Description
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is seeking information from entities that need wildland firefighting slip-on tankers to improve their wildland firefighting readiness. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides funding for this effort, and the Government plans to award grants through a competitive process. The minimum criteria for eligibility include a population of 25,000 or less, wildland fire response needs, and vehicles able to be mounted with a slip-on tanker meeting the minimum specifications. The Government is considering a two-phased approach for the application process and may limit each entity to 2 slip-on tankers. The responses to this RFI will be used for planning purposes only and will not be accepted as a binding grant application.
• The DOI is seeking entities such as counties, municipalities, cities, towns, townships, local public authorities, school districts, special districts, intrastate districts, councils of governments, Indian Tribes or authorized Tribal entities, Alaska Native Villages or Alaska Regional Native Corporations, rural communities, unincorporated towns or villages, or other public entities.
• The entities must provide fire protection and other emergency services in support of local governments or Tribes needing slip-on tankers.
• The Government may prioritize applications based on Wildfire Risk Index Score and Equitable Geographical Distribution.
• The Government anticipates having two grant award cycles per year, with up to 25 grants awarded in each cycle.
• The first cycle is anticipated to begin with applications due in October/November 2023 and awards occurring in March 2024.