10.4.22 Foa_Content_of_F23AS00037.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for White-nose Syndrome Fiscal Year: 2023

F23AS00037

Due Date for Applications: 03/31/2023

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description Authority:

Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et. seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 661-666; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. § 742 et seq.; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133, 116th Cong. Div. G, Title I.

Assistance Listing Number:

15.684 Background, Purpose and Program Requirements:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is making funding available in 2022 and 2023 for research and development of enduring solutions to manage white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats.

The Service provides financial and technical assistance to nongovernmental, university, and private researchers, as well as state and local governments, Native American tribes, and federal agencies, for the management of WNS and conservation of bats. Projects supported under this funding opportunity will investigate, develop, evaluate, and implement innovative biotechnologies to eliminate the threat of WNS to bats in North America.

Since 2007, white-nose syndrome has caused the deaths of millions of bats in North America.

The disease is caused by an invasive fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), in the Phylum Ascomycota, that grows best in cold, damp, dark environments like those preferred by hibernating bats. Twelve species of bats in temperate North America are known to be susceptible to infections by Pd, but the severity of WNS varies considerably among them. Several species suffer high rates of mortality from WNS while others suffer only minor infections. An additional six North American bat species are known to have been exposed to Pd but have not been shown to suffer infection. In Europe and Asia, where Pd likely originated, multiple bat species are known to be susceptible to WNS, but with only minor infections and no evidence of mass mortality from the disease. As of August 2022, WNS is confirmed or suspected in bats in 39 states and eight Canadian provinces, and evidence of the causative fungus, Pd, has been detected in at least four additional states without signs of the disease. For information on WNS and previously funded projects, please see: http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

Growth in our scientific understanding of WNS, Pd, and susceptible bats has been rapid since the disease was first identified in 2007. Evidence from multiple lines of investigation, along with recent advances in biotechnology, have laid the groundwork for developing biotechnological tools that may put an end to the threat this invasive species poses to bats in North America. Some of the relevant scientific advancements related to WNS include the following examples:

The genome of Pd has been published (Drees et al. 2016).

Pd spreads primarily through clonal reproduction and may be highly similar wherever it exists in North America (Ren et al. 2012).

A highly-specific partitivirus infects Pd in North America and may affect its pathogenicity (Thapa et al. 2016).

http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

Pd lacks ability to repair damage from some wavelengths ultraviolet light (UV-C; Palmer et al. 2018).

Pd is vulnerable to matric stress (Raudabaugh and Miller 2013).

Pd’s ability to cause infection is mediated by protease production (O’Donoghue et al.

2015, Pannkuk et al. 2015).

Pd infection initiates transcription of immunological defense mechanisms (Davy et al.

2017, Field et al. 2015).

Bats’ skin chemistry influences infection susceptibility (Frank et al. 2018, Pannkuk et al.

2013).

Severity of impacts from WNS may be affected by Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS; Meteyer et al. 2012).

The upper critical temperature for Pd to grow is between 19.0 and 19.8C (Verant et al.

2012).

Funding through the Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for WNS grant opportunity will advance projects that leverage knowledge about WNS, fungi and fungal pathogens, invasive species, wildlife disease, and other relevant topics to produce enduring solutions to WNS in North America. We seek management solutions that are pathogen-specific, effective, scalable, and safe for native biota and environments. For this opportunity, we consider biotechnological tools to be those that involve the modification of an organism or genome for the purposes of acting on the function of an organism (in this case, Pd). Projects submitted to this opportunity should clearly achieve progress toward an implementable management tool.

Collaborations are encouraged and applicants are invited to contact a member of the Service’s WNS coordination team (below) while developing their projects.

Goal: Eliminate the threat of Pd to hibernating bats in North America.

Objective 1: Develop biotechnological tools that remove or suppress Pd’s pathogenic properties, making it unable to cause severe disease.

Objective 2: Develop biotechnological tools that reduce or eliminate the environmental reservoir of Pd in treated sites.

Objectives may be achieved by advancing the following priorities:

1. Advance innovative, practical pathogen management tools for Pd, building on information of biochemical, genetic, and other biological or physical characteristics that affect its pathogenicity.

2. Conduct research to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of biotechnological tools for use against Pd that will satisfy requirements of registering tools for application in the wild.

The Service seeks to fund projects that produce effective and lasting methods for controlling Pd safely where it interacts with susceptible bat populations. These populations may aggregate in summer and/or winter, but they also may be widely distributed in small numbers across the landscape, depending on location and species. Pd forms an environmental reservoir in bat roosts where bats overwinter, many of which are not known or not accessible. For this reason, the Service is especially interested in proposals that have a reasonable likelihood of reaching a large number of susceptible bats either directly or through the environment with which they interact.

The most competitive proposals will address development of critical delivery mechanisms required for practical application of the tool, however, development of a specific delivery system(s) is not a required element of a project or project narrative. At minimum, applicants are encouraged to include a detailed description of a proposed delivery mechanism(s) as part of the Methods section. Development of delivery systems can be addressed with subsequent awards once proof of concept has been demonstrated. Collaborative projects that bring together scientists with relevant expertise in biotechnology, bat biology, fungal biology, and wildlife disease are encouraged. We also encourage applicants to contact a member of the Service’s WNS coordination team to discuss relevant considerations for applying the intended product(s) and potential collaborations.

The Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for WNS funding opportunity is a component of the WNS Research for Conservation Grants. It accompanies three funding opportunities from the Service’s WNS Program, completed for 2022 but anticipated to be offered again in 2023: 1) WNS Grants to States and Tribes 2022 (closed May 2, 2022:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337964); 2) Bats for the Future Fund (with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation closed April 28, 2022:

www.nfwf.org/bats); and 3) WNS Research for Conservation Grants (Closed June 5, 2022):

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=339237). It is our intent with this funding opportunity to provide support for research that may fall outside of the stated priorities and/or criteria of the other four programs. Contact the Service’s WNS national assistant coordinator for more information about these funding opportunities.

The WNS Program’s funding opportunities are supported by the Ecological Services and Science Applications programs, and will be administered through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR). Grants will be competitively awarded based on merit review of applications for their ability to address priorities identified in this notice.

References

Davy, C.M., M.E. Donaldson, C.K.R. Willis, et al. 2017. The other white-nose syndrome transcriptome: Tolerant and susceptible hosts respond differently to the pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Ecology and Evoloution 7: 7161– 7170. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3234

Drees, K.P., J.M. Palmer, R. Sebra, J.M. Lorch, C. Chen, C.C. Wu, J.W. Bok, N.P. Keller, D.S.

Blehert, C.A. Cuomo, D.L. Lindner, and J.T. Foster. 2016 Use of multiple sequencing technologies To Produce a High-Quality Genome of the Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of bat white-nose syndrome. Genome Announcements 4: e00445-16.

doi:10.1128/genomeA.00445-16 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337964 http://www.nfwf.org/bats https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=339237

Field K.A., J.S. Johnson, T.M. Lilley, S.M. Reeder, E.J. Rogers. 2015. The white-nose syndrome transcriptome: activation of anti-fungal host responses in wing tissue of hibernating little brown myotis. PLOS Pathogens 11(10): e1005168. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005168

Frank, C.L., K.G. Sitler-Elbel, A.J. Hudson, and M.R. Ingala. 2018. The antifungal properties of epidermal fatty acid esters: Insights from white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats. Molecules 23:

1986. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23081986

Meteyer, C.U., D. Barber, and J.N. Mandl. 2012. Pathology in euthermic bats with white nose syndrome suggests a natural manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Virulence, 3: 583-588, DOI:10.4161/viru.22330

O’ Donoghue, A.J., G.M. Knudsen, C.N. Beekman, J.A. Perry, A.D. Johnson, J.L. DeRisi, C.S.

Craik, and R.J. Bennett. 2015. Destructin-1 is a collagen-degrading endopeptidase secreted by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative afent of white-nose syndrome. PNAS 112: 7478- 7483. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1507082112

Palmer, J.M., K.P. Drees, J.T. Foster, et al. 2018. Extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light in the fungal pathogen causing white-nose syndrome of bats. Nature Communications 9, 35.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02441-z

Pannkuk, E.L., D.F. Gilmore, N.W. Fuller, B.J. Savary, and T.S. Risch. 2013. Sebaceous lipid profiling of bat integumentary tissues: Quantitative analysis of free fatty acids, monoacylglycerides, squalene, and sterols. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 10: 2122 2132.

https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201300319

Pannkuk E.L., T.S. Risch, and B.J. Savary. 2015.Isolation and identification of an extracellular subtilisin-like serine protease secreted by the bat pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

PLOS ONE 10(3): e0120508. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0120508

Raudabaugh D.B. and A.N. Miller. 2013. Nutritional capability of and substrate suitability for Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of bat white-nose syndrome. PLOS ONE 8:

e78300. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078300

Ren, P., K.H. Haman, L.A. Last, S.S. Rajkumar, M.K. Keel, and V. Chaturvedi. 2012. Clonal spread of Geomyces destructans among bats, Midwestern and Southern United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases 18: 883e885

Thapa, V., G.G. Turner, S. Hafenstein, B.E. Overton, K.J. Vanderwolf, et al. 2016. Using a novel partitivirus in Pseudogymnoascus destructans to understand the epidemiology of white-nose syndrome. PLOS Pathogens 12: e1006076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006076

Verant, M.L., JG. Boyles, W. Waldrep, Jr., G. Wibbelt, and D.S. Blehert. 2012. Temperature-dependent growth of Geomyces destructans, the fungus that causes bat white-nose syndrome.

PLOS ONE 7(9): e46280. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046280

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $1,500,000

The Service has targeted up to $1.5 million for this funding opportunity in 2022/2023. The total of funds awarded may be less than $1.5 million depending on number and merit of proposals received to this funding opportunity.

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $300,000 Minimum Award $50,000 Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that represent stages of work for projects that may take more than 2 years or require funds in excess of the award ceiling. Awardees may be eligible to receive additional funding in subsequent iterations of this funding opportunity as progress toward the project's final goal is demonstrated.

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $200,000 Expected Award Date May 31, 2023 Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Service will aim to notify applicants of decisions within 45 days of the last day of the month the proposal is submitted.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards This is the first year that the Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for WNS funding opportunity is being offered. Therefore, the average award amount is not known, but is expected to be around $200,000. Applicants who seek more than $300,000 to complete a project for this funding program should contact the National Coordinator or National Assistant Coordinator for WNS (below) to discuss options.

Funding is available for new projects and to continue or expand previously funded projects that have achieved relevant milestones. Projects that require additional funds or more than two years to complete should be proposed in 1- or 2-year stages of work that cover appropriate and feasible aspects of the proposed project within the time and budget limits.

We anticipate that projects will be proposed in sequential stages to complete the work. Projects that propose a staged course of research should provide information about the currently proposed stage as well as brief descriptions of the anticipated future stages that will be needed to complete necessary research and development of the management tool. Recipients of funding for preliminary stages of the research will be eligible to request additional funding to complete subsequent stages of the work as successful progress is demonstrated. (See merit criteria, below.)

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant CA - Cooperative Agreement In the case of cooperative agreements, the Service participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician and/or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work. Applicants should identify the Service’s involvement and clearly describe this collaboration in the application. Coordination with Service personnel during the development of proposals for cooperative agreements is encouraged. Actions may include, for example:

· Training recipient personnel, detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort, or conducting work to complete the project.

· Review and approval of accomplishments in projects with stepwise study design.

· Review and approval, prior to recipient action, of proposed modifications or sub-awards.

· Collaboration and assistance with selecting project locations, staff, trainees, or partners.

· Directing or redirecting work because of interrelationships with other projects.

· Altering or halting project activities if performance specifications are not met.

· Limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 05 – Independent school districts 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 20 – Private institutions of higher education 22 – For profit organization other than small businesses 23 – Small businesses 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility

Additional eligible applicants include nonprofits having a 501(c)4 and 501(c)5 status with the

IRS.

This funding opportunity is open to domestic and foreign applicants. Additional information for foreign entities is included below.

To be eligible, the following conditions must be met:

1. Applications must clearly address the stated objective of this funding program, as identified above.

2. Applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements, with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants (if applicable).

When an applicant is carrying two or more active WNS awards while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in implementing the existing awards. The Service will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. Previous recipients that demonstrate their effective use of WNS funds will not be affected. Previous recipients that have taken no significant action on any one of their two or more preexisting awards will not be considered eligible to apply for new funds from the WNS program until the issue is resolved.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Matching contribution is not required. Although matching contribution is not required, a match equal to 30% of the requested Federal funds is encouraged to improve the cost efficiency of the project. Funds previously awarded by the U.S. Federal Government are not allowable as match, unless specifically allowed by the other funding program. See match eligibility in 2 CFR 200.306.

C3. Other Minimum criteria for Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for WNS proposals:

Proposals that do not meet these minimum requirements will not be reviewed further.

Proposed project must clearly address the stated objective of the funding opportunity.

Applicant must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants, if applicable.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Excluded Parties:

The DOI conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The DOI cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package The Application Package can be found at the following locations:

GrantSolutions https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ - Search for the funding opportunity using the Program name and/or CFDA Number 15.684. Or, search for the funding opportunity name: Research and Development of Biotechnological Tools for White-nose Syndrome.

Forms required for the application can also be found here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html or requested from Shelley DiBona, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 413-253-8509 or Shelley_DiBona@fws.gov

Program Website Link www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except individuals and commercial entities, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:Shelley_DiBona@fws.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44- 4444.” Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1 “

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS- GMM): Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

Project Narrative https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337

The components of the Project Narrative listed below must be included in this section, which is limited to 8 pages of 11 pt or greater font and 1” margins. Figures and tables should be included within this page limit. The Project Summary, letters of support, and Literature Cited are not counted in the page limit.

Project title, Investigators, Collaborators and Affiliations

Statement of Need: Describe the significance and value of the project. Summarize background and previous accomplishments that are relevant to the proposed work and explain how the proposed project builds on existing knowledge to make progress toward that anticipated outcome. If you have received funding previously for this specific project or study site (from the Service or elsewhere), provide a summary of the outcomes of that work.

Project Goals and Objectives: State the short and long-term goal(s) of the project. State the specific objectives addressed to reach the stated goals. If additional research and development will be needed to continue developing the intended product, briefly describe the work that will be needed upon completion of the currently proposed work.

Expected Results and Outcomes: State the anticipated outcomes, benefits and/or management implications of the project. Describe how the intended product(s) will be used to minimize the impacts of WNS in wild bat populations or will lead to future work that will do so. Describe future requirements for scaling and registering the product to deliver benefits to bat populations in the wild.

Project Activities and Methods: State the project activities and describe how they relate to the project objectives. The proposed methodology must be described with sufficient detail for reviewers to make a clear connection between the proposed methods, how they act on the pathogen to achieve study objectives, and their cost efficiency. Identify locations where the work will be completed.

Contribution to Management of WNS: Describe how your work will lead to a long-term solution to WNS. Describe how the anticipated product may be developed and delivered to reach a large portion of populations that are being impacted by WNS. Applicants who are less familiar with bat ecology and are unsure about how their product may be deployed effectively are encouraged to contact the national coordinator and assistant coordinator for WNS (see below) to discuss this subject or identify potential collaborations. Knowledge of bat biology and specifics of deploying the final product for management purposes are not required to apply for this funding opportunity.

Permitting and Animal Care: Participants of funded projects must procure all necessary Federal, State, and local permits, and landowner permissions prior to project initiation.

(Existing permits, approvals and registrations should be submitted as addenda that do not count toward page limits.)

Principal Investigators (PIs) will be expected to maintain compliance with the Animal Welfare Act with satisfactory review of animal use protocols by an established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (as appropriate). All awarded projects must comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.

The following items do not count toward the 8-page maximum.

Literature Cited: Components of the project narrative must be properly cited using parenthetical documentation in name-year format. A complete bibliography of cited literature must be included and does not count toward the project narrative 8-page maximum.

Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all cooperating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide brief (1 page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. Do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information on the curricula vitae.

*Proposals must be accompanied by letters of support, collaboration or coordination from relevant partners (e.g., State and Federal biologists, private landowners, etc.) whose contributions or cooperation are necessary for successful completion of the proposed project (e.g., commitment to collect swab samples on behalf of the Principal Investigator, etc.).

Unpublished works that are cited in support of the proposed work. Proposals that include references to unpublished information, patent documentation, product labels and other essential information should submit copies to any documents that are not readily available through libraries or other online resources.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A Budget Information form for Non- Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov or in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In “Section A – Budget Summary” on the SF-424A form enter the funding requested from this Federal program in the first row. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Budget Narrative Applicants must include a budget narrative that describes and justifies requested budget items and costs. In your budget narrative, describe how the SF-424 Budget Information, “Object Class Category” totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays). Describe any proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any third-party cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E contributions, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information.

At minimum, budget narratives should crosswalk to the SF424A categories. Also, distinguish equipment from supplies. A table in the budget narrative should be used to clarify use of requested funds, if this information is not clear elsewhere. This table should include at least these budget categories:

1. Salaries and benefits (include names, responsibilities, and time commitments)

2. Project related expenses (such as: travel, communications, supplies, consultants etc.)

3. Equipment (purchases of tangible, personal property over $5,000.00 that will be used for a year or more);

4. Indirect costs (if any).

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

a. Applicability.

1. This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

2. In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR§200.318 apply.

b. Notification.

1. Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass- through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

2. Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

c. Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §18 and 31

USC §1352.

d. Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regard to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration:

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). Entities already registered in SAM.gov should review their registration to confirm that they are registered as a financial assistance recipient, which requires completion of the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations”. See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 03/31/2023 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis on the final day of each month throughout the open period of this funding opportunity through 3/31/2023. Processing of awards for selected applications will begin as soon as they are https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm selected, and work may start once the grant is awarded. Activities and expenditures of proposed projects should be planned to begin at least 60 days from the time of submission.

D5. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. The State Single Point of Contact list is available on the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website.

D6. Funding Restrictions Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior (DOI) is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the IBC by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted by Organization:

U.S. state or local government entities receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding must include the following statement in their application and attach a copy of their most recently negotiated rate agreement:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. Attached is a copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement/certification.

U.S. state or local government entities receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding must include the applicable statement from this list:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/icrna rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award].

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We have not prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR §200, Appendix VII and elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until we choose to establish a rate per 2 CFR §200. We understand we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

All other organizations must include the applicable statement from this list and any related documentation in their application.