Centennial WY NOI_Final.docx

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the Bureau of Land Management’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

Program Officer

Scott Fluer

OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND BLM SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

1. The passage of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (the Act) assigned responsibility to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for managing America’s wild horses and burros. The Act sought to preserve populations of wild horses in good health in their natural habitat while balancing ecological health and multiple-use relationships on BLM and Forest Service administered lands. Although the BLM has implemented various wild horse population suppression methods, including administering contraceptives, removal of excess horses and implementation of the private care and placement program through adoptions and sales, which includes trained horses, herd growth rate has exceeded adoption and sales demand.

2. This Notice of Intent will continue the partnership Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse Eco-sanctuary on private land that, in addition to providing a natural and healthy habit for the horses, will expand the training and adoption/sales program, eco-tourism, public outreach and educational opportunities to assist the BLM with meeting the objectives of the Act as well as program priorities.

3. An eco-sanctuary is defined as a place that provides a natural and healthy habitat for excess wild horses where they will be properly cared for, yet allowed to roam freely, while conserving the environment and ecology of the lands. An eco-sanctuary offers the public the opportunity of engaging with the cultural heritage of wild horses through public outreach and education.

Objectives

1. The overall intent of this program is to continue the partnerships with this private landowner in order to provide an eco-sanctuary for excess wild horses as an alternative to the current practice of off –range pasture facilities, without a Federal investment in land and a limited investment in infrastructure.

2. In addition to ensuring the humane care and management of wild horses, this eco-sanctuary will be marketed in a manner designed to encourage public visitation and provide educational opportunities for learning. Project-specific objectives include:

a. To provide care, land, food, water, personnel, supplies and shelter necessary to sustain 350 horses in good condition. Good condition is described as follows: A Henneke body condition score of 4 – 6 is ideal (4 – 6 is defined as: ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt; backbone is not visible; hip bones do not show; withers are distinguishable but do not protrude; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into the body).

b. To provide regular, on-the-ground monitoring of the wild horses to ascertain their well-being and safety.

c. To provide care by partnership organizations who are knowledgeable and experienced about the behavior and nutritional requirements of equines and the management of the land they inhabit for the sustained production of grass and other desirable forage plants.

d. The public will further benefit from this program through the stimulation of local economies through the marketing of eco-tourism, and local community job creation. Proactive public outreach, events and other means of generating program income will assist with the expense of maintaining the eco-sanctuary.

e. To promote visitation to the sanctuaries.

f. To promote marketing, outreach and educational opportunities to the public through tours, expo participations, advertising, adoptions/sales and special events.

Public Benefit:

1. This eco-sanctuary provides a public benefit by raising awareness and participation in the Wild Horse and Burro Program. It provides unique opportunities to view and learn about wild horses, their history, and their unlimited potential as working horses, therapy horses, show horses, pets, etc.

2. The public benefits from this program through the stimulation of local economies through the marketing of the eco-sanctuary which boosts local community’s tourism thereby assisting local businesses to thrive.

Performance Goals:

1. The partnership eco-sanctuary will assist the BLM achieve and maintain their goal of managing animals at appropriate management levels (AML) within the herd management areas and maintain that level to assure the horses and the range remain in good condition. The eco-sanctuary is to provide an environment for 350 wild horses to continue their lives with wild free roaming behavior. Additionally the eco-sanctuary is to provide information and education to the public regarding the BLM wild horse program. This information includes, discussion of on the range management within herd management areas (HMAs), holding of horses in off range pastures and placing animals into private care through adoptions and sales.

The BLM's substantial involvement in this cooperative agreement may include, but not be limited to, the following:

· The BLM will work with the recipient by providing technical advice and guidance;

· The BLM will conduct periodic checks of the eco-sanctuary for compliance with this agreement;

· The recipient will provide a core staff with the expertise needed to operate and maintain a wild horse eco-sanctuary;

· The BLM will work with the recipient to ensure that the eco-sanctuary is operated in a manner that maintains healthy wild horses;

· The BLM will provide an outreach specialist to coordinate and assist the recipient in carrying out management, development of public outreach as well as joint events between the BLM and the recipient to maximize public education;

· The BLM will conduct monitoring of the care of the horses.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

BLM did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications.

Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreements)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

(Suggested Format)

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance for all BLM Assistance Agreements. Complete each section below. Use additional sheets as needed.

Person Submitting Proposal:

Date:

Organization Name:

Agreement or Announcement No.:

Agreement or Announcement Title:

Estimated Period of Performance:

Proposed Project Location:

This work will occur on: ☐ Public Lands x Private Lands ☐ Both Public & Private Lands

YOUR MISSION:

(Describe your mission. Describe why this support is being requested.)

OBJECTIVE:

(Describe your objectives and how these objectives support your mission.)

TECHNICAL APPROACH:

(Describe the details of the project, the procedures to be used, how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, etc. Discuss expected goals and outcomes and how project effectiveness will be measured and evaluated. Include a detailed project work plan narrative and a table such as below to summarize the project schedule.)

PUBLIC BENEFIT:

(Describe how this project benefits the general public.)

QUALIFICATIONS & PAST PERFORMANCE:

(List key personnel and their responsibilities. Describe similar successful projects completed in the past and any unique qualifications your organization may possess.)

Grants & Cooperative Agreements

BUDGET DETAIL

(Suggested Format - Use Figures from SF-424A)

Instructions: Using the estimated amounts listed on your SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to provide details of those estimated costs. In the Narrative Boxes, explain the purpose of each cost and provide sufficient detail so costs may be analyzed for reasonableness.

Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:

Date:

Organization Name:

Project Title:

A) PERSONNEL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6a.)

Estimated costs of salaries/wages, not including fringe benefits, paid to Recipient employees working directly on this agreement. Indicate Key Personnel with an asterisk (*), provide more detail in the Narrative Box if needed.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

Narrative:

B) FRINGE BENEFIT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6b.)

Estimated costs of fringe benefits (e.g. health insurance, vacation, FICA, etc.) paid to Recipient employees working on this agreement. List employees/positions below, and their fringe benefit rates as a percentage (%) of their salaries. List what are considered fringe benefits in the Narrative Box.

(BLM Amounts budgeted in Section A above)

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

C) TRAVEL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6c.)

SUB-TOTAL, LODGING & PER DIEM - The cost of lodging & meals while traveling for agreement activities. Give details and purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal rates may be found online at: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287.

Proposed Travel (Lodging & Per Diem)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

From:

To:

To:

To:

Day

SUB-TOTAL, MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - The cost of reimbursement for estimated mileage traveled in recipient vehicles for agreement activities. Give details and the purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal mileage reimbursement rates may be found online at: www.GSA.gov. NOTE: Mileage reimbursement rates include all vehicle costs, i.e. fuel, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Proposed Travel (Mileage Reimbursement)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

To:

Mile

SUB-TOTAL, OTHER TRAVEL COSTS - The costs of airfare, bus fare, car rental, etc., required for agreement activities. Explain the details and the purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box.

Proposed Other (Travel Reimbursement)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

Narrative:

D) EQUIPMENT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment) The cost of equipment purchased for use on this agreement. Equipment is defined as items with a useful life of more than one (1) year and a cost of $5,000+ per unit. If your organization has a written policy for purchasing equipment, please submit a copy with your application. Explain the need and purpose of the equipment in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

E) SUPPLY COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies) Estimated costs of materials and supplies used directly on this agreement, e.g. safety glasses, work gloves, office supplies, etc. If your organization has a written policy for purchasing supplies, please submit a copy with your application. Explain the purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

F) CONTRACTUAL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6f. Contractual) Estimated costs of contracted/sub-contracted services and sub-grant/recipient awards. If your organization has a written contracting policy, please submit a copy with your application. Provide contractor names, if available, and explain the details and purposes of the costs in the Narrative Box below. NOTE: Calculation of your Indirect Costs may be affected by contracted and/or pass-through expenses. See Section J) INDIRECT COSTS, for more information.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

G) CONSTRUCTION COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6g. Construction) The estimated costs of construction. "Construction" is the intent to construct, alter, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) buildings, structures, or other real property - FAR Part 2 Definitions. Explain the details and purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

H) OTHER COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6h. Other) Estimated costs which don't fit any other Object Class Category, e.g. duplicating and printing costs, postage and freight, rental of equipment, etc. Explain the details and purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

I) TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6i. Sum of 6a.-6h.)

The total of all direct costs applicable to this project.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

J) INDIRECT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6j. Indirect Charges) Indirect costs are expenses which cannot be readily identified and charged to a particular project or agreement, e.g. building rent, utilities, office supplies, etc. Such costs are charged to the project as a percentage of the Direct Costs (items A through H above) and this percentage is called the Indirect Cost Rate. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) please submit a copy of the agreement with your application. If your organization has no NICRA, the BLM may allow a "de minimis" indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), which are your Direct Costs excluding sub-grant and sub-contract costs in excess of $25,000. See 2 CFR 200.68 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) and 2 CFR 200.414(f) Indirect (F&A) Costs for more information.

If your organization is a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) partner, your indirect cost rate will be 17.5% of your NICRA-determined indirect cost base.

Use the Narrative Box below to explain how you calculated your indirect cost base and resulting indirect costs.

Indirect Cost Rate to be used on this Grant (%):

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

Narrative:

K) TOTALS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6k. TOTALS) The sum total of all Direct and Indirect Costs (Sum of 6i. & 6j.) applicable to this agreement.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

I certify that to the best of my knowledge the costs detailed above are correct and complete and for the purposes set forth in the associated application for Federal Assistance.

Name & Title of Person Completing Budget

Version May 2016 image1.png image2.png image3.jpeg