4. nofo - announcement #f15as00398.doc

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rachel Carson NWR Environmental Stewards Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.649 Notice of Funding Opportunity

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to the Maine Department of Conservation for a period not to exceed five years. This announcement is for notification purposes only.

I. Description of Funding Opportunity Two Environmental Steward AmeriCorps positions - not to exceed five years.

Host Site Name and Location: Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

321 Port Road, Wells, ME 04090

Host Site overview Rachel Carson NWR is a special place; located where the northern boreal forest meets the eastern deciduous forest, where the Gulf of Maine’s 9 foot tides pump energy into the second largest salt marsh system in Maine, where the sandy mid-Atlantic coast meets the rocky Maine shore and a special because of our namesake who started the modern environmental movement. Situated along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. Wildlife comes first on all national wildlife refuges.

Supervision Received: Serves under the direct supervision of refuge manager Ward Feurt at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) Program Coordinator.

Days and Hours of Service: Monday through Friday 8-4:30, Occasional Weekends

Housing is available.

Qualifications: (add additional qualifications to the list as necessary in bulleted format)

• Must have a 4-year college degree (environmental) or equivalent experience.

• Interest in performing community service.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track details essential to project completion, analyze information for its relevance and impact and meet deadlines.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to perform tasks independently as well as part of a cooperative team.

• Non-judgmental attitude and sensitivity to others.

• Computer skills including Internet and Microsoft Office package.

• Personal transportation for travel within the state of Maine.

• All state positions require a valid driver’s license with a 5 year driving record.

Responsibilities: (list the primary responsibilities of your position)

• Coordinate Volunteers

• Assist with habitat restoration and invasive species removal

• Assist with shorebird monitoring

• Help maintain refuge property and vehicles

• Outreach, to visitors and educational groups

• Assist with data collection for salt marsh research

• Draft refuge documents (such as permits, letters, and flyers)

Essential Functions: (list the skills or abilities necessary to perform the responsibilities)

• Ability to work and get along with others

• Working outdoors in all weather conditions requiring good physical condition

• Flexible schedule

• Willingness to learn new skills/ attend trainings

• Knowledge of Maine ecology

• Ability to work independently and prioritize and finish tasks on time

• Ability to work with people of all ages

• Good computer and data collection skills

Desired Functions: (list the skills or abilities that would be useful but not necessary in performing the responsibilities)

• Research/ Field work experience

• Knowledge of shorebirds, invasive species, and plants in the State of Maine

• Skill in propagating plants and working in a greenhouse

• Experience driving trucks, trailers, and operating maintenance equipment/ chainsaw certified

• Ability to teach and lead people/ coordinating volunteers

• Knowledge of GIS and GPS

II. Award Information There will be two $15,000 awards, anticipated as one each for AmeriCorps Environmental Steward, to serve at Rachel Carson NWR performing tasks outlined in Description of Funding Opportunity. Selectees will serve for 1700 hours and work alongside refuge staff completing tasks outlined on Grants.gov and repeated in Description of Funding Opportunity. This is a new award, with a performance period expected to be five years.

Substantial involvement on the part of the USFWS is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the USFWS will be responsible for the following: year- long task assignments, mentoring, and project evaluation.

Environmental Stewards will recruit and train volunteers to complete outreach, biological and maintenance projects related to operation of the refuge. Refuge provides the work site, tools and oversight for habitat restoration and invasive species removal. Biologists will train Environmental Stewards in shorebird identification and monitoring protocols, and the refuge is responsible for program evaluation. Refuge visitor contacts are performed to achieve outreach messaging goals. Environmental Stewards will collect data under guidance of salt marsh ecologist and materially contribute to quality and quantity of nekton, hydrology, vegetative and avian information needs to direct management decisions.

Project proposals must meet goals for Environmental Stewards (here-in described) and further refuge and Service goals for youth outreach, and mentoring opportunities for staff and enrollees. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for funding each year. This program uses grant agreements as the primary assistance instrument III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

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

A. DUNS Registration Maine Department of Conservation DUNS number: 002221286 B. Entity Registration in SAM Register http://www.sam.gov/in SAM online at . Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

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

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost sharing is a requirement for AmeriCorps positions. Maine Conservation Corps shares costs with AmeriCorps.

IV. Application Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A.

A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form. All other applicants to discretionary programs and for single source awards must use the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form (http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormsLinks?family=15). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B.

Project Summary Environmental Stewards: Environmental Stewards will recruit and train volunteers to complete outreach, biological and maintenance projects related to operation of the refuge.

Refuge provides the work site, tools and oversight for habitat restoration and invasive species removal. Biologists will train Environmental Stewards in shorebird identification and monitoring protocols, and the refuge is responsible for program evaluation. Refuge visitor contacts are performed to achieve outreach messaging goals. Environmental Stewards will collect data under guidance of salt marsh ecologist and materially contribute to quality and quantity of nekton, hydrology, vegetative and avian information needs to direct management decisions.

Project proposals must meet goals for Environmental Stewards (here-in described) and further refuge and Service goals for youth outreach, and mentoring opportunities for staff and enrollees.

C.

Project Narrative

1. Statement of Need:

Wildlife Refuge management is labor intensive. Myriad details must be addressed and the dynamic nature of the work renders these details unpredictable. The solution here recommended is to provide entry level experience into natural resources for applicants to learn habitat manipulation, biology, maintenance, outreach and administration under the guidance of refuge staff.

2.

Project Goals and Objectives: Environmental Stewards will complete assigned tasks in various fields to meet time and quality requirements specific to those tasks. Completion of tasks will contribute to the refuge’s ability to manage wildlife and meet station and Service goals as well as provide professional level training for enrollees.

3.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Individual task assignments will include performance expectations. Environmental Steward Performance will be evaluated quarterly with final evaluation using standardized forms. We will continue to seek opportunities to award excellent results.

4.

Description of Organization(s) Undertaking the Project:.

Rachel Carson NWR is a special place; located where the northern boreal forest meets the eastern deciduous forest, where the Gulf of Maine’s 9 foot tides pump energy into the second largest salt marsh system in Maine, where the sandy mid-Atlantic coast meets the rocky Maine shore and a special because of our namesake who started the modern environmental movement. Situated along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. Wildlife comes first on all national wildlife refuges.

Contact Project Officer Ward Feurt with questions at ward_feurt@fws.gov 5.

Sustainability: Tasks are accomplished to maintain wildlife management. This is not a self-sustaining program. Refuge will not continue operation without annual appropriations from Congress.

6.

Map of Project Area:

D. Budget Form

Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

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

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

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

Required Indirect Cost Statement:

The Maine Department of Conservation will be charging all costs directly.

F.

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

G.

Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) for construction and land acquisition projects. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) for all other projects. Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

H.

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

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

Application Checklist

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

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

1. Project summary Undertake the necessary arrangements and agreements to recruit, select, and support two Environmental Stewards. The Service may actively recruit or participate in this recruitment. The associates will serve for 1700 hours; no more than 40 hours a week, usually Monday through Friday for a 11 month period. ($15,000/ea/yr). The dates may be altered, by mutual agreement, due to recruitment needs and/or to allow the Associate to conclude service.

2.

Provide stipend, health insurance, and other benefits, pursuant to the Program.

3. Provide orientation and general Program training such as volunteer management, assessment and evaluation, and an orientation to the Cooperator and the Environmental Steward.

4.

Provide all necessary forms needed to follow Cooperator reporting and evaluation requirements.

5. Provide on-going training throughout the 1700 work period. MCC experts will conduct a detailed survey of training needs and availability, select and offer courses and workshops to the Stewards.

· Project narrative

· Timetable

· Description of key personnel qualifications

· Qualifications: (add additional qualifications to the list as necessary in bulleted format)

· • Must have a 4-year college degree (environmental) or equivalent experience.

· • Interest in performing community service.

· • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track details essential to project completion, analyze information for its relevance and impact and meet deadlines.

· • Strong oral and written communication skills.

· • Demonstrated ability to perform tasks independently as well as part of a cooperative team.

· • Non-judgmental attitude and sensitivity to others.

· • Computer skills including Internet and Microsoft Office package.

· • Personal transportation for travel within the state of Maine.

· • All state positions require a valid driver’s license with a 5 year driving record.

· Responsibilities: (list the primary responsibilities of your position)

· • Coordinate Volunteers

· • Assist with habitat restoration and invasive species removal

· • Assist with shorebird monitoring

· • Help maintain refuge property and vehicles

· • Outreach, to visitors and educational groups

· • Assist with data collection for salt marsh research

· • Draft refuge documents (such as permits, letters, and flyers)

Ability to work and get along with others

Essential Functions: (list the skills or abilities necessary to perform the responsibilities)

· • Working outdoors in all weather conditions requiring good physical condition

· • Flexible schedule

· • Willingness to learn new skills/ attend trainings

· • Knowledge of Maine ecology

· • Ability to work independently and prioritize and finish tasks on time

· • Ability to work with people of all ages

· • Good computer and data collection skills

· Desired Functions : (list the skills or abilities that would be useful but not necessary in performing the responsibilities)

· • Research/ Field work experience

· • Knowledge of shorebirds, invasive species, and plants in the State of Maine

· • Skill in propagating plants and working in a greenhouse

· • Experience driving trucks, trailers, and operating maintenance equipment/ chainsaw certified

· • Ability to teach and lead people/ coordinating volunteers

· • Knowledge of GIS and GPS

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

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

· Budget justification

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

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

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

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

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

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

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

To submit an application by e-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 the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

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

VI. Application Review: N/A Review and Selection Process:

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

Each fiscal year, for every entity receiving one or more awards in that fiscal year, the Service conducts a risk assessment based on eight risk categories. The result of this risk assessment is used to establish a monitoring plan for all awards to the entity in that fiscal year. The Service’s risk assessment form is available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2462.pdf.

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

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

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

Award Terms and Conditions: Acceptance of a financial assistance award (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement) from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions applicable to the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the notice of award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Federal regulations applicable to Service awards are available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a full text copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports: Interim financial reports and performance reports may be required. Interim reports will be required no more frequently than quarterly, and no less frequently than annually. A final financial report and a final performance report will be required and are due within 90 calendar days of the end date of the award. Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results.

Significant Developments Reports: Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates that have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Service in writing as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

· Problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

· Favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

The Service will specify in the notice of award document the reporting and reporting frequency applicable to the award.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Recipients are responsible for notifying the Service Project Officer in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under this award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the Recipient, the Recipient’s employee(s), or the Recipient’s Subrecipient(s) that could reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of this award.

Other Mandatory Disclosures: Recipients and their subrecipients must disclose, in a timely manner and in writing, to the Service or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting this award. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (See 2 CFR 200.113, 2 CFR Part 180, and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

VIII. Agency Contacts Ward Feurt, Refuge Manager Rachel Carson NWR

321 Port Road Wells, ME 04090