The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW), a division of the Department of the Navy (DON), has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) under the funding opportunity number N62473-25-2-0002. This grant opportunity is a cooperative agreement issued pursuant to the Sikes Act, 16 U.S.C. 670c-1, with an Assistance Listing Number 12.005. The purpose is to support projects that enhance resilience against drought, fire, and flood threats and conserve threatened species in the Mojave Desert Sentinel Landscape, particularly around the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in Twentynine Palms, California.
This cooperative agreement is aimed specifically at facilitating environmental stewardship activities that align with military readiness, especially at MCAGCC, which is a major military training facility encompassing over 1,100 square miles. Projects funded through this opportunity are expected to address watershed health improvements such as stormwater infiltration, groundwater recharge, habitat restoration, and reduction of wildland fire risks. The grant will also fund efforts tied to the Recovery and Sustainment Partnership (RASP), particularly conservation initiatives for the threatened Agassiz’s desert tortoise.
The total estimated funding available under this opportunity is $9,000,000.00, distributed through a single expected award. This includes a base period allocation of $8,000,000 over 60 months and an optional additional $1,000,000 for concurrent activities in fiscal year 2025. The grant does not require cost sharing or matching contributions. Applications must be submitted by May 16, 2025, with prior question submissions due by April 25, 2025. The anticipated start date for the award is June 6, 2025, with the selection notification scheduled for May 30, 2025.
Eligible applicants are strictly limited to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, as the grant is intended to be sole-sourced under specific provisions of the Sikes Act. The application must be submitted via Grants.gov or by email, including all required forms such as SF-424, key personnel resumes, and detailed budget justifications. The forms and further instructions are available through Grants.gov.
The evaluation criteria for applications include the credentials of key personnel, scientific approach, and the reasonableness of proposed costs. Each criterion is weighted equally. The program manager proposed must hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have significant experience in conservation program management, especially in the southwestern U.S. ecosystem. The application must demonstrate a sound methodology and innovative strategies for achieving the program's environmental and conservation goals.
Contact for further information includes Duc Le (duc.t.le4.civ@us.navy.mil, 619-705-5663) and Kevin Magennis (kevin.e.magennis.civ@us.navy.mil, 619-705-5566), both at the NAVFAC SW Environmental Conservation and Compliance Acquisition office.
