B08-FOA FY25 Youth Conservation Agreement 15May24.pdf

Funding Opportunity Announcement Natural Resource Management

Funding Agency: Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters

441 G Street NW Washington DC 20314-1000

Funding Opportunity:

CFDA No: 12.010

Program Title: National Youth Conservation Corps Cooperative Agreement - US Army Corps of Engineers

Issue Date: 17 May 2024 Application Due Date: 16 July 2024, 12PM CT

Overview:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to enter into a nationwide cooperative agreement with a nonprofit organization (Recipient) for training and education services relating to natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management. Funds are intended to provide young adults and veterans with real life work experiences in stewardship of the environment in the 43 states where USACE Civil Works projects are located, by offering opportunities for education, leadership and personal development to the Recipient’s participants, while providing a high-quality public service in natural resources/recreation management and conservation.

Recipient must be a non-profit organization and have an extensive history of providing young people and veterans with opportunities to serve within the leading federal land management agencies, providing hands-on career training, internships and other education programs. Recipient recruits, selects, trains and places qualified young adults and veterans to serve in support of conservation and recreation management projects and has the capability and expertise to provide a series of experiences for youth ranging from high school to postgraduate that collectively comprise a continuous opportunity to enhance their understanding of conservation and prepare for careers in natural resources/recreation management. Recipient shall have the experience, plant capacity and demonstrated capability to immediately and successfully place interns and conservation crews at over 400 USACE lake and river projects and other sites nationwide to include 43 states in the United States.

The cooperative agreement will be entered into pursuant to 33 USC 2339(a) - Assistance Programs and Delegation of Authority under Section 213(a) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000.

Estimated Total Funding:

$3,000 with potential of up to $7,500,000

Estimated Number of Awards: 1 (one)

Contents of Full Text Announcement

1. Funding Opportunity Description 6. Application and Submission Information

2. Responsibilities of Parties-Recipient 7. Application Review Information

3. Responsibilities of Parties-USACE 8. Review and Award Criteria

4. Award Information 9. Award Administration Information

5. Eligibility Information

Contact Information: For assistance with the requirements of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, please contact Sandy Justman, 817-886-1073, sandra.justman@usace.army.mil.

Questions relating to Grants.gov including the registration process and system requirements should be directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726.

Instructions to Applicants: The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov. Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement shall be submitted by the application due date via email to sandra.justman@usace.army.mil and cheryl.r.vendemia@usace.army.mil. Applicants shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) for All Awards and be registered in Grants.gov. See Section 6 of the Funding Opportunity Announcement for complete application submission information.

W9126G-24-2-FOA-1659

1. Funding Opportunity Description.

1.1 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is one of the largest federal providers of outdoor recreation in the country with over 270 million visits annually at over 400 locations across the United States. USACE locations vary in size and description, ranging from small lakes and river projects to massive hydropower and multi-purpose dam sites. Many of these sites contain campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, visitor centers, trail systems and various other recreation components. In addition, USACE is responsible for the conservation and stewardship of over 12 million acres of lands and waters.

1.2 This national Master Cooperative Agreement, hereafter referred to as Master Agreement, will provide services under individually awarded Work Order Agreements (WOAs) relating to natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management and will provide young adults and veterans with real life work experiences in the stewardship of the environment by offering opportunities for education, leadership and personal development to the Recipient’s participants, while providing a high-quality public service on a national basis in natural resources/ recreation management and conservation. Projects are not limited to the outdoors and may include a combination of the use of modern technology and manual labor to achieve work assignments. This national Master Agreement is not the exclusive vehicle for obtaining these services; USACE Division offices and some USACE District offices have been delegated the authority to enter into separate cooperative agreements but may instead use this national Master Agreement for obtaining services.

1.3 This award will be made in compliance 32 CFR Chapter I Subchapter C, DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS), Title 2 of the CFR, Grants and Agreements, under the authority of 33 USC 2339 (a) codified by Section 213(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 which states: Conservation and Recreation Management – To further training and educational opportunities at water resources development projects under the jurisdiction of the Secretary (of the Army), the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal public and non-profit entities for services relating to natural resources conservation or recreation management.

2. Responsibilities of Parties.

The Recipient will:

2.1 Facilitate a mutually advantageous arrangement whereby USACE may obtain assistance from the Recipient to provide work support to implement multiple use natural resources, cultural and outdoor recreation management programs and work assignments at USACE Civil Works projects (work orders), while providing meaningful work experience to the Recipient’s participants in promoting the conservation ethic of both parties.

2.2 Manage multiple concurrent and independent, unrelated work orders.

2.3 Develop a program involving cooperative efforts in outdoor recreation management, visitor services, cultural and natural resources conservation including, but not limited to, trail development and maintenance, historic, cultural, forest and timber management, minor construction work, archeological conservation, visitor surveys, public safety programming, geographic information systems, sensitive species monitoring, native plant habitat restoration, invasive species control and rehabilitation, and environmental education.

2.4 Promote and stimulate public purposes such as education, job training, development of responsible citizens, productive community involvement, and further the understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural resources through the involvement of youth, young adults and veterans in the care and enhancement of public resources.

2.5 Continue the longstanding efforts of USACE to provide opportunities for public service, youth and veteran employment, underserved and Tribal youth development and training, and participation of young adults and veterans in accomplishing conservation and recreation management work.

2.6 Utilize both national and local recruitment strategies and capabilities to attract, select, place and maintain qualified individuals who are acceptable to USACE on a nationwide basis within the following types of conservation/recreation management intern, work crew and team programs:

2.6.1 Conservation/Recreation Work Crews. High school or college-age students (typically between ages 15 to 22) assigned to short-term work crews to accomplish work such as trail construction/maintenance and other labor-intensive work in support of USACE Operations/Natural Resources Management program at over 400 USACE lake/river project locations nationwide. Recipient shall provide real life experiences in working with the personal challenges of living together with few amenities for several months and learning through team building and cooperation.

2.6.2 Conservation/Recreation Teams. Teams of college-age (minimum age of 17) and/or graduate-level interns, including veterans, engage in projects that address critical natural resources and recreation management issues including studying geophysical or ecological systems, analysis of public resource use and impacts, climate change research, wild land fire research and prevention, and environmental education. This includes broader-based national actions such as visitor services and surveys, public safety, veterans’ programs, ecological inventories and invasive species initiatives.

2.6.3 Conservation/Recreation Interns. College-age (minimum age of 17) and young adults, including veterans gaining on-the-job experience in environmental and social science research, public service and safety, and natural resources and recreation management through individual service placements ranging from a few months to one year.

2.6.4 Special Outreach Programs. Provide for training and leadership opportunities, especially to youth (age 15 and above) from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented in the conservation professions. Special Outreach Programs are established to enable youth such as Tribal, urban or diverse young adults from high school to post-college age to better connect with the natural world, to build work skills for environmental protection and to train as leaders for America’s future.

2.6.5 Team/Work Crew Leaders. Provide qualified, capable and experienced conservation/recreation team/work crew leaders, 21 years or older, to provide fulltime on-site crew supervision in accomplishing projects. Team leaders shall be knowledgeable of and shall obey all appropriate and necessary safety practices, equipment and regulations pertaining to the project, as well as how to live and work safely in remote areas. All leaders must pass a background check as performed at the expense of the Recipient. Required components of a background check include, at a minimum: 1) Social security verification, 2) Address trace to verify current address and determine the jurisdictions(s) in which to conduct the background screening, 3) State or county criminal history checks to capture all misdemeanor and felony convictions within the jurisdiction(s) identified in the address trace, 4) Sex offender registry to search all 50 states for known sex offenders.

2.7 Manage and carry out all administrative functions associated with the services under the cooperative agreement and work order. Maintain administrative records for all participants and crew leaders.

2.8 Submit timely and accurate financial reports for all Recipient programs in accordance with 2 CFR part 200, Subpart F-Audit Requirements.

2.9 Provide 24-hour, 7 days a week risk management support to all Recipient participants. Provide on call duty officers who will monitor and immediately respond to any type of incident, accident and injury.

2.10 Take corrective measures, including but not limited to, issues of conduct for all interns, crews, and team leaders assigned to USACE work order agreements.

2.11 Conduct ongoing quantitative evaluation and collect qualitative feedback from Recipient participants. Action will monitor performance, trouble-shoot problem areas, and create solutions for future recruitment activities.

Evaluation summaries which address problems and solutions shall be provided to USACE, as issues are addressed.

2.12 Provide transportation support including round-trip transportation to safely transport participants to USACE sites at the beginning and end of their assignments; commuting/daily travel allowance for participants whose lodging is offsite; a travel allowance for participants where there is occasional overnight travel required to perform work duties; weekly subsistence for the participant during their tour of duty. An explanation of how travel allowance or actual expense travel reimbursement is determined shall be provided to USACE in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement.

2.13 Provide the following personal items including but not limited to: A uniform (or other form of agency/Recipient identification) of USACE’s specification or clothing allowance if required by-the project site;

Recipient patches, nametags or other appropriate identification. Recipient interns and members will not wear any component of the USACE Natural Resources Management (Park Ranger) uniform, including the uniform patch and ball cap.

2.14 Provide work crews with food, camping equipment and all educational, first aid, recreational and general supplies required by the group.

2.15 Provide all necessary tools, equipment, and safety equipment for all Recipient participants and crew leaders, unless otherwise identified as Government furnished property in the individual Work Order Agreement (WOA). If the Recipient, in order to satisfactorily perform any service as requested by USACE under a WOA, is asked or required to procure additional (in excess to that which may have been already provided by the Government) necessary equipment, supplies, or services, etc., the Recipient will do so to the agreed upon specifications of the USACE. Any such tools, equipment, etc., procured by the Recipient under a WOA shall request specific disposition instructions, if applicable, from the USACE Program Manager pursuant to and in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313 and 2 CFR 200.314.

2.15.1. All tools, equipment and facilities, etc., furnished by USACE as identified in the WOA will be on a property loan basis. All such items shall be returned to USACE in the same condition received except for normal wear in project use.

2.16 Coordinate with USACE to locate alternative lodging for conservation/recreation teams and interns if USACE furnished lodging is not available at the site or if the team member or intern does not already have local lodging prior to work assignment. USACE is not responsible for any direct payment for lodging. Recipient will include a lodging allotment as part of the financial assistance for the project as stated in the work order. If needed, the Recipient shall arrange alternative lodging and payment to be reimbursed by USACE pursuant to the work order estimate. Housing allowances will not be paid for team members/interns who do not incur housing expenses.

2.17 Follow all USACE policies and regulations regarding the placement of participants at USACE sites. All work shall be performed in accordance with safety requirements set forth in USACE Manual, EM 385-1-1, entitled “Safety & Occupational Health (SOH) Requirements”, 15 March 2024, copy is available at https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/EM%20385-1-1%20_EFFECTIVE%2015March2024.pdf .

Recipient is responsible for complying with the current edition and all changes posted to the website.

2.18 Provide a comprehensive annual performance report of all USACE related activities and achievements along with participant demographic information. Incorporate effective outcome-based evaluation and benchmarking procedures that correlate with specific USACE requirements to include the number and diversity of participants, amount and quality of conservation/recreation management services work performed, number of safety violations and participant issues, and number of participants who accepted leadership roles/position in the natural resources management profession and within USACE.

2.19 Provide on-site transportation required to perform projects during the project period unless deferred to USACE as specified in the work order.

2.20 Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage for equipment in accordance with 2 CFR 200.310.

Obtain and maintain appropriate insurance coverage for workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, comprehensive general liability (bodily injury), comprehensive automobile liability (bodily injury and property damage) insurance, and such other insurance as the Grants Officer may require under the Cooperative Agreement or work order. All insurance shall be in a form and amount and for those periods as the Grants Officer may require in the Cooperative Agreement or work order.

2.21 Have a single or program-specific audit conducted in accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F-Audit Requirements (2 CFR 200.500 et seq)

3. Responsibilities of the Parties.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will:

3.1 Provide appropriate access and information to Recipient representatives and the participants as necessary.

3.2 Select Conservation/Recreation interns unless the Government defers this action to the Recipient and as specified in the WOA.

3.3 Provide meaningful work assignments relating to the natural resources and recreation management.

3.4 Provide assistance for work activities assigned to Recipient interns and provide technical assistance as required to crew leaders and crews.

3.5 Make available informal training opportunities to Recipient participants and crew leaders that will make their service more effective.

3.6 Provide government furnished on-site lodging where available and applicable or reimburse the Recipient for lodging costs. Lodging for conservation/recreation teams and interns can consist of government quarters, General Services Administration (GSA) or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) house trailers and/or camper trailers, cabins, dormitories, apartments/condominiums, or rented housing as specified in the work order. Providing a campsite(s) does not meet the lodging requirement for teams and interns. Provide campsites for conservation/recreation work crews at the location where work is conducted. Coordinate with the Recipient if Government furnished on-site lodging is not available in accordance with paragraph 2.16 and as identified in the work order.

3.7 Provide equipment and supplies in accordance with paragraph 2.15 and as identified in the work order.

Equipment and supplies not identified in the work order are the responsibility of the Recipient.

3.8 Provide on-site transportation required to perform projects during the project period unless deferred to Recipient as specified in the work order. If on-site transportation is provided by USACE, Recipient participants must comply with any training or administrative requirements specified by USACE in the work order.

4. Award Information.

4.1 Type of Award Instrument. USACE intends to award a single Master Cooperative Agreement, (Master Agreement), to one Recipient. The Master Agreement is anticipated to include one (1) 12-month base year and four

(4) subsequent optional follow-on years, each optional follow-on year is to be exercised at the discretion of the Government. Individual WOAs will be executed on an as needed basis and will include a base period (up to or less than a 12-month performance period) and may include optional follow-on periods (up to or less than a 12-month performance period), each optional follow-on period to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

4.2 Period of Performance. The term of the Master Agreement will be for a 12-month base year and four subsequent follow-on optional years according to the effective date of the Master Agreement, anticipated to be 1 February 2025. WOAs will have project and budget periods (to include a base period and may include optional follow-on periods) that are specific to the requirement and available funding.

4.3 Substantial Involvement. USACE Program officials will review progress and provide oversight, coordination and facilitation in planning or resourcing frequently during the performance of the WOAs. USACE will be involved in project design and development, provide technical training as needed, and collaborate on activities to be performed under the WOA.

4.4 Estimated Funding. Minimum funding presently available for the Master Agreement base year (via an executed and funded WOA) is $3,000. If subsequent follow-on optional years are exercised, at the discretion of the Government, each follow-on year will have a minimum guaranteed award amount of $3,000 (at some point during that years’ performance period). The minimum award amount means that the Government’s liability for execution of a WOA is limited to $3,000 during each Master Agreement follow-on year. In the event that WOAs executed and funded during the Master Agreement’s follow-on year do not total $3,000, the difference between the total of the funded WOAs for work during the applicable follow-on year and $3,000 will be awarded and funded on a minimum guarantee WOA by which the Recipient may submit a request for payment.

USACE cannot guarantee available funding above the minimum funding presently available ($3,000), as the amount of funding above the minimum for an executed WOA depends on a number of factors such as appropriations from Congress and the number of Divisions and Districts utilizing the national Master Agreement. USACE currently estimates that the total maximum amount funding for the base year and four optional follow-on years (if exercised), to be up to $7,500,000 ($7.5M), with each 12-month Master Agreement year having an estimated value of up to $1,500,000 ($1.5M). These amounts are estimates and should not be construed as the total amount available, or a minimum amount of funding available, or a guaranteed amount.

No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under any WOA or an optional follow-on WOA period until funds are made available for performance and a WOA, or WOA modification, is executed by both the Recipient and the Government. The Recipient should only expend funds upon receipt of a fully executed (signed by the Grants Officer) WOA and shall not exceed the funds available. Total amount of funds available and obligated by the Government, as well as the services requested by USACE will be set forth in individual WOAs.

5. Eligibility Information.

5.1 Eligible applicants. Must be a non-profit organization.

5.2 Cost Sharing. 100% USACE funded.

6. Application and Submission Information.

6.1 Address to Request Application Package. The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov. USACE is not responsible for any loss of Internet connectivity or for an applicant’s inability to access documents posted at the referenced website.

6.2 Content and Form of Application Submission. All mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms must be completed in accordance with the instruction on the forms and the additional instructions below. The proposal must include all information requested in these instructions. Failure to fully comply with these instructions may be cause for rejection of the proposal.

6.2.1 SF 424. Application for Federal Assistance (Required).

6.2.2 SF 424A. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (Required for each work order).

6.2.3 SF 424B. Assurances – Non-construction Programs (Required).

6.2.4 Program Narrative. Detailed narrative demonstrating how applicant will accomplish goals and objective of the program.

6.3 Past Cost Documentation. Examples of past financial documentation submitted to a federal agency for conservation work crews, teams, interns, and leaders as further described in 8.3.

6.4 Submission Instructions. Applications shall be received:

NO LATER THAN 12 PM CENTRAL TIME, 16 JULY 2024

Applications received after the due date will not be considered. Submit proposals via email directly to:

Sandy Justman Grants Specialist

USACE, Fort Worth District sandra.justman@usace.army.mil

Sheri Vendemia Grants Specialist

USACE, Fort Worth District cheryl.r.vendemia@usace.army.mil

6.5 Internet. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their proposal submission is received in its entirety. The Government bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission of conversion processes associated with electronic submissions. The Government will bear no responsibility for technical difficulties at or with the Grants.gov website. Note: All applicants must be actively registered with SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to registering with Grants.gov. For more information on registration, go to:

https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/OrganizationRegistration.htm

6.6 Inquiries. Inquiries shall be submitted via email to the Point of Contact (POC) in 6.4, no later than the established due date indicated. Questions relating to Grants.gov including the registration process and system requirements should be directed to Grants.gov. Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726.

6.7 Required Forms. All documentation listed in Section 6.2 and subparagraphs 6.2.1, 6.2.3, and 6.2.4 must be submitted as part of the application. NOTE: Subparagraph 6.2.2, SF 424A, is not required as part of the application, however is submitted with each individual WOA. Standard Forms are available for download at grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family.

6.8 System for Award Management (SAM). Recipients must be registered in SAM prior to award(s) of Federal Assistance. For more information, see the SAM website at https://sam.gov/.

6.9 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). All applicants are required to provide their UEI number when applying for federal assistance agreements.

6.11 Incurred Expenses. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred or associated with preparation and submission of any applicant proposals.

7. Application Review Information.

7.1 Criteria. The following criteria shall serve as the standard against which any response to this announcement will be evaluated.

7.1.1 Initial Review. The Government will perform an initial review to determine that the applicant is (1) eligible in accordance with Section 8 of the announcement; (2) all information required by Section 6 has been submitted;

and (3) all mandatory requirements are satisfied. The specific review and award criteria are identified in Section 8.

7.1.2 Merit Review. The application and program narrative will be evaluated by a USACE panel on whether the applicant demonstrates the ability to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Specifically, the narrative will be evaluated to ensure the Applicant demonstrated the ability to: (1) Utilize both national and local recruitment strategies and capabilities to attract, select, place and maintain qualified individuals on a nationwide basis in 43 states where USACE Civil Works projects are located for conservation/recreation management intern, work crew and team programs as specified in Section 2.6 and subparagraphs; (2) Successfully administer the Cooperative Agreement to include all reporting requirements.

7.2 Anticipated Award Date. 1 Feb 2025

7.2.1 Announcement Issue Date. 17 May 2024

7.2.2 Announcement Due Date. 16 July 2024

7.2.3 Estimated Award Date. 15 Jan 2025

8. Review and Award Criteria.

USACE will consider and evaluate only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criterion below. Each applicant is required to provide a sufficient narrative of the following criteria elements, which must be labeled.

8.1 Criteria Element 1 - Program Management. Recipient must be a qualifying Section 213(a) /WRDA 2000 non-profit organization and must have an extensive history of providing young adults and veterans with real life experiences in the stewardship of the environment by offering opportunities for education, leadership, and personal development to its participants while providing a high-quality public service in natural resources/recreation management and conservation. Recipient must be able to exhibit demonstrated ability with extensive experience to successfully meet the requirements of this announcement as detailed below:

8.1.1 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide a mutually advantageous arrangement whereby Recipient participants implement and accomplish natural resources, cultural resources and outdoor recreation management programs and projects (work orders) while providing meaningful work experience to Recipient participants in promoting conservation ethic of both parties.

8.1.2 Demonstrated ability and experience to manage multiple concurrent and independent, unrelated Work Order Agreements.

8.1.3 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully incorporate both national and local recruitment strategies and capabilities to attract, select, place and maintain qualified individuals in 43 states where USACE Civil Works projects are located through conservation/recreation management programs such as conservation/recreation work crews, conservation/ recreation teams, conservation/recreation interns and special outreach programs. Applicants must provide details on how recruitment and placement is accomplished and provide between 2-4 budget or financial documentation/ summaries as submitted to a Federal agency for past work that is similar in scope to that described in Section 2. If applicant is a parent organization consisting of multiple youth conservation corps, describe how member organizations will be selected to recruit program participants and how the parent organization will develop agreements with member organizations and administer work orders. Parent organizations must demonstrate that they can provide, through their network, qualified individuals in 43 states. A single point of contact from the applicant for processing Work Order Agreements with USACE is a requirement.

8.1.4 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide qualified, capable and experienced fulltime on-site crew leaders, 21 years or older, and cleared through appropriate Recipient-sponsored and funded background checks and have knowledge of safety and risk management practices. Applicants must include specific details regarding background checks that addresses standards/criteria for various positions and locations, how checks are conducted and who is required to have a background check. Applicants must provide between two to four budget or financial documentation/summaries as submitted to a Federal agency for past cost of positions similar in scope to that described in Section 2.6.

8.1.5 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully recruit and place youth, veterans and Tribal members in accomplishing conservation and natural resources/recreation management work.

8.1.6 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide transportation at beginning/end of participant assignments, and to/from work sites on a daily basis with appropriate travel/subsistence allowance. Applicants must provide detailed financial information as to how transportation is provided and how travel allowances are determined depending on national or local recruitment. Specify whether actual expense reimbursement or an allowance is provided and explain how the travel reimbursement or allowance is determined.

8.1.7 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide necessary personal items including, but not limited to, participant uniform/clothing identification, camping equipment, first aid, recreation and general supplies.

8.1.8 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide all tools, equipment and safety equipment for all Recipient participants and leaders.

8.1.9 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully secure alternative lodging arrangements.

8.2 Criteria Element 2 – Youth Development.

8.2.1 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully provide youth participants and veterans with educational, technical, vocational, life and leadership skills including, but not limited to, dependability, punctuality, problem solving, and job/project skills.

8.2.2 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully develop strong natural/cultural stewardship skills and strong community engagement skills in Recipient participants that creates a strong ethic of service to others and the environment.

8.2.3 Demonstrated ability and experience to successfully engage culturally and ethnically diverse, underserved and underrepresented communities, including Tribes in programs and projects that focus on natural and cultural resource stewardship.

8.3 Criteria Element 3 - Financial Management. Demonstrated ability, experience and knowledge of following federal grant and cooperative agreement regulations to successfully meet all the financial/administrative requirements. Demonstrated ability, experience and knowledge of applicable DoDGARs, 2 CFR (Grants and Agreements) and USACE Regulations is preferred, but not required. Applicants must submit budget/financial document for past similar work and identify which evaluation element each document relates to. Overhead rates must be included in the financial documentation. If applicant is a parent organization consisting of multiple youth conservation corps, describe how funds and invoicing will be handled by the parent organization for member organizations that will be providing service under this agreement and include any additional overhead/administrative fees charged for each Work Order Agreement.

9. Award Administration Information.

9.1 Award Notices. Written notice of award will be given in conjunction with issuance of the Master Agreement and the initial Work Order Agreement (WOA) signed by the Grants Officer. The Master Agreement will contain the effective date of the agreement, the period of performance, line-item information, and all terms and conditions. No funding will be applied to the Master Agreement. Subsequent Work Order Agreement (WOAs) will contain the effective date, the period of performance, optional follow-on periods, if applicable, funding information, and any USACE specific required information. The terms and conditions of the Master Agreement flow down to WOAs.

The Recipient is required to sign and return the Master Agreement and or WOA for execution by the Grants Officer.

Prior to commencement of work under a WOA, the Recipient shall have a fully executed copy signed by the Grants Officer. Work described in this announcement SHALL NOT begin without a fully executed WOA signed by the Grants Officer.

9.2 Administrative Requirements. The Master Agreement and subsequent WOAs issued as a result of this announcement are pursuant to the administrative requirements in the DoDGARs and applicable 2 CFR part 200 regulations including those previously implemented through OMB Circulars A-110 and A-122 Cost Principles, and the terms and conditions outlined in the Master Agreement and MOAs.

9.3 Governing Laws and Regulations. The Master Agreement and WOAs are agreements with the Federal Government, and thus subject to federal law as well as applicable state and local law. Federal law requires specific statutory authority for Federal agencies to enter into a cooperative agreement with non-federal persons and entities.

9.4 The Master and WOAs will be administered in accordance with, and Recipients shall comply with, applicable requirements of the DoDGARS, and 2 CFR part 200. In the event of a conflict between the terms of an agreement and other governing documents, the conflict shall be resolved by giving precedence in descending order as follows:

(1) Applicable federal statutes; (2) 2 CFR Part 200; (3) The DoDGARS (32 CFR Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter C); (4) the articles, terms, and provision of the Master Agreement, (5) the articles, terms, and provision of an order placed against the Master Agreement.

9.5 Reporting.

9.5.1 Recipient will be required to submit progress, financial, and property reports quarterly, semi-annually, or annually as stipulated in the terms and conditions of the final Master Agreement and clarified in the individual WOAs.

9.5.2 All reporting shall be in accordance with the DoDGARs and 2 CFR 200, when applicable, and/or as specified by the WOA.

[End of FOA]