USACE Kansas City District: Management of Undesirable Plants, St. Charles County, Missouri

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Kansas City District, has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Management of Undesirable Plants program in St. Charles County, Missouri. This opportunity is administered under the authority of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 and is structured as a cooperative agreement. The program is designed to partner with a qualified state-level entity responsible for enforcing or implementing undesirable plant control laws. Through this collaboration, USACE seeks to enhance the management of invasive and noxious plant species on federally managed lands associated with the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation, Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support coordinated, ecosystem-scale management of undesirable plant species. These species pose significant threats to environmental health, agricultural productivity, and public land usability. The program emphasizes integrated vegetation management approaches, including manual, mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical treatment methods. Activities funded under this agreement must align with Missouri state regulations regarding noxious weed control and adhere to USACE operational directives. The initiative aims to improve regional collaboration and ensure that weed management efforts across jurisdictions are synchronized and effective. The scope of work includes five major components: coordination, planning, surveying, implementation, and reporting. The selected recipient will lead interagency coordination efforts, working with levee boards, landowners, and other stakeholders. Planning activities involve developing an annual management plan approved by USACE, identifying priority species and treatment strategies. Surveying tasks include mapping and monitoring invasive species using GIS tools. Implementation includes executing approved treatment methods, while reporting involves submitting pesticide use reports and annual performance documentation. These activities must be conducted in compliance with federal, state, and environmental regulations. Funding for this opportunity is structured over a base year with four optional one-year extensions, contingent on performance and availability of funds. The total funding available is $275,000, distributed evenly across each year at $55,000. The period of performance begins upon award and may extend up to five years if all option periods are exercised. There is no cost-sharing requirement, as the program is fully funded by USACE. Funds are intended to support professional services and program execution, including staffing, equipment, and operational costs associated with vegetation management. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to state departments of agriculture or other state agencies or political subdivisions that are legally responsible for implementing undesirable plant laws. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in natural resource management and provide documentation of past performance on similar federal assistance agreements. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, as well as a detailed program narrative outlining goals, management plans, and past performance. Applicants must also be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Applications are due by June 15, 2026, and must be submitted by 2:00 PM Central Time. The anticipated award date is July 10, 2026. Prior to submission, applicants may direct questions to the designated grants specialist, with a deadline for inquiries set for May 28, 2026. The evaluation process includes an initial eligibility review followed by a merit-based assessment focusing on alignment with program goals, management capability, and past performance. Final selection is made by the USACE Grants Officer based on these criteria and overall value to the program.

Align proposal closely with Section A goals demonstrate strong past performance and provide clear management plan with staffing and resources