FY 21_NCWCG Program_NOFO_EXTENSION.pdf

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Fiscal Year 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Notice Overview

Federal Agency Name Department of the Interior (DOI), United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) and National Wildlife Refuge System, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation

Funding Opportunity Title National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.614

Authorizing Legislation The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951‐3956) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114‐94) authorizes funding for the NCWCG Program through Fiscal Year 2021.

Announcement Type Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2021

Funding Opportunity Number

F20AS00057

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement The Service is collecting this information in accordance with the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 104 Stat. 4778, November 29, 1990 (Title 16, United States Code (U.S.C.), Part 3951‐3956). As the applicant, your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. The Service will use the information you provide to evaluate your application for potential award of Federal funding through this program and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. The Service 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. The Service estimates that it will take you about 40 hours to complete an initial application, three hours to revise the terms of an award, and eight hours to prepare and submit performance reports, including time to maintain records, and gather information. 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 (expires: 7/31/2021)

Submission Deadline and Other Information You may apply for funding between the original publication date of this NOFO and Friday, July 17, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We recommend that you submit your application early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications, and verify that all documents have been received by your WSFR Regional Office before the deadline. We will not consider applications received after the deadline. We expect to announce the selected projects in early 2021.

Contents

Notice Overview

Federal Agency Name

Funding Opportunity Title

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

Authorizing Legislation

Announcement Type

Funding Opportunity Number

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

OMB Control Number

Submission Deadline and Other Information

Changes in the FY 2021 NCWCG Program NOFO

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

II. Award Information

Award Amount

Funding Restrictions

Eligible Activities

Ineligible Activities

Additional Eligibility Information

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants

DUNS Registration

Entity Registration in SAM

Excluded Entities

Prohibition Regarding Internal Confidentiality Agreements

Cost Sharing or Matching

Other

IV. Application Requirements

Application for Federal Assistance

Project Summary

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish

Project Statement (Seven‐Page Limit)

Need

Objectives

Expected Results

Approach

Project Location

Timeline

Compliance

State Trust Fund

Relationship to Other Projects and/or Other Federal Grants

Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination

Budget Form

Budget Narrative

Letters of Commitment

Required Indirect Cost Statement

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior

Single Audit Reporting Statements

Assurances

Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Required Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Responses to Ranking Criteria (20‐Page Limit)

Drawings/Maps/Photographs (No Page Limit)

List of Items to Include in Your Grant Application

V. Submission Instructions

Submission Deadline

Intergovernmental Review

Electronic Submission Instructions

VI. Application Review

Scoring Criteria

Criterion 1: Wetlands conservation

Criterion 2: Maritime forests on coastal barriers

Criterion 3: Long‐term conservation

Criterion 4: Coastal watershed management

Criterion 5: Conservation of threatened and endangered species

Criterion 6: Benefits to fish

Criterion 7: Benefits to coastal‐dependent or migratory birds

Criterion 8: Prevent or reduce contamination

Criterion 9: Catalyst for future conservation

Criterion 10: Partners in conservation

Criterion 11: Federal share reduced

Criterion 12: Education/outreach program or wildlife‐oriented recreation

Criterion 13: Other factors

Review and Selection Process

VII. Award Administration Information

Federal Award Notices

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Domestic Recipient Payments

Transmittal of Sensitive Data

Award Terms and Conditions

Financial and Performance Reports

Final Reports

Interim Reports

Performance Reporting in TRACS

Real Property Reports

Other Mandatory Disclosures

VIII. Agency Contacts

Chris Swenson

Heidi Nelson

Kelly Oliver‐Amy

Casey Nelson

James Duffy

Bill Perry

Kyle James

Becky Miller

Attachment A: Clarification of Select Ranking Criteria in 50 CFR 84.32 and General Program Questions

General Questions and Answers

50 CFR 84.32 (a)(1) (Criterion 1):

50 CFR 84.32 (a)(2) (Criterion 2):

50 CFR 84.32 (a) (Criteria 5, 6, and 7):

50 CFR 84.32 (a)(10) (Criterion 10):

50 CFR 84.32 (a)(11) (Criterion 11):

50 CFR 84.32 (a)(12) (Criterion 12):

50 CFR 84.32(b)(4) (Additional considerations):

Attachment B: Department of the Interior Award Provisions

Changes in the FY 2021 NCWCG Program NOFO This FY 2021 NOFO has been updated with new information, including project design, application, and reporting requirements. Please note the following:

1. In the Notice Overview and elsewhere in the NOFO, the deadline for receipt in Grants.gov of your complete application has been extended to July 17, 2020.

2. Under “DUNS Registration,” new information on the General Services Administration’s Unique Entity Identifier.

3. Under “Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish,” information on a new requirement to complete and submit the SF‐429B for all real property acquisitions.

4. Under “Project Statement,” (Objectives), information on the requirement to use WSFR’s Standard Objectives when designing your project.

5. Under “Budget Narrative,” (Items 4 and 5), information on the requirement to provide data on the useful life of certain capital improvements and prior approval for purchase of certain equipment.

6. Under “Assurances,” information on your certification to provide access to records, and information on a method for submitting your SF‐424B via SAM registration or renewal.

7. Under “Conflict of Interest Disclosures,” new information defining conflicts of interest (see also Attachment B, Department of the Interior Award Provisions).

8. Under “Federal Award Notices,” new information about our potential use of project information in media releases in coordination with the Department of the Interior.

9. Under “Administrative and National Policy Requirements,” new information on requirements for recordkeeping and providing access to your records, compliance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, and new requirements regarding appraisals when acquiring real property.

10. Under “Award Terms and Conditions,” new information on audit findings and sharing of information derived from or produced with funding under your Federal award.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html

11. Under “Financial and Performance Reports,” information on new requirements for reporting in TRACS.

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

References to “you” in this NOFO refer to the State, Commonwealth, or Territory agency completing the application and any subrecipient, if applicable. References to “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to the Service.

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951‐3956) (Act) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive matching grants to eligible State, Commonwealth, and Territory (State) agencies. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, and a portion of gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines.

Revenues are deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The primary goal of the NCWCG Program is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114‐94) authorizes funding for the NCWCG Program through Fiscal Year 2021.

Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism.

WSFR’s mission is to work through partnerships to conserve and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. WSFR’s vision is of healthy, diverse, and accessible fish and wildlife populations that offer recreation, economic activity, and other societal benefits, in addition to sustainable ecological functions. WSFR’s guiding principle is that society benefits from conservation‐based management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and opportunities to use and enjoy them. The NCWCG Program aligns with WSFR’s mission, vision, and guiding principle, and supports three of the Department of the Interior’s priorities including:

1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt through land acquisition promoting protection and enhancement of high‐priority coastal wetland ecosystems;

2) Utilizing our natural resources by allowing fish‐ and wildlife‐based recreation and public use and enjoyment, as appropriate;

3) Restoring trust with our local communities through partnering with eligible State agencies and their partners on local projects.

The Final Rule establishing the requirements for participation in the NCWCG Program was published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2002 (67 Federal Register (FR) 49264). The https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/07/30/02-19065/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grant-program

Program regulations are in the NCWCG Program rule: Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 84. Additional information about the NCWCG Program is available here.

II. Award Information

The NCWCG Program provides eligible State agencies with grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetlands resources. Projects can include:

1) Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long‐term conservation;

2) Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems; or

3) A combination of acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management.

All projects must ensure long‐term conservation (at least 20 years) of coastal resources. We score and rank applications based on criteria published in 50 CFR 84.32. See Section VI.

Application Review for a summary of the ranking criteria.

Award Amount We expect that approximately $22 million will be available for grants through the NCWCG Program in FY 2021. Awards typically range from $125,000 (there is no specific minimum) to a maximum of $1,000,000.

Funding Restrictions Eligible Activities

1) Acquisition of a real property interest in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners, provided that the terms and conditions will ensure the real property will be managed for long‐term conservation; and

2) The restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems, provided that restoration, enhancement, or management will be administered for long‐ term conservation.

Ineligible Activities

1) Projects that primarily benefit navigation, irrigation, flood control, or mariculture;

2) Acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management of lands to mitigate habitat losses;

3) Creation of wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist;

4) Enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and regulations, except when necessary for the accomplishment of approved project purposes;

5) Research;

6) Planning as a primary project focus;

7) Operations and maintenance, including long‐term invasive species management;

8) Acquisition and/or restoration of upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct; and

9) Projects providing less than 20 years of conservation benefits.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=4d19e9d148de08350c185a13a6332849&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=4d19e9d148de08350c185a13a6332849&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8

Note: This list is not comprehensive. If you have questions about the eligibility of specific activities, contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

Additional Eligibility Information The primary purpose of the NCWCG Program is to help eligible State agencies acquire, restore, enhance, and/or manage coastal wetlands ecosystems. Recreation and outreach or education activities necessary for meeting these purposes are eligible for NCWCG Program funding up to a combined maximum of 10 percent of the total project costs, including the Federal share and matching funds. Such activities must be “site‐specific” and “substantive” to receive points under Ranking Criterion 12 (50 CFR 84.32(a)(12)(i)). Any proposed recreation or outreach/education activities must be described and justified in the application.

Planning and related activities are ineligible as a primary project focus (50 CFR 84.20(b)(6)), but may be allowable as a minimal component of a project. Monitoring necessary for meeting Program purposes is eligible, such as evaluating results of project activities and measuring impacts on targeted resources (50 CFR 84.12(b)). Research is not eligible for funding. Planning, engineering, design, permitting, and monitoring costs necessary for completion of site‐specific project objectives are eligible for funding up to a combined maximum of 30 percent of the total project costs, including the Federal share and required match. Any proposed activities involving planning, engineering, design, permitting, or monitoring must be described and justified in your application.

Contact your WSFR Regional Office for more detailed guidance on specific proposed costs involving recreation, outreach/education activities, planning, design, permitting, or monitoring (see Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

Review 50 CFR 84.20 for more information on eligible and ineligible activities, or contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants Participation is limited to State agencies or entities designated as eligible by the Governor of a coastal State. The eligible agency is usually a State natural resource or fish and wildlife agency.

If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

Eligible coastal States are States bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin); States bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts. Louisiana is not an eligible coastal State for this Program as provided in the Act (16 U.S.C. 3955 (b)(1)).

Here is the complete list of eligible States: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_120&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_112&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_120&rgn=div8 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title16/chapter59A&edition=prelim

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See 2 CFR 25 for more information.

DUNS Registration Request a DUNS number here. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at:

govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866‐ 705‐5711 or TTY line: 877‐807‐1679 (hearing impaired customers only). Obtaining a DUNS number is free for all entities doing business with the Federal government. Once assigned a DUNS number, you are responsible for maintaining up‐to‐date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

Be aware that starting in December 2020, your DUNS number will no longer be the official identifier for doing business with the Federal government. In the near future, the General Services Administration (GSA) will start a new, non‐proprietary Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to be requested in and assigned by the System for Award Management (https://sam.gov/SAM/).

Visit the GSA Unique Entity Identifier Update web page for the latest information on this transition. This transition will not change the applicability of existing requirements for either obtaining an entity identifier or completing the full SAM.gov registration. If you are currently exempt from obtaining an entity identifier and/or completing full SAM.gov registration, you will continue to be exempt from those requirements.

Entity Registration in SAM Register in SAM online. Once registered in SAM, you must renew and revalidate your SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. You are advised to revalidate your registration as often as needed to ensure that your information is up to date and includes changes that may have been made to DUNS and Internal Revenue Service information. We cannot make a Federal award if you have not completed the SAM registration or your registration is expired. If you are selected for funding but have not completed your SAM registration by the time we are ready to make an award, we may determine that you are not qualified to receive an award and may use that determination as the basis for making an award to another applicant. Note: The official U.S. Government website address for SAM is https://sam.gov/SAM/. There is no cost to register in or access SAM. Some third‐party vendors charge a fee for registering entities in SAM; please be aware that you can register to do business with the U.S. Government for free directly in SAM.

Excluded Entities If you or your key project personnel are identified in the SAM exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, you will not be considered for Federal funding under the NCWCG Program. We conduct a review of the SAM exclusions database for all applicants and key project personnel prior to award.

Prohibition Regarding Internal Confidentiality Agreements If you require your employees or your contractors to sign an internal confidentiality agreement or statement that prohibits or otherwise restricts your employees or contractors from lawfully https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr25_main_02.tpl http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:govt@dnb.com https://sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://sam.gov/SAM/ https://sam.gov/SAM/ reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement official of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information, you are not eligible to compete for or receive a NCWCG Program award. See Pub. L. 113‐235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 (128 STAT. 2391; p. 263/702) for more information.

Cost Sharing or Matching If you have established a fund that is used for acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas, or open space, you may receive up to 75 percent of total project costs through the NCWCG Program up to the maximum award of $1,000,000. If you have not established such a fund, you may receive up to 50 percent of total projects costs through the NCWCG Program. In accordance with 48 U.S.C. 1469(a), Amendment of Subsection (d), the Regional Director shall waive the first $200,000 of match required as per this NOFO in any grant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S.

Virgin Islands.

The maximum Federal participation rate of 75 percent is based on total project costs, i.e., the amount requested from the NCWCG Program plus the amount of non‐Federal cost share. Other funds that are related to the project or are part of a larger project but are not designated as cost share are not included in total project costs when calculating the maximum Federal participation rate. Cost share requirements are detailed in 50 CFR 84.46.

To be reimbursed up to 75 percent of total project costs, you must provide either a description of the State trust fund (in sufficient detail for us to make an eligibility determination), or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved and there has been no change in the fund.

To receive points under ranking Criterion 11 (50 CFR 84.32 (a)(11)), at least some of the non‐ Federal match must be provided in cash. Direct costs identified in the SF‐424 are only considered to meet the definition of cash match if they are provided in the form of U.S.

currency. See Attachment A. Clarification of Select Ranking Criteria in 50 CFR 84.32 and General Program Questions for more information.

Note: If you propose to use the value of donated land as all or a portion of the non‐Federal cost share, you should explain in the Project Statement why the land is necessary to accomplish the project objectives. You should include information on the parcel(s) proposed for acquisition or restoration with NCWCG Program funds and the match parcel(s) in adequate detail for each ranking criterion so reviewers can make accurate and informed scoring decisions on both the subject and match parcel(s).

You must document all third‐party matching funds with a signed letter of financial commitment from an authorized representative of the match provider. The letter must detail the amount of matching funds or value of donated land and/or services. Please note that any contributions from Federal sources are not eligible for use as non‐Federal match unless authorized by Federal statute (such as the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program or REPI funds).You are responsible for ensuring availability of the full amount of the non‐Federal match that you indicate on the SF‐424.

https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ235/PLAW-113publ235.pdf https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ235/PLAW-113publ235.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=cb577fe674093491123a536aab07fea3&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_146&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8

Other Although only eligible State agencies can apply for and receive grants through the NCWCG Program, we encourage partnering with tribes, Federal agencies, other State agencies, non‐ governmental organizations, local governments and others as you deem appropriate.

IV. Application Requirements You can download the application package for the NCWCG Program from Grants.gov here, by entering Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00057. You can also download application forms through the WSFR toolkit. If you have trouble applying, contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, your application must contain:

Application for Federal Assistance Submit a completed, signed, and dated Application for Federal Assistance form (SF‐424). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the SF‐424. 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.

Project Summary Briefly summarize the project in one page or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project. You may also include goals, objectives, specific project activities, or anticipated outputs and outcomes in this section.

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish When you request our approval to acquire real property with Federal funds under your award, with matching funds under your award, or as an in‐kind match contribution, you must complete a separate SF‐429‐B, “Real Property Status Report—Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish” for each property. As an alternative, you may use another standardized data collection format if we approve or direct its use. You and/or your subrecipient(s) must submit the SF‐429‐B for each property regardless of whether the request occurs at the time of application, during the period of performance, or as a pre‐award cost.

Project Statement (Seven-Page Limit) Provide a Project Statement containing the elements listed below (see also 50 CFR 84.22(c)).

You may combine your responses as necessary; separate headings or sections for responses to each element are not required. Only your responses to the following requirements in this Project Statement subsection are included within the page limit unless otherwise indicated.

Need The need for the proposed project(s) within the purpose of the NCWCG Program.

Objectives Discrete, quantifiable, and verifiable objectives to be accomplished during a specific time period. Objectives reference specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated https://www.grants.gov/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Forms https://www.grants.gov/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=sp50.9.84.b&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_122 goal(s). The project objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable within the period of performance, realistic, and time‐bound. If your objectives include management of lands for recreational as well as conservation purposes, you must demonstrate that any anticipated recreational activities will not degrade habitat values of targeted lands.

We require that you use Standard Objectives when designing your project or program. See the WSFR Standard Project Statement Wiki for general examples and guidance. We encourage you to work with your Regional WSFR Office prior to submission if you have questions about using the Standard Objectives (see Section VIII. Agency Contacts).

Expected Results Expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives.

Approach Clearly describe the approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators. Please include (if applicable):

a. Any organization that will act as a subrecipient and their role(s) in meeting the project objectives; for any key personnel, describe the education, experience and skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project (do not include resumes or curriculum vitae);

b. What organization will hold title to the real property being acquired or restored?

c. How will long‐term management (20 years or longer) of acquired or restored areas be accomplished (e.g., through long‐term support provided by an endowment)?

d. What type of ownership interest is involved (e.g., fee‐simple, easement, combination, etc., and the related acres)?

e. What organization (or individual) will manage the real property interest?

f. What will be involved in the restoration? Why did you choose that approach? How likely is the proposed restoration technique to succeed? How much maintenance is involved, who will conduct it, and who will support it? Please provide examples of your success in implementing the proposed restoration approach in similar nearby ecosystems, if available.

g. Is the project ready to implement? For example, in the case of acquisitions, have the landowners supplied willing seller letters? For restoration projects, are the landowners willing to allow and maintain the proposed restoration, and have required permits been obtained or initiated? Are restoration designs completed or underway? Attach any relevant documents that address these elements. Copies of seller letters, permits and designs may be provided separately from the Project Statement and are not included in the page limit.

https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WSFR/Standard+Project+Statements

Project Location Maps or other geographic aids may be attached. Please include GPS Coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds, if available. Maps and other diagrams may be provided separately from the Project Statement and are not included in the page limit.

Timeline Describe significant milestones within the performance period of your project in detail, including dates you expect to begin and complete all compliance‐related activities. Describe any accomplishments to date.

Compliance For projects conducted in the United States, provide a summary of anticipated Federal compliance requirements. Be sure to address all applicable compliance requirements including those involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and all other requirements in applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Describe any compliance activities for your proposed project that have already been completed or are currently underway.

State Trust Fund Include either a description of the State trust fund that supports or justifies your request for a 75 percent Federal share in sufficient detail for us to make an eligibility determination, or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved by us and no change has occurred in the fund.

Relationship to Other Projects and/or Other Federal Grants If applicable, list other current, interrelated coastal acquisition, restoration, enhancement and conservation actions, the agencies involved, the relationship to the proposed project, and how the application fits into comprehensive natural resource plans for the area. If applicable, identify any relationship between this project and other work funded by State or Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway. Please note that you must also provide an Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement whether or not you describe other current, interrelated conservation actions in your Project Statement. The Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement is not included within the seven‐page limit for your Project Statement and should be included in your application separately. For more information, see below in this Section under the heading “Required Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement.”

Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination Provide a description of public involvement or interagency coordination on coastal wetlands conservation projects that has occurred or is planned that relates to the application. Please specify the organizations or agencies involved and dates of involvement.

Budget Form Complete the Budget Information for Non‐Construction Programs (SF‐424A) form, Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF‐424C) form, or submit the equivalent or greater level of information in another format. Use the SF‐424A if your project does not include construction or real property acquisition and the SF‐424C if the project includes construction or real property acquisition. The SF‐424A and SF‐424C budget forms, should you choose to use them, are published along with this NOFO at Grants.gov. You can also download these forms from the WSFR toolkit. When developing your budget, keep in mind that Federal financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles. The Federal cost principles are available here.

If your project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested or secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, in the SF‐424A enter the funds being requested from the NCWCG 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 the NCWCG Program is 15.614.

Budget Narrative In a separate narrative titled “Budget Narrative,” explain and justify all requested budget items.

Detail how the SF‐424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. The justification for each budget category should include a brief general description of the costs that make up that category, yet provide enough detail to demonstrate that you have a financial plan for implementation of the proposed objectives, including completion of any required compliance activities. Describe any pre‐award or “preliminary” costs (50 CFR 84.47(c)), or other costs requiring prior written approval (see 2 CFR 200.407). Make sure you include a narrative description of the following:

1) In‐Kind Match – Include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to arrive at the total (see Attachment A, Clarification of Select Ranking Criteria in 50 CFR

84.32 and General Program Questions for more information);

2) Program Income, if any – Include the source, estimated amount, and the requested method of crediting the program income (e.g. deductive, additive, cost share);

3) Allocation of Costs – Identify the method used for allocating costs in multipurpose projects and facilities;

4) Useful Life – Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install (see 50 CFR 80.2), and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000 (see 50 CFR 80.82(c)(5)).

5) Prior approval is required to purchase equipment, which includes any tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per‐unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by you or your subrecipient(s) for financial statement http://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Forms https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=b702201a3768a68d64a61c7835ddad66&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_147 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6e27fd9dac42ba49c55bc0cb8e6d68a6&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1407&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5b65479fe47186e1ca9c1995a679351f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.80&rgn=div5#se50.9.80_12 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5b65479fe47186e1ca9c1995a679351f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.80&rgn=div5#se50.9.80_182 purposes, or $5,000 (see 2 CFR 200.33). You and your subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.326, and 200.439.

Letters of Commitment All letters of financial commitment are due with the application by Friday, July 17, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. We will not consider letters received after the deadline. Omission of letters of commitment may negatively impact scoring of your application. Include:

1) Signed letter(s) of financial commitment from an authorized representative of all third‐ party match provider(s) detailing the amount of matching funds or value of donated real property and/or services.

2) In projects with real property acquisition, we encourage you to include a letter or statement that describes current negotiations regarding the potential sale of the property to help reviewers determine the feasibility of the proposed project compared with other projects.

Required Indirect Cost Statement If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate, you cannot charge indirect costs to your Federal award. You must include in your budget narrative one of the following statements and attach to your application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement.

Prior to attaching a copy of your Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) to your application, please verify whether it is already on file with the WSFR Regional Office; if it is, please do not attach it to your application.

“We are:

1) A U.S. State entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement or certification is on file with the WSFR Regional Office (attach it ONLY if your NICRA is not already on file in your WSFR Regional Office);

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

3) A U.S. State entity that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made;

4) A U.S. State entity that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e891ff9b827f00ea9b9b773b97a609ac&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_133 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1313 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1317 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1326 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1439 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 immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period;

5) A U.S. State entity that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award.

We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service; or

6) A U.S. State entity that will charge all costs directly.”

Please note the following:

• If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate you are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting a flat de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

• Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

• You may only charge the indirect costs calculated against the allowable direct costs charged to the Federal award.

• You must have prior written approval from us to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost‐sharing or matching requirements under the award.

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

For more information on indirect cost rates, see our Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document. See also 2 CFR 1402.414 for the policies, procedures, and decision‐making criteria for using an indirect cost rate that differs from your or your subrecipient’s negotiated rate, or its rate approved for our awards.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior If you do not have a NICRA you must first have an open, active Federal award and submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by OMB. If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center. For more information:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=adba52b6b01078c1d86e98dbdce70353&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_168&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=adba52b6b01078c1d86e98dbdce70353&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_168&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=adba52b6b01078c1d86e98dbdce70353&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_168&rgn=div8 https://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/USFWSIndirectCostsGuidance01-06-17.pdf https://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/USFWSIndirectCostsGuidance01-06-17.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=3c0a3568dd4b12f5c90e52f45f93528b&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt2.1.1402

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7‐400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916‐930‐3803 Email: Through Interior Business Center’s web form Internet address: Interior Business Center ‐ Indirect Cost Negotiation Services

Single Audit Reporting Statements As required in 2 CFR 200, Subpart F, if you expend $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in your organization’s fiscal year, you must submit a Single Audit Report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. You must provide in your application a statement indicating whether your organization was required to submit a Single Audit Report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, whether that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website. If you were required to submit a Single Audit Report, provide the Employee Identification Number (EIN) under which it was submitted. Include these statements in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements.”

Assurances If a copy is not already on file with your WSFR Regional Office, include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form, which is available here. If a current Assurances form is already on file in your WSFR Regional Office, please do not attach it to your application. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs form (SF‐424D) for construction and real property acquisition projects and use the Assurances for Non‐Construction Programs form (SF‐424B) for all other projects. Assurances include a certification that you will give us, the Comptroller General of the United States, and other appropriate parties, through any authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the award, and that you will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives.

The Assurances form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

Effective February 2, 2019, you may submit and certify your SF‐424B Assurances for Non‐ Construction Programs form when creating, updating, or renewing your SAM registration. If you have submitted the SF‐424B as part of your SAM registration or renewal, or it is already on file with your WSFR Regional Office, please do not include an additional copy in this application.

The SF‐424D cannot be updated via SAM; therefore, you may include a copy in your application, but please omit it if it is already on file in your WSFR Regional Office.

https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.f https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/ https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Forms

Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities You must not use any federally appropriated funds (either annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds identified in your application to pay any person for lobbying in connection with your award (see Title 31 U.S.C., Section 1352). 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 in connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents your certification of the statements in 43 CFR 18, Appendix A‐ Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you have made or agree to make any payment using non‐appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this proposal and the Federal share of the award exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF‐ LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form, which is available at Grants.gov. See 43 CFR 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form may be required.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures You must state in your 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 you, your employees, and any subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between your 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 you, your employees or your subrecipient(s), in matters pertaining to the proposed project.