Opportunity Information: Apply for S20AS00008
The OSMRE/VISTA Program is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), under CFDA 15.254. It is rooted in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and operates within federal assistance rules such as the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) and Interior-specific supplements (2 CFR Part 1402). It also ties into the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and related federal provisions governing VISTA service and certain post-service federal hiring advantages. In practical terms, the program uses a federal financial assistance award to build a structured partnership that connects national service (AmeriCorps VISTA) with OSMRE priorities in communities affected by legacy mining impacts.
The main goal of the opportunity is to expand OSMRE's engagement with young professionals, especially recent graduates from colleges, universities, and vocational schools, by placing them in one-year VISTA service terms in communities impacted by pre-regulatory mining practices. These placements are intended to support community-focused work that aligns with OSMRE missions, including community and environmental reclamation, environmental stewardship, economic improvement, educational opportunities, research, and related community development needs. The expectation is that VISTAs contribute capacity-building and project support in the field, strengthening local organizations and helping communities address long-standing environmental and economic challenges linked to historic mining.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education. A key requirement is that applicants must already have access to AmeriCorps VISTA positions, either through a direct partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS, now commonly known as AmeriCorps) or through an intermediary organization that can provide and manage VISTA slots. The nonprofit award recipient acts as the administrator for the OSMRE/VISTA Program in coordination with OSMRE, meaning the nonprofit is expected to help recruit, place, and support VISTA members while ensuring the service activities match approved objectives and compliance requirements.
The opportunity was issued as Funding Opportunity Number S20AS00008, created May 7, 2020, with an original closing date of July 15, 2020. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial federal involvement during the period of performance, such as close collaboration, joint planning, or ongoing oversight with the awardee rather than a more hands-off grant relationship. The award ceiling listed is $275,500, with an expectation of one award, suggesting a single partner organization would be selected to run the program framework described in the notice.
For the individuals serving as VISTAs, the program description highlights standard AmeriCorps VISTA features: members receive a living allowance and other benefits during their service. After successfully completing the term, VISTAs may earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used for qualified higher education expenses or to repay eligible student loans. The notice also emphasizes a career-related benefit: VISTAs who complete their term may receive non-competitive eligibility for certain federal jobs, which can make it easier to enter federal service within the eligibility window if they meet position requirements.Apply for S20AS00008
- The Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OSMRE/VISTA Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.254.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 07, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $275,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - OSMRE/VISTA Program (CFDA 15.254)
1) What is the OSMRE/VISTA Program?
The OSMRE/VISTA Program is a discretionary federal financial assistance opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). It is structured as a cooperative agreement and is designed to connect AmeriCorps VISTA national service placements with OSMRE priorities in communities affected by legacy (pre-regulatory) mining impacts.
2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The main goal is to expand OSMRE engagement with young professionals, particularly recent graduates from colleges, universities, and vocational schools, by placing them in one-year AmeriCorps VISTA service terms in communities impacted by pre-regulatory mining practices. These placements are intended to build local capacity and support community-focused work aligned with OSMRE mission areas.
3) What type of funding instrument is being offered?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically means substantial federal involvement during the project period, such as close collaboration with OSMRE, joint planning, and/or ongoing oversight, rather than a more hands-off grant relationship.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is S20AS00008.
5) When was this opportunity created and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on May 7, 2020, and the original closing date was July 15, 2020.
6) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number referenced for this program is 15.254.
7) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education.
8) Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. Even if an entity is a nonprofit, institutions of higher education are not eligible under the eligibility limitation described.
9) Is access to AmeriCorps VISTA positions required?
Yes. Applicants must already have access to AmeriCorps VISTA positions. This access must be through either (a) a direct partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), now commonly known as AmeriCorps, or (b) an intermediary organization that can provide and manage VISTA slots.
10) What role does the nonprofit award recipient play if selected?
The nonprofit award recipient serves as the administrator for the OSMRE/VISTA Program in coordination with OSMRE. In practice, this includes recruiting, placing, and supporting VISTA members and ensuring that service activities align with approved objectives and applicable compliance requirements.
11) What kinds of communities does the program focus on?
The program focuses on communities impacted by pre-regulatory mining practices and legacy mining impacts, including long-standing environmental and economic challenges connected to historic mining activity.
12) What types of activities or focus areas are expected for VISTA placements?
VISTA placements are intended to support community-focused work aligned with OSMRE missions. The description includes areas such as community and environmental reclamation, environmental stewardship, economic improvement, educational opportunities, research, and related community development needs.
13) How long is a typical VISTA service term under this program?
The opportunity describes placing participants in one-year AmeriCorps VISTA service terms.
14) What is meant by "capacity-building" in this program context?
Within this program description, VISTAs are expected to contribute capacity-building and project support in the field. The intent is to strengthen local organizations and help communities address long-standing environmental and economic challenges related to historic mining impacts.
15) How many awards are expected to be made?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award, which suggests a single partner organization would be selected to run the described program framework.
16) What is the maximum (ceiling) amount for the award?
The listed award ceiling is $275,500.
17) What federal laws and regulations does the program reference?
The program is rooted in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. It operates within federal assistance rules including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) and Department of the Interior-specific supplements (2 CFR Part 1402). It also ties into the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and related federal provisions governing VISTA service and certain post-service federal hiring advantages.
18) What benefits do VISTA members receive during service?
The description highlights standard AmeriCorps VISTA features, including that members receive a living allowance and other benefits during their service term.
19) What education-related benefit may VISTAs earn after successful completion?
After successfully completing the term, VISTAs may earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used for qualified higher education expenses or to repay eligible student loans.
20) What is the federal employment benefit mentioned for VISTA members?
VISTAs who complete their term may receive non-competitive eligibility for certain federal jobs. This can make it easier to enter federal service within the eligibility window if they meet the position requirements.
21) How does OSMRE participate during the period of performance?
Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, the relationship is described as involving substantial federal involvement, such as close collaboration, joint planning, and/or ongoing oversight by OSMRE during the project period.
22) How does this opportunity connect national service with OSMRE priorities?
It uses a federal financial assistance award to build a structured partnership that places AmeriCorps VISTA members into service roles that support local capacity and community development work aligned with OSMRE mission priorities in areas affected by legacy mining impacts.
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