Prescott Foa_Content_of_F21AS00152 FINAL.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services

FY 2021 Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program Fiscal Year: 2021

F21AS00152

Due Date for Applications: 04/26/2021

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100, Expiration Date: 7/31/2021

We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

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

A1. Authority Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of 2000, 16 U.S.C. 1421f-I

15.683

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program (Prescott Grant Program) provides financial assistance to eligible marine mammal stranding participants to support all aspects of response (i.e., retrieval, care, treatment, rehabilitation, and release, as appropriate) to the stranding of certain marine mammals and for related scientific research. Successful applications will be those aimed at helping support these actions. The U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Prescott Grant Program will provide support for response to the stranding of wild populations of species under the Department of the Interior’s management authority per section 3(12) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Under this Funding Opportunity, the Service will select projects for funding based on how well and to what extent they support the species-specific priority activities, which are listed below under Species-Specific Funding Priorities. And, as required under the Prescott Grant Program (section 408(a)((2)(A)), the Service will give preference to those facilities with established records for rescuing or rehabilitating sick and stranded manatees, sea otters, walruses, and polar bears within waters of the United States.

For the purpose of this funding program, the term "stranding" means an event in the wild in which—

(A) a marine mammal is dead and is—

(i) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States; or

(ii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters); or

(B) a marine mammal is alive and is—

(i) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States and unable to return to the water;

(ii) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States and, although able to return to the water, is in need of apparent medical attention; or

(iii) in the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters), but is injured or needs assistance; or

(iv) in the case of polar bears and Pacific walruses stranded on land due to insufficient ice, in need of assistance for the (A) the protection or welfare of the mammal, or (B) the protection of the public health and welfare.

Species-Specific Funding Priorities:

Proposals must address at least one of the species-specific priorities identified for the current grant cycle as it pertains to species under the authority of the Department of the Interior (i.e., West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses, and polar bears) within waters of the United States. An applicant may submit more than one proposal (but no more than one proposal per category) or a single proposal may address more than one species, but the proposal(s) still must address at least one species-specific priority per species identified in the proposal(s). If more than one priority is identified, list first the priority that most accurately reflects the main objectives of the proposal.

The purpose of the priority list, as informed by Service staff responsible for marine mammal conservation and management efforts, is to guide applicants in proposal development by identifying those proposals that will best compete during the grant cycle for these limited funds, and to provide reviewers with guidance for their evaluations. The identified species-specific priorities will best ensure successful implementation of the Prescott Grant Program by providing funding for retrieval, rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals (and associated operational costs), the collection of data from living or dead stranded marine mammals for scientific research for improving the understanding of marine mammal health (including operational costs), and operational costs directly related to these purposes. New construction projects will not be considered; however, projects that involve construction for build-outs, alterations, upgrades, and renovations may be considered.

Proposals will be pooled by species and/or stranding region according to the priority addressed by the applicant. If a proposal does not clearly identify a priority, or addresses a different priority than the one indicated by the applicant, it will not receive further consideration. Proposals will compete for funds within the appropriate species priority category, as identified in the proposal.

The following are the species-specific funding priorities for this grant cycle; they are not listed in any particular order and each is of equal importance. We support these activities for the purpose of enhancing the marine mammal response community’s ability to assist stranded and injured marine mammals and provide medical treatment and rehabilitation for potential release. These activities will also improve the community’s knowledge on the treatment and care of distressed marine mammals and the potential cause of stranding events.

For West Indian Manatees in the Southeast U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Enhance capability of stranding response, including training, planning, outreach, and improvement of equipment and resource availability;

2. Transport for live strandings of manatees, including equipment costs, rescue transport trucks and contracts for transport (air or land transports);

3. Increase response efforts for manatees in distress in areas of low rescue capacity, including training, equipment and resource availability;

4. Improve and expand existing facilities for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and/or necropsies, including build-outs, alterations, upgrades, and renovations;

5. Enhance access for veterinary care, including on-site (lab or field) equipment or instruments for more rapid assessment of medical condition or monitoring of treatment response;

6. Improve collection and archiving of specimens to support studies of life history parameters, threats and overall population health;

7. Enhance post-release monitoring of survival for individuals released from rehabilitation or on-site from strandings (e.g., satellite tags and ARGOS support).

For Southern Sea Otters in the Southwest, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Collect carcasses;

2. Conduct necropsies;

3. Enhance readiness for oil spill response (includes planning, training, and purchasing equipment);

4. Enhance stranding response capabilities;

5. Upgrade operations to handle, stabilize, diagnose, treat, surrogate-rear (in the case of stranded pups), release, and conduct post-release monitoring;

6. Upgrade existing facilities (including build-outs, alterations, and renovations) and equipment to handle, stabilize, diagnose, treat, surrogate-rear (in the case of stranded pups), release, and conduct post-release monitoring;

7. Reduce sources of anthropogenic mortality (such as boat strikes, fishing gear entrapment/entanglement, intentional shootings) and disturbance;

8. Improve understanding of other sources of mortality (such as shark bites, harmful algal blooms, disease) and how to reduce impacts to the wild population.

For Northern Sea Otters in the Pacific Northwest, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Collect carcasses or euthanize, as needed;

2. Conduct necropsies;

3. Enhance stranding response capabilities;

4. Enhance readiness for oil spill response (includes planning, training, and purchasing equipment;

5. Improve understanding of disease-caused mortalities, including sources and pathways of pathogens, such as microcystins and the protozoal parasite Sarcocystis neurona;

6. Improve understanding of health factors involving stranded sea otters.

For Northern Sea Otters in Alaska, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Collect data related to health parameters;

2. Conduct tissue sampling for genetic analyses;

3. Enhance readiness for oil spill response (includes planning, training, and purchasing equipment);

4. Investigate large or unusual strandings, particularly those associated with strandings or mortalities of other species;

5. Improve understanding of stranding events and their impact on the relevant stock.

For Pacific Walruses, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Collect data collection related to health parameters (such as impacts of traveling greater distances to obtain food);

2. Enhance readiness for oil spill response (included planning, training, and purchasing equipment);

3. Enhance response capability for the protection or welfare of the walruses, or the protection and welfare of public health particularly to reduce disturbances at large on-shore aggregations and monitor such events.

For Polar Bears, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Collect data collection related to health parameters;

2. Conduct tissue sampling for genetic analyses;

3. Enhance readiness for oil spill response (includes planning, training, and purchasing equipment);

4. Enhance response capability for the protection or welfare of the polar bear, or the protection of public health and welfare particularly to reduce the potential for human-polar bear interactions, such as improving management of attractants to reduce the overlap of polar bears and human activity.

Section 408(a)(2)(A) of the MMPA requires that, to the greatest extent practicable, funds provided as grants under this section be distributed equitably among the designated stranding regions. For the purpose of this funding program, the term “designated stranding region” refers to one of the four geographic regions that covers those areas where West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses, and polar bears occur:

South Atlantic-Gulf stranding region for manatees throughout the southeast and parts of the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands);

California stranding region for southern sea otters in California;

Pacific Northwest stranding region for northern sea otters along the northern coast of the Pacific Ocean; and Alaska stranding region for polar bears, walruses, and northern sea otters in Alaska.

In addition, per section 408(a)(2)(B) the MMPA allows that, in determining priorities among these regions, the Service may consider: (i) any episodic stranding or mortality event (other than an event designated as an “unusual mortality event” under MMPA section 410(6)) that occurred in the preceding year; (ii) data regarding average annual strandings and mortality events per region; and (iii) the size and vulnerability of the marine mammal population or stock.

Final selections will take into account the program focus and priorities, conservation benefit of proposed activities, stranding needs of the species, and the performance history of the facility concerning rescue and rehabilitation efforts for stranded marine mammals.

Implementation of the Prescott Grant Program will help to foster the Service’s relationship with partners who are closest to the resources (e.g., State agencies, Tribes, established/authorized rescue/rehabilitation networks, local communities, aquaria, researchers) by providing needed support for their response efforts. These efforts, in turn, may provide information important to the Service’s management of these trust resources as well as enhance the scientific database and our knowledge of their needs in order to improve efforts to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and release these species back to the wild. In this way, this program supports the Department of the Interior priority of “Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by utilizing science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.”

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 1,120,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 95,000 Minimum Award $ 1,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $ 88,695 Expected Award Date July 30, 2021 The Service expects to award at least $1,120,000 through this funding opportunity.

Section 408(d) of the MMPA states that the amount of a grant “shall not exceed $100,000.” The Service has determined that an upper limit of $95,000 per grant will extend availability of funding to additional entities and efficiently coordinate efforts within our organizational structure for Fiscal Year 2021. These funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Recipients under this program may request funding for a subsequent grant cycle of a previously funded project. However, these requests are subject to the same submission, review, and approval requirements as all new applications. Receiving an award under this Funding Opportunity does not guarantee the recipient access to Service funding to continue the project in subsequent years or to support any other project in the future. In addition, activities in a new proposal cannot overlap with the activities and projects identified in a currently open Service Prescott Grant unless the award balance is at least 75 percent spent by the time of new award.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement G - Grant Grants or cooperative agreements may be established to cover a period of up to 3 years;

however, the total Federal share of the award is fixed at the maximum of $95,000 regardless of the performance period. In addition, activities covered under funding for a 3-year performance period may not be funded in any subsequent grant cycle prior to the end of the 3-year period of performance.

The Service may be substantially involved in some projects under this funding opportunity. The following list provides examples of some of the ways in which the Service may be substantially involved:

Provide available data and expertise related to the species and proposed project;

Coordinate site visits with the recipient;

Participate in rescue and transport operations;

Participate and collaborate jointly with the recipient in carrying out the scope of work;

Help select project staff or trainees;

Limit recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes;

Provide close monitoring or operational involvement during performance;

Serve as a liaison between the recipient and other potential partners;

Reserve the right to immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 99 – Unrestricted (i.e. open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" Additional Information on Eligibility Subject to the requirements in Section C3. below.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement The non-Federal matching requirement provided in section 408(e)(1) of the MMPA states that the “share of the costs of an activity conducted with a grant under this section shall be 25 percent of such costs.” Section 408(e)(2) further states that the Service “may apply to the non-Federal share of an activity conducted with a grant under this section the amount of funds, and the fair market value of property and services, provided by the non-Federal sources and used for the activity.” Third-party in-kind contributions means the value of non-cash contributions (i.e., property or services) that: (a) benefit a federally assisted project or program; and (b) are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge, to a non-Federal entity under a Federal award. (see 2 CFR 200.96)

The Prescott Grant Program requires cost sharing in order to leverage the limited funds available for this program and to encourage partnerships among government, private organizations, non-profit organizations, stranding participants, and academia to address the needs of marine mammal health and stranding response. You must provide a minimum cost share of 25 percent of total project costs (Federal share of project costs cannot exceed $95,000 and 75 percent of the total). For example, if the total project costs were $125,000, then the federal cost share would be 75 percent of $125,000 or $93,750 and your cost share would be $31,250 (25 percent of $125,000); similarly if the proposed total budget for your project is $80,000 the government portion would be $60,000 and your 25 percent contribution would be $20,000. Applications that do not comply with these cost share requirements will not be considered for this funding cycle.

Cost share above 25 percent of the total costs may be considered; however, this obligation will be binding.

The Service will determine the appropriateness of all cost sharing proposals, including the valuation of in-kind contributions, according to the regulations codified at 2 CFR 200.306. An in-kind contribution is a non-cash contribution, donated or loaned, by a third party to the applicant. In general, the value of in-kind services or property to fulfill the cost share requirement will be assessed at fair market value for the services or property provided. Thus, the value is equivalent to the cost for the applicant to obtain such services or property if it had not been donated, or to obtain such services or property for the period of the loan. In-kind services or property used to fulfill the cost-share requirement must be documented. If we decide to fund your application, we will require you to account for the total amount of cost share included in the Notice of Award document.

C3. Other Eligible Prescott Grant Program applicants must be a U.S. "eligible marine mammal stranding participant" that is not an employee of the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce. The term "eligible marine mammal stranding participant" means a person who is authorized under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to a stranding. To be eligible for Prescott Grants under this NOFO, such authorizations must have been issued by the Service.

Eligible entities also include Federal, State, or local government employees operating in the course of their official duties as indicated under MMPA section 109(h). Applicants may reach out to the Service for technical assistance to clarify and/or document applicability of the exemption under MMPA section 109(h). For marine mammals that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eligibility includes authorization under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) (except for polar bears as long as authorization has been provided under the MMPA), or exemptions to take prohibitions under 50 CFR 17.21 or 50 CFR 17.31.

Specifically, applicants must satisfy either #1 or #2 below:

1. A participant in a marine mammal stranding network (which is not an entity of a state, local, or eligible federal government employee) and in good standing. To be in good standing means:

a. The applicant has authorization issued by the Service under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to stranded marine mammals (live or dead animal response). For marine mammals, other than polar bears, that are listed under the ESA, the applicant also has authorization under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) or is otherwise exempt through 50 CFR 17.21 or 50 CFR 17.31.

b. All the Principal Investigators associated with the Prescott Grant Program application who hold or have held authorizations under the MMPA and, if listed, the ESA have fulfilled all requirements, including but not limited to, reports and publications and have fulfilled the terms of any enforcement actions. Noncompliance with MMPA/ESA permit or MMPA cooperative agreement actions will be considered on a case-by-case basis in terms of meeting this requirement.

c. All stranding participants have complied with the terms and conditions of any permit or cooperative agreement issued under the MMPA and, if listed, ESA.

d. The responsible stranding participant cooperates with the Service regarding the timely submission of data and materials collected, when requested.

e. The stranding participant is not under current enforcement investigation for activities involving the take of marine mammals contrary to MMPA and ESA regulations and do not have a notice of violation pending resolution.

f. If no take will occur from the actions (e.g. strictly training, education, outreach) and therefore authorization is not required under the MMPA and/or ESA (if listed) applicant must clearly state why take will not occur.

Or,

2. The entity is a state, local, or eligible federal government employee (but not an employee of the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce) participating pursuant to MMPA section 109(h) (16 U.S.C. 1379(h)) and, if listed, exempt by 50 CFR 17.21 or 17.31.

Unsatisfactory performance under prior or current Federal awards may result in your application not being considered for funding for this fiscal year in this program. The Service evaluates the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.205 to make this determination.

Other Eligibility Criteria The following additional criteria apply to the Service’s Prescott Grant Program funding opportunities and must be satisfied, and the appropriate documentation must be included in the package for a proposal to be considered for funding:

Permits and Approvals – It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain all necessary Federal, state, and local government permits and approvals. The applicant must include in the application package:

1. A copy of the current authorization or pending request for renewal of an existing authorization under the MMPA and ESA (if applicable). Receipt of required MMPA (and ESA, if applicable) authorization is required prior to awarding of funds. In addition, authorizations must be valid for the entire duration of the performance period of the award.

2. If the proposed activity or data collection involves intrusive research or if animals must be held after rehabilitation has been completed (prevented from release), the applicant must obtain MMPA (and ESA, if applicable) authorization that would be valid for the entire period of performance under the award before funds may be awarded. Intrusive research is considered to be a procedure conducted for bona fide scientific research involving: a break in or cutting of the skin or equivalent; insertion of an instrument or material into an orifice; introduction of a substance or object into the animals’ immediate environment that is likely either to be ingested or to contact and directly affect animal tissues (i.e., chemical substances); or a stimulus directed at animals that may involve a risk to health or welfare or that may have an impact on normal function or behavior.

3. If the proposed activities fall under the jurisdiction of a facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the applicant must provide a copy of their request for IACUC approval or a copy of the approved IACUC. Verification of IACUC approval will be required prior to awarding of funds (as required by the Animal Welfare Act and its relevant implementing regulations at 9 CFR 2.30-2.31).

4. If proposed activities will take place within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, Marine Sanctuary, National Seashore, State Park, or other Federal or state-designated protected areas, it is the applicant’s responsibility to request and obtain from the appropriate Federal, state, and local government agencies any necessary permits or letters of agreement for conducting the proposed activities at such sites.

5. Applications will be reviewed to determine if sufficient environmental documentation has been provided to determine the appropriate level of environmental analysis needed to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Proposal activities may be categorically excluded or an Environmental Assessment (EA) may be necessary. For those applications needing an EA, affected applicants will be informed and will be requested to assist in the preparation of an EA by providing all necessary information to complete the assessment (prior to the award).

6. In addition, activities in a new proposal cannot overlap with the activities and projects identified in a currently open Service Prescott Grant unless the award balance is at least 75 percent spent by the time of new award.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Excluded Parties: FWS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau 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 Contact the Service Program Technical Contact identified in this Funding Opportunity to request a paper application package if you do not have access to the internet to download the application package forms.

Program Website Link

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate and any entity waived from the SAM.gov registration requirements by the funding bureau or office must submit the signed and dated SF-424B, Assurances for Non- Construction Programs form. The SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov and/or on "Online forms" on GrantSolutions.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing the required SF-424 Assurances form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

Project Summary

Project proposals must include a Project Summary containing the following information:

Project Title;

Dates of Project Activities (months/year), Project Duration;

Applicant Name;

Affiliation; Name, Address, and Contact Information (phone, email) of Principal Investigator;

Species and Specific Priority Being Addressed;

Prescott Grant Program Category A or B (see Section D. Application Review

Information of this document);

Project's Objective(s);

The Federal funding request, non-Federal funding contributions, and total costs of the project.

Project Narrative

1. Project Narrative Applicants must submit a proposal that includes all of the information listed below (indicated page limits are to be used as a guide):

The application package must describe the project activities completely and accurately. The project description should be a clear statement of all work to be undertaken and must include detailed information in the following sections:

Goals and Objectives (one half-page limit): Identify the Prescott Grant Program Category and the species-specific priority (see Program Description - Species-Specific Funding Priorities of this document) relevant to the project. State expected project accomplishments and their significance to marine mammals, health, stranding response, medical treatment, and rehabilitation. Objectives should be attainable within the specified time period and with the available monetary and human resources. Objectives should be simple, understandable, and as specific and quantitative as possible. Stranding data should be used, when appropriate, to justify the proposed actions and link them to the purposes of the Prescott Grant Program.

Project Management (one-page limit): Describe how the proposed project will be organized and managed, including financial management of the project. Provide a description of the entity(ies) undertaking the project, indicating the Principal Investigator as well as any other partners and their respective roles. An application may only have one designated Principal Investigator. Other project participants or organizations that will have a significant role in conducting the project should be listed as Co-Investigators.

Organizations or individuals that support the project should be referred to as Cooperators.

If any portion of the project will be conducted through subcontracts, follow the procurement guidance found in 2 CFR Part 200. Describe how provisions for competitive subcontracting will be met, if applicable. If the contractor has been identified, please provide a statement of their qualifications or background. Also describe how governmental and non-governmental entities will participate in the project and the nature of their participation.

Project Participant Qualifications (one-page limit): Provide a list of all personnel that will be involved in the project, identifying the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, collaborators, and other personnel and their project duties and responsibilities, and a brief description or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that demonstrates their expertise and experience to perform their designated duties, including knowledge of the marine mammal species that is/are the subject of the project. Resumes, CVs, and other supporting documents may be used to describe qualifications and demonstrate experience with the marine mammal species (or another similar marine mammal species) that is/are the subject of this application.

Project Facility History (one half-page limit): Outline the facility’s involvement over the past 3 years with the target species including current protocols of the husbandry and veterinary care programs of the facility. Preference shall be given to those facilities that have established records for rescuing or rehabilitating sick and stranded marine mammals.

Project Description (three-page limit): Describe the scientific or technical plan of activities that will be accomplished to meet the proposed project goals and objectives.

Include detailed descriptions of activities, collaborators, milestones, and expected products resulting from the completed project. The description should include:

i. Project activities and relation to goals and objectives. List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated goals and objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs.

ii. Methods and procedures. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) and procedures to be used to carry out each activity.

iii. List of activities and participants. Provide a list of the activities that will be conducted by Co-Investigators, Cooperators, subcontractors, volunteers, etc. Describe the oversight of volunteers and how their staff time will be used to complete project activities. The Principal Investigator is responsible for all technical oversight and implementation of the approved work plan.

iv. Milestones and timelines. List project milestones and a description of the specific activities and associated timelines necessary to meet them. Describe the timelines in increments (e.g., month one, month two, etc.), rather than by specific dates. Please provide an explanation if dates are necessary (e.g., pupping or calving season). Make sure the timelines are reasonable and reflect your overall project period. Specify the quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation criteria to determine the relative success or failure of the project in achieving the stated project goals, objectives, and milestones.

Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments).

v. Outcomes, Results, and Products. Identify the outcomes, results, or products, and how they relate to the Prescott Grant Program (those actions under chosen Category A or B and species-specific funding priorities) and how they will be applied and/or made available to any appropriate user groups through outreach and education efforts. The narrative must provide sufficient detail for reviewers to make a clear connection to the purposes of the Prescott Grant Program and the applicability/effectiveness of the outreach and education efforts.

Environmental Impacts (one-page limit): Discuss whether any negative environmental, biological, social, political, or economic impacts are expected as a result of the proposed activities. If any negative impacts are anticipated, describe what steps will be taken to minimize or mitigate these impacts. This narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine the level of analysis required under NEPA.

Statement of Need for Federal Assistance (one half-page limit): Demonstrate the need for government financial assistance. Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposal builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, and products/outcomes. List all other sources of funding that are or have been sought for the project.

Federal, State, and Local Government Programs and Activities: List any Federal, state, or local government programs or activities that this project would affect and reference any corresponding documentation (i.e., permits, approvals, and environmental assessments).

Stakeholder Coordination or Involvement (one half-page limit). Describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Provide a data sharing plan that includes a description of the types of data and information expected to be created during the course of the project, the tentative date by which data will be shared, and methods for providing data access.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (one-page limit). Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable and budget information. Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered. Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on the species.

Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing, and reporting monitoring and evaluation data.

Sustainability (one half-page limit). As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

Literature Cited (no page limit). List any literature cited in support of the proposal request.

Note: All of the proposed work described in the funding request does not need to be completed in a single year; 2-3 year projects are allowable. However, the proposal and implementation schedule should include all project activities that would be supported by the funding request amount listed in the proposal, without an assumption for additional funding for multi-year projects.

2. Appendices (fifteen-page limit) Additional material may be provided including: tables, charts, graphs, maps, photographs, slide shows, and other pictorial presentations.

3. Supporting Documentation (no page limit): The following supporting documentation is required for all proposals:

a. Evidence of Eligibility: See requirements in Section C3

b. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for Named Investigators (maximum one page each): Abbreviated CVs are required for the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, and named collaborators. See Project Participant Qualifications.

c. Relevant History of Facility: Brief overview of the facility’s involvement with the target species over the past 3 years, if additional documentation is needed to support the Project Facility History outline under Project Proposal Narrative.

d. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement: Applications including negotiated indirect costs rates (NICRA) in the budget, must include a copy of the most recent, approved, NICRA with the Federal government if required per applicable statement under the Required Indirect Cost Statement section.

e. Permits, Authorizations, and IACUC Approvals: Applicants requiring MMPA/ESA authorization must include a copy of their authorization or pending renewal request for such authorization. Projects requiring IACUC review must include a copy of their IACUC approval or request for such approval. Receipt of required MMPA (and ESA, if applicable) authorizations and verification of IACUC approval is required prior to awarding of funds. All authorizations must be valid for the entire duration of the period of performance of the award.

f. Position Description: Applicants requesting funds for new staff positions or staff positions that are vacant at the time of application submission must provide a detailed position description for each vacancy.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. 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.

In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424C, “Budget Information for Construction Programs”. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. 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. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

Each application must have a detailed budget narrative and corresponding spreadsheet describing the total project costs, including contributions and donations. The narrative must justify the itemized costs per category between Federal and non-Federal shares and the corresponding direct and indirect cost totals. For the non-Federal share, the itemized costs in the budget narrative and spreadsheet should be separated into applicant and third party in-kind contributions. If third party in-kind contributions are included, briefly describe the method for calculating the value of these contributions. The budget may include an amount for indirect costs if the applicant has an established indirect cost rate with the Federal government.

Funds for salaries and fringe benefits may be requested only for those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed project and whose salaries and fringe benefits are directly related to specific products or outcomes of the proposed project. If funds are requested for a staff position that is new or not currently filled by personnel, a position description must be provided with the Supporting Documentation (see IV. B.9.f). The position description should include the qualifications, skills, and requirements necessary to fill the vacancy. Bear in mind that receiving an award under this Funding Opportunity does not guarantee the recipient access to Service funding to continue supporting any staff positions in subsequent years.

Funds requested for travel to professional meetings and conferences should be critical to the success of the project goals and objectives. The budget narrative should list each piece of equipment, the cost, and a description of how it will be used and why it is necessary to the successful completion of the proposed project. An applicant may choose to attach supporting documentation regarding any piece of equipment and/or the basis for its cost without affecting the page limits. Equipment is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more (unless the applicant organization has established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than one year. Any items that do not meet the threshold for equipment can be about:blank included under the supplies line item. Please note that any general use equipment (computers, etc.) that is charged directly to the award should be allocated to the award according to the expected usage on the project. Equipment procured for the project is subject to requirements in 2

CFR §§ 200.317-.326.

Fees, fundraising activities, travel for Federal employees, salaries for Federal employees, or profits are not allowable costs.

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 part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 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.

(e) 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 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S.