NOFO- BLM-CO Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands FY21.docx

Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management BLM-CO Youth Conservation Opportunities on Colorado’s Public Lands

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number (NOFO): L20AC00106

Federal Program: 15.243 Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands

Authorizing Legislation:

Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, Section 1721-1729, excluding Section 1725a Direct Hire Authority.

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has collaborated with Qualified Youth and Conservation Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish conservation projects for numerous years. This program’s projects provide employment for participants and opportunities to learn about and gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management while promoting long-term interest in public lands stewardship and the BLM. The BLM’s Youth Program assists federal agencies with diversifying the workforce while exposing participants to the complex cultural and natural resource issues faced by National Conservation Lands managers.

The BLM’s Youth and Veterans Conservation Program partners with qualified youth and conservation corps to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive) including tribal members. Young people are recruited from local communities to assist with conservation projects that protect and promote multiple-uses on public lands.

Projects available under this funding announcement are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Offices and emphasize on-the-ground projects, training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. The BLM is committed to connecting youth, from diverse backgrounds, to natural and cultural resources on public lands through conservation service projects, recreational experiences, natural resource-based employment, and educational opportunities, including scientific studies. These projects create jobs that strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with youth conservation corps striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands. Participants are mentored by BLM professionals, acquire new skills, and gain experience in natural and cultural resource management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about conservation-related careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. In addition, the public gains improved access to sustainable recreation activities as well as hunting and wildlife-related recreation opportunities on BLM administered lands.

Projects developed within this funding opportunity support the following Secretarial orders and priorities:

· SO 3347 - Conservation Stewardship & Outdoor Recreation

· SO 3356 - Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting & Wildlife Conservation Opportunities & Coordination with States, Tribes & Territories

· SO 3362 - Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range & Migration Corridors

· SO 3366 – Increasing Recreational Opportunities on Lands and Water

· SO 3372 – Reducing Wildfire Risks on Department of the Interior Land Through Active Management.

Projects developed for this fiscal year are detailed in Section II. C. as noted below and include, but are not limited to, such things as:

· Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).

· Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.

· Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.

· Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational and informational materials for visitors.

· Performance of studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological digs, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.

· Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.

· Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.

· Reduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.

· Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

· Performance of in-house projects, such as science, policy, or program internships, with a clear benefit for natural or cultural resources. In-house projects to include a field component of at least 120 hours.

The focused projects may be organized as crews in which participants work collectively and intensely together under supervision of trained and experienced crew leaders or conservation professionals; or organized as individuals or small teams working on specific individual tasks requiring dedicated attention; or projects may be organized in both formats.

Regardless of the format, trained and experienced crew leaders or staff from partner organizations shall directly supervise participants. While BLM conservation professionals may provide project guidance and mentoring, they may not serve as direct supervisors.

While there is no maximum number of hours that a PLC participant may serve, an individual may not be assigned to the same PLC project for more than two years for part-time work, and no more than one year for full-time work.

Expected Program Outcomes:

Projects may vary in length, but none should last longer than three years. Projects may be located in different geographic locations on BLM administered lands. The overall project success shall be validated and tracked by the BLM project coordinator using various criteria such as:

· Expose young people to public service, furthering their understanding and appreciation of the nation’s natural and cultural resources, while implementing Secretarial Orders and priorities.

· Stimulate interest in conservation careers by working with BLM conservation professionals and providing qualified conservation projects that will allow corps members to be certified for two year noncompetitive hiring status upon completion of the projects and 640 hours.

· Promote job creation to strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

· Promote and stimulate public purposes by providing education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, and productive community involvement in the care and enhancement of natural and cultural resources.

· Assist qualified conservation corps to enhance and maintain public lands and waters by engaging youth in conserving or developing natural and cultural resources.

· Engage young people within the local area or within the states to provide opportunities to stimulate interest in conservation activities.

Individual project awards will also identify outcomes specific to those particular projects.

The following program legislation authority, BLM Manuals, etc. may be applicable to your award project:

1. Designation of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, 16 USC, Section 460ddd. PL 101-628, Title II, Section 460ddd.

2. Endangered Species Act, 16 USC 1535

3. Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, 16 USC § 6805(a

4. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – BLM Handbook 1790-1

5. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 16 USC 470, as amended through December 19, 2014, as codified in Title 54 USC, Subtitle III, Division A, Subdivision 2 Chapter 3023 § 302304. Contracts and cooperative agreements, (b)

6. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 16 USC 470, as amended through December 19, 2014, as codified in Title 54 USC, subtitle III, Division A, Subdivision 2 Chapter 3027—Historic Preservation Programs and Authorities for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations

7. Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements, 16 USC § 1011 (b)

All proposed projects submitted under this NOFO must state a benefit to the public.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The Colorado State Office BLM anticipates several awards under this NOFO. In accordance with the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, Section 1721-1720, excluding Section 1725a Direct Hire Authority, a cooperative agreement will be used and substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement may include, but is not limited to, the following:

· Mentoring and training of youth crews and individuals as related to natural and cultural conservation of public lands

· Joint collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work

· Assigned BLM mentor will review and approve one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage

· Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or subawards prior to their award.

· Provide feedback to the recipient in selecting individuals for projects

· Directing or redirecting of recipient work by the BLM because of relationships to other projects

· The ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives

· Establish clear expected outcomes with clear performance matrix to accomplish projects

· Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in projects assigned to youth

· Education support by providing PLC participants with project overviews, information on a public land site’s significance, and formal or informal sessions about BLM career opportunities and hiring authority

Note, this involvement will not include supervision of crewmembers or interns. BLM staff may mentor and provide guidance to PLC participants, but supervision is the responsibility of the youth corps or conservation corps.

A. Anticipated Federal Program Funding in FY 2021 This NOFO is being released prior to the passage of a Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 by Congress. Enactment of additional Continuing Resolutions or an Appropriations Act may affect the availability and/or level of funding for this program.

Based on prior year data, BLM Colorado anticipates up to $800,000 in funding to support youth internships and crew participants in FY 2021. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated as they are received and may be submitted at any time up until the closing date of this NOFO.

B. Estimated Number of Agreement to be Awarded in FY 2021 Based on prior year data (see USASpending, https://www.usaspending.gov), BLM anticipates up to two (2) agreements for FY 2021. The actual number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. One agreement will address youth corps internships and the other agreement will be used for youth corps crew projects.

C. Estimated Amount of Funding Available Per Award and Term of the Project Period of Performance.

The award size will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. Based on prior year data (see USASpending https://www.usaspending.gov), BLM anticipates the average dollar amount of awards made under this NOFO to be between $400,000 to $800,000 in FY2021. Total funding available for multi-year agreements may be as high as $3,000,000.

We expect to have 30 to 40 internship positions available per year in the following disciplines: Wildlife, Recreation, Geographic Information System/Information Technology, Ecology, Range, Fire, Forestry, Native Plants, Invasive Species, Cultural/Paleontology, and Visitor Services. Typical internships are 10 weeks in length at minimum and up to at least 640 hours to utilize Public Land Corps Act Hiring Authority.

· Three GIS internships – assist with fire mapping project*

· Four Wildlife Monitoring and Resource Management internships – monitoring of sage grouse habitats and big game*

· Three Fire/Fuels Management internships – Southwest District*

· Four Range Resource Management internships – assist with Wild Horse and Burro adoptions in Royal Gorge Field Office. White River Field Office – assist with land health surveys.

· Two Oil/Gas internships – assist with oil and gas leasing and expediting NEPA processes.

· One Coal internship* - assist with coal permitting and expediting NEPA processing

· Two Native Plant Restoration internships*

· One Invasive Species internship* - assist with monitoring and mapping invasive species.

· Three Cultural Resources internships* - assist with historic and cultural surveys and documentation

· Three Visitor Services internships* - assist with wayfinding and leave no trail ethics at Visitor Center

· Five Recreation/Travel Management internships* - assist with developing travel management plans *minimum 10 weeks internship per year

We expect that we will have 35 weeks of 7-8 person crews of youth corps participants with a focus on Fire, Saw, Invasive Species/Pesticide, Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM), Camping/Trail maintenance. Crews projects are a minimum of one week and average two to three weeks.

· Construct/Restore/Maintain 35 miles of trail per year

· Construct/Restore/Maintain 4 campsites per year

· Construct/Install/Remove 5 miles of fencing per year

· Mitigate/treat fuel loads by treating 200 acres per year

· Treat/eradicate 250 acres of invasive species per year

· Install 100 kiosks/signage at trailheads/campgrounds, & cultural sites per year

Work will be conducted in various BLM field and districts offices. A map of the public lands managed by BLM Colorado is Attachment C and includes District and Field Offices boundaries.

D. Anticipated Start Date Projects funded through this NOFO will start once funding is secured and awards are issued. Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the BLM GMO. We expect to make awards in FY 2021.

E. Anticipated Term of the Agreement Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and three years depending on the negotiated project proposal.

The BLM will consider continued support of the project in subsequent fiscal years upon (a) the recipient showing progress satisfactory to the BLM toward program goals and the determination by the BLM that continuation of the program would be in the best interests of the Government, (b) project is still in line with management’s top priorities, (c) compliance with the terms and conditions of the award and/or (d) the availability of funds appropriated by Congress.

F. Additional Funding Information Funding for projects is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds. Evaluation of proposals is based on the criterion in this NOFO. In appropriate circumstances, BLM reserves the right to partially fund proposals in discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If BLM chooses to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. Funded proposals through this competitive NOFO is not a guarantee of future funding. When or if additional funding becomes available, BLM reserves the right to issue additional awards under this NOFO through the next fiscal year. These awards will not require further competition. Any additional selections will be made in accordance with the terms of this NOFO and BLM policy. Only Grants Management Officers can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants This opportunity is open to any qualified youth conservation corps established by a state or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a qualified nonprofit organization interested in working cooperatively with the BLM to develop and administer multiple-use conservation projects. Conservation projects must focus on providing employment, education, and public-service opportunities for U.S. citizens and legal residents (between ages 16 and 30 inclusive and veterans up to age 35 inclusive) recruited from local and surrounding communities to assist with projects on public lands.

No other entities are eligible to respond. All responding non-profit entities must provide a copy of their Section 501(c) (3) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

The term "qualified youth or conservation corps" means any program established by a state or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit organization that:

· Is capable of offering meaningful, fulltime, productive work for individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, and veterans up to age 35 in a natural or cultural resource setting;

· Provides participants a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education, training, and support BLM’s mission; and

· Provides participants opportunities to develop life skills and work ethics through their work on BLM lands that transfer to their community and the United States.

B. General program criteria for working with the BLM under this NOFO

· Your organization’s work serves young people between the ages of 16-30 and veterans up to age 35.

· Your organization must engage participants who are U.S. citizens, national, or lawful permanent resident aliens of the United States, meeting the same citizenship requirements as those for serving in AmeriCorps (http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps) and Public Lands Corps (http://www.corpsnetwork.org/public-lands-service-corps-act).

· Your organization should demonstrate participant recruitment to traditionally underserved communities, including low-income and disadvantaged populations where the project resigns or within the state.

· Your organization’s programs can be either: a) individual or small-team based where participants work individually or in coordinated teams under the direction of conservation professionals on initiatives that require specific skills and dedicated attention or b) crew-based where participants work collectively together directly supervised by trained and experienced crew leaders or conservation professionals. Crew and team leaders must fully understand the appropriate and necessary safety regulations for projects to which they are assigned, when BLM requests a crew or a team.

· Your organization must support projects that involve significant outdoor activity and hands-on work that help young people gain meaningful work related to natural and cultural resource management. Some programs may include work that is in-house that have a clear connection to the BLM’s mission, but will have a 120-hour minimum of on the ground fieldwork.

· Your organization’s programs must provide participants with job skill development; community skill development to help participants acquire an ethic of service to others; and help instill a deeper understanding of, and connection to, the natural or cultural environment.

· Provide safe and reasonable round-trip transportation for participants to and from BLM project sites at the beginning and end of their assignment. For participants living within commuting distance of their duty station, reimbursement for travel expenses.

· Provide crew-based participants with food, camping equipment, and all educational, first aid, recreational and general training, and supplies required as appropriate to the assignment.

· Conduct on-site project evaluations in coordination with BLM to assess project progress and make sure participants are receiving the expected experience.

· Manage and carry out all administrative functions associated with projects funded under this program, including maintaining all administrative records required for operation and management of the youth program participants.

· Certify that standard background screenings and eligibility reviews are conducted on all participants.

· Obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian for all individuals under 18 years of age before they begin an assignment.

· Provide workers compensation coverage for all participants, including staff crew and team leads.

· Maintain general liability insurance for all participants, staff and program activities of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, subject to the usual and customary policy conditions, including standard exclusion on vehicles licensed for highway use and on property in the care, custody and control of the policyholder. In the event one or more awards are made, provide the BLM a Certificate of such Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, with BLM named as an additional insured party, as evidence of this required insurance coverage. The certificate shall identify the name and address of the BLM, as well as the insured, the policy number, and a brief description of services to be performed. Should any of the policies be cancelled before the expiration date thereof, notice will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching The cost sharing or matching required from the recipient under this agreement will be 25% of the total project funding. The BLM shall not pay more than 75% of the cost of any appropriate conservation project carried out on public lands by a qualified youth or conservation corps under the Public Lands Corps authority.

The matching 25% of costs must be from non-federal sources and can be in the form of funds, donations, services, facilities, materials, equipment, and/or any combination of the above.

Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share/match.

D. Other Eligibility Restrictions

Ineligible Activities and Program Restrictions

· Please note that none of these projects or participants will qualify under Section 1725 Resource Assistant (a) Direct Hire Authority.

· Individual participants may not be assigned to a project more than a two-year period maximum for part-time and no more than a year full time.

· Participants are not allowed to sign a BLM volunteer services agreement form.

· BLM rules regarding physical security and personnel security apply to all participants while on BLM property and/or while conducting work on behalf of the BLM.

· Participants and partner organization staff shall only operate mechanized equipment when provided all necessary safety training and only with on-site oversight by the BLM.

· Participants under the age of 18 shall not be allowed to operate any motorized vehicle. Participants and partner organization staff over the age of 18 may be allowed to drive a vehicle owned, rented, leased or loaned by the BLM only when:

1. The vehicle is used with written permission from the BLM’s field manager and only for official agency use;

2. The driver is properly licensed and qualified to operate the vehicle, and all such vehicle use, maintenance, training and operation is in compliance with H-1112-1 Chapter 15, Safety and Health Management Handbook, Motor Vehicle Safety; H-1112-2 Chapter 14, Safety and Health for Field Operations, Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety and all other applicable policies for usage of BLM motor vehicles;

3. The driver has completed a defensive driving course within the last three years;

4. Before fieldwork requiring the use of a motorized vehicle begins, the BLM site coordinator provides written documentation that all of the above criteria have been met to the partner organization contact. Such documentation may be provided electronically; and

5. Both the driver and the vehicle will be covered by insurance policy maintained by the partner organization covering the use of such vehicle.

E. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration All 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. The BLM 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 BLM 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. This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the BLM under 2 CFR 25.110(d).

F. Excluded Parties The BLM conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The BLM 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.

IV. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

*A separate application must be submitted for each project listed in this NOFO your organization is interested in applying for.

NOTE: Prior to submitting an application, Contact the program expert at the BLM office in the district or field office where the work will take place to discuss your proposal (s) to ensure you understand the project, how many crews or interns are needed, so you can develop an adequate budget.

A. Requesting Paper Application Package This announcement includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting the individual(s) named at the end of this notice.

B. Application Form and Content Requirements

DO NOT MERGE INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTS INTO A SINGLE PDF FILE

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity 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).

2. SF 424(B & D), Assurances NOTE: In accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memo, M-18-24, dated September 5, 2018, these forms are optional through January 1, 2020. At that time your assurances statements will be maintained in your SAM registrations.

3. Project Proposal (Attachment A – suggested format) Attachment A project proposal template and may be used when submitting your proposal. The proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

Application narrative requirements may include:

(NOTE: Projects under wildlife management, the native plant program, threatened and endangered species habitat conservation - the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973)

All proposals are confidential.

4. SF-424(A or C), Budget Information Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this NOFO on Grants.gov. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row 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 Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Detail and Narrative (Attachment B - Suggested Format) 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. Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications (see BLM’s suggested format Attachment B for more detail). Additionally, provide any cost sharing and matching funds in the same level of detail as the federal funds. The budget narrative submitted with the application must match the dollar amounts on all required forms.

Budget items must be reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to the supported activity. Refer to 2 CFR §200, for applicable administrative requirements and cost principles.

If your proposal period of performance is for multi-year or multiple year funding, you must provide a budget and budget justification for the full amount of the project. Show each year in a separate column on the SF-424A and use a separate column for listing any matching funds. Applicants must ensure that no Federal or non-Federal grant funds will be expended for in-kind goods or services, for purposes of providing transportation, travel, and other expenses for any Federal employee.

NOTE: Budget Detail and Narrative form (Attachment B) is a suggested format to present the breakdown of your estimated costs, by category, needed to accomplish project activities. If you elect to use a different format, all information requested on Attachment B must be included. Estimated costs must be documented in sufficient detail to determine reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed. Additionally, for multi-year budgets, please describe in your budget detail justification any items to be purchased or expended that may be specific to a particular year of the proposed project.

Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detailed breakdown of how the cost were derived. Profit or fees are not allowable.

6. 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 DOI is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact 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 BLM 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 and Documentation

All applicants must include in their budget justification narrative one of the following indirect cost rate statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 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 on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

10. 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 Bureau of Land Management in this application, we will immediately notify the Bureau of Land Management point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

11. Applicants must submit the following forms

Form Name and Number

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

Project Proposal (Attachment A to this document)

Budget Detail (Attachment B to this document)

Indirect Cost Statement and related Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) (when applicable)

Copy of your Section 501(c) (3) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

Optional - Letters of Support (up to five letters)*

*You may submit up to five (5) letters of support as part of your application package. These attachments should address specific information that will supplement the project proposal and/or document support for the project description as provided in the application. Letters of support may also document financial commitments from any third party or from entities that will contribute substantive funds to the completion of project activities. You may also include letters from partners or other organizations who will work closely with you on the project and/or provide technical expertise. Furthermore, letters of support may be from experts, community members, and/or stakeholders that support the project. Letters of support do not count toward the page limit of the proposal.

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

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application; complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. 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.

1. 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.

2. Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage 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. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

B. Submission Dates and Times BLM requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. 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.

Open from August 22, 2020 – October 22, 2020 at 12 Noon MT.

Applications must be submitted by 12 Noon PM MT on October 22, 2020.

Applications must be submitted in English.

Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.

C. 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.

D. Funding Restrictions

· Individuals/crews must be paid either a stipend or wage to offset living costs e.g., food and housing.

· It has been determined by the BLM that individual stipends of $600 a week, equal to $15.00 per hour, is reasonable. When/if a higher stipend is needed, it must be justified in the budget justification in Attachment B. Crew based work will be evaluated based on how many crews members and weeks are needed and must be justified in Attachment B.

E. Submission Instructions

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

2. Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission. When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the BLM’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Prior to award, the BLM will review any applicant…