Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Grant Program RFA

The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve) features vast stretches of sandy beaches, numerous marinas, and abundant parks and nature preserves that provide opportunities to swim, boat, fish, hike, observe wildlife, and relax. Home to 1.5 million people, the Reserve is an anchor for Long Island’s tourism, seafood, and recreation industries. The New York Department of State (DOS) Office of Planning, Development, & Community Infrastructure (OPDCI) administers and provides funding for the implementation of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) in cooperation with the 23-member Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, which is comprised of State and local governments, non-profit and academic organizations, and other stakeholders. The program is administered in accordance with the CMP, the Environmental Protection Fund and Executive Law, Article 46. This Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) from eligible applicants proposing projects in the Reserve. Projects will target the implementation of the CMP’s recommendations or advance a Reserve Council priority. Applications may include projects to improve water quality, mitigate barriers to species migration in Reserve tributaries, support marine debris removal programs, increase public access, and restore natural resources and fortify shorelines to increase resiliency of the Reserve. The Department is making approximately $2,000,000 available from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund with a minimum award amount of $50,000. Matching funds are not required for this grant, and no preference will be given to organizations that provide matching funds under this grant. Applicants may submit more than one application, but only one application may be submitted per project. Applicants may be awarded for more than one project dependent on the application score, and availability of funding. Applicants may include municipalities (county, town, city or village) located within the Reserve as defined by the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) and Executive Law, Article 46 as the lands draining into the south shore bays; the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the Unkechaug Indian Nation, Academic Institutions, and Not-for-Profit 501(c)(3) organizations. Academic Institutions and not-for-profit organizations do not need to be located within the SSER to apply but any proposed project must be in the SSER.Please see the RFA for specifications. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: See attached file "Similar Past Procurements" Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 6.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) Total MWBE Goals: 30.00%