Reclamation Youth Interns and Resource Assistants Master Cooperative Agreement | R23AS00166

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled the "Reclamation Youth Interns and Resource Assistants Master Cooperative Agreement."

2. Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The Bureau of Reclamation is offering this discretionary funding opportunity.

3. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is R23AS00166.

4. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.546.

5. What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The purpose is to select nonprofit partners and establish Master Cooperative Agreements (MCAs) that create an efficient, repeatable way for Reclamation to fund youth and resource assistant internship projects over time, rather than negotiating separate agreements for each individual project.

6. What is a Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) in this context?

An MCA is a multi-year partnership framework (lasting five years under this opportunity) designed to support repeated internship and youth placement projects over time. Instead of creating a brand-new agreement for every single internship effort, Reclamation can use the MCA structure to more efficiently support multiple project-level placements during the term of the agreement.

7. How long do the Master Cooperative Agreements last?

The MCAs are intended to last five years.

8. What type of funding instrument is used?

The instrument is a cooperative agreement.

9. What does it mean that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means the federal agency (Reclamation) expects to have substantial involvement in the funded activities compared with a standard grant.

10. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations (not institutions of higher education) that can recruit qualified youth program participants and resource assistant interns for placements located at Reclamation sites nationwide.

11. Are institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The opportunity states eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations and explicitly notes that institutions of higher education are not eligible under this competition.

12. Do applicants need to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

Not necessarily. Eligible applicants may be nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status or nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they meet the federal definition of a nonprofit under 2 CFR 200.70.

13. What federal definition of nonprofit applies to this opportunity?

The NOFO references 2 CFR 200.70. Under that definition, the organization must be operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar public-interest purposes; not organized primarily for profit; and must use net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand operations.

14. What will selected nonprofit partners do under an MCA?

Selected nonprofits will partner with Reclamation to recruit and place youth participants and resource assistant interns into paid, on-the-job learning assignments tied to Reclamation offices, facilities, and lands.

15. Are the internships paid?

Yes. The placements are described as paid, on-the-job learning assignments.

16. What is the typical duration of internships supported under this opportunity?

Internships may be short-term or longer placements, ranging from about two weeks up to one year.

17. What kinds of work will interns and youth participants be expected to do?

Assignments are expected to align with priority conservation and operational needs on Reclamation-managed lands and at Reclamation facilities. Examples include engineering support, environmental education, ecological restoration, species preservation, fuels treatments, and research and monitoring.

18. What is the core emphasis of the program placements?

The core emphasis is practical workforce development in fields tied directly to conservation and stewardship, providing real experience in environmental education, community service, and natural and cultural resource management.

19. Do projects need to align with Reclamation priorities?

Yes. Projects supported through youth and intern placements are expected to align with priority conservation and operational needs on Reclamation-managed lands and at Reclamation facilities.

20. Can interns support program or specialist staff capacities?

Yes. The notice states interns may provide critical support to program and specialist capacities, indicating placements may help extend the reach of Reclamation staff and programs.

21. Are administrative or technology tasks allowed?

Some assignments may involve technology or administrative tasks, but they must still maintain a clear and direct connection to natural and cultural resource conservation outcomes rather than serving as general office support alone.

22. Is Reclamation looking only to continue existing programs?

No. A major theme is program growth and modernization. Reclamation is looking to continue existing efforts while also working with MCA awardees to develop, pilot, and implement new youth programs.

23. What examples of youth or internship programs are mentioned in the announcement?

Examples named include Reclamation's Direct Hire Authority for the Resource Assistant Internship Program, the Public Lands Corps Program, and the Indian Youth Service Corps Program.

24. What does the mention of these programs suggest about what Reclamation wants from partners?

It signals Reclamation wants partners who can reliably manage recruitment, placements, and program operations, and who can help expand pathways into public service and conservation careers, including programs with specific statutory or community-focused frameworks.

25. Where can placements take place?

Placements are located at Reclamation sites nationwide. The notice highlights that Reclamation offices and facilities are generally located across many western and plains states and also in Washington, DC.

26. Which states are specifically highlighted as common Reclamation locations?

The NOFO points to locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as Washington, DC.

27. Does the opportunity provide a single fixed award ceiling?

No fixed award ceiling is specified in the provided information. The award ceiling field is shown as 0, which suggests award sizes may vary or be structured through project-level funding actions under the master agreement during the five-year partnership.

28. How might funding be distributed over the five-year MCA term?

Based on the description, the MCA is intended as a long-term partnership mechanism, with funding likely implemented through repeatable, project-level actions over time rather than one stand-alone award for a single internship project.

29. What is the original closing date listed for the opportunity?

The original closing date listed is September 26, 2023.

30. Is this opportunity focused on conservation outcomes?

Yes. Even when placements include administrative or technology components, the NOFO emphasizes that assignments must be clearly tied to natural and cultural resource conservation outcomes and stewardship-related work.