Opportunity Information: Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD09
The grant opportunity "Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness" is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen how counties work with nearby military installations and ranges on natural resource management, conservation, and land-use issues that can affect mission readiness. The basic idea is that military training and operations often depend on surrounding landscapes (forests, farms, watersheds, habitat areas, and other working lands) remaining compatible with military needs. By improving coordination with county governments, the DoD aims to reduce or prevent land-use conflicts, environmental constraints, and other encroachment pressures that could limit current or future military activities.
This agreement specifically funds a partnership between the DoD and the National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF). NACoRF would use its national network of county officials, communication platforms, and regular gatherings of county leaders to increase county-level understanding of DoD resources, priorities, and the day-to-day realities of military bases located within county jurisdictions. At the same time, the structure is meant to be two-way: DoD offices and officials would have a clearer channel to engage county leaders on specific issues, gather feedback, and use that input to shape or refine both new and existing DoD partnership programs.
A major focus of the work is building local capacity around land use and management practices near installations. The opportunity emphasizes the importance of private, working lands (and explicitly highlights non-foreign-owned lands) to military readiness, along with the long-standing role the DoD has played in supporting the sustainability of these landscapes. A key deliverable described in the notice is an actionable strategic plan that identifies practical opportunities and approaches for engaging private landowners in ways that align private interests (such as keeping land in productive farming or forestry) with public interests (such as conservation outcomes and military compatibility). The work also includes identifying funding opportunities that can help conserve and protect large blocks of private working lands near DoD facilities, with attention to working forests, agricultural lands, watersheds, and habitats that can buffer installations from incompatible development and reduce environmental or regulatory friction.
Another highlighted component is addressing rising concerns about foreign ownership of land near military installations. The notice frames this as supporting the "America First Investment" executive direction by helping keep agricultural land in the hands of farmers and strengthening visibility into landownership changes. Because county officials and elected county leaders often have the most immediate insight into land transactions and local development patterns, the partnership is intended to improve situational awareness and coordination on this issue while still keeping the program rooted in conservation and land management strategies.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity administered by Washington Headquarters Services under a cooperative agreement mechanism (meaning the DoD expects to be substantially involved in the funded work, rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant). It falls under the Environment and Natural Resources activity category and is associated with CFDA 12.017. The opportunity anticipates a single award with an award ceiling of $1,350,000, and the original closing date listed is 2025-08-23. Eligibility is restricted: only the National Association of Counties Research Foundation may apply, and no other applicants will be considered.Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD09
- The Washington Headquarters Services in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-23. (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 $1,350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Support Local Capacity with Counties to Enhance Military Readiness" opportunity?
This opportunity is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cooperative agreement focused on strengthening how county governments work with nearby military installations and ranges on natural resource management, conservation, and land-use issues that can affect mission readiness.
What problem is this cooperative agreement trying to address?
Military training and operations often depend on surrounding landscapes (such as forests, farms, watersheds, habitat areas, and other working lands) staying compatible with military needs. The agreement aims to reduce or prevent land-use conflicts, environmental constraints, and other encroachment pressures that could limit current or future military activities.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The DoD is using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which means the DoD expects to be substantially involved in the funded work rather than issuing a hands-off grant.
Which DoD organization is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by Washington Headquarters Services.
Is this considered a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. From an administrative standpoint, it is described as a discretionary opportunity.
What is the activity/category area for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the Environment and Natural Resources activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.017.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to a single applicant: the National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF). No other applicants will be considered.
Can counties, local governments, nonprofits, universities, or private entities apply directly?
No. Based on the eligibility restriction stated in the notice, only NACoRF may apply, and no other applicants will be considered.
How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,350,000.
What is the closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2025-08-23.
What is the role of the National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF) in this agreement?
NACoRF is the intended partner for the DoD under this cooperative agreement. NACoRF would use its national network of county officials, communication platforms, and regular gatherings of county leaders to increase county-level understanding of DoD resources, priorities, and the day-to-day realities of military bases located within county jurisdictions.
Is the partnership designed to be one-way communication from the DoD to counties?
No. The structure is described as two-way: DoD offices and officials would have a clearer channel to engage county leaders on specific issues, gather feedback, and use that input to shape or refine both new and existing DoD partnership programs.
What kinds of issues are expected to be addressed through the county-military coordination?
The notice highlights natural resource management, conservation, and land-use issues near installations and ranges, particularly issues that could create land-use conflicts, environmental constraints, or other encroachment pressures affecting mission readiness.
What does the opportunity mean by "encroachment pressures"?
Based on the description provided, encroachment pressures refer to surrounding land-use changes or constraints (including incompatible development and regulatory or environmental friction) that could limit military activities now or in the future.
Why does the opportunity emphasize surrounding landscapes like forests, farms, watersheds, and habitat areas?
The opportunity states that military readiness can depend on these surrounding working lands remaining compatible with military needs. Protecting and managing these landscapes can help buffer installations from incompatible development and reduce environmental or regulatory friction.
What is meant by "working lands" in this opportunity?
The notice refers to working lands such as working forests and agricultural lands, along with other landscapes like watersheds and habitats that are relevant to conservation and military compatibility.
Does the opportunity mention any special focus on private land?
Yes. A major focus is building local capacity around land use and management practices near installations, with emphasis on private, working lands and explicitly highlighting non-foreign-owned lands as important to military readiness.
What is one of the key deliverables described in the notice?
A key deliverable is an actionable strategic plan that identifies practical opportunities and approaches for engaging private landowners in ways that align private interests (such as keeping land in productive farming or forestry) with public interests (such as conservation outcomes and military compatibility).
What does the strategic plan aim to accomplish?
It is intended to identify practical opportunities and approaches to engage private landowners so that land stays productive (for example, farming or forestry) while also supporting conservation outcomes and compatibility with nearby military missions.
Will the work include identifying other funding sources or opportunities?
Yes. The notice includes identifying funding opportunities that can help conserve and protect large blocks of private working lands near DoD facilities, with attention to working forests, agricultural lands, watersheds, and habitats.
Why is conserving large blocks of private working lands near DoD facilities highlighted?
The notice explains these lands can buffer installations from incompatible development and reduce environmental or regulatory friction that might otherwise constrain operations or training.
Does the opportunity address foreign ownership of land near military installations?
Yes. A highlighted component is addressing rising concerns about foreign ownership of land near military installations, with the notice describing this as supporting the "America First Investment" executive direction.
How are counties positioned in relation to landownership awareness and land transactions?
The notice states that county officials and elected county leaders often have the most immediate insight into land transactions and local development patterns. The partnership is intended to improve situational awareness and coordination on landownership changes while remaining rooted in conservation and land management strategies.
Is the foreign-ownership focus separate from conservation and land management goals?
The notice frames the work as improving situational awareness and coordination on foreign ownership concerns while still keeping the program rooted in conservation and land management strategies.
What is the overall intended outcome of this cooperative agreement?
The overall intent is to strengthen coordination between counties and the DoD on land use, conservation, and natural resource management near military installations and ranges, helping prevent conflicts and constraints that could reduce or limit military readiness.
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