Desert Tortoise | F17AS00197

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.

• 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.

Apply for F17AS00197

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