Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00197
The Desert Tortoise grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00197) is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) cooperative agreement focused on desert tortoise conservation in Nevada. The main public benefit described is reducing the risk of disease transmission from captive tortoises to wild populations by improving how captive tortoises are handled, cared for, and placed through adoption. By targeting disease prevention and responsible captive care, the project supports broader threatened species conservation goals and helps protect a species managed under state and federal conservation priorities.
The project scope centers on assisting the USFWS Las Vegas office with an expansion of the desert tortoise adoption program beyond the Las Vegas area. In practical terms, this means building out adoption capacity and outreach in additional communities, providing the public with information and assistance, and increasing awareness of the laws and requirements tied to possessing and maintaining captive desert tortoises. A major emphasis is public education: ensuring that people who already have tortoises, or who may seek to adopt them, understand legal obligations and follow responsible care practices that reduce abandonment, improper releases, and disease risks.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary funding action under the environment activity area (with CFDA 15.608 listed) and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically indicates substantial involvement or partnership with the federal agency during the project. The expected award amount (also the ceiling) is $75,886, with one anticipated award.
Eligibility is listed for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). However, the notice makes clear this was not an open competition: it was issued as a single-source determination under Department of the Interior guidance (citing unique qualifications) and explicitly states "PLEASE DO NOT APPLY." In other words, although the listing describes the conservation purpose and administrative details, it functioned as a directed award announcement rather than a solicitations process open to new applicants.
Overall, the grant is aimed at strengthening desert tortoise conservation by expanding adoption and outreach infrastructure, improving public compliance with captive tortoise laws, and promoting husbandry practices that minimize disease threats. The results are intended to directly support ongoing and planned efforts of USFWS, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and other agencies responsible for managing threatened, endangered, and other sensitive species.Apply for F17AS00197
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Desert Tortoise" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 20, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Single Source Determination, in accordance with DOI guidance (505 DM 2.14), (4) Unique Qualifications, USFWS LV Office provides notice of its intent to make a single-source award in the amount of 75,886.00. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.. (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 $75,886.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Desert Tortoise Grant Opportunity (F17AS00197) FAQs
What is the Desert Tortoise grant opportunity (F17AS00197)?
The Desert Tortoise grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00197) is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) cooperative agreement focused on desert tortoise conservation in Nevada. The project is designed to support conservation priorities by strengthening responsible captive desert tortoise handling and adoption practices.
What conservation problem is this funding meant to address?
The main public benefit described is reducing the risk of disease transmission from captive tortoises to wild desert tortoise populations. The project targets disease prevention and responsible captive care to help avoid abandonment, improper releases, and other actions that could put wild tortoises at risk.
What is the primary goal of the funded project?
The project goal is to assist the USFWS Las Vegas office with expanding the desert tortoise adoption program beyond the Las Vegas area. This includes growing adoption capacity and outreach in additional communities and improving public understanding of legal and care requirements for possessing and maintaining captive desert tortoises.
What activities are included in the project scope?
Based on the description provided, the scope includes expanding adoption program infrastructure outside Las Vegas, increasing adoption capacity and outreach in other communities, providing the public with information and assistance, and increasing awareness of laws and requirements related to captive desert tortoises. A major component is public education aimed at responsible husbandry and compliance to reduce disease risks and improper releases.
Why is public education emphasized in this opportunity?
Public education is emphasized to ensure that current tortoise owners and potential adopters understand their legal obligations and follow responsible care practices. The intent is to reduce abandonment, prevent improper releases into the wild, and lower disease risks that could affect wild tortoise populations.
Where is the project intended to take place?
The opportunity is focused on Nevada. While it is tied to the USFWS Las Vegas office, the purpose is specifically to expand the desert tortoise adoption program beyond the Las Vegas area into additional Nevada communities.
Which agency is offering or administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with the work described as supporting the USFWS Las Vegas office.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial involvement or partnership with the federal agency during the project rather than a more hands-off relationship.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is described as a discretionary funding action under the environment activity area, with CFDA 15.608 listed.
How much funding is expected to be awarded?
The expected award amount is $75,886, and this amount is also described as the ceiling.
How many awards are anticipated?
One award is anticipated.
Who is listed as eligible to receive the award?
Eligibility is listed for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Is this an open competition that new applicants can apply to?
No. The notice explicitly states "PLEASE DO NOT APPLY" and explains that it was not an open competition. It was issued as a single-source determination under Department of the Interior guidance, citing unique qualifications.
What does "single-source determination" mean in the context of this notice?
In this context, it means the announcement functioned as a directed award rather than a solicitation open to multiple competing applicants. The notice indicates it was issued under Department of the Interior guidance as a single-source action based on unique qualifications.
What is the adoption program expansion intended to accomplish?
The expansion is intended to build adoption capacity and outreach in additional communities, provide the public with information and assistance, increase awareness of laws and requirements for captive tortoise possession and care, and promote responsible husbandry practices that reduce disease threats and discourage improper releases.
How does this project support threatened species conservation?
The project supports broader threatened species conservation goals by reducing disease transmission risk from captive tortoises to wild populations and strengthening compliance and responsible care. It also helps protect a species managed under state and federal conservation priorities.
Which organizations or agencies are intended to benefit from the project results?
The results are intended to directly support ongoing and planned efforts of USFWS, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and other agencies responsible for managing threatened, endangered, and other sensitive species.
What public-facing outcomes are highlighted?
The notice highlights outcomes related to improved public awareness and compliance with laws and requirements for captive desert tortoises, better handling and husbandry practices, reduced abandonment and improper releases, expanded adoption capacity beyond Las Vegas, and reduced disease risk to wild tortoise populations.
Does the notice indicate that the project involves captive tortoises, wild tortoises, or both?
The notice emphasizes improving the handling, care, and placement of captive tortoises through adoption, with the conservation purpose of protecting wild populations by reducing disease transmission and discouraging improper releases.
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