Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP)

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIGP) provides funding through competitive grants for tie-up facilities for transient recreational boats 26 feet or longer (non-trailerable). This program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Technical Assistance for Applicants

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently hosted online technical assistance sessions for potential applicants interested in the Florida Boating Improvement Program and the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program.  A copy of the presentation used during the sessions is available for download from the Related Documents below.  For more information, email BIGP@MyFWC.com or call (850)488-5600.

Program Timeline 

1. January:  Technical Assistance Sessions take place
2. January – April: Potential applicants reach out to FWC for guidance
3. April 1 – June 1: FWC assists applicants in developing proposals
4. July 1: Applications due to FWC by 5:00 p.m. (Applications received after 7/1 will not be considered)
5. July: FWC review of applications. 
6. August: Florida Tier I & Tier 2 selections are announced.  FWC enters applications into the FGTS and prepares applications for submission into GrantSolutions.gov
7. September: FWC recommendations are due to USFWS through GrantSolutions.gov
8. April: USFWS notifies FWC and announces awards. Award does not necessarily guarantee funding, which is contingent upon:
   1. Receiving all required permits
   2. Receiving all required compliance documents
   3. Successful disbursement of funds from USFWS.
9. Grantee provides documentation to FWC that the required permits (FLDEP; USACE) have been acquired for the awarded project.  FWC submits permits through the compliance process
10. Once all requirements are met, USFWS obligates funding and FWC and applicant enter into Subrecipient Agreement and work can begin.

Proposals are due to FWC no later than 5:00 PM on 07/01/2026

• Proposals are to be drafted and submitted via the FWC Boating Access Programs Application System and not submitted directly to GrantSolutions.gov.
• Follow published rules closely, as detailed in the Federal Final BIG Rule (50 CFR Part 86).

Types of Funding Available

There are two types of grants, Tier I and Tier II:

Tier I Projects

In any given funding cycle, the State of Florida may receive a total of $300,000 for Tier I projects. All Tier I projects must meet the eligibility requirements of 50 CFR 86.20. Each Tier I project cannot exceed $300,000; however, the State of Florida may select one (1) or as many Tier I projects as are eligible so long as the aggregate of these projects does not total more than that year's funding cycle allotment. Tier One projects compete against other Florida projects for funding.

Tier II Projects

In any given funding cycle, and on a nationally competitive basis, the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program expects to make available between $9 million and $14 million for Tier II projects nationally. There is no dollar limit for Tier II projects, although the Federal share of funding cannot exceed $1.5 million dollars per project.  All Tier II projects must meet the eligibility requirements of 50 CFR 86.20. Each project will compete nationally against every other project in Tier II. Tier II projects compete against other Florida projects and if selected by the committee, they compete on a national Level.

Eligible Applicants: Local Governments, Native American Tribes, Port Districts, Nonprofit Organizations, Private Organizations, State Agencies, some special purpose districts, if legally authorized to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation facilities.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Construction or renovation of boating infrastructure such as:
  • slips
  • floating docks
  • fixed piers and breakwaters
  • day docks
  • dinghy docks
  • restrooms and showers
  • mooring buoys and mooring systems
  • dockside utilities
  • marine fueling stations
  • dredging
• Engineering, planning, and permitting
• Installation of navigational aids
• Production of educational materials

If you have any questions, send email to BigP@MyFWC.com or call 850-488-5600.

Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act

On November 15, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA"), Pub. L. No. 117-58, which includes the Build America, Buy America Act ("the Act"). Pub. L. No. 117-58, §§ 70901-52. The Act strengthens Made in America Laws and will bolster America’s industrial base, protect national security, and support high-paying jobs. The Act requires that no later than May 14, 2022—180 days after the enactment of the IIJA—the head of each covered Federal agency shall ensure that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.” (Build America, Buy America Act, P.L. 117-58, Secs 70911 - 70917.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service BABA Fact Sheet

The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Made in America Office released its additional guidance for implementing the Build America, Buy America Act, 2 CFR 184, on August 23, 2023. The new guidance is effective on October 23, 2023.

On April 18, 2022, the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Made in America Office released its initial guidance for implementing the Build America, Buy America Act (pdf).