20190930.FY20.WLLDP.NOFO.FINAL.docx

Endangered Species Conservation- Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention Grants FY 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00406 Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.666 Authorizing Legislation: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934, U.S.C. 16 et seq.; Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq., as amended; Public Law 111-11.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. 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 and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. 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.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100 (Expiration Date: 7/31/2021) I. Program Description

Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11) authorized the Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project (WLLDP) with two purposes:

1) Prevention - Provide funding to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves; and

2) Compensation - Provide funding to reimburse livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation.

Federal financial assistance, provided in the form of grants, can be used to support the implementation of State wolf-livestock interaction programs administered to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves and to compensate livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Included in the authorizing language is direction to award this Federal financial assistance through a competitive grant program and to expend funds equally between the program’s two purposes.

Proactive, nonlethal preventive measures eligible for funding include, but are not limited to fencing, livestock guard dogs, and range riders who patrol areas occupied by livestock and are susceptible to predation by wolves. Depredation Compensation funding may be used for the reimbursement of livestock losses due to confirmed wolf depredation. Qualifying livestock includes cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, livestock guard animals, and other domestic animals. States and Tribes (hereafter, States) may apply for a Depredation Compensation grant for the reimbursement of livestock losses and/or a Depredation Prevention grant to fund preventative management activities that occur on Federal, State, or private land, or land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, a Tribe.

Grants are awarded directly to States that must establish their own procedures for accepting applications from private entities (including individual ranchers, for-profit corporations, and not-for-profit organizations) interested in obtaining WLLDP funds. Those seeking funds will need to work through the procedures established by their State wildlife management/animal damage control agency.

States are eligible to compete for either a Depredation Compensation or Depredation Prevention Program grant, or both. States must submit separate proposals for each grant.

General Program Funding Priorities

Funding priorities are determined pursuant to Section 6202 (d) of P.L. 111-11, as follows:

· the level of livestock predation in the State or on the land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the Indian tribe;

· whether the State or Indian tribe is located in a geographical area that is at high risk for livestock predation; and

· other factors that the Secretary determines appropriate including:

· number of wolves in the State or on the land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the Indian tribe;

· listing status of the wolf pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the State of on the land owned by , or held in trust for the benefit of, the Indian tribe;

Further, State programs with high percentages of livestock producer participation and support the utilization of a wide variety of deterrents and techniques will be prioritized for Depredation Prevention funding. State programs that are robust in terms of investigation management, record keeping and reporting, and public transparency will be prioritized for Depredation Compensation funding. Finally, States that have a Depredation Prevention program will be prioritized for Depredation Compensation funding.

Department of Interior Priorities for Federal Financial Assistance

In addition, grants awarded through the Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project support the Department of Interior priority for Federal financial assistance by “Restoring trust with local communities.” Through the WLLDP grants, the Service is working to be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by leveraging State investment to assist livestock producers in finding ways to coexist with wolves on the landscape. These awards encourage the development and implementation of proactive management techniques to reduce the frequency of predation events and compensate producers when such predation does occur. Because of their authorities and close working relationships with local governments and landowners, States are in a unique position to assist the Service in implementing all aspects of the ESA. Through these grants, the Service works collaboratively with States to manage and conserve wolves in a manner that respects State management and leverages State investment. This grant program reflects our common commitment to actively advance the purpose and policies of the ESA by providing financial assistance to foster relationships with public and private partners, reduce conflicts between listed species and economic development activities, and promote the long-term conservation of the species. Finally, these grants encourage the cooperative implementation of the ESA by leveraging local investment in species recovery and demonstrate the Service’s commitment to cooperative conservation at the local level.

II. Federal Award Information

The Service expects to award at least $1,800,000 through this funding opportunity. Available funding is subject to final Congressional appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020. The Service will make award selections for these competitive grants based upon the proposals submitted for consideration through this announcement and award funding equally between Depredation Prevention and Depredation Compensation pursuant to P.L. 111-11. States are encouraged to apply for funding to support their State wolf-livestock interaction programs with the understanding that full funding cannot be guaranteed prior to a final fiscal year 2020 budget.

The Service awarded approximately $900,000 of FY 2018 funding to 15 projects in fiscal year 2018. The range of grant awards was between $11,000 and $90,000. Depredation Compensation grants were awarded to eight states totaling $450,000 with an average award amount of $56,250. Depredation Prevention grants were awarded to six States and one Tribe totaling $450,000 with an average award amount of $64,285.

Proposals may address new or ongoing work funded through State wolf-livestock interaction programs. However, all funds will be awarded as new grants. If a proposal includes a continuation of previous or ongoing work, a brief discussion of accomplishments and a justification for the continuation of the work must be included in the Project Narrative (See Section IV Application Requirement B). Further, 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, applicants must provide a description of the overlap and 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 (Section IV Application Requirement I).

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to P.L. 111-11, a State or Tribe must:

(1) designate an appropriate agency of the State or tribal government to administer one or both aspects of the program funded by the grant;

(2) establish one or more accounts to receive grant funds;

(3) maintain files of all claims received under programs funded by the grant, including supporting documentation;

(4) submit to the appropriate Service Program Coordinator (see Section VIII)

(A) annual reports that include:

(i) a summary of claims and expenditures under the program during the year; and

(ii) a description of any action taken on the claims; and

(B) such other reports as the Secretary may require to assist in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance under this program; and

(5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program.

Further, to be eligible to receive a Depredation Compensation grant, a State or Tribe must:

· Ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and record matching funds expended.

· Have the ability to protect the evidence of depredation.

· Coordinate with local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Wildlife Services field representatives, or other authorized official, who will coordinate an investigation.

· Document payments to ensure fair-market value.

Further, to be eligible to receive a Depredation Prevention grant, a State or Tribe must:

· Ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and record matching funds expended.

· Ensure applicant demonstration of good faith effort to avoid conflicts.

· Demonstrate effectiveness of non-lethal measures.

Cost Sharing or Matching Proposals must include a minimum 50 percent non-Federal cost share. The cost share may be cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services. Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost share.

Other Eligibility Criteria

The following additional criteria apply to all grants and must be satisfied for a project to receive funding:

· Only confirmed wolf depredation events investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services (Wildlife Services) field representative, or other authorized State or tribal investigator will be evaluated and considered for funding under this opportunity.

· A proposal cannot include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) costs.

· A proposal cannot seek funding for projects that serve to satisfy regulatory requirements of the ESA, including complying with a biological opinion under section 7 or fulfilling commitments of a Habitat Conservation Plan under section 10, or for projects that serve to satisfy other Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., mitigation for Federal permits).

· Administrative costs must either be assumed by the State,, or included in the proposal in accordance with Federal requirements.

· Land acquisition is not an eligible use of these funds.

· Environmental effects of projects funded through these grants must be minor or negligible.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. The Service may not make a Federal award 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 Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements: Domestic (U.S.) non-Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See Pub. L. 113-235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

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

IV. Application Requirements

1. Requesting Paper Application Package You can download the application package for the WLLDP Grant Program here, by entering Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00406. You can also download application forms through the WSFR toolkit under “Forms.” If you have trouble applying, contact the appropriate Program Coordinator listed in Section VIII.

Application Form and Content Requirements

To be considered for funding, applicants must submit the following:

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

SF 424, Assurances Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing the required SF-424 Assurances 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.

Project Narrative Provide a project narrative containing the elements listed below. Please refer to Section VI. Application Review Information for the evaluation criteria used to determine funding recommendations. Project narratives that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review and scoring.

Statement of Need

Describe why this project is being undertaken and how it advances program priorities as discussed in Section I. Characterize the area to be covered, the number of wolves present, the listing status of the population, and the extent of wolf depredation events that have occurred in the past 12 months or an average of the past three years. Describe how the required non-Federal cost-share will be achieved.

Approach

List the proposed project activities, methods, and timetable and describe how they relate to the statement of need.

For Prevention Program Grants – Describe the activities the requested funds will be used to support such as range riders, guard dogs, fladry, and fencing. List key cooperators (e.g., Wildlife Services, non-governmental organizations) and describe their respective roles in the program. Describe the public involvement, if any, in the administration of your prevention program. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records for reporting to the Service how the funds were expended. Describe efforts to encourage participation in prevention activities and how grant funds will promote such participation. Describe how you will assess the effectiveness of funded prevention activities and report those results to the Service.

For Compensation Program Grants – Based on past depredation events, state the anticipated need for depredation dollars. Describe how the value of reimbursement is determined and the procedures that will be used to verify that available funds will be used to compensate for confirmed losses and/or injuries caused by wolves. Describe key cooperators and their respective roles in the program. Describe the extent of public involvement in the administration of your compensation program. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records for reporting to the Service how the funds were expended.

Responses to Merit Review Evaluation Criteria

Provide a description with appropriate documentation of how the proposed project addresses each of the numeric ranking criteria described below. Please refer to Section VI. Application Review Information for the evaluation criteria used to determine funding recommendations. We recommend that you address each ranking criterion individually with a brief statement or table SF-424, Budget Information Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions”. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information.

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving 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 and skip the next section.

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 is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center 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 must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

· 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. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

· 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 have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

· 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: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. 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 “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

· 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]. 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.

· 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, if we receive an award 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%] against [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 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

· 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, if we receive an award 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% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated 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 that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

· 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 we must charge indirect costs against 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 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand 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.

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

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and subrecipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests; close personal relationships; positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision-making authority related to the proposed project. Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or subrecipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project. Applicants may not solicit, obtain, or use non-public information that may be of competitive interest to the entity, including information regarding the funding opportunity, evaluation, award, or administration of an award to the entity. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term employee means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Applicants may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role for the proposed project, whose participation puts them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethic’s website at https://oge.gov/ for more information on these restrictions. The Service will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed project and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

Single Audit Reporting Statement 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 the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, 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 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 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 on the “Packages” tab of 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 regards 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 regards 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 regards 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.”

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

· SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

· SF-424B, Assurances

· Project Narrative

· SF-424A, Budget Information

· Budget Narrative

· Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation

· Conflict of Interest Disclosure

· Single Audit Reporting Statement

· SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

· Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

V. Submission Requirements

1. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application; complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. There is NO COST to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions. You can also 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 to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

Submission Dates and Times Applications must be received by close of business in your time zone, 90 days from the date this funding opportunity is posted on grants.gov.

Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

Funding Restrictions

· A proposal cannot include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) costs.

· A proposal cannot seek funding for projects that serve to satisfy regulatory requirements of the ESA, including complying with a biological opinion under section 7 or fulfilling commitments of a Habitat Conservation Plan under section 10, or for projects that serve to satisfy other Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., mitigation for Federal permits).

· Administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or Tribe, or included in the proposal in accordance with Federal requirements.

· Land acquisition is not an eligible use of these funds.

· Environmental effects of projects funded through these grants must be minor or negligible

Submission Instructions This program encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission. When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

Proof of Timely Submission Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

To submit an application by e-mail or mail:

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 Section VIII.

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.

VI. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Depredation Compensation Program Grants

1. Extent of Wolf Depredation (20 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to assess the anticipated need for compensation funds by reviewing the past numbers and appraised value of livestock depredation by wolves. Only include events if investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services (Wildlife Services) field representative, or other authorized State or tribal investigator.

Review the number of confirmed wolf depredation events in past 12 months, or the average number of confirmed events in the past 3 years as an estimate of future depredation events. Summarize fair market value of losses. Indirect costs (moving animals, etc.) are not covered; however, veterinary bills for confirmed injuries to livestock caused by wolves may be covered.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 20, rank the total annual anticipated need of depredation compensation with 1 being less than $25,000/year, 5 being approximately $100,000/year, 10 being approximately $175,000 a year and 20 representing an anticipated need of approximately $250,000/year.

No points provided for unconfirmed or missing livestock.

2. Program Evaluation and Recordkeeping (15 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to evaluate how robust the State or tribal wolf-livestock program is in terms of the procedures for investigation management and record keeping.

Rank program efficiencies. Review the rigor of the applicant’s program, including the process for confirming depredation by wolves, the availability of trained investigators, procedures for differentiating confirmed versus probable wolf depredations and the adequacy of record keeping.

Score: One a scale of 1 (low) to 15 (high) rank the effectiveness of the program, focusing on the depredation investigation and record keeping procedures.

3. Reporting and Coordination (15 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the procedures for reporting documenting livestock depredation and the coordination with local USDA Wildlife Services field representatives or other authorized State or tribal investigator, and other partners.

Review the process for reporting depredation investigations, and the transparency of the program with partners and the public. A higher ranking should also be given to established programs with a high percentage of livestock producers participating and to programs with coordinated wolf-livestock interaction prevention programs.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 15, rank the reliability of the reporting and coordination procedures.

4. Current Listing Status of Wolf Populations in Project Area (20 points maximum) Score:

· Endangered = 20 points

· Threatened = 15 points

· Mixed status = 10 points

· Endangered/ Delisted due to recovery

· Endangered/ Non-Essential ExPop

· Delisted due to recovery = 5 points

5. Number of Wolves Within State/Tribal Jurisdiction (20 points maximum) Score:

· 1,000 or more individuals = 20 points

· 500-1000 individuals = 10 points

· Under 500 individuals = 5 points

6. Project Costs (5 points maximum) Reviewers will evaluate the budget to determine if it is sufficiently detailed, realistic and commensurate with the project needs and timeframe. Reviewers will consider whether sufficient detail was provided to evaluate how costs were estimated.

Score: 1-5 points; where, for example, 1= unrealistic and lacking sufficient detail; 3= adequately detailed and realistic; 5= extremely detailed and realistic.

7. Secretarial Priorities for Federal Financial Assistance (5 Points) In order to support the Department of Interior’s Priorities for Federal Financial Assistance, proposals are to be evaluated with the following priorities: Restoring trust with local communities; Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands; and Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife Service offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Score: 1-5 points; where 0= no importance/relevance to Secretarial priorities and 5= extremely relevant to Secretarial priorities.

Depredation Prevention Program Grants

1. Extent of Wolf Depredation (20 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to assess the anticipated need for prevention funds by reviewing the past numbers and appraised value of livestock depredation by wolves. Estimate events only if investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services (Wildlife Services) field representative, or other authorized State or tribal investigator.

Review the number of confirmed wolf depredation events in past 12 months, or the average number of confirmed events in the past 3 years as an estimate of future depredation events. Summarize fair market value of losses. Indirect costs (moving animals, etc.) are not covered; however, veterinary bills for confirmed injuries to livestock caused by wolves may be covered.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 20, rank the total annual anticipated need of depredation compensation with 1 being less than $25,000/year, 5 being approximately $100,000/year, 10 being approximately $175,000 a year and 20 representing an anticipated need of approximately $250,000/year.

No compensation points provided for unconfirmed or missing livestock.

2. Proactive Techniques (15 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the extent to which the requested funds will foster increased use of prevention measures or encourage the development of new preventative measures. Prevention tools and incentives should be designed to decrease the risk of wolf-livestock interactions, and reduce the extent of livestock losses caused by wolves.

Consider the percentage of landowners in wolf areas using non-lethal techniques to deter or preclude wolf depredation of livestock. A variety of visual and auditory scare devices may be used, including electric fences, fladry or other flagging, range riders, increased monitoring, Radio‐Activated Guard (RAG) devices, livestock guard dogs, and modification of husbandry practices. State/tribal agencies may purchase and loan prevention supplies, such as radio receivers in accordance with applicable Federal financial assistance regulations. Funds may be used to pay salaries of range riders and for the care and feeding of documented livestock guard dogs. Consideration may also be given for incentives to participate in the program.

Score: Consider the percentage of livestock producers using non-lethal techniques, incentives for implementing non-lethal strategies, and the demonstrated effectiveness of any ongoing prevention measures or the likelihood of success if the proposal is to develop new techniques. Rank from 1 (low) to 15 (high) planned non-lethal techniques used with various number/age/type of livestock and the areas to be protected.

3. Outreach and Coordination (15 points maximum) The purpose of this section is to evaluate coordination strategies of States/tribes with partners regarding livestock depredation management and efforts to reduce wolf-livestock interactions.

Review the program’s demonstrated or planned work with partners including local USDA Wildlife Services and nongovernmental organizations. A higher score should be provided to States/Tribes with a cooperative or interagency system to approve projects, or programs that use the results of local nonlethal strategies to guide future nonlethal preventative measures and expenditures. The highest ranking will go to programs committed to fostering coexistence between wolves and livestock producers.

Score: Consider the program’s efforts to involve potentially affected livestock producers, the planned coordination with USDA Wildlife Services and other partners, and the contribution of the program to wolf conservation.

4. Current Listing Status of Wolf Populations in Project Area (20 points maximum) Score:

· Endangered = 20 points

· Threatened = 15 points

· Mixed status = 10 points

· Endangered/ Delisted due to recovery

· Endangered/ Non-Essential ExPop

· Delisted due to recovery = 5 points

5. Number of Wolves Within State/Tribal Jurisdiction (20 points maximum) Score:

· 1,000 or more individuals = 20 points

· 500-1000 individuals = 10 points

· Under 500 individuals = 5 points

6. Project Costs (5 points maximum) Reviewers will evaluate the budget to determine if it is sufficiently detailed, realistic and commensurate with the project needs and timeframe.