11.9.2023 Revised Foa_Content_of_F24AS00053.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services https://www.fws.gov/program/cooperative-endangered-species-conservation-fund

F24AS00053 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Conservation Planning Assistance

Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00053

Due Date for Applications: 01/05/2024

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Assistance Listing Number

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

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 A1. Authority 16 U.S.C. §1535

A2. Assistance Listing Number 15.615 A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements As many species listed as endangered or threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) spend at least part of their life cycle on non-Federal lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recognizes success in conserving and recovering these species depends largely on working cooperatively with States and Territories (hereafter, “States”).

Section 6 of the ESA authorizes the Service to provide Federal financial assistance to eligible State agencies to support the development and implementation of conservation programs for the benefit of resident listed species. This financial assistance, provided in the form of competitive grants, is made available through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Grant Programs. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) applies specifically to CESCF Conservation Planning Assistance Grants.

This NOFO fully describes application eligibility, evaluation, and selection. It should be read in its entirety as much of the information has changed from previous years. Applicants are also highly encouraged to read the Frequently Asked Questions document attached to this opportunity. Given the significant investment of time and money associated with projects funded through this program, we also recommend you coordinate with the appropriate Service point of contact (Section G) before starting work on a project or application.

Conservation Planning Assistance Grants

The Conservation Planning Assistance Grant program provides funding to States to support the development of new Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), Safe Harbor Agreements (SHAs), and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs). Funding may also be used to support the renewal or amendment of existing HCPs, SHAs, and CCAAs. The development of HCPs that include only candidate or at-risk species (i.e., no Federally listed species covered by the HCP), such that the HCP would be in place if the species is listed, is also supported through this program. Funding may be used to support development and planning activities such as document preparation, public outreach, baseline species surveys, habitat assessments, and inventories. The preparation of environmental compliance review documents, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), is also an eligible use of grant funds.

Habitat Conservation Plans

Prior to 1982, non-Federal landowners undertaking otherwise lawful activities that were likely to take listed species risked violating section 9 of the ESA, which prohibits the "taking" of a listed species. In the 1982 amendments to the ESA, Congress established a voluntary mechanism under section 10(a)(1)(B) that authorizes the Service to authorize take of endangered and threatened wildlife species to non-Federal entities that is incidental to their otherwise lawful activities. An applicant is required to develop an HCP as part of the application for an incidental take permit.

The HCP demonstrates how the applicant intends to meet the permit issuance criteria under section 10(a)(2)(B) of the ESA. The commitments made by the applicant in the HCP become part of the permit.

In some States, HCPs have become a broad-based, landscape-level planning tool. In addition to conserving listed species, HCPs often include conservation measures for candidate or at-risk species, as well as other rare species in the plan area. By including these species in the HCP, developers and landowners can also help prevent their decline or need for future listing under the ESA. Should a non-listed species that is covered under the HCP become listed during the permit term, the HCP can provide a seamless process to authorize the take to the newly listed species and eliminate the need to amend the permit. Thus, landowners have an incentive to conserve both listed and unlisted species that may become listed in the future.

Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances

Section 10(a)(1)(A) authorizes the Service to issue enhancement of survival permits to landowners participating in Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA).

These voluntary agreements serve as an incentive to non-federal landowners to engage in conservation activities that provide a net conservation benefit to candidate and at-risk species.

Landowners participating in a CCAA, who are implementing certain conservation actions for species included in the agreement, receive a permit containing assurances that they will not be required to implement additional conservation measures beyond those in the CCAA. If the species is ultimately listed, additional land, water, or resource use limitations will not be imposed on them, unless they consent to such changes.

Safe Harbor Agreements

Section 10(a)(1)(A) also authorizes the Service to issue enhancement of survival permits to landowners participating in Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA). An SHA is a voluntary agreement involving private or other non-federal property owners whose actions contribute to the recovery of species listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. In exchange for actions that contribute to the recovery of listed species on non-federal lands, participating property owners receive formal assurances from the Service that if they fulfill the conditions of the SHA, the Service will not require any additional or different management activities by the participants without their consent. In addition, at the end of the agreement period, participants may return the enrolled property to the baseline conditions that existed at the beginning of the SHA.

Species Eligibility

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, the planning effort must propose to include at least one of the following eligible species on the permit. Further, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed planning effort will benefit the species in accordance with the species’ appropriate conservation document:

• Federally listed species: Species listed as threatened or endangered through section 4 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). A Federally listed species’ appropriate conservation document may include a draft or final recovery plan, or a recovery outline if the species has been listed for less than 2.5 years (see FAQs for more information on locating these documents).

• Candidate species: Species for which the Service has sufficient information on biological status and threats to propose them as endangered or threatened under the ESA, but for which development of a proposed listing regulation is precluded by other higher priority listing activities. The current list of candidate species is available at:

http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/table/candidate-species.html. A Candidate species’ appropriate conservation document may include a candidate assessment or species status assessment.

• At-risk species: For the purposes of this funding opportunity, at-risk species are those that are the subject of a positive 90-day finding, species that are the subject of a positive 12-month finding but not yet the subject of a proposed rule, species that are the subject of a proposed listing rule but not a final rule, and species included on the National Listing Workplan as of this opportunity's postdate. A full list of at-risk species can be found in the NOFO Attachments. An at-risk species’ appropriate conservation document may include State Wildlife Action Plan, State recovery plan, proposed listing rule (if proposed for listing under the ESA), or similar conservation document.

Planning Document Species Eligible to be Included on Permit

Habitat Conservation Plan Federally listed, Candidate, at-risk

Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances

Candidate, at-risk

Safe Harbor Agreement Federally listed

In order to ensure that funding is available to fund all plan and agreement types, the Service will roughly split the total appropriated amount by program type, based on the number of eligible applications that are submitted:

• Up to 40% dedicated to CCAAs/SHAs provided that the Service receives qualified applications for at least 40% of the funds

• 40% to HCPs

• Remaining funds as needed to either program type dependent on the number and quality of applications received

Conservation planning efforts, especially when covering large areas or multiple species, can require a significant investment of time and money. Providing Federal financial assistance, in the form of competitive grants, is an added incentive for entering into the conservation planning process beyond the regulatory assurances these plans and agreements provide. These plans and agreements can significantly reduce the burden of the ESA on small landowners by providing efficient mechanisms for compliance, distributing the economic and logistical impacts of species conservation among the community, and bringing a broad range of landowner activities under the legal protections of the plans and agreements. Planning efforts with the greatest potential contribution to species conservation will be prioritized.

The Service recognizes that, in the exercise of their general governmental powers, States possess broad trustee and police powers over fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats within their borders. Unless preempted by Federal authority, States possess primary authority and responsibility for protection and management of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. The Section 6 cooperative agreements entered into by the States and Service reflect a common commitment to actively advance the purpose and policies of the ESA, including providing a means to foster relationships with partners, reduce conflicts between listed species and economic development, and promote the long-term conservation of listed species and the ecosystems on which they depend. These grants encourage the cooperative implementation of the ESA by leveraging Federal investment in species recovery and demonstrate the Service’s commitment to cooperative conservation at the local level.

This opportunity will help to support the Administration’s priorities of the Build Back Better framework as well as the America the Beautiful initiative.

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals The primary goal of this program is to support the development of new Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), Safe Harbor Agreements (SHAs), and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs). This program also supports the renewal or amendment of existing HCPs, SHAs, and CCAAs. These plans and agreements can significantly reduce the burden of the ESA on small landowners by providing efficient mechanisms for compliance, distributing the economic and logistical impacts of species conservation among the community, and bringing a broad range of landowner activities under the legal protections of the plans and agreements.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $8,000,000 The Service may award an estimated $8,000,000 through this opportunity, pending final FY 2024 appropriations.

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $1,000,000 Minimum Award $10,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $8,000,000 Expected Award Date May 30, 2024 The Service may award an estimated $8,000,000 through this opportunity pending final FY 2024 appropriations. The maximum award is $1 million. In FY 2023, the Service awarded approximately $3.97 million through 6 grants ranging from $300,000 to $1 million.

Applications may address new or ongoing work. If a project supports the continuation of previous or ongoing work funded through a CESCF grant, a brief discussion of accomplishments to date and a justification for the continuation of work must be provided. While applications for ongoing work may be approved, funding will be awarded as a new grant with discrete objectives and deliverables. If a project is selected for funding, the Service is under no obligation to provide additional funding in connection with the project in a future competitive award cycle.

The Service intends to make award recommendations within 90 days of the closing date of this opportunity. Following review and approval, the Service’s Regional Offices will make pre-award notifications and outline the process for finalizing awards. The Service intends to make pre-award notifications by May 30, 2024, and obligate funds within 120 days. The maximum period of performance (PoP) for a grant awarded through this opportunity is three years, beginning on the effective date established at the time of grant approval or the date of award obligation, whichever is earlier.

Awarded grant funds must be expended in a timely manner or returned to the Service for reallocation through the next competitive award cycle. If an approved project cannot be completed within the award’s PoP, the State may request a one-time extension of up to 12 months with appropriate justification. However, the Service will not consider requests to extend the PoP for projects that received additional consideration under the Project (Grant) Timetable/ Milestones evaluation criterion (see Section E1) during merit review. Any project awarded funding that will not be used, and from which funds are deobligated, may be eligible for funding in a future competitive award cycle.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards In FY 2023, the average grant award was $662,000. The Service estimates 12 grants may be awarded through this opportunity should the average grant amount remain consistent with the previous fiscal year and pending final FY 2024 appropriations.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments Additional Information on Eligibility Only State agencies that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement pursuant to Section 6(c) of the ESA and have provided the information necessary for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of their Cooperative Agreement are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants that have not fulfilled both criteria will not be considered. While funding may only be awarded to States, individuals or groups such as counties or conservation organizations may work with a State agency that has a cooperative agreement on conservation efforts that are mutually beneficial, as a subgrantee.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement In accordance with section 6(d) of the ESA, the minimum non-Federal cost share is 25 percent of the total project cost, i.e., the amount requested from the program plus the amount of non‐Federal cost share. Other funds related to the project, but not designated as cost share, should not be included in the total project costs when calculating minimum non-Federal cost share.

If a proposal involves the collaboration of two or more States, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of the total project cost. The project proposal and budget must reflect the work and responsibilities to be carried out by each of the cooperating States. The source(s) of the non-Federal cost share is up to the applicants and may come from more than one source. Each cooperating State is responsible for submitting performance and financial reports related to the joint project. Incomplete work by any one of the cooperating States may result in recovery of Federal funds from all States, if it is determined that the joint cooperative objective will not be accomplished.

In accordance with 48 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1469(a), Amendment of Subsection (d), the required match is waived for each grant awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Non-Federal cost share requirements are detailed in 50 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 81.8(b) and allow the cost share to be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, in accordance https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf with the regulations at 2 CFR 200.306. The amount of non-Federal cost share will be considered in the evaluation and ranking of applications (Section E).

C3. Other Applications must include a list of discrete activities proposed for funding and each must have an identified start and end point. Examples of discrete activities include developing public outreach brochures, gathering baseline data, preparing a draft habitat conservation plan or agreement, or other documents such as those necessary for NEPA or NHPA compliance. For proposals involving an ongoing project, funding cannot be sought to support activities to meet deliverables that were identified for completion through prior year funding. For example, if a prior planning assistance grant was awarded to a State to complete a draft NEPA document, funding from this notice cannot be sought to complete a draft NEPA document.

Projects must be consistent with approved or draft species recovery plans, as applicable. In no case will proposed work be in conflict with approved recovery plans [50 CFR 81.2].

Projects must involve voluntary conservation efforts within the United States.

An application cannot include Service Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) costs.

State administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or included in the application in accordance with Federal requirements.

Applications may not be submitted to cover administrative costs alone.

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 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 https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm 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 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 Applicants can request paper application packages through the appropriate contact listed below in Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts. Information on CESCF grants is also available from the Division of Budget & Technical Support, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:ES Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, or electronically at https://www.fws.gov/program/cooperative-endangered-species-conservation-fund.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/program/cooperative-endangered-species-conservation-fund

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;

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 https://www.fws.gov/program/cooperative-endangered-species-conservation-fund 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/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 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 Project narratives should be complete but concise, addressing all stated eligibility and evaluation criteria. Applicants should only include information on species eligible for consideration under this funding opportunity, as defined in Section A. Although not required, applicants may consider including response tables to summarize information as it relates to a specific criterion within the project narrative. Applicants may also consider alternate methods of identifying responses to evaluation criteria within the project narrative such as inserting “(Criterion 2)” or “(C2)” at the end of the sentence or paragraph containing the information necessary to evaluate the project under criterion 2. Narratives that clearly address all criteria in an organized manner will facilitate application review and scoring.

• Project Title

• Statement of Need

The need for the proposed project in relation to the purposes of the Conservation Planning Assistance Grants Program. Identify the conservation issue, problem, or opportunity to be addressed by the planning effort as well as the species to benefit. Provide evidence to demonstrate that the need is real and not perceived, such as results from surveys, research, or other data. Identify the negative result of taking no action.

• Purpose

The purpose describes the desired future state to addresses the need. For example, providing regulatory streamlining opportunities while promoting species conservation.

• Objectives

Objectives are specific outcomes to be accomplished during the project’s period of performance pursuant to the stated need. Objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. For example, drafting the final five chapters of the HCP and holding three stakeholder meetings by September 21, 2025.

• Methods/Approach

This section of the narrative should describe the specific conservation actions necessary to accomplish the project objectives.

• Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project

List all subrecipients or partners and briefly describe their role(s) in the project. (Criterion 4)

• Anticipated Outcomes/ Expected Benefits

This section of the narrative should describe the plan’s expected contributions to species conservation and potential to streamline regulatory burdens (Criteria 1 & 2).

• Timetable

The project timetable describes significant milestones in successfully completing the project.

Timetables will be used to assess project readiness and should clearly demonstrate how the project is likely to be accomplished within the requested period of performance. Include a brief description of any due diligence completed to date. (Criterion 3)

• Project Location/ Maps

This section of the narrative should describe the proposed plan area, habitat type(s), and relevant ecosystem/watershed characterization. Although not required, maps or photographs that characterize the existing state of the plan area may be included in the application.

• Information to support environmental compliance review requirements

The Service has the responsibility for making the final determination regarding compliance with Federal laws.

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – provide any information that may be relevant to compliance with NEPA.

• Endangered Species Act (ESA) – provide any information that may be relevant to compliance with the ESA.

• National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) – provide any information that may be relevant to compliance with NHPA, such as locations of historic or cultural properties.

• Other Permits – list and provide the current status of any other required Federal permits.

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). In the SF-424A “Contractual” category total, do not combine estimated subawards and contractual costs. Use the “Contractual” category to reflect estimated contractual costs only. Enter estimated subaward costs in the SF-424A “Other” category. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs 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. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs. 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 contributions, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information. Please note the prohibitions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment in 2 CFR 200.216. The Department of the Interior’s Unmanned Aircraft web page provides a list of approved unmanned aircraft and related equipment and software.

Budget narratives must be sufficiently detailed to show that the project is cost-effective and that costs are both necessary and reasonable for accomplishing the purposes of the proposed project.

Indicate whether partial funding of the project is practicable and, if so, what specific portion(s) of the project could be implemented with what level of funding. The budget narrative should provide sufficient detail for reviewers to understand how costs were estimated. Reviewers must be able to clearly see that costs are realistic and are commensurate with the project needs and timeframe. Applications will be disqualified if reviewers cannot determine that applications meet this threshold.

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 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.doi.gov/aviation/uas/fleet 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 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.

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, 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 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

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 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). 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 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 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 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 01/05/2024 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

This program requires the submission of applications online through GrantSolutions.gov as applicants will receive an acknowledgment of application receipt. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided below.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Project Abstract Summary Form

• Project Narrative

• SF-424A, Budget Information

• Budget Narrative

• Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

• Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

• Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

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 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 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/indirect-cost 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. Please note, an organization with a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may not elect to charge the 10% de minimis rate of Modified Total Direct Costs during the period covered by their current negotiated rate.

• We are an organization with a current negotiated indirect cost rate. In the event we receive an award, we will charge indirect costs per our current negotiated rate agreement.

Attached is a copy of our current rate agreement.

• We are an organization with a negotiated indirect cost rate that has expired. Attached is copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

• We are an organization that has never…