8.12.22 updated Foa_Content_of_F22AS00281.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services https://www.fws.gov/service/wolf-livestock-loss-demonstration-project-grant-program

F22AS00281 FY22 Endangered Species Conservation - Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention Grants Fiscal Year: 2022

F22AS00281

Due Date for Applications: 08/20/2022

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description Authority:

Section 6202(a) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (7 U.S.C. §426 note [Transferred]. Recodified as §8351 note)

Assistance Listing Number:

15.666 Background, Purpose and Program Requirements:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Applicants are eligible to compete for either Depredation Compensation or Depredation Prevention funding, or both. Applicants may submit a proposal that includes both activities but each activity will be ranked and considered separately.

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

the level of livestock predation in the state or on the land owned by or held in trust for the benefit of the tribe, whether the state or tribe is located in a geographical area that is at high risk for livestock predation and other factors that the Secretary determines appropriate.

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

Finally, applicants that have a Depredation Prevention program will be prioritized for Depredation Compensation funding. Complete merit review criteria are provided in Section E.

Application Review Information.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $900,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $450,000 Minimum Award $10,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $75,000 Expected Award Date November 01, 2022 In FY 2021, the Service awarded $1.3 million in Program funds to 8 states and 1 tribe. The Service awarded $598,403 through eight depredation compensation grants ranging from $17,500 to $150,000, with an average award of $75,246. The Service also awarded $719,799 through 9 depredation prevention grants ranging from $19,000 to $150,000, with an average award of $79,978. Proposals may address new or ongoing work funded through State wolf-livestock interaction programs. However, all funds will be awarded as new grants. The maximum period of performance for a grant awarded through this Program is two years from the effective date established at the time of grant approval or the date of award obligation, whichever is earlier.

The Service intends to make award recommendations to the Director within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. The Service intends to start issuing awards in November 2022.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards The Service expects to issue approximately 15 awards as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity, although final number will depend on the number of proposals received and funding requested by applicants.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Additional Information on Eligibility To be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to P.L. 111-11, a state or tribe must:

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

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

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

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

(A) annual reports that include:

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

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

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

(5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program. In addition, to ensure funds are achieving immediate conservation benefit, applicants must have fully expended Program grant funds from FY 2018 and prior years.

Further, to be eligible to receive Depredation Compensation funding, a state or tribe must:

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

Have the ability to protect the evidence of depredation.

Coordinate with local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Wildlife Services field representatives, or other authorized official, who will coordinate an investigation.

Document payments to ensure fair-market value.

Further, to be eligible to receive Depredation Prevention funding, a state or tribe must:

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

Ensure applicant demonstration of good faith effort to avoid conflicts.

Demonstrate effectiveness of non-lethal measures.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement The cost share may be cash or in-kind contribution, including third party contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services. Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost share.

If a proposal includes both compensation and prevention activities, match will be calculated at the grant level, not by individual activity.

C3. Other The following additional criteria apply to all grants and must be satisfied for a project to receive funding:

Only confirmed wolf depredation events within the project area investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services field representative or other authorized investigator will be evaluated and considered for funding under this opportunity. Proposals to compensate for missing livestock or losses not confirmed to be from wolves will not be funded. This program can only contribute to compensation of the fair market value of losses of livestock; the program cannot contribute toward “multipliers” (i.e., payments of higher than market value designed to compensation for unconfirmed losses or missing livestock) or “probable” losses to wolves.

The maximum period of performance for a grant awarded through this opportunity is two years from the effective date established at the time of grant approval or the date of award obligation, whichever is earlier. Limited no-cost time extensions may be allowed if unforeseen circumstances arise during the period of performance of any grants issued, but such extensions will require approval from Service Headquarters.

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

Neither the Federal funds awarded through this opportunity, nor the associated non- Federal cost share, may be used to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act, including complying with a biological opinion under Section 7, fulfilling Federal mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring requirements of a Habitat Conservation Plan permitted under Section 10, or any other Federal regulatory mitigation requirement (e.g., mitigation for Clean Water Act permits).

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

Land acquisition is not an eligible use of Program funds.

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

Foreign Entities or Projects:

State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Excluded Parties:

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

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package This application package contains all the information needed to apply for this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants can request paper application packages through the appropriate contact listed below in Section G.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/service/wolf-livestock-loss-demonstration-project-grant-program https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except individuals and commercial entities, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44- 4444.” Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1 “

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS- GMM): Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

Project Narrative Provide a project narrative containing the elements listed below. A proposal may be disqualified if eligibility requirements are not met.

Project title Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project Statement of Need - Describe why this project is being undertaken and how it advances program priorities as discussed in Section A. Provide evidence to demonstrate the need for Program grant funds, including the number of wolves and amount of livestock production present, the level of overlap between the two, and the extent of wolf depredation in the project area. Identify the negative results of taking no action to address wolf-livestock interactions in the project area.

Purpose - Describe the desired future state this proposal will achieve.

Objectives – State the desired outcome of the proposed project in terms that are specific and quantified. Objectives should be realistic targets designed to address the project need.

Methods/Approach – For Prevention Program Activities – Describe the activities the requested funds will be used to support, such as range riders, guard dogs, fladry, and fencing. Describe your program’s procedures for maintaining records for reporting to the Service how the funds were expended. Describe efforts to encourage participation in prevention activities and how grant funds will promote such participation.

For Compensation Program Activities – Describe how the value of reimbursement is determined and the procedures that will be used to verify that available funds will be used to compensate for confirmed losses and/or injuries caused by wolves. Describe your program’s procedures for maintaining records for reporting to the Service how the funds were expended.

Timetable or milestones - Describe the timetable for the project, including significant milestones for completion.

Information to support environmental compliance review requirements - The Service has the responsibility for making the final determination regarding compliance with Federal laws. To facilitate review, provide any information that may be relevant to compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and required Federal permits.

Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement - List key cooperators (e.g., USDA Wildlife Services, non-governmental organizations, etc.) and describe their respective roles in the program. Describe any public involvement in the administration of your program.

Project monitoring and evaluation plan - Describe how you will assess the effectiveness of funded activities and report those results to the Service including description of assessment tools to be used;

Relevant details on key project personnel Details on the project location, including maps if appropriate Responses to Merit Review Evaluation Criteria - Provide description with appropriate documentation of how the proposed project addresses each of the numeric ranking criteria described in Section E. Application Review Information. We recommend that you address each ranking criterion individually with a brief statement or table. Project narratives that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate efficient proposal review and scoring.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A Budget Information form for Non- Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov or in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In “Section A – Budget Summary” on the SF-424A form enter the funding requested from this Federal program in the first row. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Program Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424C Budget Information form for Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Budget Narrative Applicants must include a budget narrative that describes and justifies requested budget items and costs. In your budget narrative, describe how the SF-424 Budget Information, “Object Class Category” totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays). Describe any proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any third-party cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

a. Applicability.

1. This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

2. In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR§200.318 apply.

b. Notification.

1. Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass- through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

2. Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

c. Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §18 and 31

USC §1352.

d. Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit applicants must state https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regard to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration:

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). Entities already registered in SAM.gov should review their registration to confirm that they are registered as a financial assistance recipient, which requires completion of the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations”. See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 08/20/2022 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date.

Applications must be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. The Service will not review or consider applications received through GrantSolutions after 11:59 PM EST on August 20, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided below.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424A Budget Information Budget Narrative SF-424B Assurances (only if needed, not required if enrolled in SAM) Project Abstract Summary Project Narrative Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement - If applicable) Conflict of Interest Disclosure A133 Single Audit Reporting Statement Certification and Discloseure of Lobbying Activities (If applicable) Overlap and Duplication of Effort Statement

D5. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. The State Single Point of Contact list is available on the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website.

D6. Funding Restrictions Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior (DOI) is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the IBC by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted by Organization:

U.S. state or local government entities receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding must include the following statement in their application and attach a copy of their most recently negotiated rate agreement:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. Attached is a copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement/certification.

U.S. state or local government entities receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding must include the applicable statement from this list:

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/icrna

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award].

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We have not prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR §200, Appendix VII and elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until we choose to establish a rate per 2 CFR §200. We understand we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

All other organizations must include the applicable statement from this list and any related documentation in their application. Please note, an organization with a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may not elect to charge the 10% de minimis rate of Modified Total Direct Costs during the period covered by their current negotiated rate.

We are an organization with a current negotiated indirect cost rate. In the event we receive an award, we will charge indirect costs per our current negotiated rate agreement.

Attached is a copy of our current rate agreement.

We are an organization with a negotiated indirect cost rate that has expired. Attached is copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

We are an organization that has never negotiated an indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

We are an organization that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate. In the event an award is made, we elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until such time as we negotiate a different rate with our cognizant agency. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if during the award period we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs to the award. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

We are an organization submitting a [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”] project proposal, which has an indirect cost rate cap of [insert rate; CRU is currently 15%; CESU is currently 17.5%]. In the event we receive an award, we understand that if we have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate we must charge the program’s capped indirect cost rate to the same base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, per 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have current negotiated (including provisional) rate, we understand we must charge the capped indirect cost rate against Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR §200.1.

We are an organization that will charge all costs directly.

D7. Other Submission Requirements The Service uses the GrantSolutions system to manage financial assistance applications and awards. Applicants must register in and conduct any subsequent award business with the Service in GrantSolutions. To apply, your organization and organization officials must be established in GrantSolutions. To register your organization in GrantSolutions, send an email to help@grantsolutions.gov with the following information:

Subject: New Organization Request

Organization/Individual Name Point of Contact first and last name, email, and phone number Organization Type SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (not required for individuals or Service-waived entities) Organization Employer Identification Number (Applicants that are INDIVIDUALS DO

NOT include your social security number) Address

Organizational details should match those in the organization’s SAM.gov registration. To establish organization official accounts and user role(s), complete a Recipient User Account Request Form for each official and email it to help@grantsolutions.gov. The GrantSolutions entity user roles are: Authorizing Official (ADO); Principal Investigator/Program Director (PI/PD); Support Specialist (GSS); Financial Officer (FO); and Financial Support Staff (FSS).

All roles can do the following: enter applications, amendments, and reports, view awards, and view and create notes. The ADO and the PI/PD roles can also submit applications, amendments, and reports. The FO role can also submit reports. At a minimum, registered organizations must assign someone to the ADO and PI/PD roles. For more information, see the GrantSolutions Recipient Training and FAQs web page. For GrantSolutions registration, submission, and other assistance contact their Customer Support by telephone at 1-866-577-0771 or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.

E. Application Review Information E1. Criteria Depredation Compensation Activities Maximum Points: 100 mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov.

mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov.

1. Rate of Wolf Depredation (20 points maximum)

To receive points for this criterion, applicants must provide the number of confirmed wolf depredations per 100 wolves for each of the past 3 years in the area covered by the proposal.

These should be individual depredations, not events (i.e., 1 dead animal = 1 depredation). If 3 years of data are not available, applicants must provide information for as many years as possible. Best available wolf population estimates should be used. Applicants must only provide information on confirmed depredations and wolf population estimates within the range of the proposed project. For example, the number of confirmed depredations must only be provided for the area where the proposal will provide funding.

Numbers provided must not include probable depredations or include a multiplier to account for missing livestock. Applicants must only include confirmed events investigated by a USDA Wildlife Services field representative or other authorized investigator. Missing or unconfirmed livestock losses are not eligible for compensation and will not be considered under this criterion.

Applicants must show calculations to enable reviewers to assess the numbers provided. The following format is recommended:

Year Number of confirmed wolf depredations

Estimated wolf population

Number of confirmed depredations/100 wolves (= (Number of confirmed wolf depredations/estimated wolf population) * 100)

Average

Scoring: Information not provided – 0 points Average of <10/100 depredations per 100 wolves – 5 points Average of 10-15 depredations per 100 wolves – 10 points Average of 16-30 depredations per 100 wolves – 15 points Average of >30 depredations per 100 wolves – 20 points

2. Livestock losses as calculated by animal unit equivalents (20 points maximum) To help reviewers make a standardized comparison of the level of livestock predation in the project area, applicants must provide the annual confirmed losses of cows and sheep in the prior year converted to animal-value equivalents, as further described below, to receive points for this criterion. Although losses occurring in other categories of livestock are eligible for reimbursement and should be included in other descriptive sections of the narrative, only confirmed losses of the most commonly depredated types of livestock are requested for this element to minimize applicant burden.

The table below provides a suggested format, as well as animal-value equivalents to be used for each type of livestock:

Type of Livestock

Number of confirmed losses in the most recent full year

Animal- Value Equivalent*

Loss by Animal-Value Equivalent

Cattle Calf .68 (Multiply number of confirmed losses by animal-value equivalent provided)

Cow 1 Bull 1.5 Sheep Lamb .15 Ewe .18 Ram .25 Total

* Equivalents provided are the largest estimate for an individual animal in each class in: Lacey, J. 1991. Forage Consumption Estimated Animal Unit Conversion. Montana State University Cooperative Extension Service, Montana guide MT 9111 (AG)(available:

https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/forage/documents/forage%20consumpiton%20estimat ed%20AUM%20conversion.pdf). Calf weight is an exception, and was calculated based on the average fall weight of a calf leaving the range to more accurately represent the lost value.

Scoring:

The range of losses over all applications received will be calculated after this Notice of Funding Opportunity closes. That range will be divided into 4 categories for scoring. Points will be assigned based on which category (quartile) the application falls into as follows: Information not provided – 0 points, first quartile (lowest category of losses) – 5 points, second quartile – 10 points, 3rd quartile – 15 points, 4th quartile – 20 points

3. Claim evaluation and record keeping (5 points maximum)

To receive points for this criterion, applicants must describe their process for evaluating claims, including eligibility requirements, and provide detail that allows reviewers to assess the adequacy of the program’s record keeping.

Scoring: Reviewers will assign between 0 and 5 points using the following guidelines.

0 points = Information that will allow assessment of the rigor of the program’s procedures and record-keeping is not provided, or it is provided and the process for confirming depredations, the quality of investigators, or the record keeping is minimally adequate.

5 points = Detailed information on procedures for investigation management and record keeping https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/forage/documents/forage%20consumpiton%20estimated%20AUM%20conversion.pdf).%20 https://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/forage/documents/forage%20consumpiton%20estimated%20AUM%20conversion.pdf).%20 is provided, and those procedures include highly trained investigators, very effective procedures for differentiating between confirmed and probable depredations to ensure only confirmed depredation is being compensated, and solid and effective record keeping systems.

4. Integration of prevention activities (10 points maximum)

To receive points for this criterion, applicants must provide details regarding prevention efforts in the proposed project area and any requirements their compensation program has in regard to implementation of prevention activities. Reviewers will consider the following questions:

A. Is a conflict avoidance or…