BLM-CO Bat and White Nose Syndrome Surveys and Monitoring, Colorado River Valley Field Office | L17AS00173

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00173

The grant opportunity titled "BLM-CO Bat and White Nose Syndrome Surveys and Monitoring, Colorado River Valley Field Office" (Funding Opportunity Number L17AS00173) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notice describing the agency's intent to fund a specific project focused on bat surveys and monitoring related to White-nose Syndrome in Colorado. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement under the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and it falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.231). The opportunity was created on June 16, 2017, with an original closing date of July 14, 2017. The funding ceiling listed is $30,000, and BLM anticipated making one award.

A central point of the announcement is that BLM planned to make this award without full and open competition, meaning it was intended as a single-source award rather than a competitively solicited grant. The notice explains that this approach is supported by Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2), which allows noncompetitive awards when competition is not practicable, as long as the agency provides a written justification. In this case, BLM states that the justification falls under the exception for "Unique Qualifications."

The unique-qualifications rationale is based on Colorado state law and the legal authorities assigned to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The announcement cites Colorado Revised Statutes Title 33 and specifically references section 33-1-101, which charges CPW with protecting, preserving, enhancing, and managing wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. It further emphasizes that, under Colorado law, CPW is the only agency (and/or its agents) with the authority to manage and monitor wildlife in coordination with federal partners. The description also highlights the state ownership doctrine for wildlife in Colorado: wildlife not legally acquired and held under private ownership is considered property of the state, and activities involving acquisition, possession, transfer, import/export, release, or other handling of wildlife are allowed only as provided in the statutes or by CPW commission rules.

Because the work involves surveying and monitoring bats, which is inherently a wildlife management and monitoring activity, BLM argues that CPW is uniquely qualified and legally positioned to conduct this work on BLM-administered public lands within Colorado. In other words, the noncompetitive structure is framed less as a preference and more as a practical and legal necessity tied to state statutory authority over wildlife management. Eligible applicants are limited to state governments, reinforcing that this opportunity was designed to align with CPW as the intended recipient and the expected single awardee.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-CO Bat and White Nose Syndrome Surveys and Monitoring, Colorado River Valley Field Office" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.231.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 16, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 14, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for L17AS00173

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