Massachusetts COMMBUYS #BD-27-1046-DMF-FW010-134066

Massachusetts grants for on-demand fishing gear and gear-location technology

Massachusetts is offering reimbursement grants to commercial fishers using on-demand fishing gear or gear-location technology in seasonal restricted areas. - Government buyer: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF); the On-Demand Open Research Program is identified as a program office. - Opportunity type and funding: Grant and research participation opportunity, not a conventional purchase. Reimbursement is capped at $50,000 per fixed-gear participant and $6,000 per mobile-gear participant; no matching funds are required. The total program funding is not stated. - Products and eligible costs: On-demand fishing gear; through-hull transducers; satellite communication systems and services; devices for receiving on-demand data; and software application downloads or subscriptions. Eligible related costs may include installation and maintenance. No quantities or part numbers are specified. - Participation requirements: Fixed-gear applicants must satisfy commercial lobster permit requirements and hold the required authorization for on-demand gear use. Mobile-gear applicants must satisfy commercial fishing permit requirements and use technology to locate on-demand gear and avoid gear conflicts. Awardees must submit monthly questionnaires during covered activity, including information about fishing activity, technology use, and gear conflicts, and provide documentation for reimbursement. - OEMs and vendors: No equipment manufacturers, OEMs, resellers, or other commercial vendors are named in the opportunity documents.

Description

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking commercial fixed- and mobile-gear fishers to participate in an on-demand gear grant research program in seasonal fixed-gear closed areas during 2027. The program reimburses approved eligible equipment and service costs, up to $50,000 for fixed-gear participants and $6,000 for mobile-gear participants; there is no match requirement. Participants must meet permit and other eligibility requirements and submit monthly questionnaires while using grant-funded equipment or services during the closure months. Applications are accepted until available funds are spent, and awarded contracts run for two years after execution.

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