WNS-Research2020-NOFO-06192020.FINAL.docx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service White-Nose Syndrome Research Grants www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

Notice of Funding Opportunity – Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00183

Closing Date: 08/25/2020

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.

A. Program Description A1. Authority Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et. seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 661-666; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. § 742 et seq.; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (H.R. 1865, 116th Cong. Div. D, Title I).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.684; White-nose Syndrome National Response Implementation A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the availability of research funding in 2020 to investigate issues related directly to the management of white-nose syndrome (WNS). The Service provides financial and technical assistance to non-governmental, university, and private researchers, as well as state and local governments, Native American tribes, and federal agencies, for the management of WNS and conservation of bats. Funded projects will investigate priority questions about WNS to improve our ability to manage the disease and implement management actions that will help to conserve affected bat species.

As of June 2020, WNS has been confirmed in bats in 35 states and seven Canadian provinces, and the causative fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has been detected in at least four additional states without confirmation of the disease. Numerous North American and Eurasian species of bats have been confirmed with WNS or detected carrying Pd. Surveys in affected areas continue to reveal population declines associated with the disease at contaminated sites in North America. For information on WNS and previously funded projects, please see: http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/ Projects funded through WNS Research Grants provide critical information and resources to maximize conservation efforts for bats. These funds support actions focused on knowledge gaps in the fight against WNS. The results of funded projects are intended to add to the information and tools available to wildlife and resource managers to minimize the impacts of WNS on listed species, prioritize actions to conserve species that may be assessed for listing due to the impacts of WNS, understand how different species are likely to respond when exposed to the pathogen, and engage the public in conservation efforts. Although WNS has decimated several species of bats in North America, funding and information from the Service’s WNS National Response has supported the management community to focus efforts where there is the greatest need and benefit.

The priorities for this funding opportunity in 2020 (below) are intentionally broad and designed to maximize persistence of WNS-affected and WNS-susceptible bat populations, support the collaborative actions of the WNS National Response, and inform management decisions in preparation for, or in response to, WNS. Scientific research conducted in collaboration with management authorities is encouraged.

The four priorities for funding in 2020 are for recipients to:

1) Address gaps in knowledge of bat life history relevant to the biological and ecological needs of species known or anticipated to be exposed to WNS;

2) Provide information on patterns of survival and population dynamics between and within bat species, including sublethal effects of Pd infection and vulnerability to WNS. Underlying mechanisms may involve environmental, physiological, behavioral, genetic and/or other factors affecting the hosts or pathogen;

3) Develop and implement strategies to improve survival and persistence of species impacted by or susceptible to WNS. This priority may include species that are not yet confirmed to be susceptible to WNS but can reasonably be anticipated to be at risk in the future; and

4) Investigate human dimensions of WNS management, including understanding how values, perceptions, and other factors may influence management strategies for bats.

Through this funding opportunity, we aim to support research to provide information that is critical to informing management decisions for WNS, and to implement those strategies for the greatest benefit to affected and vulnerable species. Due to the urgency of this threat to bats and the rapid progress of related science, we seek to fund projects that are likely to produce impactful information within a two year project period.

Department of Interior Priorities for Federal Financial Assistance The WNS Research Grants will support the following Department of Interior priorities for Federal Financial Assistance:

Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt - Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

Restoring trust with local communities - Expand the lines of communication with Governors, State natural resource offices, fish and wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Striking a regulatory balance - Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Ensuring sovereignty means something - Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated States and territories.

The Service works closely with States and Tribes through the national WNS response effort, and provides much needed support to these partners to solidify our mutual interests for natural resource conservation. Funding from the Service’s national WNS program has contributed to a conservation stewardship legacy by helping to stem the decline of bat species impacted by WNS through research and monitoring efforts that improve understanding bats and treatment of the disease. By supporting research to better understand the disease and the species affected by it, WNS grants to researchers, States, and Tribes have utilized science to identify best practices to manage wildlife resources and to foster relationships with other agencies and conservation organizations. These programs help maintain and restore trust with local communities. WNS Grants have been awarded to State and Tribal agencies, academic institutions, non-profit conservation organizations, and others, directly expanding the lines of participation in conservation and research of bats undergoing the invasion, progression, or recovery from WNS.

State agencies collect and possess scientific data and valuable expertise on the status and distribution of listed, candidate, at-risk, and recently delisted species. State agencies, because of their authorities and their close working relationships with local governments and landowners, are in a unique position to assist the Service in implementing all aspects of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service developed the national WNS response plan as a multi-species recovery plan to address the conservation needs of all affected bat species, including listed species and those that may put them at greater risk. Our collective goal is to effectively manage WNS by preventing its spread, promoting survival of bats, and helping the survivors through effective disease treatment to recover bat species listed under the ESA, and preclude the need to list additional species in the future. These efforts support the Secretary’s priority to strike a regulatory balance, and support Service priorities to strengthen ESA implementation and accelerate species recovery and delisting.

The WNS Research Grants opportunity accompanies three additional funding opportunities from the Service’s WNS National Response in 2020: 1) WNS Grants to States and Tribes 2020 (through August 25: www.grants.gov); 2) WNS Challenge; and 3) Bats for the Future Fund (with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other partners) www.nfwf.org/bats. Contact the Service WNS coordinator in your region (below) for more information about these funding opportunities.

The Service’s White-nose Syndrome program is coordinated and funded through the branches of Ecological Services and Science Applications, and will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR) to administer grants in support of the collaborative national response to WNS. Grants will be competitively awarded based on merit review of proposed actions for their applicability and feasibility to advance the priorities identified in this notice and for their overall contribution to meeting the objectives of the WNS national plan (White-Nose Syndrome Response Plans).

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding The Service has targeted up to $2 million for this funding opportunity in 2020 to help conserve species of bats that are affected by or vulnerable to WNS. Available funds are from internally directed funds for Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020.

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award: $250,000 Minimum Award: $20,000 B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Average award amounts are expected to be approximately $150,000, with most funded efforts beginning in winter 2020 and spring 2021. Funding is available for new projects and to continue or expand previously funded projects that have achieved relevant milestones. The period of performance to complete project activities must be no more than two years.

Earliest starting dates for awarded projects will likely be December 1, 2020, although earlier starts may be possible for applications submitted prior to July 20, 2020.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards: We anticipate 10 to 20 projects will be funded. There is no predetermined minimum or maximum number of awards.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type: grants, cooperative agreements, and inter-/intra-agency agreements, depending on the applicant’s affiliation and level of the Service’s involvement in completing the work.

In the case of cooperative agreements, the Service participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician and/or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work. Applicants should identify the Service’s involvement and clearly describe this collaboration in the application. Coordination with Service personnel during the development of proposals for cooperative agreements is encouraged. Actions may include, for example:

· Training recipient personnel, or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort.

· Review and approval of accomplishments in projects with stepwise study design.

· Review and approval, prior to recipient action, of proposed modifications or sub-awards.

· Collaboration and assistance with selecting project locations, staff, trainees, or partners.

· Directing or redirecting work because of interrelationships with other projects.

· Altering or halting project activities if performance specifications are not met.

· Limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants

· Special district governments

· Independent school districts

· Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

· Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

· Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

· Nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher

· Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

· Private institutions of higher education

· For profit organization other than small businesses

· Small businesses Additional Information on Eligibility This funding opportunity is open to domestic and foreign applicants. Additional information for foreign entities is included below.

To be eligible, the following conditions must be met:

1) Proposed projects must clearly address one or more priorities identified by the WNS program, as identified above.

2) Applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements, with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants (if applicable).

When an applicant is carrying two or more active WNS awards while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in implementing the existing awards. The Service will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. Previous recipients that demonstrate their effective use of WNS funds will not be affected. Previous recipients that have taken no significant action on any one of their two or more preexisting awards will not be considered eligible to apply for new funds from the WNS program until the issue is resolved.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Does the program have a cost sharing or matching requirement? Yes.

Percentage of Cost Sharing/Matching Requirement: 30% of requested funds.

Funds previously awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are not allowable as match.

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.

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.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package Forms required for the application can be found here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html or requested from Sadie Stevens, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 413-253-8677 or Sadie_Stevens@fws.gov.

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).

SF 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs When requesting support for a non-construction project, individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate and any entity waived by the Service from the SAM.gov registration requirements must submit a signed and dated SF-424B, “Assurances for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available on with this announcement on Grants.gov.

Project Summary On a single page, provide the project title, names of investigator(s) and affiliation(s), and key collaborators* and affiliations, focal species and locations of the project, and total amounts of requested and matching funds. Include a brief summary paragraph introducing the main objectives, methods and anticipated outcomes of the proposed work.

*Proposals must be accompanied by letters of support or collaboration from all partners (e.g., State and Federal biologists, private landowners, etc.) whose contributions or cooperation are necessary for successful completion of the proposed project (e.g., commitment to collect swab samples on behalf of the Principal Investigator, etc.).

Project Narrative The components of the Project Narrative listed below must be included in this section, which is limited to 10 pages of 12 pt font and 1” margins. Figures and tables should be included within this page limit, but the Project Summary, letters of support, and Literature Cited are not counted in the page limit.

a) Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize background that is relevant to the proposed work and explain how your proposed project builds on this existing knowledge. If you have received funding previously for this specific project or study site (from the Service or elsewhere), provide a summary of the outcomes of that work.

b) Project Goals and Objectives: State the short and long-term goal(s) of the project. State the specific objectives addressed to reach the stated goals. State the objectives addressed to meet the goals of the project, which must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed period of performance).

c) Expected Results and Outcomes: State the anticipated outcomes, benefits and/or management implications of the project.

d) Project Activities and Methods: State the project activities, and describe how they relate to the project objectives. Include a description of the problem and proposed research actions to address that problem, including the ways in which it addresses one or more priorities of this funding opportunity. The proposed methodology must be described with sufficient detail for reviewers to make a clear connection between the proposed methods, how effectively they achieve study objectives, and their cost efficiency. Include proposed project locations and sites. For projects being conducted within the United States, the narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

e) Timetable: Provide a schedule indicating when project activities and milestones are to be accomplished. The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

f) Contribution to National Response to WNS: Describe how your work responds to the information needs of partners in the WNS National Response. This may include coordination with relevant management agencies and conservation organizations while planning the project, involvement with activities of national working groups for WNS, etc. Detail how these partners will contribute to completing the project and applying the information gained.

To maintain consistency in diagnostic reporting, all PIs must follow established diagnostic protocols accepted by the WNS Diagnostics Working Group (if applicable), or demonstrate that the protocols used in the proposed research perform equally well as published standard methods.

Proposed actions that entail acoustic monitoring for bats, or population estimates from winter or summer colony counts should identify compatibility or comparability and contribution to the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat).

Proposals should include statements characterizing the contributions of the proposed research to the national response to WNS (https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/national-plan/white-nose-syndrome-national-plans).

g) Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all cooperating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide brief (1 page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. Do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information on the curricula vitae.

h) Permitting and Animal Care: All participants of funded projects must procure all necessary Federal, State, and local permits, and landowner permissions prior to project initiation. (Existing permits and approvals may be submitted as addenda that do not count toward page limits.)

Principal Investigators (PIs) will be expected to maintain compliance with the Animal Welfare Act with satisfactory review of animal use protocols by an established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (as appropriate). All awarded projects must comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.

NOTE: Some proposed WNS research, mitigation and treatment actions will entail significant workload with input from the grantee to comply with regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Satisfactory completion of these requirements is required prior to funds becoming available for the proposed actions.

i) Literature Cited (DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD PAGE LIMIT): Components of the project narrative must be properly cited using parenthetical documentation in name-year format. A complete biography of cited literature must be included and does not count toward the 8-page maximum.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Program 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 per the Service’s General Award Terms and Conditions. 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.

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award.

Budget Narrative An additional table in the budget narrative should be used to clarify use of requested funds. This table should include at least these budget categories:

1. Salaries and benefits (include names, responsibilities, and time commitments)

1. Project related expenses (such as: travel, communications, supplies, consultants etc.)

1. Equipment (purchases of tangible, personal property over $5,000.00 that will be used for a year or more);

1. Indirect costs (if any).

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.

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state 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 43 CFR 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 regards 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 regards 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 regards 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 individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award 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 that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third- party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Register on the SAM.gov website. “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. You can also 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 to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications: 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 08/25/2020, with 07/20/2020 as a soft early deadline Application Due Date Explanation The Notice of Funding Opportunity will be open for at least 60 days. All proposals submitted by 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time on August 25, 2020, to be considered for funding. Proposals may be submitted prior to the deadline.

Applications submitted by 11:59 PM on 07/20/2020 will be evaluated prior to the final deadline and may be selected for awards. Highest quality proposals submitted by July 20 may be awarded prior to final deadline, based on criteria identified below. A total of no more than two thirds of the available funds for this opportunity will be awarded prior to the final deadline. No proposals will be declined prior to the final deadline, and all proposals that are not selected for early funding will be evaluated with the remaining proposals submitted during the open period.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions The white-nose syndrome research grant program funds scientific and management activities that address the stated priorities of the funding opportunity. Travel costs for conferences or meetings that are not directly related to achieving the objectives of the proposed project are not permitted.

Projects may be issued as cooperative agreements to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners that will qualify as CESU projects and therefore will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate (currently 17.5%).

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she 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. Individuals are not required to submit any of the following statements regarding indirect costs.

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 is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center 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 must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

· A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. 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.

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

· A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68, Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC). We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

· A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

D7. Other Submission Requirements Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

E. Application Review Information Eligible applications must clearly identify and describe all activities to be supported by these funds. The applicant must meet eligibility requirements described above and include all required components of the application.

E1. Criteria The following criteria will be used to rank all proposed projects. Each proposal must meet at least the minimum criteria. The most competitive proposals will clearly address the specific ranking criteria below in an organized manner.

Minimum criteria for WNS research proposals

Ranking criteria for proposals that meet minimum requirements Project Responsiveness (22%)

· How well does the proposed study address priorities identified for this funding opportunity?

Project Relevance (22%)

· Does the project have a high likelihood of contributing positively to bat conservation?

· How much will the anticipated products of the proposed research benefit future research and management activities for WNS?

· What is the geographic and ecological scope of the project?

Project Need (18%)

· Does the project build upon and advance our current understanding of WNS and bat conservation, or implement management strategies appropriate to the level of knowledge and current status of bats and WNS in the project location?

Study Design (10%)

· Does the proposal have clear, specific, measurable objectives, robust study design and methods, and usable expected outcomes?

Budget (13%)

· Is the project budget justifiable and cost effective for the proposed actions and outcomes?

· What is the total past, current, and future anticipated cost for the project to complete an impactful management or scientific product?

Project Feasibility (10%)

· Are the proposed timeline and work schedule realistic for achieving the goal of the project in one year after receipt of funding?

· Are project key personnel experienced and well positioned to successfully complete the project and communicate the results?

· Does the proposal adequately address issues regarding regulatory requirements or permits that are necessary for the success of the project?

The review committee also may employ additional review criteria to specifically evaluate groups of proposals with similar objectives. These criteria may include prioritization of projects that increase the number of locations, species, or topics addressed by the grant program as a whole.

Selected proposals will receive budget review in accordance with DOI-APP-0062 prior to final selection.

E2. Review and Selection Process Review of applications is coordinated by the Service’s National Coordinator for White-nose Syndrome. Evaluation will be conducted by Service biologists and coordinators for the WNS program, leaders of the national working groups of the WNS national response, and the WNS Steering Committee, and other subject matter experts. Outside technical experts (non-agency) will augment the review team’s evaluations, as needed.

To the extent possible, the review panel will include representatives with expertise in white-nose syndrome and involved members of the white-nose syndrome national response team from DOI agencies and offices (USFWS, USGS, NPS, BLM, BIA), other federal agencies (USFS, APHIS, EPA, DOD), state wildlife agencies. Reviews will also be provided by other scientific and professional experts in relevant subject matter.

Reviewers will evaluate each proposal on the criteria listed above. Each proposal will be reviewed by at least three independent reviewers. Evaluations are requested to be returned within six weeks of being distributed to reviewers. All elements of review will be submitted and maintained electronically by the national assistant coordinator for the Service’s white-nose syndrome program. The Service will evaluate recommendations from the review committee and is responsible for all final decisions. The National WNS Steering Committee will be notified of the award selections by the WNS Program.

Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer reviewers, evaluators, panel members, and advisors must sign and return to the program office point of contact the “Department of the Interior Conflict of Interest Certification” form. For a copy of this form, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below. A reviewer recuses himself or herself from commenting or scoring individual applications if they have a conflict of interest with one or few individual proposals. A reviewer declines the invitation to participate in the evaluation process as a whole for larger conflicts of interest.

Prior to award, the program will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the program may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Bureau may choose not to fund the selected project. The program may not make a Federal award 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 Bureau is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prior to award, the program will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.205. Programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Bureau’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Bureau is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Bureau will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Bureau uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information See the Service’s General Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates Award decisions are anticipated to be announced by 10/15/2020, and funds obligated winter 2020-21.