Rare Plant Development for the United States Army on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State | W912DW2420002

Opportunity Information: Apply for W912DW2420002

The Rare Plant Development for the United States Army on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State opportunity is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District cooperative agreement aimed at protecting and sustaining JBLM's uncommon and sensitive habitat types, specifically rare wetland and upland systems on the installation. The central purpose is to fund research work and on-the-ground habitat enhancement that supports rare plant development as a practical conservation tool. In other words, the project is not just about studying rare plants in isolation; it is about using applied research, restoration, and management actions to restore and maintain the ecological conditions those plants (and the larger habitats they represent) need to persist over time within JBLM boundaries.

This funding is being offered under a discretionary program as a Cooperative Agreement, which generally signals an expectation of substantial collaboration between the Government and the selected partner during project planning, implementation, and oversight. The statutory authority cited is the Sikes Act (Title 16 of the U.S. Code), which is the primary legal framework supporting conservation programs on military installations. That context matters because JBLM must balance ongoing military training needs with long-term stewardship of natural resources, including rare species and habitat types that may be regionally uncommon or otherwise ecologically significant. The cooperative effort is intended to fit within that mission: strengthen habitat resilience and ecological function while supporting the installation's compliance and conservation obligations.

USACE is looking for a non-federal public or non-profit entity that can demonstrate deep experience in natural resource surveys and habitat enhancement. The announcement emphasizes practical capacity and proven capability, meaning applicants should have the staff expertise, field equipment, and program management systems needed to carry out rigorous ecological work. At a minimum, the partner must be able to provide three broad categories of support. First is ecological restoration program support, which can include restoration planning, site preparation, planting or seeding approaches, propagation or development techniques for rare plants, and adaptive management tied to measurable outcomes. Second is species and habitat survey and monitoring support, which typically involves field surveys, mapping, population monitoring, habitat condition assessments, data management, and reporting that can document both baseline conditions and changes over time. Third is habitat enhancement paired with invasive species control support, reflecting the reality that invasive plants and altered disturbance regimes often degrade rare habitats; effective restoration frequently requires ongoing invasive management, follow-up treatments, and monitoring to keep restored sites on a positive trajectory.

The opportunity anticipates a single award with an award ceiling of up to $2,000,000, indicating a comparatively large, multi-task project that could combine research, field implementation, and monitoring components into one integrated effort. The funding activity category is Environment, and the CFDA number listed is 12.005, consistent with Department of Defense assistance for environmental and conservation activities. The eligible applicant category is described as "Others," but the narrative clarifies the intent to fund non-federal public or non-profit entities, aligning with the Sikes Act emphasis on partnerships that can help military installations meet conservation goals using specialized external expertise.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number W912DW2420002, issued by the USACE Seattle District, with an original closing date of March 27, 2024, and a creation date of March 11, 2024. Overall, this announcement is best understood as a targeted conservation partnership opportunity: JBLM, through USACE, is seeking one qualified organization to help design and implement rare plant and habitat-focused restoration work, backed by credible surveys and long-term monitoring, with invasive species control as a core enabling activity to ensure rare wetland and upland habitats are restored and sustained over time.

• The Seattle District in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rare Plant Development for the United States Army on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington State" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.005.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-27. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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