REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

DOWNLOAD THE FULL RFP HERE

Proposal Due Date: May 30, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. EDT

OVERVIEW

The Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention Program (TRAP) focuses on derelict trap removal in four areas: 1) standardization of data collection and monitoring, 2) reduction of economic and ecological impacts, 3) prevention and mitigation of harmful effects, and 4) comprehensive data sharing and analysis. The TRAP Program provides a unique opportunity to protect marine ecosystems, preserve local economies, and make a lasting impact on the health of waterways. The Program will coordinate the removal of derelict fishing traps (blue crab, American lobster, spiny lobster, Dungeness crab, stone crab, and potentially other types of traps) nationwide. This Program will benefit coastal and estuarine natural resources by reducing target species and bycatch mortality of living marine resources and by the removal of abandoned and derelict traps from sensitive habitats, as well as providing economic benefits such as increased harvests. Projects should also foster awareness of the effects of derelict fishing traps to further the conservation of living marine resources and their habitats and contribute to the understanding of nationwide derelict fishing trap distribution and impacts. This competition is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program (NOAA). Successful proposals in this solicitation will be funded through cost-reimbursable subawards and will be subject to NOAA terms and conditions.

The Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program anticipates distributing between 6 and 15 awards annually under this solicitation. The exact number of awards to be awarded and the exact amount of funds made will be at the discretion of the Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program following pre-award negotiations with highly meritorious applicants. The Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program may request that a highly ranked applicant submitting more than one meritorious proposal combine all or parts of its proposals into one award. Publication of this opportunity does not obligate the Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program to award any specific project or obligate all or any part of available program funds. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for any or all proposals. The number of awards to be made under this solicitation will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the amount of funding requested by recommended applicants, the merit and ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds available. Funding of up to $1,475,000 is expected to be available for Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program Removal grants in Fiscal Year 2025. After the initial application period closes, the TRAP Program will make a determination regarding whether all available funds will be awarded as part of this solicitation or if subsequent requests for proposals will be published. Awards are for 18-month projects; longer-term projects are not permissible under this program. The minimum amount of award funding that may be requested is $50,000. The maximum award amount is $200,000. Anticipated project start dates for awards made under this competition will range from October 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

PROGRAM PRIORITIES 

The program priorities for this solicitation are the detection and removal of derelict fishing traps and the collection of standardized data associated with the removed traps. Derelict fishing traps are passive cage-style gear that are lost, abandoned, discarded, or otherwise no longer under control of a commercial or recreational fisher. These traps target crustaceans and some types of finfish, and they include, but are not limited to, abandoned crab or lobster pots/traps. Such projects must comply with applicable federal and state laws regarding handling and ownership of derelict fishing traps. This program does not focus on other types of derelict gear, such as lost nets and lines.

Projects taking place in Sanctuaries, Reserves, or Tribal fishing grounds, or other protected areas may receive greater consideration for funding in this competition. Projects are not limited to these areas, however, and may take place anywhere that derelict fishing traps are present. All proposals must primarily emphasize removal activities that provide ecological and/or economic benefits and must clearly lay out the direct links to such benefits.

The collection of high quality, standardized data is a critical priority of the TRAP Program. Proposals should place an emphasis on methodical data recording which reflects a commitment to quality data standardization over speed and volume of removals. Participation in the program’s standardized data process helps establish a critical foundation for understanding and addressing this pressing issue. All applicants must express an ability to use the ArcGIS Survey123 TRAP Program form for data submittal.

Strong proposals will integrate innovative, sustainable approaches to the “end of life” of derelict fishing traps (e.g., re-use, recycling, energy recovery, partnering with local waste management companies, etc.).

Prevention, outreach, education, and volunteer activities are valuable aspects of derelict fishing trap removal efforts, but they are not a priority focus of this program. Proposals including one or more of these aspects are allowed but not required.

Applications addressing other types of pollution not fitting the definition of derelict fishing traps provided above are not priorities for this solicitation and will not be considered.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS 

All projects must take place within the coastal waterways of the United States, territories, or the Freely Associated States (FAS) of the Pacific, which include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Projects in international waters will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and territorial government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, commercial (for-profit) organizations, American Indian and Alaska Native governments and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Organizations, and educational institutions. Tribal governments include both federal and state recognized tribes. The Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program is strongly committed to broadening the participation of American Indian Tribes. The Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program encourages proposals from, or involving, any of the above types of institutions. For-profit applicants should see the Budget section below for specific budget considerations for for-profit entities. Applicants with a proven record of success in implementing derelict trap removal projects with specific, measurable results are encouraged to apply.

Ineligible applicants include federal agencies or employees of federal agencies, foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and unincorporated individuals.

OTHER CRITERIA THAT AFFECT ELIGIBILITY 

Applicants must have the capability to collect basic data described in the Basic Data Collection Requirements section and enter the data via the ArcGIS Survey123 TRAP App (provided to all successful applicants) or through an online browser.

INELIGIBLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS 

TRAP Funds may not be used to support political advocacy, food costs, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, or any illegal activities. TRAP funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with existing legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation, and settlement agreements.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL RFP HERE