industry. Evaluate the AFRL/RW Intellectual Property (IP) patent portfolio to identify patents with the highest potential for commercial applications and research companies/markets, develop technology marketing summaries, and reach out to potential licensee companies/industries to promote T2 agreements and assist in negotiations. Broker and facilitate license agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other technology transfer (T2) agreements between AFRL/RW and businesses and academic institutions. Innovation and Technology Transition: The PI shall promote innovation by supporting AFRL engagement and collaboration with industry and academia. Additionally, the PI shall connect AFRL/RW with industry/academia to transition technologies into AFRL/RW. Publicize and promote AFRL/RW technology innovation and supporting Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) activities through a variety of channels and forums, which may include websites, paid advertising, events, digital campaigns, social media, email, press releases, articles, videos, infographics, surveys, and other forms of communications. Establish/manage physical and/or virtual collaboration spaces to promote AFRL/RW engagement with industry and academia. Conduct events which promote technology transition into the Air Force (e.g., demonstrations, showcases, industry days, design sprints, hackathons, workshops, and other similar events). Facilitate technology transition of innovative industry and academia approaches that mature Munitions concepts and their technology/manufacturing readiness level. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Support: The PI shall leverage the AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR Programs to achieve their mission and increase their effectiveness by supporting transition of SBIR/STTR-developed technology, leveraging Air Force technology transfer mechanisms, providing business and technical assistance to award recipients, conducting studies, and publicizing and promoting Air Force SBIR/STTR successes. Perform technology scouting to identify and recruit small businesses to the SBIR/STTR programs and support transition of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III SBIR/STTR-developed technology. Assist small businesses in navigating the SBIR/STTR process to facilitate transition of technology beyond Phase II, including the utilization of mechanisms such as Tactical Funding Increases (TACFI) or Strategic Funding Increases (STRAFI). Identify partner companies with promising previous or current SBIR Phase I’s or Phase II’s and canvas the DoD ecosystem for government users to partner with for transition to Phase III efforts. Assist SBIR technical Program Managers with transitioning later stage SBIR technologies into programs of record, and transition them into other commercial products. Conduct studies related to AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR programs, which include the economic outcomes and impacts resulting from research and development performed with SBIR/STTR funding, best practices for achieving success in commercializing and transitioning the results of SBIR/STTR funded programs, and feasibility of new, innovative approaches to increasing the effectiveness of the AF SBIR/STTR programs. Facilitate SBIR/STTR Pitch Days and assist SBIR technical Program Managers with developing Pitch Day topics and events. Provide facility support for execution of Pitch Days and ensure all security safety measures are adhered to. Promote and publicize AFRL/RW SBIR/STTR successes through a variety of mechanisms, effectively communicating such successes to the Pentagon, Congress, industry, and the general US public. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach: The Partnership Intermediary shall work with AFRL and regional/national educational entities to expose students to high-value Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities. Leverage local, state, regional, and national efforts to enhance STEM programs, increasing proficiency in the fields most directly related to the AFRL mission. Identify trends in local and national K-12 STEM programming as well as compile data on student demographics to assist AFRL in designing programming that will have the maximum impact on students and families. Identify potential partnerships with local and national organizations that provide STEM programming, paying particular attention to opportunities for underserved or underrepresented students and communities. II. BUSINESS INFORMATION: Business Information in response to this market survey must include the following: Company/Institute Name: Address: Point of Contact: CAGE Code: Phone Number: E-mail Address: Web Page URL: Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: Small Business (Yes / No) Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No) Is your company interested in possible subcontracting opportunities? (Yes/No) State and local Government entities and their affiliates may qualify as Partnership Intermediaries. A Partnership Intermediary can be: (I) a state or local government agency; (2) a non-profit entity owned, operated, or funded in whole or in part by, or on behalf of, a state or local government; or (3) a non-profit entity chartered by a state or local government. 10 USC §2368(f)(2); 15 USC §3715(c). A non-profit entity seeking to qualify as a partnership intermediary therefore must provide a nexus to a state or local government. This nexus may consist of legislative sponsorship and/or (partial) funding, a defined state or local role in its operations, even if limited, or some form of government action demonstrating the organization is authorized to work on behalf of a state or local government. Place of performance is anticipated to be within 20 miles of Eglin AFB, FL III. CAPABILITY STATEMENT: Capability Statements in response to this notice must include: 1. Briefly describe the capabilities of your company and the nature of the services you provide. 2. Describe your company's past experience on projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Forward all responses to Laura Kirkman, laura.kirkman@us.af.mil with the subject line: "Sources Sought Response to AFRL/RW Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)". Responses must be received no later than 1600 CST on 07 April 2023. Responses shall not exceed 5 pages. Contractor format is acceptable.

The mission of the National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) is to support the development of technological solutions and changes in fishing practices designed to minimize bycatch of fish and protected species (including Endangered Species Act-listed fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles) and to reduce impacts to invertebrates (including sponges, deep-sea corals, and shallow (tropical) corals.) In addition, BREP may support projects that quantify post-release mortality and identify ways to minimize mortality and injury of bycaught species (including post-release injury and mortality). Projects should produce outcomes that can directly influence management needs of federally managed living marine resources. For Fiscal Year 2023, NMFS anticipates that approximately $2,300,000 could be made available for approximately 10-15 projects that address bycatch research as identified in the Program Priority Section (I.B.1 - I.B.5).

Awarded institutions will:a)Provide opportunities for students and faculty to engage in research projects addressingHomeland Security (HS) research areas.b)Consistently engage with DHS S&T and the DHS Centers of Excellence (COEs) toensure that the program is effectively building the next generation workforce that willsupport the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE).c)Develop innovative programs to experiential learning activities with government,academia, and the private sector for students studying science, technology, engineering,and mathematics (STEM) and faculty.d)Engage with community colleges to identify the academic strengths of their local MS communities and promote pathways toward STEM degree completion and transition from 2-year to 4-year institutions.

Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) hosts a robust Prescribed Fire program that encompasses not only the North and South Rims of the Park, but includes Walnut Canyon (WACA), Wupatki, (WUPA), Sunset Crater (SUCR), Tuzigoot (TUZI), and Montezuma’s Castle (MOCA) National Monuments located Northern Arizona. Priority fuels reduction and ecological restoration work occurs in all listed locations and assistance from qualified cooperators will be necessary to meet the planned program of work. Federal funding will be allocated for Prescribed Fire support, ecological restoration, and hazardous fuels reduction projects, which will be necessary to meet the programmatic goals of the National Park Service (NPS). Applicants must demonstrate their ability to contribute to successful implementation of Prescribed Fire and Fuels work. Notable areas of evaluation criteria include ability to mobilize and arrive at the project site within 1.5-2 hours of notification, capable firefighting equipment and personnel possessing National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications recognized within the wildland fire discipline, and self-sufficiency for travel to and from sites while conducting Prescribed Fire activities.

Grant funds must be used for CONSULTATION and/or DOCUMENTATION projects under NAGPRA. Consultation projects support efforts related to revising a NAGPRA inventory and making or responding to requests for repatriation of items in a NAGPRA summary. Documentation projects support determining the geographical origin, cultural affiliation, and other basic facts surrounding the acquisition of Native American cultural items. Consultation and documentation projects should lead to determining control, treatment, repatriation, and disposition of NAGPRA cultural items.

The NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, authentic experiential learning focused on K-12 audiences. The primary delivery of B-WET is through competitive funding that promotes Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs; defined in Section I.A.b.) for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Great Lakes. B-WET was established in 2002 in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and currently exists in seven regions: California, Chesapeake Bay, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, New England, Pacific Northwest, and Great Lakes. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries coordinates four of the seven B-WET regions. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater areas encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington State to Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahanaumokuakea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments. The Great Lakes B-WET region was established in 2011 with funding for awards provided by the Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (https://www.glri.us/). The Great Lakes B-WET program supports grantee capacity building and connects grantees to local NOAA assets and relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) expertise, while being responsive to local education and environmental priorities. For the purposes of this solicitation, the Great Lakes region is defined as counties in the Great Lakes watershed in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The Pacific Northwest Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that supports locally relevant, authentic experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded projects provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs; defined below) for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Pacific Northwest. The primary delivery is through competitive grants. Every year, the NOAA B-WET program supports environmental education programs for thousands of students and teachers. These programs engage youth in MWEEs that provide memorable hands-on, experiential learning that are not typically available within traditional classrooms. It also plays a significant role in providing professional develop.The FY23 Pacific Northwest B-WET funding announcement focuses on the following priority areas: Notice of Federal Funding Page 2 of 52 1) Systemic classroom-integrated Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for K-12 students that promote climate resilience and include high-quality teacher professional development related to the MWEEs; and 2) Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for K-12 students that appropriately incorporate Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and promote climate resilience.

PaymentsDomestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by the Service program. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Bureau will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.