USACE Kansas City District: Management of Undesirable Plants, Multiple Counties, Missouri

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Kansas City District, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity under its Noxious Weed Management Program to address the control and management of undesirable plants on federally managed lands in Missouri. This program is authorized under the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 and reflects a broader federal mandate to coordinate invasive species management across jurisdictions. The initiative focuses specifically on lands associated with the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation, Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project across multiple counties in Missouri, including Atchison, Holt, Andrew, Boone, Callaway, and St. Louis County. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support a state-level agency in implementing an integrated vegetation management strategy to control invasive and undesirable plant species. These species pose significant threats to ecosystem health, agricultural productivity, and public safety. The program emphasizes collaboration between federal and state entities, as well as coordination with local stakeholders such as levee boards and adjacent landowners. By aligning efforts across jurisdictions, the program seeks to achieve more effective, large-scale environmental outcomes. Funding will support a comprehensive set of activities including coordination, planning, surveying, implementation, and reporting. The selected recipient will develop annual management plans, conduct inventories and mapping of invasive species, and apply integrated treatment methods such as mechanical removal, biological controls, and herbicide application where appropriate. All treatment approaches must comply with both USACE guidelines and Missouri state regulations. Additionally, recipients must submit pesticide use reports when chemical treatments are involved and provide annual performance and financial reports throughout the project period. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to state departments of agriculture or other state agencies or political subdivisions responsible for administering or enforcing undesirable plant laws. This restriction ensures that recipients have the statutory authority and expertise required to implement weed management programs at scale. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience in similar environmental or natural resource management initiatives and provide documentation supporting their eligibility status. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed program narrative. This narrative must outline program goals, management plans, staffing, equipment, and past performance on similar projects. Applicants must also be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Applications are due by June 15, 2026, and must be complete at the time of submission. Applications will undergo a multi-step review process, beginning with an eligibility and completeness check, followed by a merit-based evaluation. Evaluation criteria include alignment with program goals, management capability, and past performance. Budget proposals will also be reviewed for cost reasonableness and compliance with federal cost principles. The final award decision will be made by the USACE Grants Officer based on recommendations from program officials. The cooperative agreement has an initial performance period of one year, with the option to extend annually for up to four additional years, contingent on funding availability and mutual agreement. The estimated total funding available is $1,250,000, with a single award anticipated. The estimated award date is July 10, 2026. Questions regarding the opportunity must be submitted by May 28, 2026, and applicants are encouraged to review all materials carefully to ensure compliance with submission requirements.

Ensure strong alignment with program goals demonstrate prior experience in invasive species management and provide detailed management and staffing plans