2022 US Standard Instructions edits added Apr 2022 FINAL.pdf

MB-FWS-Migratory Birds NAWCA 2023-2 US Standard Grants

FY2023

Announcement # F23AS00009

Due Date for Application: July 8, 2022 at 11:59pm Eastern Time

Program Authorizing Legislation: North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 USC Ch. 64)

SOLICITATIONS: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program does not use social media or contact individuals by phone to solicit, review, or make awards. Government staff will NOT call or message you requesting money in order to be eligible for an award. Please report any information and documentation that you have related to such incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov) and your local law enforcement authorities.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION page 4

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PROPOSAL SUCCESSFUL page 4

APPLYING FOR A NAWCA US GRANT page 4

MAJOR CHANGES/UPDATES FROM THE 2023-1 US INSTRUCTIONS page 7

PROJECT OFFICER’S PAGE 8

PROPOSAL SUMMARY page 11

FINANCIAL TABLE page 14

WORK PLAN page 15

WORK PLAN FORMAT page 19

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS page 23

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS FORMAT page 24

1. TAQ #1 page 24

2. TAQ #2 page 25

3. TAQ #3 page 26

4. TAQ #4 page 27

5. TAQ #5 page 28

6. TAQ #6 page 29

7. TAQ #7 page 31

SCORING TABLE page 33

TRACT TABLE AND FINAL TITLEHOLDER SUMMARY page 34

PARTNER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS page 35

PARTNER CONTRIBUTION LETTER TEMPLATE page 37

OPTIONAL MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN page 38

OPTIONAL PROGRAMMATIC PROJECT REQUEST page 38

STANDARD FORM-424 AND PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY INSTRUCTIONS page 39

MAPS page 41

MAP EXAMPLES page 42

GIS SHAPEFILE INSTRUCTIONS page 45

PROPOSAL EASEMENT, LEASES, AND INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT page 46

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PROPOSAL EXAMPLES BY SECTION page 46:

1. SUMMARY PAGE 47

2. FINANCIAL PLAN TABLE page 49

3. WORK PLAN page 51

4. TAQ #1 page 55

5. TAQ #2 page 55

6. TAQ #3 page 57

7. TAQ #4 page 58

8. TAQ #5 page 59

9. TRACT TABLE page 60

10. MATCHING CONTRIBUTION PLAN (OPTIONAL) page 61

OTHER ATTACHMENTS page 62:

A. TAQ #2 PRIORITY NAWCA SPECIES LIST page 62

B. NAWCA PRIORITY BIRD CROSSWALK LIST page 67

C. NAWCA PRIORITY GULF SPILL FUNDING ZONES page 68

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INTRODUCTION

These instructions are applicable to U.S. Standard Grant proposals submitted through July 8, 2022.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PROPOSAL SUCCESSFUL

Contact the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation (DBHC) with any Questions you may have.

DBHC staff is responsible for reviewing each proposal, proposal component, and recipient for eligibility.

The rules, regulations and policies that govern financial assistance under a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant can be difficult to navigate. It is highly recommended you contact DBHC directly with any questions you may have, especially with questions regarding eligible activities.

A proposal will be automatically ineligible if the margins and font style/size are modified from the Proposal Outline Template, or if the proposal is missing enough sufficient information necessary to consider the proposal complete. It is highly recommended that you submit proposals the day before the deadline in the event there are any technical difficulties or unforeseen circumstances that may cause a delay in submitting the proposal. To review NAWCA Eligibility Criteria and Processes, visit:

https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.

Proposal Outline Template and Other Information We recommend that you prepare the Work Plan, Financial Plan Table, and Tract Table before developing the rest of the proposal. These will provide a reference point to ensure that the proposal data is consistent throughout all sections. For Proposal Outline Template and other information visit:

https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.

Migratory Bird Joint Venture We recommend coordinating with your local Migratory Bird Joint Venture. Joint Ventures are located throughout the United States and may be able to assist with partnership opportunities:

https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-joint-ventures

Applying for a NAWCA US Grant

If your organization is registered in www.GrantSolutions.gov then apply for grant opportunity announcements directly. If you are having issues with submitting an application in GrantSolutions, contact GrantSolutions help desk to confirm roles. See ‘Steps to Setting an Account within GrantSolutions’ below. The instructions to apply for an announcement within GrantSolutions are described below:

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf

For all non-Federal entities: If a proposal is not submitted through GrantSolutions, then the proposal will be deemed ineligible.

Below is a screenshot of the list of mandatory online forms for a submission:

https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-joint-ventures http://www.grantsolutions.gov/ https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf

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‘Other’ – location to upload property documents, NICRA, audit reports, and other supporting documents.

‘Program Narrative’ – full proposal that includes partner letters and maps in pdf form.

Project Abstract Summary – must be completed to support award language. See page 40 to complete.

SF-424 – required for all NAWCA applicants.

SF-424A – budget information required on all projects that are non-construction only.

SF-424B – Assurances for non-construction only.

SF-424C – Budget information required for all projects that include construction.

SF-424D – Assurances for construction only.

SF-LLL – Disclosure of lobbying activities – optional.

Note: GIS shapefiles must be emailed. GrantSolutions does not have to ability to accept shapefiles.

After you complete your application, email the application confirmation number (Confirmation number will start with FWS-MB followed by year and six numbers) and shapefiles to dbhc@fws.gov.

Federal Applicants: email proposal and all supporting documents to dbhc@fws.gov.

Grantsolutions.gov, Grants.gov and SAM.gov are free websites. Do not pay for your SAM.gov registration or renewal, and do not provide any information to any scammers who may contact you.

Steps to register for Unique Entity ID (UEI) number (formerly DUNS) On April 4, 2022, the DUNS number was officially replaced by the Unique Entity ID (UEI). You must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration to apply through https://www.grantsolutions.gov/, to receive an award, and to be able to receive funds. We strongly encourage applicants to initiate this process at least 6 weeks before our deadline, because it can be a complex process. If your organization is registered with SAM.gov but your status is not listed as “active,” you must update your registration prior to submitting an application. You must renew and revalidate the SAM registration at least every 12 months and ensure that all information is up to date. All active SAM.gov registrants will have their Unique Entity ID (UEI) automatically assigned and viewable within SAM.gov.

Steps to Setup Account within GrantSolutions:

1. To register for a user account, visit https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/

2. In “Request a user account”, go to GrantSolutions Self Registration and click on Electronic User Request Form.

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/

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3. To complete your GrantSolutions account setup, someone in your organization needs to be assigned the role of “Grantee Administrative Official/Grantee Authorized Representative”.

4. Once your organization is set up in GrantSolutions, your organization will be able to apply for directed grant announcements within GrantSolutions. Below is a link that explains how to apply for a Directed Announcement:

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf

Help desk Support Please send all GrantSolutions related help desk questions/issues to help@grantsolutions.gov. If needed GrantSolutions will forward the issue to FWS or escalate it up the tiers. If you do not receive a response or if the response did not resolve the issue please ask that the ticket be escalated to Tier 2 or 3.

Very important: enter all requested information under GRANTEE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI/PD) and the GRANTEES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER” (ADO). Do not forget the username and the correctly spelled email address.

For new applications submit the form without filling in the requested “grant number”.

Proposal Deadlines The U.S. Standard Program consists of two submission cycles. Complete proposals must be submitted by February 25, 2022 and July 8, 2022. It is highly recommended that you submit proposals the day before the deadline in the event there are any technical difficulties or unforeseen circumstances that may cause a delay in submitting the proposal. Any group or individual may submit proposals at any time before those dates. Proposals received after the February deadline will be considered for funding as a July submission. Proposals received after the July 2022 deadline will be ineligible unless the proposal is clearly labeled as an early 2023 submission (these will be subject to modifications if there are changes in the 2023 submission guidelines).

Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities In 2011, the Department of Interior (DOI) established a policy to ensure and maintain the integrity of scientific and scholarly activities used to inform management and public policy decisions: DOI Policy, 305 DM 3, "Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities". The scientific integrity policy applies to the DOI employees, contractors, grant recipients, and volunteers when they analyze or share scientific information with the public or use DOI’s information to make policy or regulatory decisions. This policy applies to all funding applications received by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant programs. Essentially, the use of false data to leverage grant funds is a direct violation of DOI's scientific integrity policy and requires the refund of any associated federal assistance.

Partner Contribution Statements We will only accept properly formatted Partner Contribution Statements as verification of partner match.

Submitting partner letters that do not follow the format in the guidelines will adversely affect the timely review of a proposal and may result in the contribution being considered as non-match.

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/305_dm_3_final_revised_si_policy_12-16-14.pdf

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MAJOR CHANGES/UPDATES FROM THE 2023-1 US STANDARD GRANT

INSTRUCTIONS

• Name change of Unique Entity ID (UEI) number (formerly DUNS) took affect on April

4, 2022. See page 5 of these instructions for UEI guidance.

• On January 1, 2022, DOI implemented the project abstract summary for all applications in www.grantsolutions.gov. See page 40 of these instructions for completion guidance.

• SF-424 completion guidance has been updated to complement GrantSolutions application process. See page 39 for instructions.

PROJECT OFFICER’S PAGE

To download full Proposal Outline Template, visit:

Please do not include a cover/transmittal letter at the beginning of the proposal. The Project Officer’s page should be the first page of the proposal. Do not adjust margins on the Project Officer’s Page. The information below in italics is intended to assist you as you complete the blank proposal outline.

What is the proposal title? Due to database limitations, it is critical that the title be limited to 80 characters (including spaces) and that phased proposals retain the original title with only the phase number changing. Enter a short, descriptive, and unique title, such as “Falcon Bottoms,” “Turtle Bog Marsh,” or “Great Bay.” If the proposal is a phase of an earlier funded proposal, use the same title as the earlier proposal and include the appropriate Roman numeral to denote that this is a subsequent proposal, such as “Falcon Bottoms II.”

What is the date you are submitting the proposal?

What are the geographical landmarks for the proposal?

List Counties and States that the tract(s) are included in; if tract(s) are unknown, then list all of the project area

1. State(s):

2. County(ies): List all counties in alphabetical order

3. Congressional District(s): Visit https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/reference.html for the most up to date list of Congressional Districts or download the Congressional District GIS shapefile (select the most recent year and Congressional Districts).

4. JV(s): Identify the Migratory Bird Joint Venture area(s). Visit the USFWS JV Directory website or download the JV GIS shapefile.

5. BCR(s): Identify the Bird Conservation Region BCR(s). Visit https://nabci-us.org/resources/bird-conservation-regions-map/ or download the BCR GIS shapefile.

Project Officer Information:

1. Name: The Project Officer MUST be the primary point of contact for the project and must be affiliated with/employed by the grantee’s organization. List the person who will be managing the http://www.grantsolutions.gov/ https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/reference.html https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/geo/shapefiles/index.php https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-joint-ventures https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/143054 https://nabci-us.org/resources/bird-conservation-regions-map/ https://nabci-us.org/resources/bird-conservation-regions-map/ https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/nabci-bird-conservation-regions/

8 | P a g e project activities, filing reports, and communicating with DBHC. Please note, this will be the only person DBHC communicates with regarding the project.

2. Title:

3. Organization: If the organization entered here is not the grantee organization, please explain. (See most current Eligibility Criteria and Processes)

4. Applicant Organization Address (No P.O. Box Address): City, State, Zip + 4 where available

5. Project Officer Address (No P.O. Box Address): City, State, Zip+ 4 where available

6. Telephone number: List the numbers at which the Project Officer can be reached, including work and cell numbers.

7. E-mail address:

8. Additional Contacts: We require a single Project Officer, but please list one other contact who may communicate with us pre- or post- award about the project should the Project Officer become unavailable. The Project Officer must be fully engaged in the proposal and project process. Provide name, email, and phone number.

9. Unique Entity ID Number:

Please answer the following questions:

2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon Macondo Oil Spill Projects occurring in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as those benefiting affected habitats and species may be funded with fines paid by British Petroleum (BP) to settle Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations. Projects must clearly demonstrate conservation benefits to affected habitats or populations of species listed in Attachments B (NAWCA Priority Bird Crosswalk list) and C (Richness Density map) that winter, breed, or migrate through areas affected by the spill.

Additional guidance may be forthcoming.

Are you requesting that this proposal be considered for funding using BP Gulf Spill funds? Yes/No If Yes, you must demonstrate a nexus between your project and the migratory bird species and other wildlife and habitat affected by the Gulf spill. Furthermore, provide the best available science-based information (banding information, telemetry, etc.) indicating that the population(s) of species targeted in this proposal also use habitats along the Gulf of Mexico affected by the Spill.

Limit your response to two pages and attach the response after the Project Officer page. The North American Wetlands Conservation Council will use this information to make a final eligibility determination. If your proposal is not funded with Gulf Spill funds, it will still be considered under other NAWCA funding sources.

Is an Optional Matching Contributions Plan (MCP) submitted with the proposal? Yes/No Or Does the proposal contain match associated with a previously submitted MCP? Yes/No

Are you requesting that this proposal be considered as a continuation of a previous grant agreement (a Programmatic Project Proposal)? Yes/No If yes, provide the title and grant agreement number of the previous grant agreement.

Do you expect this project to be the first phase of a Programmatic Project? Yes/No

How many more proposals are planned for the same proposal area?

Will any of the NAWCA funds requested as part of this proposal be received or spent by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service or another Federal agency? Yes/No If yes, which agency(ies) will receive these funds and what is the fund amount:

Agency_______________________ Amount______________ (add additional lines as necessary and include accounting code if possible)

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Does this proposal include acquisition activities that will add to the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)? Yes/No If yes, please indicate which NWRS program the acquisition(s) will be added to: National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and which one(s), Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) and which one(s), or Small Wetland Acquisition Program (SWAP).

Are carbon sequestration credits involved in your proposal? Yes/No If yes, please highlight and provide details in the appropriate financial plan narrative/work plan section.

Include information about whether the credits will generate program income (Described in Grant Administration Standards).

Will any portion of any tract or activities associated with any tract be used to satisfy wetland or habitat mitigation requirements under Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Water Resources Development Act, ecological service credits or other related statutes now or in the future? Yes/No If yes, please highlight and provide details in the appropriate financial plan narrative/work plan section.

Have you confirmed that all partners, key personnel, and contractors are eligible to participate in Federal grants? Yes/No Project Officer must confirm that parties are eligible to participate in federal grants by checking the Federal Excluded Parties List at: https://sam.gov/content/exclusions.If an ineligible party participates in a federally funded project, all or a portion of the federal funding may be terminated.

Briefly describe qualifications and experience of key personnel (1-2 sentences per individual) who will be providing project implementation assistance (e.g., financial officer, project officer, key field staff, etc.):

To ensure that the proposal complies with available guidelines and that partners are aware of their responsibilities, the Project Officer certifies to the following statement: I have read the 2023-2 U.S.

Standard Grant proposal instructions, eligibility information, and applicable U.S. grant administration policies and informed partners or partners have read the material themselves. To the best of my knowledge, this proposal is eligible and complies with all NAWCA, North American Wetlands Conservation Council, and Federal grant guidelines and the information submitted herein is true and correct. The work in this proposal consists of allowable and eligible work and costs associated with long-term wetlands and migratory bird habitat conservation. If habitat or migratory bird benefits described in the proposal are found to be grossly exaggerated and/or intentionally misleading, the proposal may be declared ineligible and any resulting awards may be fully or partially terminated.

Sign & date

Audit reports. If the applicant organization expended more than $750,000 of federal funds during the last calendar year, please include a copy of your most recent of SF-FAC that was submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. If your organization did not expend more than $750,000 of federal funds last year, please certify that the Single Audit (formerly A-133) was not required.

Required Overlap/Duplication Statement: Applicants must provide a statement that addresses whether 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 the 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 https://sam.gov/content/exclusions

10 | P a g e 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. This requirement can be a few short sentences explaining whether there is any overlap between or among proposed projects. For instance, you will need to include an overlap statement if you submitted a tract(s) for funding consideration in a NAWCA Small Grants proposal and also submitted that same tract(s) for consideration under a U.S. Standard Grants proposal (or vice versa).

Do you have any comments about, or suggestions for, the NAWCA program?

You may provide comments with this proposal, or send them at any time.

• By mail to: Coordinator, North American Wetlands Conservation Council

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Bird Habitat Conservation Mail Stop: MB 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

• Via phone to: 703-358-1748

• Via e-mail(preferred) to: dbhc@fws.gov mailto:dbhc@fws.gov

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PROPOSAL SUMMARY (3 pages maximum PDF format; no scanned summaries)

The Proposal Summary is the only narrative material provided to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and Migratory Bird Conservation Commission so it must be descriptive and succinct. Consider developing the Summary after you have written the rest of the proposal, as this will help ensure that information in the Summary is consistent with the proposal. The Proposal Summary must follow the format provided in the blank proposal outline exactly, including margins, spacing, font size, etc. Click here for the Proposal Summary Example.

General Requirements

1. The Proposal Summary will be used as a stand-alone document and will be subject to editing by the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Start the Proposal Summary on a new page (i.e., do not begin the Proposal Summary on the same page as the Project Officer’s page), and enter a page break at the end of the Proposal Summary. Save the Proposal Summary in a separate file for ease of editing.

2. Do not number Proposal Summary pages. Starting with the Financial Plan Table as page 1, number all remaining pages.

3. The Proposal Summary, which includes tabular and narrative information, may be a maximum of three pages.

4. All margins must be 1 inch. Failure to adhere to margin requirements may affect eligibility of your proposal.

5. Format must be a PDF version.

6. Font size: 11 point and Font type: Times New Roman. Failure to adhere to font size requirements may affect the eligibility of your proposal.

7. The information in the summary table must exactly match the information provided elsewhere in the proposal.

Specific Requirements (see Proposal Summary Example).

1. Center “NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT PROPOSAL SUMMARY” in all capital letters at the top of the page, and center the project title and state with initial capital letters beneath it. If the proposal is a phase of an earlier funded proposal, use the title of the earlier proposal with an appropriate Roman numeral denoting the phase number.

2. All other information is left justified, without indentation, except for financial totals on the right side of the page, which are right justified.

3. Type the header for each paragraph category in all capital letters (e.g. COUNTY (IES), STATE(S), CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(S); GRANT AMOUNT; MATCHING PARTNERS; etc.).

4. Using the prescribed format shown in the example, provide the requested information for each category. However, do not include categories shown in the example if no information for that category exists. For instance, if there is no restoration work being done, do not include a “Restored” line in the “ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES” section.

5. Enter the total grant amount on the right side of the page, right justified, on the same line as the header “GRANT AMOUNT.” Under “Grant Amount”, type “Allocation:” Enter the name of the organization(s) that will be allocated grant funds (normally, this will be the Grantee organization, which administers the funding as planned in the proposal; however, in certain circumstances, other organizations may be receiving grant funds directly). Enter the allocation amount after the organization(s) name. Enter the total for MATCHING PARTNERS, and the total for ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES each on the same line as their respective headers, in alignment with the total grant amount.

6. MATCHING PARTNERS: Enter the grantee organization and contribution (if applicable) immediately underneath the category header. List the matching partners and their contributions under the grantee. Provide the full partner name; do not abbreviate. List the individual match contributions in tabular format (see example). For the grantee or partner associated with a Matching

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Contributions Plan (MCP), list the amount associated with the MCP phase as the contribution amount on a separate line.

7. GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES: Insert the total costs and acreage associated with the grant and match funds to the right on the same line as the header (right justified).

Under the header, list one or more appropriate activities, costs, and acreages from the following activity categories: Fee Acquired; Fee Donated; Easement(s) Acquired; Easement(s) Donated;

Lease(s) Acquired; Lease(s) Donated; Restored; Enhanced; Wetland Established; Other; Indirect Costs. List the activities in that order, but do not list categories in which no activity will take place. After each category listed, indicate the amount being expended in tabular format, and then type a slash (/) and the total acreage involved. If building envelope acres are involved with any activities, ensure that these acres are not included in the acreage totals for the proposal.

• Include only those activities, costs, and acres associated with grant or match funds. See the instructions for the Financial Plan Table below for contributions from non-match funds.

• If acquired acreage also will be restored or enhanced in the current proposal, place parentheses around the restored or enhanced acreage to show that they have already been accounted for under the acquired category. These are referred to as non-additive or non-add acres. Non-add acres should also be indicated if restoration or enhancement activities are occurring on a property acquired in a previous phase or another NAWCA project.

In the following simplified example, 300 new acres are to be acquired in Fee Title using grant and/or match funds.

• 200 new acres are to be restored using grant and/or match funds; 150 of the 300 acres acquired in fee in this project are also restored – (150); an additional 200 acres acquired in a previous NAWCA project will also be restored – (200).

• 100 new acres are to be enhanced using grant and/or match funds; 100 of the 300 acres acquired in fee are also enhanced – (100); an additional 300 acres acquired in a previous phase will also be enhanced – (300).

GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $2,050,000/600 (750) acres Fee Acquired $1,000,000/300 acres Restored $500,000/200 (350) acres Enhanced $500,000/100 (400) acres Other $50,000

8. NON-MATCHING PARTNERS: List all non-matching partners and contributions in the same format as for matching partners. List contributions only; do not include acres or activities.

9. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN: If a partner’s match amount is associated with a MCP

(either a new MCP submitted with the proposal or a follow-on phase for a MCP previously approved by the Council), list only the match amount that is being applied to the current proposal. MCPs can only be submitted for excess match associated with the acquisition of a single tract.

All of the acres associated with a new MCP are listed with the appropriate activity. Acreage associated with a previously approved/used MCP does not appear in subsequent proposals; list the MCP amount attributed to the current proposal as “Previously Approved MCP Funds”.

In the following simplified examples, costs and acres are listed along with the correct format for a new MCP (example 1) and the second phase of a previously approved MCP (example 2):

Example 1.

• 400 new acres are to be acquired in Fee Title using grant and/or match funds (total cost =

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$2,000,000).

• 100 additional match acquisition acres are the basis for a new MCP (total appraised value =

$3,000,000).

GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,000,000/500 acres Fee Acquired $3,000,000/500 acres [this includes all of the MCP acres and $1,000,000 of the value of the

MCP]

Example 2.

• In this example, the MCP is the second phase of the previously approved MCP ($2,000,000 remains after the initial phase). No acres are listed because these have been accounted for in the initial phase. Only the $2,000,000 cost associated with this phase of the MCP is listed.

• 300 new acres are to be acquired in Fee Title using grant and/or match funds ($1,000,000).

GRANT AND MATCH - ACTIVITIES, COSTS AND ACRES $3,000,000/300 acres Fee Acquired $1,000,000/300 acres Previously approved MCP funds $2,000,000

This phase would close out the MCP.

10. PROPOSAL PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION: Describe the proposed project’s goals and objectives;

why the work is proposed; who will be doing what activity(ies); where they will be doing the activity (ies) (for example, on a Refuge, on private land, near a conservation area); how they will accomplish the work (building dikes, installing water-control structures, etc.); what, if any, joint venture is involved or benefiting.

11. HABITAT TYPES AND WILDLIFE BENEFITTING: Describe the habitat types involved in the proposed proposal activities; provide examples of the species (Blue-winged Teal, American Bittern, etc.) benefiting and their uses of the habitats (breeding, feeding, resting, etc.).

12. PUBLIC BENEFITS/PUBLIC ACCESS: Describe the benefits of the proposal to the public (hiking, hunting, birding, education, water quality, etc.); describe whether any of the grant/match tracts will allow public access, and if so, what type of access.

13. NEW PARTNERS: Identify partners who have never previously participated in any NAWCA grant.

14. RELATIONSHIP TO PREVIOUSLY FUNDED NAWCA PROPOSALS: If applicable, summarize the relationship of the current proposal with previously funded NAWCA proposals in the region and show how the current proposal adds to progress (if any) towards regional conservation goals for habitats and/or birds. If this is a phased NAWCA proposal and/or if your organization has received other NAWCA Standard grants in the same general area specifically identify the cumulative habitat achievements of previous phases and how the landscape and the bird populations of that landscape have changed.

15. THREATS AND SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Describe any threats to habitats in the proposal area or other circumstances that make funding at this time particularly important.

Proposals Requesting Over $1,000,000 Applicants must include a 1-page maximum explanation justifying the request and attach the justification after the Summary Page. Specifically address opportunity, resource values involved, threat level, and loss of match in a table format. Explain why the project either cannot be accomplished with $1,000,000 in grant funding or can be accomplished more effectively with the requested amount. The Council will evaluate the request and approve/disapprove based on the information provided along with consideration of the overall amount of funding available.

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Opportunity Resource Values Involved Threat Level Loss of Match

Matching Contribution Plans (Optional) If any match was previously approved by the Council via an optional Matching Contributions Plan (MCP), include a copy of the DBHC email approving the MCP and provide the following information:

tracts affected, how much of each partner’s match has been used in previous proposals, how much is being used in this proposal, and how much will remain after the current proposal is funded (Click here to see an example of an MCP table).

FINANCIAL TABLE

NOTE: Landowner and tract names must be consistent throughout the proposal

Insert the Financial Plan Table as page 1, after the Summary Pages.

1. Complete the Financial Plan Table provided in the Word proposal outline or Excel template and insert it as page 1. Click here for the Financial Plan Table Example. You may submit additional tables if those will help explain the financial plan, but keep to a minimum. The Word Proposal Outline contains a blank Financial Plan Table or you may use the table in the Excel Tables Template workbook found here: https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.

2. Identify each tract (or logical groupings of tracts) using a consistent method on all maps and throughout the proposal. Show all costs covered by the grant, each matching partner, and each non-matching partner for all grant/match tracts. Non-match should not be listed in the table unless it has been pooled with grant/match dollars to accomplish grant/match acres. Entirely non-match tracts and activities should not be included in the table.

3. For all grant expenditures, list the partner that will be spending grant funds on the same line item.

4. You may show grant and one partner’s contribution on one line for the same tract if that partner will be receiving grant funds, but do not combine different partner contributions on the same line. For example, if there are 10 separate partners contributing to fee acquisition for a particular tract, then there should be 10 separate partner entries for that tract. Add lines to the table as needed. In the Financial Plan Table Example, multiple lines were added under Land Costs: Fee Acquired to demonstrate separate lines for each partner. In the example, lines were added under “Land Costs: Fee Acquired” because different tracts are affected and they should not be lumped.

5. Separate match funds into "Old" (spent prior to proposal submission) and "New" (to occur after proposal is submitted and during the Grant Agreement period).

6. If you are submitting a MCP, be sure the Financial Plan Table only includes funds for the current proposal and not the entire contribution in the MCP. Costs from the first phase of an MCP should appear with the activity and partner in the appropriate direct cost category. For subsequent phases of an MCP, enter the MCP match costs in line L. PREVIOUSLY APPROVED MCP, which is above line M. GRAND TOTAL DIRECT costs, and list the appropriate amount as old match.

Previously Approved MCP example (showing final portion of Financial Plan Table only):

ACTIVITIES GRANT $

ABBREVIATED

PARTNER NAME

OLD

MATCH $

NEW

MATCH $

TOTAL

GRANT + MATCH $ TRACT ID

NON-

MATCH $

L. PREVIOUSLY

APPROVED MCP PARTNER A $3,000,000 $3,000,000

M. GRAND TOTAL DIRECT

(Sum of G and H, I, J, K, L) $1,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,500,000 $8,500,000 $500,000

Indirect Costs PARTNER B $5,000 $5,000 4

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N. TOTAL INDIRECT $5,000 $5,000

GRAND TOTAL

(Sum of M and N) $1,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,505,000 $8,505,000 $500,000

7. Show each private landowner by name, contribution amount, and tract if they are contributing to grant/match acres.

8. For acres being acquired, restored, or enhanced by pooling both grant/match funds and non-match funds, and in which NAWCA will acquire an undivided interest in those acres, list the total costs in either grant or match in the table, as appropriate. Do not pro-rate acres between grant or match (See item 2 for clarification on when to include non-match).

9. All cost categories are shown in the Word and Excel template. Do not include categories that do not apply to your proposal (e.g., if there is no enhancement in your proposal, then delete those activity rows).

10. You may use a landscape orientation, versus portrait, for the printed page if needed.

11. You may abbreviate partner names in the table, but be sure to spell them out in the Partner

Information section in the bottom portion of the Financial Plan Table.

12. Below the Financial Plan Table in the Partner Information section, list each sub-grantee who will receive, because of this proposal, any of the following:

• Federal grant funds or “new” matching funds,

• Property (e.g., land structures, dikes, levees, earthen dams, equipment, supplies) that will be purchased with Federal grant or matching funds or

• Property committed as “new” match.

• Contractors or vendors who will be paid for goods, construction, planting or services purchased for the proposal and individuals are NOT considered sub-grantees.

WORK PLAN

The work plan is constructed as series of discrete, stand-alone activities (e.g., fee acquisition, easement donation, restoration, enhancement, etc.) associated with specific tracts. See the Work Plan Example.

The work plan should include only grant/match tracts. Eligible non-match dollars pooled with grant/match dollars to accomplish grant/match acres may be listed in the work plan, but acres and dollars that are entirely funded by or attributed to non-match should NOT be included in the work plan.

For the first phase of an MCP, list associated activities/costs with the appropriate tract(s). MCP costs in subsequent proposals should be shown under “Other Direct Grant/Match Activities”, with the name and phase of the MCP listed under “Item & Work”.

Work Plan Formatting

1. Use the following format for identifying tracts. Each tract should be numbered sequentially starting with “1” and given an identifying name (e.g., Tract 1 - Howard Farms, Tract 2 - Brancheau Wetland, Tract 3 - McIntyre). Describe the work to be done using the format in the example. The tract name should exactly match that used in other sections throughout the proposal. Include the following information:

a. Tract name, overall number of acres affected on the tract (for instance, if there are 300 acres acquired and 100 of those acres will be restored, the overall acreage affected is 300; the restoration acres would be listed as (100)), tract location (central latitude/longitude in decimal degrees format. Example: 38.752906, -77.1084432), and a list of state or Federal government agencies (if any) with a legal interest in the property (such as those with Notices of Funding or Grant Restrictions on fee deeds or easements).

b. For each tract, list the acreages for each of the activities associated with the tract. Identify non-

16 | P a g e add acres (acres already accounted for in a previous activity: 100 acres acquired and restored – the 100 restored acres are non-add) in parentheses.

c. Under each tract listed, type the applicable Work Plan activity category titles in all capital letters and list the total cost and acreage for that activity category within that tract. Identify non-add acres for a tract in parentheses. For example, “ACQUISITION FINANCIAL PLAN JUSTIFICATION - $3,000,000 AND 10,000 acres”. On the next line, separately enter the amount of grant, match, and non-match funding for that activity category within that tract. All costs (“Total $” column in each table below) must be described and equal the figures in the activity category headers. Identify an actual or estimated timeframe for completion of that activity.

d. Describe all grant and match activities that will occur on each tract. If multiple activities take place on the same tract, describe them separately but identify if acres overlap between activities.

For example, if a proposal includes land acquisition with restoration work done on the same site, this would be described as two separate activities.

2. For each activity, include a clear description of the work to be done and briefly justify why that activity is being included as part of this proposal.

a. Acquisition activities: Describe how they enable better management or create a restoration opportunity or if they are needed because the site is currently valuable habitat vulnerable to development. Fee acquisition of lands already protected by a conservation easement must be justified.

b. Habitat restoration, enhancement, and establishment activities: Identify specific habitat types and plant communities affected by project activities. Those habitat types should be identified in Joint Venture implementation plans or similar documents. If a tract includes invasive species treatments or implementation of any type of fencing material, include answers to these questions:

• What invasive species are present and how will the invasive species be treated (e.g., mechanical or chemical application)? If mechanical, explain what will be done? If chemical application, what kind of chemical will be used and how many applications will be done? If other control methods will be used, please describe.

• What is the expected duration of the treatment(s)?

• Who is responsible for maintaining the invasive species control after the treatment and for how long?

• If working with private landowner(s), is there an agreement involved?

• How will the invasive species treatments affect the acres over time?

• Is the fencing wildlife friendly? If so, how will it improve nearby habitat conditions and not impede wildlife movement? For more information on wildlife friendly fencing, please find the suggested document for reference:

https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/land-owner-wildlife-resources/mt-fence-guide-second-edition.pdf

• Who is responsible for maintaining the fencing over time?

3. Explain any unusually high costs or large differences between per acre value of match and grant tracts. Refer to the Eligibility Criteria & Processes document for information on eligible and ineligible direct and indirect costs. Please explain if cost estimates differ from the fair market/reasonable value.

4. Itemize costs shown in the Financial Plan Table for each activity and identify the source (grant or the partner providing the match and non-match dollars). Use only the portions of the table that are applicable to each activity.

5. For each easement or fee acquisition activity included in the proposal, including old match, whether purchased or donated, complete the NAWCA Land Acquisition Disclosure section as part of the Work Plan. If the acquisition activity for that tract does not involve an easement or lease, do not include those portions of the Disclosure in the Work Plan. Attach to the proposal copies of all https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/land-owner-wildlife-resources/mt-fence-guide-second-edition.pdf https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/conservation/land-owner-wildlife-resources/mt-fence-guide-second-edition.pdf

17 | P a g e easements being used as old match. If available, provide draft language of easements to be acquired with grant or match funds during the project period. Grant funds will not be released for easement acquisition until the easement language has been reviewed and approved by DBHC.

6. Do not include any activity categories in the Financial Plan Justification that are not applicable to a tract. For example, if no portion of a tract is being acquired as part of the project, the Work Plan for that tract would not include an acquisition section. This also applies for non-match. If the non-match contribution does not directly affect the project area, then do not include it in the proposal.

7. Group indirect costs by tract (with the exception of any associated with “Other Grant/Match Activities”). Separate direct cost(s) in the financial plan in the indirect cost tables. Each direct cost line should appear exactly as it did in the direct cost table so that direct and indirect tables can be compared. Indirect costs are eligible as grant or match cost only if you have a previously approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with the Federal government that establishes the activities on which your organization may charge an indirect rate. Attach your current organization’s approved NICRA, application for rate, or other proof that the indirect costs you have claimed are compliant with applicable Federal regulations. If more than one NICRA applies, attach all applicable agreements. If you do not provide the information in the Financial Plan Table and Work Plan and include copies of applicable agreements, indirect costs will be considered ineligible. Each line entry shown should identify only one source (either grant amount or match amount). For more on indirect costs, go to Eligibility Criteria & Processes, Eligible Grant Costs, and refer to the “What are direct and indirect costs?” answer. Unless your agreement specifically allows it, indirect costs calculated on the following are ineligible:

a. Subgrants (subawards), major subcontracts, any in-kind match provided by a party other than the applicant;

b. Non-match, in-kind match from partners other than the partner with the NICRA, contributions from Federal agencies, and other items that “distort” the cost base;

c. The acquisition costs of interests in real property; and

d. The purchase price of equipment with an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit and a useful life of more than one year (consistent with recipient policy, lower limits may be established).

8. If some tracts are not yet identified, explain why and the method to be used to select tracts during proposal implementation.

9. You may group large numbers of tracts with similar activities and per unit costs for the purposes of financial plan justification. Line item costs must be applicable to most tracts in order for those tracts to be grouped in the justification (For instance, 50 grassland easements are held by a single partner and planned enhancement on 40 of those easements will cost approximately the same per acre on all of those easements). Do not group acquisitions that will be held by different partners.

10. There is no requirement to acquire a real property interest on a restoration, enhancement, or wetland creation project. However, recipients and subrecipients should have a project agreement with the landowner(s) that is consistent with the project design or designed lifespan of the constructed activity (e.g. restoration). A properly built project should seek to maximize the projects’ lifespan, while promoting efficient management and maintenance.

11. Applicants must provide a statement specifying the management period for the designed lifespan or useful life of all construction (e.g. new water channel, levee, weir, pumps, other types of water control structure, etc.), as indicated in Technical Assessment Question 5. If the applicant proposes a management period or useful life of 25 years or less, with a value greater than $100,000, applicants must reference the method used to determine the useful life.

12. Applicants must identify and fully explain proposal components that were funded by a previous NAWCA grant (e.g. tracts and work accomplished).

13. All dollar figures should add up to those in the Financial Plan Table.

14. Note that all questions are in the future tense, but they also apply to past (match) work and costs.

15. Include any grant/match cost items that cannot be captured under a specific tract in a section entitled

“OTHER DIRECT GRANT/MATCH ACTIVITIES” at the end of the Work Plan. Describe in detail

18 | P a g e what these activities are and itemize those costs by activity below that heading. Please note, “grant administration” is not specific enough as an itemized cost. These costs may not be used to recover any costs that are normally covered under indirect costs or costs that are allocable to one or more tracts. Please include a description of the use of a continuing matching contribution plan (if applicable).

16. Note that examples of how to answer the questions are given to enable and encourage you to provide the requested information in the most efficient manner possible. Please follow this format. Use tables, bulleted lists, or short statements instead of full sentences and paragraphs to provide the information.

When tables are given as examples, answers should be presented in columns; however, it is not required that a table be developed. Include information and descriptions that only pertain to the proposed project area(s). Additional information, such as a very detailed land-use history of the area/landscape, will not necessarily benefit the proposal.

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WORK PLAN FORMAT

TRACT #- Name

OVERALL ACRES AFFECTED:

CENTRAL LOCATION: (in decimal degrees) STATE/FEDERAL AGENCIES HOLDING INTERESTS: (List agencies and describe interest; if none type NA)

Acreage Summary of Grant/Match Activities on the Tract:

Acquisition Restoration Enhancement Establishment

Describe all grant/match activities occurring on the tract here:

Tract #-Name: Acquisition Financial Plan Justification - $_______ and _____ acres Grant - $_________ Match - $_________ Non-Match - $_________ Completion:

LAND ACQUISITION DISCLOSURE

Type of acquisition: (fee title, easement, lease, etc.)

Holder of…