20180725 Recovery Challenge NOFO_clean.docx

OMB Control Number: [1018-0109] Expiration Date: [7/31/2021]

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. We are collecting this information in accordance with Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C 1535, as amended, Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, 16 U.S.C 4601, as amended. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that it will take applicants under this program about 37 hours to complete an application. We estimate it will take recipients under this program about 8 hours to complete required reporting and 8 hours for required recordkeeping. All burden estimates include the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather data needed and complete and review the submission. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services & Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration

FY 2018 Recovery Implementation – Recovery Challenge Fund Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.657

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The purpose of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1535, as amended (ESA) is to provide a means by which the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend may be conserved, to provide a program for the conservation of these species, and to take appropriate steps to achieve the purposes of treaties and conventions set forth in the law.

Section 2(a)(5) of the ESA authorizes the use of Federal financial assistance to encourage the States and other interested parties to develop and maintain conservation programs to safeguard the Nation’s heritage in fish, wildlife and plants for the benefit of all citizens. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 ((H.R. 1625) (Division G - Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018)) authorized specific funding for the Recovery Challenge funding opportunity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Ecological Services Program provides Federal financial assistance on a competitive basis to states, other Federal agencies, landowners, educators, non-profit organizations, researchers, and other potential partners to secure information about endangered or threatened species, to aid in the recovery of these species under the ESA, and to help conserve the ecosystems upon which these species depend.

The overall goal of this Recovery Challenge funding opportunity is to enhance and increase partnerships with agencies and organizations implementing highest priority recovery actions identified in recovery plans, and in particular for genetically-sound breeding, rearing, and reintroduction programs.

Specifically, this opportunity provides funds to accomplish priority-1 recovery tasks identified in Recovery Plans for endangered and threatened species under the trusteeship of the Service in the United States and its territories, such that known threats to the species may be reduced or eliminated. This opportunity also addresses the Department of the Interior priorities of:

1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by utilizing science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment; and,

2) Striking a regulatory balance by ensuring that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Identifying Priority 1 Recovery Tasks Copies of species’ approved recovery plans are available on the Ecological Services Program’s website. Go to our Species Information website at http://www.fws.gov/endangered. Enter a species name in the blue regulatory profile query box at the top of the page, and then hit the Submit button. If you enter a general name like the word “trout,” then a list of species names containing the word “trout” will appear. Click on the scientific name of the desired species to see the regulatory profile for that species.

Once you are in the species’ profile, look under Lead Region to find the Service Regional Office with lead for the species. If NMFS is lead for the species, then the Lead Region will be “National Marine Fisheries Service, Region 11.” Projects for NMFS-managed species are not included in this funding opportunity.

Next, scroll down to the Recovery section of the profile. Look under the Current Recovery Plans(s) heading to determine whether the species has a recovery plan, and may therefore potentially be eligible to be considered for the funding opportunity. There are separate web links for the recovery plan and the plan’s implementation schedule. Click on the title of the recovery plan title to see the recovery plan document and to determine whether the recovery plan lists any Priority 1 recovery actions. Only actions specifically listed as Priority 1 recovery actions are eligible for Recovery Challenge funding.

II. Award Information

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, included a total of $5,000,000 for the Recovery Challenge Fund.

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis with at least $2,000,000 to be used to fund long-standing partnership projects. For these projects, partner contributions must be equal to or greater than their current contribution averaged over the past 5 years. The remaining funds will be allocated to either new or longstanding partnerships, although new partnerships will require at least a 50:50 match. The match for both longstanding partnership projects and new partnership projects may include in-kind services. Partial funding will be considered.

For the purpose of this funding program, the following definitions apply:

· Long-standing partnership: A partner with a history of working with the Service on a particular species’ recovery effort for the past 5 years, such as for the recovery of California condor, northern aplomado falcon, and Stellar’s eider.

· New partnership: A partner working with a new species (a partnership will be considered “new” even if there is a history of this partner working with us on another species).

· Highest priority recovery action: A recovery action from either a draft or final recovery plan that is considered a high priority action (Priority 1 as defined by 48 FR 43089, 51985).

The following additional criteria apply to all Recovery Challenge funding opportunities and must be satisfied for a proposal to be considered for funding:

a. A proposal cannot include Service Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) costs.

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

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants:

Federal (other than the Service), State and local governments/agencies; institutions of higher education, including public, private, state colleges and universities; non-profits that have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally-recognized tribal governments); city, county or township governments; individuals, Native American tribal governments (Federally-recognized); for-profit organizations; and small businesses. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations with 501c3 Internal Revenue Status (IRS) must provide a copy of their Section 501c3 status determination letter received from the IRS.

Applicants are expected to have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biology of the involved listed species and its ecosystem, including preferably having worked with the species in the field.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

A. DUNS Registration Request a DUNS number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679 (hearing impaired customers only). Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM Register in SAM at www.sam.gov. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

Note: The official U.S. government website address for SAM is www.sam.gov. There is NO COST to register in or access SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who charge a fee in exchange for registering entities in SAM; please be aware that you can register to do business with the U.S. government FOR FREE directly in SAM at www.sam.gov.

C. Excluded Entities Applicant entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program. The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

For these projects with longstanding partners, partner contributions must be equal to or greater than their current contribution averaged over the past 5 years. New partnerships require at least a 50:50 match. The match for both longstanding partnership projects and new partnership projects may include in-kind services.

IV. Application Requirements

To be considered for funding, application must contain:

A. A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form, SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance form: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B. Project Narrative

1. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes. If the proposal includes a continuation of previous or ongoing work funded through this program, a justification for the continuation of the work must be included in the project description in order to receive full consideration.

2. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) of the program/project. State the objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period). Proposals should include clear and specific information about how the work being proposed would contribute to species recovery.

3. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. The narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the ESA, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month over the entire proposed project period.

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable (i.e., process indicators) and budget information (i.e., input indicators). Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered (i.e., output indicators). Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on beneficiaries (i.e., outcome indicators). Include any available questionnaires, surveys, curricula, exams/tests or other assessment tools to be used for project evaluation. Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities. Describe how findings will be fed back into decision making and project activities throughout the project period.

6. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis.

7. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

8. Literature Cited

9. Map of Project Area: Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative, if applicable.

C. Budget Form Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and sub-awards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Note on Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program on the budget form separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding. Enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form, and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity.

D. Budget Justification In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Recipients that do not have an approved indirect cost rate cannot charge indirect costs to their Federal award. All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification narrative one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

2. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

3. A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “A copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement is attached. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “A copy of our current, approved rate agreement(s) is attached.”].

4. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate] In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher] However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point 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 such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

8. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

· Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting a flat de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

· 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 charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct project costs paid by any other Federal funding source or non-Federal partner.

· Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

· Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact the IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-930-3803 Email: Through https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback web form Internet address: https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services

E. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements.”

F. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) for construction and land acquisition projects. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) for all other projects. The form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

G. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

H. Conflict of Interest Disclosures:

Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the application. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service program, in consultation with their Ethics Counselor, will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

I. Required Overlap/Duplication Statement:

Applicants must provide a statement that addresses if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, applicants must provide a description of the overlap in their application. Applicants must also state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is/is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal). If such a circumstance exists, applicants must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be duplicative of the funding requested from the Service, applicants must notify the Service point of contact for this funding opportunity immediately.

Application Checklist

· Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

· SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF 424-Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual form.

· Project narrative

· Timetable

· Description of key personnel qualifications

· Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, statements regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit reporting requirements.

· SF 424 budget form: A complete SF 424A or SF 424C Budget Information form.

· Budget justification

· Federally-funded equipment list: If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment.

· Indirect cost statement

· NICRA: When applicable, a copy of the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

· SF 424 Assurances form: Signed and dated SF 424B or SF 424D Assurances form.

· SF LLL form: If applicable, completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form.

· Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

· Overlap/Duplication statement

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

Submission date for Recovery Challenge Fund is 30 days after the posting of this NOFO on grants.gov.

Intergovernmental Review: Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc) to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” E.O. 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Completed applications may be submitted by mail, by email, electronically through Grants.gov, or as otherwise described in the Grants.gov funding opportunity. Please select ONE of the submission options:

To submit an application by e-mail: (preferred submission option) Format all of your documents to print on Letter size (8 ½” x 11”) paper. Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Scanned documents should be scanned in Letter format, as black and white images only. Where possible, save scanned documents in .pdf format. E-mail your application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

The required SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance and Assurances forms and any other required standard forms MUST be signed by your organization’s authorized official. The Signature and Date fields on the standard forms downloaded from Grants.gov are pre-populated with the text “Completed by Grants.gov upon submission” or “Completed on submission to Grants.gov.” Remove this text (manually or digitally) before signing the forms.

To submit an application by mail:

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one, single-sided, unbound copy (do not staple or otherwise permanently bind pages) of your complete application to the Service program point of contact identified in Section VIII. Agency Contacts below.

The required SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance and Assurances forms and any other required standard forms MUST be signed by your organization’s authorized official. The Signature and Date fields on the standard forms downloaded from Grants.gov are pre-populated with the text “Completed by Grants.gov upon submission” or “Completed on submission to Grants.gov.” Remove this text (manually or digitally) before signing the forms.

To submit an application through Grants.gov:

Go to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html) for an overview of the process to apply through Grants.gov. You/your organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Registration can take between three to five business days, or as long as two weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Please do not assign application attachments file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. Assigning file names longer than 20 characters will create issues in the automatic interface between Grants.gov and the Service’s financial assistance management system.

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria: To be considered for funding, applications must seek funding to conduct work on priority 1 recovery actions for federally listed resident species with a recovery plan, or if listed for less than 2.5 years, listed species with a recovery outline which indicates high priority recovery tasks.

Evaluation criteria used to determine funding priorities (maximum of 110 points):

1. Anticipated Result of the Project (0-80 points):

1(a)(i). Explain how the project will address the recovery action from the recovery plan identified above, (ii) including whether the project would fully or partially complete the action (0-50 points).

Scoring (i): 0-30 points; where for example, 0= no relevance to the program goals or objectives, very limited potential to contribute to species recovery, no implementation of management actions; 15= moderately important/ relevant, reasonably likely to make some meaningful contribution to species recovery; 30= extremely important/relevant, extremely likely to make a significant contribution to recovery of a threatened or endangered species, involves implementation of significant management actions, addresses a high priority recovery plan action.)

Scoring (ii): 10-20 points; where for example, 10= project would partially complete the recovery action; 20= project would fully complete the recovery action.

1(b). Describe the likelihood of success in implementing the project with a single year of funding (0-30 points):

Scoring: 0-30 points; where, for example, 0= action cannot be completed with one year of funding; 15= moderately likely to be completed with a single year of funding; 30= extremely likely to be completed with a single year of funding.

2. Description of Partnership (0-20 points): Describe how implementing the project will enhance or increase partnerships, including brief overview of roles and responsibilities and any other pertinent information.

Scoring: 0-20 points; where, for example, funding of the proposal would contribute to the allocation goal of enhancing or increasing partnerships, for example: 0—not at all; 10—to a moderate degree (e.g., a long-standing partnership that maintains the status quo); 20—to a maximum degree (e.g., a new partnership; or long-standing partnership that is greatly enhanced).

3. Department of Interior’s Priorities for Federal Financial Assistance (0-10 points): Priority will be given to projects that fund activities that further a conservation stewardship legacy by using science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment or those that provide the Service with the best available science to make informed ESA decisions based on strong science and analysis. Priority should be given to projects that will contribute to the recovery of a species, resulting in a down or delisting decision, or to projects that will reduce or eliminate threats to listed species.

Scoring: 0-10 points; where 0= no importance/relevance to Secretarial priorities and 10= extremely likely to make a significant contribution to recovery of a threatened or endangered species.

Director’s Discretion The criteria above provide a rank order of proposals to reviewers in order to make final award recommendations to the Director. Projects will be funded by the rank order of the review criteria unless a proposal is justified to be selected by the Director out of rank order based upon the following considerations, where applicable:

a. Availability of funding

b. Partnerships with and/or participation of targeted groups

c. Partner’s ability to use partial funding If an applicant indicates that a project cannot be completed with partial funding, a lower priority project within the target funding amount may be funded instead of a higher priority project.

An applicant may receive less than requested, if an activity identified in the grant has been deemed ineligible, insubstantial, or in conflict with conservation goals. Applicants may be asked to adjust project objectives, tasks, and budgets should an activity be deemed ineligible.

d. Matching funds greater than the requirement

e. Balance/distribution of funds within State or Region

i. Geographically

ii. By research areas

iii. By project types

vi. By species or species groups

f. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded by Service or other agencies

g. Whether a project would be eligible for funding through a more appropriate Service grant program

h. The applicant’s prior award performance

i. Adequacy of information necessary for Service staff to review applications and draft necessary documentation before recommendations for funding are made to Regional Director.

The Service may select all, some, or none of the applications, or part of any application, ask applicants to work together or combine projects, defer applications to the future, or reallocate funds to different funding categories, to the extent authorized. Applicants may be asked to modify objectives, work plans or budgets, and provide supplemental information required by the agency prior to the award. The exact amount of funds to be awarded, the final scope of activities, the project duration of each project proposed for funding will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and the Service.

The Service reserves the right to reject an application in its entirety where information is uncovered that raises a significant risk with respect to the responsibility or suitability of an applicant. The final approval of projects recommended for funding will be made through the Department of Interior’s financial assistance review of discretionary grants and cooperative agreements process effective in fiscal year 2018.

Review and Selection Process:

Proposals submitted for consideration for Recovery Challenge Funds will be reviewed by representatives from Ecological Services Staff at the Regional Offices and by Ecological Services Staff at Headquarters with appropriate subject matter expertise (e.g., species recovery, ESA policy and programs).

Initial Screening: The Regional Offices will complete initial screening of proposals for application completeness and eligibility. Proposals will be screened to ensure that application packages have all required forms and application elements, clearly relate to the Recovery Challenge grant solicitation, and meet all of the eligibility requirements. Regions will review the status of applicants’ administration of other grants, including Single Audit submissions, past performance, financial strength and management capabilities, and procedures and methods for monitoring subrecipients or vendors. Applicants in poor standing may not be considered for funding. Regions will review all proposed activities for eligibility, including consistency with the purposes of the ESA, the requirements outlined in this solicitation, substantiality in character and design. Activities not eligible will be removed from consideration. If there are any questions about the ability of the project to be completed in compliance with Federal laws and regulations, additional information may be requested from the applicant. A project may be disqualified if Service staff determine the project cannot meet Federal requirements. Incomplete applications will be returned to sender to be corrected. Corrections must be submitted within two weeks of the returned application. Applicants that do not respond within two weeks with corrected materials will be disqualified. The Service, in its sole discretion, may continue the review process for applications with non-substantive issues that may be easily rectified or cured.

Merit Review: After initial screening, applications meeting the requirements of this solicitation will then undergo initial merit review by the Regional Offices. Proposals will then be forwarded to Headquarters members of a proposal ranking committee for national level review. The Headquarters ranking committee will review, evaluate, and independently score each proposal based on the evaluation criteria outlined above. Reviewers may discuss individual applications, but all scoring will be non-consensus. The reviewers’ scores will be averaged and used to produce a rank order of the proposals for consideration by the Assistant Director, Ecological Services.

Selection by Service Director: After applications have undergone merit review, the Director will consider the factors outlined in the criteria in Section VI. Application Review Information above. The Director will decide which applications will be forwarded to the Department of Interior for final approval.

Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer reviewers, evaluators, panel members, and advisors must sign and return to the program office point of contact the “Department of the Interior Conflict of Interest Certification” form. For a copy of this form, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Prior to award, the Service reviews the selected applicant’s statement regarding potential overlap or duplication in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel and makes a determination regarding Service funding. Depending on the circumstances, modification of the application, other pending applications, or an active award may be necessary, or the Service might choose to not fund the proposed project.

Each fiscal year, for every entity receiving one or more awards in that fiscal year, the Service conducts a risk assessment based on eight risk categories The result of this risk assessment is used to establish a monitoring plan for all awards to the entity in that fiscal year For a copy of the Service’s risk assessment form, go to https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Prior to approving an award with a Federal funding amount that exceeds or is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as adjusted (see 2 CFR 200.88), the Service must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS; https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action) to determine if, at a minimum, the information found in the system for the applicant demonstrates a satisfactory record of Federal award performance and integrity and business ethics (see 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2)). The Service must also report to FAPIIS if an applicant subject to this review is found not qualified for a particular award due to its prior record of integrity or performance under Federal awards (see 2 CFR 200.212).

VII. Award Administration Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign and return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 120 days of the final review decision.

Domestic Recipient Payments: Prior to award, the Service program office will contact you/your organization to either enroll in the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system or, if eligible, obtain approval from the Department of the Interior to be waived from using ASAP.

Transmittal of Sensitive Data: Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the Service is protected during its transmission/delivery. The Service strongly recommends that recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available The Service recommends the following digital transmission methods: secure digital faxing; encrypted emails; emailing a password protected zipped/compressed file attachment in one email followed by the password in a second email; or emailing a zipped/compressed file attachment. The Service strongly encourages recipients sending sensitive data in paper copy to use a courier mail service. Recipients may also contact their Service Project Officer and provide any sensitive data over the telephone.

Award Terms and Conditions: Acceptance of a…