blm ca l15as00113 cesu archaeological-archaeobotanical.docx

[Attachment B] Budget Detail Page 7

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

BLM CA CESU - Archaeological and Archaeobotanical Research Partnership Norcal District/Surprise Field Officer-Cedarville CA

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L15AS00113

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications Date Issued: May 6, 2015

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.224 - Cultural Resource Management

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976, 43 USC 1737, Public Law 94-579, as amended. Section 1737. Implementation provisions. (b) Contracts and cooperative agreements. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements involving the management, protection, development, and sale of public lands

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

July 6, 2015, 8:00 a.m. California Time

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

CALIFORNIA

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Leona B. Parker - California Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 530-252-5338, Email: lparker@blm.gov

Version 2 3/2015

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Authority This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976, 43 USC 1737, Public Law 94-579, as amended. Section 1737. Implementation provisions. (b) Contracts and cooperative agreements. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements involving the management, protection, development, and sale of public lands

2. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background:

The mission of the CESU Network is to promote, conduct, and provide research, technical assistance and education services nationwide in support of the missions of participating federal agencies and their partners concerning natural and cultural resource management on federal and/or private lands and waters.

To achieve this mission, each CESU project is conducted cooperatively and with substantial involvement by and benefits to federal and nonfederal partners. Each project must also be consistent with the mission of the individual CESU through which it is administered.

The proposed agreement would incorporate the terms and conditions of the: The Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement, Master California agreement number L13AC00082 and includes a negotiated indirect cost rate not to exceed (NTE) 17.5%).

BLM-CA sponsored and conducted substantial landscape scale, archaeological research in the 1970's and 1980's on land administered by the BLM. The work included archaeological excavations, large scale sample surveys, and contemporary tribal interviews with elders, historical document reviews, and ambitious regional syntheses of the results. These investigations were cutting edge and resulted in a period of exceptionally significant advancement of scientific knowledge. This period of progressive research for heritage resources guided BLM planning within the multiple use mission mandates and provided the foundation for comprehensive land management prescriptions of cultural resources. The work also stimulated general archaeological scientific study by encouraging an entire generation of new archaeologists to conduct research in a wide manner of new approaches on BLM land and elsewhere.

After this period of robust archaeological research, many of the projects over the last 30 years on BLM lands have been more modest in scope focusing on single projects under the guise of National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) - Section 106 compliance. This work has been more limited but incremental increases in knowledge in the intervening years have continued. The more recent work is revealing that in some cases the BLM’s baseline cultural resources research has become stale and in other cases the work is showing that our understanding of the archaeological record may actually be wrong. Archaeological research conducted as compliance is legally required and remains a useful tool for managing cultural resources but it, in and of itself, is insufficient for addressing the BLMs requirements under FLPMA, NHPA – Section 110, SO 3330, and other authorities. Put simply, individual project compliance is not adequate for planning for and managing cultural resources on public land for the benefit of present and future use by the public.

Identifying and resolving gaps and problems in the archaeological record has become a paramount concern for the BLM in the agencies mission to manage cultural resources. The main objective of this partnership is to generate key archaeological information not otherwise easily obtained by standard compliance projects to better inform the BLM in comprehensive, proactive planning for cultural resources.

b. Objectives:

A working partnership between the BLM and a qualified partner to conduct needed research along three avenues:

(1) Archaeobotany and Palaeoethnobotany Studies The first type of archaeological research would involve studies of past plant-human relationships and their changes, past environmental conditions, or human adaptation to climate change. Archaeological residue regularly includes data in the form of macrobotanical remains (such as seeds, grains, stones of fruits, leaves, charcoal) and microbotanical remains (such as pollen, phytoliths, and starch grains). This data can be used to understand which plants were available to people in the past, which plants were used, and how those plants were processed. This data can also speak to understand shifts in precipitation, changes in relative frequencies of endangered species, local extirpations of key species, as well as localized perturbations in habitat structure in areas proposed for restoration.

(2) Regional Syntheses The second type of research involves compilation of archaeological results from individual, small-scale projects into larger analytical data sets and geodatabases that can then be analyzed at a regional scale. A substantial part of this work would involve compiling, reviewing, and revising data previously collected from individual projects since these data are often collected using slightly different methods with no opportunity to systematically organize the information in a manner that can then be used to address regional research topics. Advances in computer technology make the storage, sorting, and retrieval of archaeological data from relational databases an exceptionally powerful tool. Small data sets that would be especially useful to compile into regional syntheses include, but are not limited to: A. chronometric, B. subsistence remains, C. raw material sourcing profiles, and D. organization of technology trends. Similarly, advances in mapping capabilities via the use of computer aided Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and increasing availability of large geo-referenced spatial data for environmental and cultural variables make regional spatial analyses of archaeological work another high value priority for future work. Among other things, particular GIS work that would be especially useful for regional scale archaeological synthesis include spatial analysis of the distribution and frequencies of archaeological site types, features, and artifact classes relative to various environmental variables (soil type, topographic circumstance, vegetation, etc.).

(3) Lynch-pin Studies The third type of research would involve targeted studies of specific topics of concern that are not regularly addressed by conventional compliance related archaeological investigations. At present, the location and timing of development projects dictate where compliance investigations are conducted resulting in gaps in archaeological knowledge that can only be filled by projects that target under studied locations or topics unrelated to compliance demands. This work could involve processing and analysis of legacy collections that were never fully analyzed. It could also entail targeted field work to investigate little studied locales or poorly resolved time periods. It could also involve particular sites that harbor known data potential for specific research topics.

Project Description:

Dedicated funds are currently available for a Type 1 (Archaeobotany and Palaeoethnobotany Studies) project at the Alturas & Surprise Field Offices.

The Alturas field office manages approximately 500,000 acres in northeastern California (primarily Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, and Shasta counties). The Surprise Field Office manages approximately 1.2 million acres in northeastern California (Modoc and Lassen counties) and northwestern Nevada (Washoe and Humboldt counties).

The goal of the first project is to develop a Native Plant Field Guide. The purpose of the guide is to aid in the identification of native plants in the field by archaeologists and contractors, provide a summary of each plant's role in past cultures, and, most importantly, aid in the groundwork for future archaeobotanical studies. The guide would focus on plants native to the Alturas and Surprise Field Offices that are suspected of or known to have been used in the past by humans. The information shall be gathered from available literary references, ethnographies, archaeological studies, historic literature and/or cookbooks, and discussions with tribal members.

The guide would identify the plant by common name and scientific name, photo, environment, season of growth, and cultural information regarding when it was gathered, how it was gathered, how it was processed, whether it was used during special conditions (e.g. famine), its status or importance within the group, its traditional name or other names by which the plant is known, and what it was used for. Potential uses could include food, drink, medicine, clothing, ornaments, tools, and facilities.

c. Public Benefit:

Provide vital cultural resources information needed to aid proactive and comprehensive management of archeological and historic resources as required under FLPMA. Increased knowledge of the archaeological record will enable the BLM to better manage archaeological resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations and to insure further study of the relationship of man and the natural environment.

3. Program/Project Performance Goals

Performance Goals/Strategic Goals/Program Elements: FD & AE The overall goal of the assistance agreement is to gain a better understanding of the past, especially the relationship between past cultures and native plants. This agreement should lead to a number of studies (FD) which will generate information and data that the BLM can use to better manage the cultural landscape. The information can also be integrated into other programs to better manage the vegetative landscape. The studies will also generate future possibilities for public outreach and educational programs (AE).

Desired Outcomes:

Currently Funded: Native Plant Field Guide (see objectives). Expected timeline for accomplishment- September 30, 2015-January 1, 2016.

Currently Not-Funded:

Ethnobotanical Reference Collection- a comparative collection of macrobotanical (seeds, fruits, etc.) and microbotanical remains (starch, phytoliths, etc.) from native plants for research in dietary subsistence and environmental change. The comparative collection would be a database containing images, measurements, and locational data accessible for research. Desired timeline for accomplishment- May 1, 2016-September 30, 2019.

For each project, the recipient is responsible for providing:

1. Work Plan

2. Preliminary Reports discussing achievements, encountered problems, and/or recommendations

3. Final Project Report/Product

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Instrument

a. Successful applicants may be awarded either a Financial Assistance Grant or Cooperative Agreement.

b. If a cooperative agreement is used, substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement will consist of the following: The BLM Program Officer (PO) will collaborate with the recipient's Project Manager/Principal Investigator (RPM/PI) to manage all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. Responsibility for project management, control, and direction will be shared by the recipient and the BLM, however the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule and/or technical issues arise.

2. Expected Number of Awards: One (1) or none Cooperative Agreement

A. 4. Expected Individual Award Amounts: $300,000.00. (only when funds are available and funds may not be available each year).

5. Anticipated Start Date: August 2015 or upon award.

7. No Obligation to Award The BLM is under no obligation to award funds for this project. Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) may obligate funds for financial assistance.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

2. Other Eligibility Restrictions

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. . (It is the government’s intention to issue this agreement under the umbrella of, and incorporates the terms and conditions of, the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement, (Master California agreement number L13AC20082) therefore, restricting eligibility to Public and State controlled Institutions of Higher Education, and includes a negotiated indirect cost rate not to exceed (NTE) 17.5%).

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. 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) listed on the application coversheet.

a. Provide a valid DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System) on its application. DUNS numbers are nine-digit numbers established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. DUNS numbers may be obtained free of charge from Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling them at (877) 930-5228.

b. Be registered in SAM (System for Award Management, www.SAM.gov) before submitting its application. SAM is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register at this site. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at: http://www.sam.gov.

c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

Form Name and Number

a. Project Proposal (Attachment A)

1) Attachment B is a suggested project proposal template and may be used when submitting your proposal. The proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a type-face 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).

2) All proposals are confidential.

b. Budget Detail (Attachment B)

1) Use the Budget Detail form (Attachment B) to present the breakdown of your estimated costs by category needed to accomplish project activities. Estimated costs should be described in sufficient detail so that they may be checked for reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed. Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detail breakdown of how the cost were arrived out. No profit or fees are allowable.

2) Budget details should be broken down into the following categories:

(a) Personnel Costs. Salaries or wages of employees working directly on this agreement project indicate program manager and other key personnel by name and title. Other personnel may be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries or wages and estimated hours or percent of time to be spent on the agreement.

(b) Fringe Benefit Costs. The costs of fringe benefits of employees working directly on this agreement project. Indicate rates/amounts, what costs are included in this category, and the basis of the rate computations. Federally approved rate agreements are acceptable for compliance with this item.

(c) Travel Costs. The estimated costs for travel related to agreement activities. Include the purpose of trip, destination, and number of persons traveling, length of stay, and all travel costs including airfare, per diem, lodging, and miscellaneous travel-related expenses. For local travel, include mileage and rate of compensation. If applicable, indicate that the costs are per your organization's written travel policy. Current Federal per diem rates (the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel) may be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.

(d) Equipment Costs. Equipment is defined as expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one (1) year and an acquisition cost of more than $5,000.00, or a value which reaches the capitalization threshold level established by the organization for financial statement purposes.

(e) Supply Costs. The costs of consumable supplies and materials to be used for agreement activities. List each item and quantity individually.

(f) Contractual Costs. Include estimated costs of proposed professional and technical consultants and contractors participating on the project. Identify all work that will be accomplished, including a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate of time, rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. Any changes or additions will require a request for approval. Procurement procedures must comply with 2 CFR Parts 200.317 through 200.326.

(g) Construction Costs. The cost of any construction directly related to the project activities.

(h) Other Costs. The cost of items not listed above and which do not fit in any other category, such as the cost of duplicating and printing, equipment rental, postage, etc. No profit or fee will be allowed.

(i) Total Direct Costs. The sum of categories (a) through (h).

(j) Indirect Costs.

(1) If indirect costs will be charged to the project, complete this section and show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for allowable indirect costs. It is not acceptable to simply incorporate indirect rates within other direct cost line items.

(2) Include a copy of any federally approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

(3) If your organization has never had a NICRA, the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO) may allow an indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your base modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC includes all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subgrants and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each. Include the computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation base for your rate.

(4) Information on obtaining a NICRA, "Preparing and Submitting Indirect Cost Proposals," is available from the Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Indirect Cost Section, at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/services/ICS.aspx.

(k) Total Costs. The total of both direct and indirect costs estimated to be expended on this agreement's activities.

4. Submission Dates and Times See announcement cover sheet for the deadline (date and time) for submission of applications. Applications must be received by the BLM prior to the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline for submission may not be considered for award unless it can be determined the delay was caused by Federal government mishandling.

a. All applicants should register at www.Grants.Gov and all applications should be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov unless other arrangements are made and approved of in advance of the submission deadline. If you have any questions or problems with the registration or application submission process, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726, or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/troubleshooting.html for online help.

b. Applications submitted through www.Grants.gov are considered to be electronically signed applications.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Total of 100 points will be used to evaluate each proposal received. The relative importance to be placed on the merit review evaluation stated in the second level evaluation with corresponding weights assigned to each criteria. Proposals will be evaluated and weights assigned by appropriate BLM Program Officer’s in the specific field office where project resign.

The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals which do not meet the requirements of this funding opportunity announcement and which are determined to be outside the scope of the Federal Land Policy and Management act of 1976, 43 USC 1737, Public Law 94-579, as amended. Section 1737. Implementation provisions. (b) Contracts and cooperative agreements. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements involving the management, protection, development, and sale of public lands

Award will be made to responsive, responsible applicants submitting proposals which conform to the funding opportunity announcement and are most advantageous to the Government considering the evaluation factors listed below.

The evaluation process will be comprised of the following three screening levels:

1. First Level Screening --Basic Eligibility

b. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.

3. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation

a. Merit Review Evaluation. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria using numerical scoring based on a 100 point maximum score.

1) Purpose and Objectives (Maximum score 20/100 Points):

2) Technical Approach (Maximum score 40/100 Points):

3) Qualifications, Experience, Past Performance (Maximum score 40/100 Points):

3. Third Level Review Pre-award Clearance and Approvals

Following the described review process, BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as:

a. Risk Management. The BLM uses a risk-based approach to evaluate the risk posed by the supporting applicants’ projects before it awards Federal funds.

2) Budget review is based on the following:

If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized. If the BLM determines that a Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award

If the results of pre-award reviews and clearances are unsatisfactory, consideration of funding for the project may be withdrawn.

4. Application Selection Process

a. Applications eligible for merit review will be evaluated by an ad hoc evaluation team assembled to review, rate, rank, and recommend applications for award using the above evaluation criteria. Evaluation teams are made up of two or more qualified personnel familiar with the program and who have been certified to have no conflict of interest with any persons or organizations applying for award.

b. Reviews are treated as confidential documents. Once award decisions are made, applicants may request in writing a written summary of the evaluation of their application/proposal.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Uniform Guidance (Effective December 26, 2014) On December 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published its Final Rule for the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards with guidance for agency implementation (see 2 CFR Part 200 and Federal Register Volume 78, No. 248). The Uniform Guidance streamlines the Federal Government's administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards including grants and cooperative agreements. The Uniform Guidance supersedes OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122; Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-133; and the guidance in Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up.) The Uniform Guidance provides a government-wide framework for Federal awards management, and is a key component of a larger Federal effort to more effectively focus Federal resources on improving Federal awards performance and outcomes while ensuring the financial integrity of taxpayer dollars in partnership with non-Federal stakeholders. This OMB guidance reform will reduce the administrative burden for non-Federal financial assistance recipients while reducing the risk of waste, fraud and mismanagement.

2. Federal Award Notices

a. Any award made from this announcement will be based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and will be regulated by OMB's Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

b. Acceptance. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down of funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Costs may not be incurred before the effective date listed on the award. Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, carries with it the responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, the administrative and national policy requirements and terms and conditions of award.

3. Reporting

Periodic submission of Federal Financial reports (SF-425), Performance/Progress reports, and Youth Employment reports (if applicable) will be required under this financial assistance agreement. Submission of financial and performance/progress reports may be required either quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Submission of youth employment reports (if applicable) is required quarterly.

4. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. By accepting additional Federal funding under the current Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreement in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. OMB guidance is available at the following web site: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl

b. Administrative Requirements.

1) 2 CFR Part 200 Subparts A through D - Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles.

2) 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F - Audit Requirements. Non-Federal entities that expend $750,000.00, or more, in federal awards in a single year shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default.

3) Indirect Facilities and Administration (F&A) Costs.

(a) 2 CFR Part 200.414 - Indirect (F&A) Costs

(b) 2 CFR, Appendix III to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)

(c) Appendix IV to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Nonprofit Organizations

(d) Appendix V to Part 200 - State/Local Government-wide Central Service Cost Allocation Plans

(1) The provisions of 2 CFR 200.414(c) require Federal agencies to accept federally negotiated indirect cost rates. The BLM has applied the following policies, procedures and general decision-making criteria for deviations from negotiated Indirect Cost Rates for financial assistance programs and agreements.

(2) Distribution Basis. For all deviations to the Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, including statutory, regulatory, programmatic, and voluntary, the basis of direct costs against which the indirect cost rate is applied must be:

(i) The same base identified in the recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, if the recipient has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement; or

(ii) The Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, with prior approval of the Awarding Agency, when the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages) and the use of the MTDC still results in an overall reduction in the total indirect cost recovered. MTDC is the base defined by 2 CFR 200.68, "Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)."

(iii) In cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, under no circumstances will the Department use a modified rate based upon Total Direct Cost or other base not identified in the federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or defined within 2 CFR 200.68. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that the reduced rate is applied against a base that does not include any potentially distorting items (such as pass-through funds, subcontracts in excess of $25,000, and participant support costs) and is based on the requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.68; 2 CFR 200.414(f); 2 CFR 200 Appendix III, Section C.2.; 2 CFR 200 Appendix IV, Section B.3.f.; and Appendix VII, Section C.2.c.

(3) Indirect Cost Rate Reductions Used as Cost-Share. Instances where the recipient elects to use a rate lower than the federally negotiated indirect cost rate, and uses the balance of the unrecovered indirect costs to meet a cost-share or matching requirement required by the program and/or statute, are not considered a deviation from 2 CFR 200.414(c) as the federally negotiated indirect cost rate is being applied under the agreement in order to meet the terms and conditions of the award.

c. Program Legislation and/or Regulations.

5. Standard Award Terms and Conditions

a. Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact your program officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following):

b. Funding.

1) Awards shall be funded subject to availability of BLM funding. Initial funding does not guarantee additional funding in subsequent years.

2) Once the grant or cooperative agreement is signed by a BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO), funding is obligated and the recipient may incur approved costs beginning on the effective date of the award and as specified in their submitted and approved budget.

c. Payment Mechanism. BLM requires the use of the United States Department of the Treasury, Financial Management System, Automated Standard Application for Payment system (ASAP). The ASAP system (https://www.asap.gov) is a recipient-initiated, on-line payment and information system. The timing and amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for direct program or project reimbursable costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.

d. Conflicts of Interest. The Recipient must establish safeguards to prohibit its employees and sub-recipients from using their positions for purposes that constitute or present the appearance of a personal or organizational conflict of interest. The Recipient is responsible for notifying the Grants Management Officer (GMO) in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the recipient and/or recipient's employees and sub-recipients in the matter.

6. Special Award Terms and Conditions:

a. Liability, Insurance, and Indemnification. Recipients of awards arising from this announcement will be required to agree to the following:

1) Liability. The BLM assumes no liability for any actions or activities conducted under this agreement except to the extent that recourse or remedies are provided by Congress under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2671.

2) Insurance. The recipient will be required to (1) obtain liability insurance or (2) demonstrate present financial resources in an amount determined sufficient by the Government to cover claims brought by third parties for death, bodily injury, property damage, or other loss resulting from one or more identified activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement.

3) Insured. The federal government shall be named as an additional insured under the recipient's insurance policy.

4) Indemnification. The recipient hereby agrees:

(a) To indemnify the federal government, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), from any act or omission of the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, as appropriate) (1) against third party claims for damages arising from one or more activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement and (2) for damage or loss to government property resulting from such an activity, to the extent the laws of the State where the recipient is located permit. This obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement.

(b) To purchase public and employee liability insurance at its own expense from a responsible company or companies with a minimum limitation of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per person for any one claim, and an aggregate limitation of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for any number of claims arising from any one incident. The policies shall name the United States as an additional insured, shall specify that the insured shall have no right of subrogation against the United States for payments of any premiums or deductibles due thereunder, and shall specify that the insurance shall be assumed by, be for the account of, and be at the insured's sole risk. Prior to beginning the activities authorized herein, the recipient shall provide the BLM with confirmation of such insurance coverage. Each policy shall have a certificate evidencing the insurance coverage and identifying the assistance agreement number.

(c) To pay the United States the full value for all damage to the lands or other property of the United States caused by the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, agents as appropriate).

(d) To provide workers' compensation protection to the recipient’s officers, employees, and representatives.

(e) To cooperate with the BLM in the investigation and defense of any claims that may be filed with the BLM arising out of the activities of the recipient, its agents, and employees.

(f) In the event of damage to or destruction of the buildings and facilities assigned for the use of the recipient in whole or in part by any cause whatsoever, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the BLM to replace or repair the buildings or facilities. If the BLM determines in writing, after consultation with the recipient that damage to the buildings or portions thereof renders such buildings unsuitable for continued use by the recipient, the BLM shall assume sole control over such buildings or portions thereof. If the buildings or facilities rendered unsuitable for use are essential for conducting operations authorized under this agreement, then failure to substitute and assign other facilities acceptable to the recipient will constitute termination of this agreement by the BLM.

(e) Flow-down. For the purposes of this clause, "recipient" includes such sub-recipients, contractors, or subcontractors as, in the judgment of the recipient and subject to the Government's determination of sufficiency, have sufficient resources and/or maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to achieve the purposes of this clause.

(f) Identified Activities. All activities carried out in connection with financial assistance arising from this funding opportunity announcement.

b. Recipients must successfully complete an appropriate Defensive Driving Course before operating a Government-owned vehicle (GOV).

c. Recipients must successfully complete appropriate safety and training requirements before operating Government-owned equipment, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or other Government-furnished property (GFP).

d. Recipient/Sub-recipient Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements.

1) Performance of this grant/cooperative agreement requires recipient/sub-recipient personnel to have a Federal government-issued personal identification card before being allowed unsupervised access to a DOI facility and/or information system. The Program Officer will be the sponsoring official, and will make the arrangements for personal identity verification and card issuance.

3) Recipient and sub-recipient employees are required to give, and to authorize others to give, full, frank, and truthful answers to relevant and material questions needed to reach a suitability determination. Refusal or failure to furnish or authorize provision of information may constitute grounds for denial or revocation of credentials. Government personnel may contact the recipient or sub-recipient personnel being screened or investigated in person, by telephone or in writing, and the recipient agrees to make them available for such contact.

4) Alternatively, if an individual has already been credentialed by another agency through OPM, and that credential has not yet expired, further clearance may not be necessary. Provide the sponsoring office with documentation that supports the individual’s status.

5) During performance of the grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will keep the Program Officer apprised of changes in personnel to ensure that performance is not delayed by compliance with credentialing processes. Cards that have been lost, damaged, or stolen must be reported to the Program Officer, Grants Management Officer, and Issuing Office within 24 hours. Replacement will be at the recipient’s expense. If reissuance of expired credentials is needed, it will be coordinated through the Program Officer.

6) At the end of grant/cooperative agreement’s performance, or when a recipient/sub-recipient employee is no longer working under this grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will ensure that all identification cards are returned to the Program Officer. Before starting work under this agreement, a National Agency Check (NAC) will be conducted to verify the identity of the individual applying for clearance. Upon successful completion of the NAC process, an identification card will be issued and access granted.

7) Simultaneously, a NAC with Inquiries (NACI) will be initiated to determine the individual’s suitability for the position. If the NACI adjudication is favorable, nothing more needs to be done. If the adjudication is unfavorable, the credentials will be revoked. In the event of a disagreement between the recipient and the Government concerning the suitability of an individual to perform work under this grant/cooperative agreement, DOI shall have the right of final determination.

8) This requirement must be incorporated into any sub-grants/cooperative agreements that require sub-recipient personnel to have unsupervised access to a Federally controlled facility for more than 180 calendar days or unsupervised access to a Federally controlled Level 3 or 4 information system.

9) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Training. Before the recipient, or any of its employees or sub-recipients, is granted access to the BLM Federal computer system they must first successfully complete the U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Online Course. This course was designed specifically for users of Federal computer systems. The course is a Web-based training product that explains the importance of Information Systems Security and takes approximately one hour to complete. This course is mandatory for all Department of the Interior employees, contractors, recipients, and all other users of DOI computer resources. Topics covered in the course include: threats and vulnerabilities, malicious code, user responsibilities, and new developments affecting Information Systems Security.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

For questions, contact one of the individuals listed on the front cover of this announcement.

H. OTHER INFORMATION: N/A

END of ANNOUNCEMENT

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

California State Office, Grants & Cooperative Agreements

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Financial Assistance for all Financial Assistance Agreements. A new proposal must be included with any request for modification which involves a revision to funding, project scope, period of performance, or key personnel.

Organization Name:

Name & Title of Person Submitting Proposal:

* If a specific start work date is needed, contact your BLM Program Officer. Do not start work without prior approval from the Grants Management Officer.

2. Technical Approach:

Describe how the project will be conducted. The project design must contain enough detail to show the development of the project, including the relationship between the partners, and objectives. Clearly describe the techniques, procedures, and methodologies to be used; the data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation; the expected program/project goals and/or outcomes; and the procedures for evaluating project effectiveness, including appropriate performance goals and the probabilities of obtaining them.)

The proposal must include the detailed project plan/schedule. The project plan must be supported by a narrative description of each of the activities to be undertaken. The schedule should include proposed work, reporting, major tasks, and project milestones including the identification of the anticipated start and ending dates of all major stages/tasks of the project proposal. The following table may be used to summarize the project schedule.

Start Date Planned Completion Date

3. Qualifications, Experience, and Past Performance:

(Describe who will carry out the project activities. List all project personnel, including consultants, contractors, sub-recipients, etc., and their contact information. Describe their responsibilities and the amount of time each will dedicate to the project. Briefly describe how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to successfully achieve the stated objectives. i.e., continuation of existing project, location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-share ability, technical expertise or other unique qualifications)

[Attachment A]

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

California State Office, Grants & Cooperative Agreements

BUDGET DETAIL

Instructions: Starting with the same budget amounts as listed on the SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to show details of the estimated costs. Provide enough information that costs may be analyzed for reasonableness as compared to costs or work of similar size and scope. Use the Narrative boxes as necessary to explain each cost.