Braiding Together Reforestation, Indigenous Partnerships, and Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC): A Path Towards Resilient Forests and Communities

This request for information (RFI) functions as an outreach mechanism to cultivate relationships and connect federal funding with Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Alaska Native Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations (ANC), and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. This RFI is intended to solicit responses to explore future projects meeting the unique needs and interests of Indigenous communities through partnership agreements within legislative authority with USDA Forest Service. USDA Forest Service is looking to address reforestation needs and empower the agency’s implementation of the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) program. This initiative aims to foster co-stewardship between USDA Forest Service, Indigenous communities, and IYSC program, with a shared commitment to environmental conservation and reforestation on Forest Service lands. New partnerships will help to address reforestation needs through projects that support reforestation or stand-up improvement activities on lands managed by USDA Forest Service. The agency seeks to actively involve IYSC program in reforestation efforts. Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to explore with you your ideas/projects/programs and federal funding opportunities. USDA Forest Service is committed to fostering a strong, collaborative partnership that benefits the environment, tribes and/or ANCs, Indigenous communities, and IYSC program. These collaborations are vital for understanding reforestation needs, establishing shared priorities, expanding capacity, and ensuring the growth of resilient and healthy forests. By working together, all stakeholders can maximize the impact of reforestation efforts on national forests. Key Points RFI response deadline: November 17, 2023; 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Forest Service will send an auto-response upon receipt of your application submission. Forest Service will send each applicant a follow-up message within one month of application receipt. Forest Service will hold a live informational webinar: October 10, 2023 at 12:00 EST. Forest Service staff will outline RFI details and host a Question & Answer session for potential applicants. Registration: Webinar registration Microsoft Teams. The webinar will be recorded for subsequent viewing. A link to the recording will be posted in grants.gov under opportunity number: USDA-FS-2023-24-40-WFD, after October 10, 2023. Program information: Indian Youth Service Corps US Forest Service (usda.gov). Contact us: accessga@usda.gov. How to Respond Submit response question prompts, SF 424 and SF424A through grants.gov. Submission should be in .pdf or .doc format. Section VI: Response Question Prompts and Forms section of this document, includes response question prompts and requested forms information respond using the “attachments” form. Respond by: November 17, 2023; 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Grants.gov submission is strongly preferred. A grants.gov applicant account is required for submitting responses through grants.gov. Home GRANTS.GOV. See Grants.gov organization registration page for registration guidance. Note: After registering, please choose “subscribe” in grants.gov. By subscribing to RFI Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2023-24-40-WFD you will be notified of any updates and notifications. Grants.gov provides customer support 24/7 via toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. In addition, grants.gov has video tutorials available. Once registered in Grants.gov search for RFI Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2023-24-40-WFD United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Note: System for Award Management (SAM) registration is required to submit any application across the federal government through grants.gov. SAM registration is a prerequisite to receiving any federal funding. SAM registration is a lengthy process. If you are not currently registered in SAM, we strongly recommend registration. No hardcopy applications will be accepted. For questions related to RFI opportunity: USDA-FS-2023-24-40-WFD, please contact USDA Forest Service: accessga@usda.gov.