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From RFP to Award Navigating the GLRI Maze
Identifying opportunities
Developing a strategy
Structuring a successful proposal
Securing the award
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DU mission: Conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats
also benefit other wildlife and people.
Established 1937 World’s largest non-profit wetland conservation organization Grassroots organization with paid conservation staff
Total Membership: 773,360 NHQ in Memphis; 4 regional offices; gov’t affairs in DC Not a hunting or advocacy group Total Acreage Conserved: 12,248,956 Partners, partners, partners Restoration
Engineering Project delivery and administration
Land Protection Public Policy Research GIS
Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office
DU in NYThree GLRI grants in NY…so far
NOAA St. Lawrence Valley Fisheries Habitat Enhancement
EPA Lake Ontario Invasive Species Control and Habitat Enhancement (subrecipient to TNC)
USFWS Joint Ventures Indian River Lakes Wetland Protection
Identifying GLRI opportunities Be proactive, not reactive
Have projects “on the shelf”
Have due diligence, project components clear before RFP hits
Consult with agency staff developing the RFP before the RFP is issued
Identify the scientific basis for the need for the project
past studies, baseline
opportunity to partner with universities, other researchers
Get partners in one room and hammer out responsibilities, roles, obstacles
Identifying GLRI opportunitiesIdentify the goals for the project, realizing there may be
multiple goals the project can address Invasive species, fisheries habitat, endangered species, water quality
Set realistic goals Don’t sell yourself short Don’t overpromise
Develop a Strategy Geography
Are there multiple small projects that have a common need?
Develop larger, regionally based projects.
Which partners?
Why are they are partner?
Who is applicant? Sub-recipient? Subcontractor?
Develop a Strategy Choose an RFP that fits strategically with the project and the
likelihood of getting funded
Which RFP? Shotgun or selective?
What match (and why?)
Is match required? Does it make your proposal more competitive?
Is the match better used elsewhere?
Can match be generated via collaboration?
Funding level
Are you submitting several proposals?
Structure the Proposal
GOAL: Make it as easy as possible for the agency to award you the grant.
Understand Rank Defend Administer
Structure the Proposal Go through RFP with fine tooth comb
(Consult with agency staff developing the RFP before the RFP is issued)
Discern the intent – read between the lines
Understand the agency and the people
Develop a checklist of hot buttons
Make project relevant to the RFP and the agency
What are their goals?
How do they measure outcomes? How do you measure outcomes?
Will they buy into your system for measuring success and achieving goals?
Arrange the proposal in a logical format that either Follows the guidance of the RFP specifically, or Follows the order and logic of the RFP as closely as possible
Try to anticipate how the black box works (peek inside if you can) Make the proposal fit the process Realize that you may have several people reviewing all or
parts of your proposal Each section must stand on its own merit and provide the
reviewer with all the information they need to make a judgment
Don’t assume the reviewer has read other sections or knows anything more about the project
Structure the Proposal
Structure the Proposal Don’t assume your reviewer will know anything about your project,
location, organization, or ability to deliver
Avoid jargon or criteria that are unique to your organization
Develop a timeline that is realistic and meets the RFP
Develop a plan for how steps of the project will be achieved
Identify staff or partners who will have ownership of these step
Adopt RFP language to use in proposal
Identify opportunities to use the project to:
Promote the GLRI and partnerships between the agency and the grantee
Utilize the project for outreach, education and celebration
Pay attention to the points
Securing the grant Make sure you have all the required components to allow the agency to award you the grant
DUNS number http://www.dnb.com
Support letters
partners, stakeholders, legislators
SF-424, lobbying disclosure, and other federal forms
Resumes or statements of qualification for all personnel who will be involved (applicant and partners)
highlight experience administering or delivering past grants or projects similar in scope and size to proposal
Securing the Grant Prepare for Grant Award
Internal ability to satisfy A-133 or other audit
audit ready files
QAPP
Safety Plans
Invasive species plans
Subrecipient agreements
Internal policies on contracting, invoicing, accounting, procurement,
Securing the Grant Review by someone outside the proposal process
Submit it as instructed by RFP
format, use of attachments, supporting materials, GIS data
Register with grants.gov, or submit via email, mail
Plan ahead to avoid the rush, avoid potential pitfalls, verify receipt
