AMEND M22AS000135 4-12-22.pdf

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BOEM - Acquisition Policy and Financial Assistance

M22AS00135

04/29/2022

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Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information Bl. Total Funding B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Dates B4. Period of Performance B5. Numbers of Awards

B6. Type of Award B7. Other Federal Information

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information Dl. Address to Request Application Package D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D4. Submission Dates and Times D5. Intergovernmental Review D6. Funding Restrictions D7. Other Submission Requirements D8. Application Checklist

E. Application Review Information

El. Criteria E2. Review and Selection Process E3. CFR - Regulatory Information E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information Fl. Federal Award Notices F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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F3. Reporting G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G2. Administrative/Budget Questions Program Office Contact

G3. Grants Staff Contact G4. Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

Al. Authority Under the Use of Cooperative Agreements authority (43 U.S.C. §1457b), to enter into cooperative agreements with a state or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization if: (1) the agreement will serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by BOEM; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives.

Section 1346 of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by oil and gas or other mineral development.OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, and formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 was enacted in response to increasing concerns among scientists and the public that significant declines in some species of marine mammals were caused by human activities. The Act established a national policy to prevent marine mammal species and population stocks from declining beyond the point where they ceased to be significant functioning elements of the ecosystems of which they are a part. Nowhere else in the world had a government made the conservation of healthy and stable ecosystems as important as the conservation of individual species.

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements BOEM is responsible for conducting thorough and scientifically sound environmental impact assessments on living marine resources that could be affected by its regulated activities. Many of these activities introduce low-frequency sound into the marine environment. It is critical to understand the hearing capabilities of marine species, especially at these low frequencies, in order to anticipate potential impacts from underwater noise. Hearing thresholds are used to inform auditory weighting functions, which are a central component of the modeling that BOEM

Page 3 of23 conducts in its environmental impact assessments. In addition, BOEM and other federal agencies use animal hearing data to inform the sound levels at which we expect incidental take to occur, i.e. the "level A" and "level B" thresholds under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

This work will provide the first data on hearing below 100 Hz in two species of pinnipeds: the California sea lion; and the bearded seal, which are vulnerable to noise from offshore energy development and mineral extraction. Current investigations on bearded seals are already testing at 63 Hz and 100 Hz, but not below 63 Hz. Previous tests on California sea lions have not gone below 100 Hz. These are important datapoints to obtain because many industrial sources (e.g., airguns, marine vibroseis, pile-driving) produce significant energy in these low frequencies. This new study will enhance our understanding of hearing sensitivity and critical bandwidths at very low frequencies, which may provide insights on low-frequency hearing in other marine mammals as well. This work is important to BOEM because active acoustic sources used by all three programs target these low frequencies.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.423 Authorization Legislation Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), (43 USC 1345(e)), Public Law 116-260 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information

Bl. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $200,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award Amount $200,000 Minimum Award Amount $150,000

B3. Anticipated Dates Award Start Date

May 18, 2022

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B4. Period of Performance Length of Project Periods 36-month project period with three 12-month budget periods

Length of Project Period Explanation of Other Project Period 1 Expectation Duration in Months

BS. Numbers of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B6. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement The award will be a cooperative agreement. This involves substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct.

B7. Other Federal Information Type of Competition Open to All Eligible Applicants

C. Eligibility Information

Cl. Eligible Applicants 25 - Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Single Source Cooperative Agreement with the University of California-Santa Cruz

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing/Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

C3. Other Excluded Parties:

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BOEM 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.

Single Source Cooperative Agreement with the University of California-Santa Cruz

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package The application must be submitted through the www.Grants.gov portal at "Apply for Grants."

The applicant can locate the application package by visiting the Grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number 15.423 or Announcement M22AS00135 in the Grants.gov search engine. The announcement is also available in Grant Solutions. See sections D3 and D7 for more information on the application process.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance The electronic submission System requires several preliminary registration steps before the actual proposal can be submitted. Go to grants.gov and click on "Applicants" for instructions.

Also please see Sections D3 and D7 below.

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance In addition to the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, applicants must submit the following:

• SF-424a Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

• SF-424b Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

• Project Narrative

• Budget Narrative with Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

• Budget Worksheet

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form

• Complete SF-LLL only iflobbying has occurred.

These forms will be included in the Grants.gov announcement package.

Project Summary Low Frequency Hearing In Pinnipeds (NT-21-x14) http://www.grants.gov/

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Project Narrative The Project Narrative should include the Proposal Cover Sheet and Proposal Text

1. Proposal Cover Sheet

The cover sheet of the proposal shall contain the following information:

a. Project Title:

b. PI(s):

i. Name:

ii. Address:

iii. Phone:

v. Email:

c. Name /Department of Organization:

d. Contact Information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

e. Project Status: New/Continuation

f. Project Duration: (years or months)

g. Proposed Start Date:

h. Proposed Draft Final Report Submission Date:

i. Proposed Completion Date:

j. Amount Requested From BOEM:

k. Amount and Sources of Non-Federal Match:

1. Total Project Cost:

m. Signature, Name, and Contact Information of PI and Co-Investigator:

n. Proposal Endorsement, including Signature, Name, Contact Information of Sponsoring University Department Dean or Institute Director:

o. Signature, Name and Contact Information, Office of Sponsored Programs, Appropriate Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, etc.

2. Proposal Text:

The proposal must be in 12 point Times New Roman, Georgia, or similar font with 1" page margins fon-conforming proposals will not be considered. The text should be no longer than 25 pages. Please include the following in the Proposal:

a. Abstract

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1. 240 characters non-technical proposal summary

b. Background/Relevance to BOEM Issues, Information Needs, and Research Topics: Give a brief introduction to the research problem. State how the proposal addresses BOEM goals. Explain why the work is important. Specify the contribution to science related to renewable energy issues, oil and gas development, or marine minerals production and the benefits that society will receive from the study. Proposals should describe why the research is important to offshore energy development issues. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work you have completed in this area.

c. Objectives/Hypotheses: Clearly define the goals of the project.

d. Methods/Analyses: Provide a clear description of planned methodologies and analyses that will be undertaken.

e. Data Management, Data Security and Data Archiving Plan: Provide copies of data files with metadata to BOEM in a format that meets Federal data standards. Copies shall also be archived with the National Centers for Ecological Information, or other appropriate Federal Data Repository.

f. For studies involving field work, or as otherwise appropriate, applicants shall provide plans for Logistics, Safety Management, and necessary Permits/Interagency coordination/Local Coordination.

g. Project Management/Staffing Plan: All key personnel (including student workers) shall be identified by name where possible. List the non-profit's Principal Investigator first, followed by the names of other individuals. A point of contact as a Project Manager must be included. Indicate the role (oceanographer, anthropologist, geochemist, field assistant, etc.) and anticipated level of effort for each participant in the project. If names of some participants are unknown at the time the proposal is first submitted, a proposal addendum with the names and vitae must be submitted prior to award. Project must have expertise in highest quality live animal capture and veterinary consultation.

h. Performance Measures: Applicants shall suggest specific measures that can be used to monitor project progress, including that of sub-awardees e.g., quality and timely deliverables, timely completion of fieldwork or other project components, draft peer-reviewed articles. These performance measures will be incorporated into the cooperative agreement award and reviewed as part of any continuation request.

i. Timeline (including deliverables): Provide for submission of the draft final report six months before project end date to ensure adequate time for review, revision, and publication.

j. Critical starting dates (e.g., for season-limited fieldwork): Identify any critical starting dates and the reason why project success is dependent upon that start date.

k. Project Deliverables and Planned Products: List product(s) (reports, analyses, maps, digital data, etc.) that will be delivered during the performance period. Quarterly, draft and final annual reports, and draft and final technical summaries are required. Images and data are also standard deliverables.

1. Publication and Presentation: BOEM strongly encourages the Recipients to publish project

Page 8 of23 reports in scientific and technical journals, and present results to the scientific community, appropriate professional organizations, and local, State, and Federal agencies. In conjunction with the BOEM co-principal investigator as part of the project. These publications and meetings should be included in the proposal and budget. All publications should be evergreen open-source in perpetuity.

m. Bibliography: List all references cited in the text, as well as references that are relevant to the current proposal from your past work in the field.

n. Curricula Vitae (maximum 2 pages) for each identified participant. Emphasize previous experience in the field of study that the proposal addresses.

o. Letters of Commitment: Provide signed letters of commitment by matching funds grantors, contractors, and sub-grantees.

SF 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

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.

Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles per the "DOI Standard Award Terms and Conditions". The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Budget Narrative/Detailed Spreadsheet 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.

1. Budget Spreadsheet: Include information in a format that provides personnel, travel, services, supplies, equipment, tuition, and indirect costs on an annual basis for both the requested BOEM funds and for the anticipated match funds. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined.

2. Budget Narrative: This information will provide more details than the SF-424a form and will provide adequate information for the Contracting Officer to conduct a detailed analysis of the costs to determine they are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Please include the following:

a. Salaries and Wages. List positions, rate of compensation, and estimates of time spent on the project for employees.

b. Fringe Benefits/Labor Overhead. Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. Provide a copy of the negotiated rate agreement, if available.

c. Lab Analyses. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work.

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d. Supplies. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item that represents a significant portion of the proposed amount. Provide a statement that supplies will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 (State Governments) or 2 CFR 200.318-327.

e. Equipment. Show the cost of all special-purpose equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. "Special-purpose equipment" means scientific equipment having a useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be vested solely with the recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient. Provide a statement that equipment will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 (State Governments) or 2 CFR 200.318-327 and managed in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313. General-purpose equipment (used also for purposes other than this project) must be purchased from the applicant's operating funds.

f. Services or Consultants. Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated sub-recipients by name (including consultants), the estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour. Sub-applicant proposals should provide cost breakdowns at the same level of detail as the Applicant's proposal. If contract employees are hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles. Provide a statement that salaries will be charged at the actual rate and that the rate is comparable to others doing similar work within the organization.

g. Travel. State the purpose of the trip and itemize the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip.

Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also be shown.

h. Publication Costs. Indicate an estimate of labor and other unique costs associated with preparation of the draft final report. If publication of results of the research in the peer-reviewed literature (identify likely publications) is anticipated, include costs of drafting or graphics, reproduction, page or illustration charges, and a minimum number of reprints.

a. Other Direct Costs. Itemize the different types of costs not included elsewhere.

b. Total Direct Charges. Sum of above items.

c. Indirect Charges (Overhead). Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the Applicant has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. Provide a copy of the negotiated rate agreement with the applicant's federal cognizant audit agency.

d. Amount Proposed.111_!:1_of Total Direct Charges and Indirect Charges (Overhead).

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

Please reference the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act for additional details.

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(a) Applicability.

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

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

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

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

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award.

Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. 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.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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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.

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 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com

Page 12 of23 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 Application Due Date 04/29/2022 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

DS. Intergovernmental Review Not applicable.

Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the 0MB 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 Indirect Costs: Individuals Indirect Costs: Organizations Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application 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.

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• 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, ifwe 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 ifwe 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 ["Program Title"], which has a Department of the Interior-approve indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. lfwe 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 the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR) 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that 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 [insert Bureau Here] to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that [Insert Bureau Here]

Page 14 of23 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 the indirect costs are 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.

Prohibited Uses of Awards Funds Reimbursement of Pre-Award Costs

D7. Other Submission Requirements Please be aware that the electronic submission process requires first time users to register using an e- Authentication process. This registration process can be somewhat complex and can take up to 3 weeks to complete. Be advised that it is virtually impossible to begin the process of electronic submission for the first time if you start just a few days before the due date. If you are from a university, contact your Office of Sponsored Programs. They may already have completed the registration process and should work with you to submit the application.

If you have any questions or problems with the registration process, or the completion of the application package, please contact the grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Briefly, when you submit a grant application package to Grants.gov, you will receive a confirmation screen as well as three additional emails over two business days from Grants.gov informing you of your application processing status: 1. Confirmation screen

2. Submission Receipt (with "Track My Application" link) 3. Submission Validation (or Rejection with Errors) 4. Agency Retrieval

CONFIRMATION: Submission Confirmation Screen.

After you submit your grant application package, a confirmation screen will appear on your computer screen. This screen confirms that you have submitted an application to Grants.gov.

NOTIFICATION 1: Submission Receipt Email Within two business days after your application package has been received by the Grants.gov system, you will receive a submission receipt email which indicates that your submission has entered the Grants.gov system and is ready for validation. This email also contains a tracking number for use while tracking the status of the submission as well as a "Track My Application" link, to use to see the progress of your submission.

NOTIFICATION 2: Submission Validation Receipt Email-This is the important one!

After you receive the submission receipt email, the next email you will receive will be a message validating or rejecting your submitted application package with errors. The Grants.gov system is designed to check for technical errors within the submitted application package. Grants.gov does not review application content for award determination. Grants.gov will not post the application mailto:support@grants.gov

Page 15 of23 if there are errors. Failure to correct errors and submit by the date and time for closing may not be a reason for accepting a late application.

NOTIFICATION 3: Grantor Agency Retrieval Email Once your application package has passed validation it is delivered to the grantor for award determination and further approval. After the grantor has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be sent a third and final email from Grants.gov. The grantor may also assign your application package an agency specific tracking number for use within their internal system. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS E- MAIL

WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE, PLEASE CONTACT THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER.

If you need help entering your proposal, you can reach the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1- 800- 518- 4726. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and they are closed on Federal Holidays.

During the application period an applicant may submit a revised or corrected proposal through grants.gov. Include a cover letter as the first page of the proposal stating that the proposal is revised and indicating that the previous submittal is to be withdrawn from consideration. See Section 11, Application Preparation Instructions, which describes requirements for the proposal and other application components.

Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and allow time for possible computer delays. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will NOT be considered for award. If the USGS determines that a proposal will not be considered for award due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.

D8. Application Checklist SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

SF-424B or D, Assurances

Project Narrative

SF-424A or C, Budget Information

Budget Narrative

Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

Conflict of Internet Disclose (when applicable)

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

Grants.gov Lobbying Form: Certification Regarding Lobbying Complete the optional SF-LLL Lobbying Form only iflobbying has occurred.

E. Application Review Information

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El. Criteria Scientific Quality and Impact (20%) Maximum Points: 0 Is the proposed study of high scientific quality with clear objectives? What is the relevance to BOEM mission?

Work plan/methodology (20%) Maximum Points: 0 Is the strategy coherent and clear? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for the proposed time frame? Are the geographic areas selected for study appropriate? Are the proposed methods appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives? Are logistics adequately addressed? Does the proposal address contingency plans for missed field work, equipment failure, and other problems?

Experience of Research Personnel (20%) Maximum Points: 0 Has the applicant demonstrated (through bibliographic references, relevant education, experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the proposed research? Has the applicant demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget?

Budget Justification and Clarity (20%) Maximum Points: 0 Is project staffing sufficient (e.g., experience, knowledge and skills) to accomplish the proposed goals? Are field expenses, supplies, lab work, and other expenses appropriate? Are expenses adequately itemized?

Planned Products and Dissemination of Results (20%) Maximum Points: 0 Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for offshore energy planning and decision-making? Will the results be published in a peer-reviewed form? Does the proposal indicate the Principal Investigator will provide data and metadata in a format that meets Federal data standards? Will the products be accessible and comprehensible to the public?

E2. Review and Selection Process The proposal will be reviewed by BOEM scientists and program managers, and possibly external peer reviewers. Reviewers have expertise in Federal offshore programs and/or the specific scientific discipline of the proposal.

E3. CFR - Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates Applications are due by 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time On the Applications Due Date listed in Section D4.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

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Fl. Federal Award Notices Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by BOEM are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

The BOEM uses the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) financial assistance payment system, management by the United States Department of the Treasury, to provide electronic invoicing and payment for funds under this award. With the award of each cooperative agreement, an account will be set up from which the Recipient can draw down funds. Recipients must be registered in the ASAP system and must be linked to BOEM's Agency Location Code prior to award in order to make the funds available.

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements See the "DOI Standard Terms and Conditions" for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

The link to the DOI Standard Terms and Conditions is https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions. Please contact the Federal Awarding Agency Contact in Section Gl below for information on the application of specific DOI Standard Terms and Conditions.

Conflicts of Interest

a. Applicability.

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

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

b. Requirements.

1. Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.

2. In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or sub-recipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, http://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard

Page 18 of23 award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or sub-recipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.

3. No actual or prospective recipient or sub-recipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or sub-recipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or sub-recipient.

c. Notification.

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

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

d. Restrictions on Lobbying.

Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.

e. Review Procedures.

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

f. Enforcement.

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

Data Availability

a. Applicability.The DOI is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the Department to inform its decisions.

b. Use of Data.

The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.

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c. Availability of Data.

The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any sub-award(s) available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third-party evaluation and reproduction of the following:

1. The scientific data relied upon.

2. The analysis relied upon; and

3. The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze data.

Data Availability Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315: (a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification. (b) The Federal Government has the right to: (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and (2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

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.

F3. Reporting Financial Reports All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

Performance Reports Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description ofreasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final performance report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports

Page 20 of23 on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

c. Significant Development Reports Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates which have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Bureau in writing as soon as the recipient becomes aware of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The recipient should also notify [Insert Bureau Here] in writing of any favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

d. Real Property Reports Recipients and subrecipients are required to submit status reports on the status of real property in which the Federal government retains an interest. The required frequency of these reports will depend on the anticipated length of the Federal interest period. The Bureau will include recipient-specific real property reporting requirements, including the required data elements, reporting frequency, and report due dates, as applicable.

Conflict of Internet Disclosures Recipients must notify the program immediately in writing of any conflict of interest that arise during the life of their Federal award, including those reported to them by any subrecipient under the award.