The National September 11 Memorial and Museum and 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center

The Department of War, through the Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate, has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity to support two highly specific projects tied to national memorialization and public education related to the September 11, 2001 attacks. This funding is authorized under the Congressionally Directed Assistance program and stems from appropriations provided in the fiscal year legislation. The opportunity is structured as a sole-source funding initiative, meaning that eligibility is restricted to two named organizations: the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, and the Pentagon Memorial Fund. The purpose of this funding is to support initiatives that both commemorate the events of September 11 and expand public understanding of the military response that followed. One award will support programming led by the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, specifically focused on promoting military recruitment, military service, and public education regarding the armed forces’ role in responding to the attacks. The second award will fund the construction of a visitor education center at the Pentagon Memorial, enhancing public engagement and interpretive experiences at that site. The funding scope includes both cooperative agreements and grants depending on the recipient organization. The cooperative agreement, intended for the Memorial and Museum, will involve substantial federal involvement, including oversight of project focus, coordination of activities, evaluation of progress, and logistical support. The Pentagon Memorial Fund will receive a grant to support construction-related activities for the visitor education center. Each award is anticipated to be $12 million, with the total program funding amounting to $24 million across both recipients. Eligibility is strictly limited to the two named organizations, and applicants must meet federal administrative requirements, including maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management and possessing a valid Unique Entity Identifier. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Applicants must also disclose any conflicts of interest and comply with federal regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements, including requirements related to nondiscrimination, environmental compliance, and reporting obligations. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as the SF-424, budget forms, lobbying disclosures, and a detailed project narrative. The narrative must outline the project plan, including objectives, personnel, cost breakdown, milestones, and public benefit justification. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a two-stage process that may include an initial white paper followed by an invitation for a full technical proposal. Evaluation criteria align with federal standards for financial assistance, including technical merit, budget justification, and organizational integrity. There is no fixed application deadline, as submissions are accepted continuously under a rolling review process. Awards are expected to be made on a rolling basis as well, with notification provided via email. The period of performance will depend on the scope and timeline of the proposed projects. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early due to administrative requirements and to ensure compliance with all federal submission standards.

Emphasize public benefit and alignment with military education objectives; ensure compliance with federal submission requirements; provide detailed project plan and cost breakdown