Ferguson Bayou Hydrologic Reconnection | F20AS00037

Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00037

The Ferguson Bayou Hydrologic Reconnection opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00037) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports an environmental restoration effort at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge focused on reconnecting hydrology in and around Ferguson Bayou. Rather than asking applicants to design the project, the Service is looking for an organization to manage construction based on plans the Service will provide. The Fish and Wildlife Service will supply the final signed and sealed construction drawings and will secure all required local, state, and federal permits before any ground work begins.

The selected recipient will serve as the construction manager responsible for turning the Service's design into a completed on-the-ground project. Core work includes overseeing the installation of multiple water control structures and managing excavation activities for two connection ditches: the Maankiki-Ferguson connection ditch and the Ferguson-Spaulding connection ditch. A key part of the role is ensuring that construction is executed exactly to the provided specifications, with consistent oversight and quality control throughout the build.

Construction management responsibilities are broad and include both administrative and field-based duties. On the procurement side, the recipient must develop a bid package that complies with federal procurement requirements and then solicit and evaluate bids from subcontractors who will perform the actual construction work. During construction, the recipient must provide active management, oversight, and on-site inspections covering all project components to ensure compliance with plans and performance expectations. The recipient is also responsible for routine coordination and communication with the Service program officer, including updates on schedules, ongoing activities, and any issues that could affect timelines or lead to delays.

Because the project occurs on a National Wildlife Refuge, the opportunity places strong emphasis on environmental protection and site stewardship during construction. The construction manager must ensure that all contractors properly wash and clean equipment before entering the refuge, consistent with the design plan requirements, to reduce the risk of spreading invasive species. The manager must also ensure that any fuel stored on refuge lands by subcontractors follows Fish and Wildlife Service policies for fuel storage and secondary containment, reflecting spill prevention and environmental compliance expectations typical of sensitive natural areas.

Another requirement is to ensure the refuge is left in good condition once construction is complete. If construction activities damage existing infrastructure such as roads, trails, signs, gates, or observation platforms, the construction manager must make sure those features are repaired and restored to their pre-construction condition. This may include tasks such as road grading and dike repair at the end of the project, depending on impacts. To close out the work, the recipient must deliver a final survey of the completed project to the Service in formats compatible with ArcGIS and AutoCAD, supporting accurate as-built documentation and long-term refuge management.

The opportunity was created on December 11, 2019, with an original application closing date of February 9, 2020. One award was expected, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions under that nonprofit category); and individuals. Applicants could arrange a site visit by contacting the Service Project Officer, with appointments required no later than 10 days before the announcement closing date. All project work was required to be completed by December 31, 2021, making schedule management and timely subcontractor performance a central part of the construction manager's responsibilities.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ferguson Bayou Hydrologic Reconnection" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 11, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 09, 2020 Prior to submitting an application and applicant can schedule time to view the site and project areas by contacting the Service Project Officer, appointments must be scheduled no later than 10 days prior to the closing of the announcement.. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for F20AS00037

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