CWT_CITES_NOFO_FY17_DRAFT ver3.pdf

OMB Control Number: 1018-0123 Expiration Date: 10/31/2017

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

COMBATING WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.679

Funding Opportunity Number: F17AS00184 Submission Deadline: June 3, 2017

Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions

This announcement is for applicants who were invited to submit a full application in response to the call for pre-applications. The deadline for submitting full applications is June 3, 2017. No other applications will be accepted.

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is accepting project proposals to combat wildlife trafficking. To more efficiently counter the serious threat that wildlife trafficking poses to the conservation of animal and plant species and the national interests of the United States, the Service has reoriented its response to combat wildlife trafficking in light of a whole-of-government approach that is outlined in the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016 and implementation of the National Strategy referred to therein. A critical element of the National Strategy is to strengthen international arrangements that protect wildlife. As the National Strategy states: “We will expand our role to strengthen and ensure effective implementation of international agreements and other arrangements, particularly CITES, the principal international agreement that specifically addresses unsustainable and illegal wildlife, timber, and plant trade.” USFWS has the primary responsibility for provision of support and technical assistance to ensure that Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have appropriate domestic measures in place to implement the treaty effectively and to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the treaty.

To complement and facilitate existing efforts, USFWS has issued this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide technical and financial assistance to projects that advance counter-wildlife trafficking activities through strengthening CITES implementation. Pre-applications were received and reviewed as described in the previous Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for pre-applications. After review, six applicants were invited to submit full applications.

https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/CWT_NOFO_FY17_FINAL.pdf

Strengthening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

CITES Capacity Development Description: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty that regulates international trade to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct as a result of that international trade. Under CITES, countries work together to ensure that international trade in listed species is legal and not detrimental to the survival of the species. CITES is the global framework for legal wildlife trade and, when implemented effectively, is a deterrent to wildlife trafficking.

Strengthening CITES implementation in key countries and regions improves the effectiveness of the Treaty as a whole, which supports the U.S. Government’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. The USFWS will enter into cooperative agreements with partner organizations to support national and regional capacity development to strengthen CITES implementation in key countries and regions. The USFWS is interested in strengthening CITES implementation in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the Oceania region, with emphasis on the Pacific Islands, including support necessary to assist wildlife trading non-Parties to join the Convention.

II. Award Information

This program will use one or multi-year cooperative agreements as the assistance instrument. The current amount of funding available for this priority is approximately $1.0 million USD; additional funding may become available later on in the fiscal year. Cooperative agreements are expected to be funded at $250,000 USD or less for the entire project period.

Higher funding amounts will be considered with appropriate justification. The amount of funding requested must match scope of the activities, the anticipated results. The period of performance for projects starts on the date the award is signed by the USFWS.

Under cooperative agreements, substantial involvement by the USFWS should be expected and may include participating and collaborating jointly with the recipient or other personnel in developing the project and/or carrying out the scope of work. Further, USFWS involvement in the selection or prioritization of geography, countries, and focus species should be expected.

USFWS involvement may include activities such as: training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; reviewing and approving one stage of work before the next stage can begin; reviewing and approving, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards; helping select project staff or trainees; directing or redirecting the work because of interrelationships with other projects; halting an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award. Please provide a justification statement in the project proposal as to the type and duration of assistance requested by the USFWS and a rationale for why involvement of USFWS is needed to fulfill the project objectives.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements:

Only applicants who submitted pre-applications in response to our February 5, 2017 announcement, and who were invited to submit a full application are eligible to apply.

Eligible Applicants: Applicants under this program can be: individuals, multi-national secretariats, foreign governments, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and indigenous organizations, U.S. and foreign public and private institutions of higher education, and U.S. and foreign for-profit organizations.

U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) status must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) status determination from the IRS.

Applicants must ensure that activities occurring outside the United States are coordinated as necessary with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities and that any necessary licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained prior to undertaking proposed activities. The USFWS does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the work is to be conducted.

The Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program will not fund the purchase of firearms or ammunition; buying of intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that prompt suspects to carry out illegal activities so they may be arrested (entrapment); or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the activity would occur.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization. Applicants must be registered in SAM at the time of proposal submission. We recommend that applicants immediately begin registering as the process, depending of the type of organization, can take months to complete. Please begin by reading our General Instructions for Registering in DUNS/SAM at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sam-duns-registration-instructions.pdf, and then visit www.sam.gov.

A. DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711 Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1) For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM

Register in System for Award Management online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information.

Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

C. Excluded Entities

Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required. If cost share or match is included, it may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Only verifiable contributions should be included as a match. Applicant and partner contributions cannot be included as contributions for any other federally assisted project or program. Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as matching http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sam-duns-registration-instructions.pdf http://www.sam.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/ contributions but should be noted and explained in detail. A match shown during one year may not be repeated as a match in a subsequent proposal.

IV. Application Requirements - To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain:

Full Application Checklist

□ SF-424 – Signed Application for Federal Assistance

□ SF-424B – Signed Assurances form

□ System for Award Management (SAM) registration

□ Project Summary (1 page)

□ Project Narrative (8 pages maximum; Section C.1-9)

□ Government Letter of Endorsement

□ Leahy Vetting (if applicable)

□ Budget Table

□ Budget justification including indirect cost statement and NICRA (if applicable)

□ FCRA Documentation – for applicants in India only

□ Conflict of Interest statement, when applicable

U.S. ONLY

□ SF-LLL Form (if applicable)

□ Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the IRS.

□ Single Audit Reporting statement: If you are a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, include a statement regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit reporting requirements.

A. SF-424 and Assurances Forms

1. Completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form (SF-

424). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

Additional instructions for completing the SF-424 can be found at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf

2. Completed, signed and dated Assurances - Non-Construction form (SF-424b).

The SF-424 and SF-424b forms are located here:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Look for the form name - Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B).

For U.S. recipients applying through Grants.gov, downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer make the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable.

For foreign recipients, your organization’s authorized official MUST sign required forms.

B. Project Summary: 1 page maxiumum

This section should answer the question, “What is the purpose of this project?”

Summarize your project in 300 words or less. This section should be a stand-alone summary of your project and it may be shared with the public. The summary should explicitly identify the priority addressed by the proposal, strengthening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) through capacity development.

The following 3 sentence format is recommended:

Sentence #1 identifies where the project will take place and its key intended result(s).

The purpose of this project is to counter wildlife trafficking in [insert place name and country or region if applicable] by [active verb] [key intended result(s)].

Sentence #2 identifies what is the conservation target and direct threat(s). This project is intended to conserve [insert species, habitat, or other biodiversity] by addressing the impacts of [direct threats addressed by project].

Sentence #3 identifies what will be done. Specific activities include: (1) [activity 1];

(2) [activity 2]; [and so on].

C. Project Narrative: 8 pages maximum

1. Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is this project located?” Provide a map showing the location of your project site at the regional or national level. Ensure that the sites that you have referred to in the proposal are labeled on the map. Provide the latitude and longitude http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 coordinates of a representative geographic location for your project in decimal degrees format (NOT degree-minute-seconds format). For example, USFWS in Arlington, Virginia, USA, would be provided as 38.8825, -77.1145 (latitude, longitude). Please correctly enter north and east coordinates as positive values, and south and west coordinates as negative values.

2. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” The Statement of Need should clearly demonstrate that the applicant has a well-developed understanding of the specific problem to be addressed. Proposals should explicitly address strengthening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(CITES).

This section should also explain how your proposal differs from past work, or builds upon it, including how your proposal expands upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned of past efforts. Projects with other U.S.

government funding must add a section describing the activities supported by each USG funding agency and mechanism and how the awards and activities will be coordinated. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other agencies.

In addition to the text, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a table that summarizes past USFWS support, if any, to the project or applicant. This table does not count toward the eight page limit. A table should include columns for: (1) year of grant, (2) USFWS grant number, (3) amount funded in US$, and (4) bullet points of major activities, outcomes, or products.

Former recipients of USFWS support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

3. Project Goals and Objectives: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” As an example, the following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2 Activity 3.3

A goal is the long-term biological outcome that you want to achieve in order to successfully conserve the target species. The strongest goals for this funding opportunity will be directly related to a reduction of individuals removed from the wild for wildlife trafficking.

Objectives are the specific outcomes that you want to achieve in order to reach your stated goal(s), and should reflect a desired change in capacity, threat, or species status. Your proposal will be strengthened if the objectives align with the Objectives and Next Steps identified in the Implementation Plan of the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, capable of being measured, realistic, and results-orientated. Objectives should form the basis for the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation section. A recommended reference for identifying and developing appropriate objectives and measures of success is the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (Internet link: http://cmp-openstandards.org/download-os/).

4. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: Activities are the specific actions that you undertake to fulfill your objectives and reach your goal.

Provide a detailed description of the method(s) for each activity. The methods, including equipment used/requested and personnel conducting the work should be clearly articulated in this section. The proposed activities should correspond with the Project Budget Table and the narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Activities in which no USFWS funds are being requested should be clearly identified as such, and described concisely.

Project Timetable. This section should answer the question, “Over what time period will project activities be implemented?” Provide a timetable indicating when activities or project milestones will be accomplished. Include any tables, spreadsheets or flowcharts within the body of the narrative (DO NOT include separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates, but rather list the activities described in Section 2, for each month over a 12-month or 24-month period.

http://cmp-openstandards.org/download-os/

5. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who are you going to be working with?” Describe any coordination with local resource managers and other relevant organizations or individuals in planning your project, conducting project activities, or disseminating project results. Where multiple groups are working in the same site, or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal, and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization, will strengthen your proposal, and may be requested by reviewers. If activities to collect data are proposed and the project can demonstrate a strong partnership with the wildlife authority that will use the data to manage the species more effectively, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

Under cooperative agreements, substantial involvement by the USFWS should be expected and may include participating and collaborating jointly with the recipient or other personnel in developing the project and/or carrying out the scope of work. Further, USFWS involvement in the selection or prioritization of geography, countries, and focus species should be expected. USFWS involvement may include activities such as: training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; reviewing and approving one stage of work before the next stage can begin; reviewing and approving, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards;

helping select project staff or trainees; directing or redirecting the work because of interrelationships with other projects; halting an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award. Please provide a justification statement in the project proposal as to the type and duration of assistance requested by the USFWS and a rationale for why involvement of USFWS is needed to fulfill the project objectives.

6. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should answer the question, “How will project implementation and impacts be understood?” For USFWS grants, project monitoring and evaluation involves two components:

(1) Anticipated outputs that document project implementation. Identify all expected outputs (also known as products) of key project activities. Examples include management plans, brochures, posters, training manuals, number of people trained, workshops held, hours of training provided, and equipment purchased.

(2) Conservation outcomes that are the intended results of the project.

Identify all conservation outcomes intended to be achieved by this project.

Examples include increased numbers of giant pangolins, more trained individuals applying their training, and increased number of prosecutions and convictions of poachers. Outcomes should directly relate to, or even be synonymous with, your Proposal Objectives identified above. To track your progress toward achievement of each objective, identify what you will measure (i.e., indicators), and how will you will measure it (i.e., methods, sample sizes, survey tools). Applicants are encouraged to review and use the Standard Measures of Effectiveness and Measuring Efforts to Combat Wildlife Trafficking and the USAID Measuring Efforts to Combat Wildlife Crime: A Toolkit for Improving Action and Accountability for guidance on indicators.

The USFWS values projects that report both the successes and failures of efforts as a means by which an applicant can improve their performance and provide lessons learned to improve our efforts to conserve wildlife. Projects have a higher likelihood of being selected that advance the practice of conservation by being designed and implemented in a way that the effectiveness of activities can be credibly assessed and shared.

7. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who are you, and who are you going to be working with?” Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Provide brief (1-2 pages) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to carry out project activities.

To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics on the description of key personnel qualifications.

https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KQR6.pdf http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KQR6.pdf

8. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

9. Literature Cited.

10. Government Letter of Endorsement - For projects implemented outside of the United States, non-governmental applicants must include a RECENT letter of support (not older than two years) from the country’s appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should make specific reference to the project by its title as submitted on the applicant’s proposal. If the project activities will take place domestically, a letter of endorsement IS NOT required from any U.S. government agency or office.

D. Budget Form

When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), as applicable to the recipient organization type.

Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity.

Instructions for Budget Table: Begin your project budget table on a new page. The budget table should include a column for all cost categories/items for the project. One column to show the cost calculation, a column for the total costs, one column for the requested Service funding, one or more columns for applicant and partner contributions, and, if applicable, a column for any program income that will be used to conduct project activities as demonstrated here:

http://www.ecfr.gov/

Category/Budget Item Units Cost per Unit

No.

Unit s

Total Requ ested from

FWS

Org

Personnel Trainer month $ xxx xx $ xxx xxx

Project Director month $ xx $ xxx xxx

Project Coordinator month $ xxx xx $ xxx xxx

Personnel Subtotal $xxx $xxx Purchased Services Printing (Manuals) each $ xxx xx $ xxx xxx xxx

Printing (Training) lump $ xxx xx $ xxx xxx xxx

Printing (Outreach materials;

banners, stands, etc) lump $ xxx xx $ xxx

Purchased Services Subtotal $xxx $xxx Travel Vehicle day use (with driver) day $ xxx xx $

Vehicle maintenance and repair lump $ xx $ xxx xxx xxx

Domestic Flights (Coordination at Transit Points) each $ xxx xx $ xxx

Travel Subtotal

Lodging and Meals Meals (4 day Training 30 ppl) day $ xxx xx $ xxx

Accommodation 4 day Training 20ppl) day $ xxx xx $ xxx

Lodging and Meals Subtotal

Supplies Supplies (Training) lump $ xxx xx $ xxx

Supplies (Patrols) month $ xx $ xxx

Supplies Subtotal $xxx $xxx $xxx

GRAND TOTAL

$xxx $xxx $xxx

*Present all amounts in U.S. dollars

The Budget Table should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 line item for lodging costs should include the formula for how the cost was calculated: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15/night = $3,300.

Wherever possible, cost calculations should be included in the Budget Table. Where necessary, additional description should be provided in the Budget Justifications. If the Budget Table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages.

Things to consider when developing your Budget Table:

• Federally Funded Equipment: If the U.S. Federal Government has paid for equipment for another award, applicants cannot claim it to be a matching or in-kind contribution and SHOULD NOT include it in the budget table.

Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

E. Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. A thorough written justification that explains both the necessity and the basis for the proposed costs must accompany the budget. Each budget line must demonstrate a clear connection to the project activities, and show how line item amounts were determined. Each of the major costs (salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, supplies other direct costs and indirect costs) must be explained (please see example below).

Example of a Budget Justification:

A. Personnel request= [insert amount] -Principal Investigator-Jane Smith- (Time=12 months) Jane’s time will be spent [insert activity and describe why it is needed for the project].

-Trainer- John Doe- (Time= 5 months) - John is responsible for the overall coordination of staff training. He will recruit staff, for 2 months and spend his time on training for the remaining 3 months.

(Continue to list other staff and explain/justify roles).

B. Services request= [insert amount] -Production and printing of 50 training manuals (100pgs) used to conduct workshops.

C. Travel request= [insert amount] -Airfare costs for three person team (principal investigator, program manager, trainer) to travel to work sites. Travel is necessary to establish new work sites for the project and is more cost effective via air. Costs include airfare and accommodations.

-Vehicle cost with driver for XX days is requested, to conduct field patrols.

Travel and food costs to cover the annual needs of XX person patrol team including fuel and other costs related to transportation.

-Maintenance for vehicles is estimated at XX per month.

D. Other-request = [insert amount] Explain any other costs E. Indirect Cost Indicate rate or if claiming 10% de minimus or charging directly

For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro-forma invoice. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal Cost Principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Applicants that do not have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) cannot claim more than a flat de minimus indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). When calculating MTDC please ensure that these line items are NOT included in your calculation:

capital expenditures, rental costs, equipment over $5,000 USD or more, fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each sub-award in excess of $25,000 USD. All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct

Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

2. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

3. A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement is attached.

4. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimus indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, section 200.68. We understand that the 10% de minimus rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period

6. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”.

We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the

MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award.

7. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

• Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting the 10% de minimus rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

• Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

• Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non-Federal alike.

• Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

• Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.”

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior:

For organizations without a NICRA, you must have an open, active Federal award to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center http://www.fws.gov/grants/

U.S. Department of the Interior 2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430 Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: 916-566-7111; Email: ics@nbc.gov Internet address: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements (Foreign Applicants Excluded): As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”. Do not include your audit report in the proposal or application.

G. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B). Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Foreign Applicants

Excluded): Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award.

Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this project AND the project budget exceeds $100,000, mailto:ics@nbc.gov file://ifw-hqskyfs1/ia-shared/DIC-New/PROGRAMS/GRANTS-Staff%20Resources/Jean_Kvasnicka/Documents/POLICY/New%20Award%20Guidance/Round%204%20FY15%20updates/As http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://harvester.census.gov/sac/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15 complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

I. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter, which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also 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 applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict.

Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

V. Submission Instructions SUBMISSION DEADLINE (By invitation only): Open from April 4, 2017, through June 3, 2017. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on June 3, 2017. Proposals must be in English. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants in 5-15 business days from the opportunity closing date. If you do not receive this email within 15 business days of the opportunity closing date, you must contact the program inbox at CWT@fws.gov.

Submit your full application to CWT@fws.gov. Place the following text in the Subject line of your email: USFWS Full Application: CWT17[Insert assigned pre-application number].

Example - USFWS Full Application: CWT17001.

All documents must be printable on letter paper (8 ½” x 11”). Format pages to display and/ print page numbers. Excel spreadsheets should also be formatted to print on letter paper (8½” x 11”). Your entire application should be uploaded as a SINGLE pdf file. If you need to submit separate attachments please send them in a single e-mail message. If your files are too mailto:CWT@fws.gov mailto:CWT@fws.gov big for a single e-mail, please number your e-mails and attachments and include the name of your organization in the subject line so that we know the order of your submissions.

Please note: We will not accept revised or corrected applications after the deadline.

VI. Application Review

The Service may solicit advice from qualified experts to conduct a technical review of your proposed project.

Criteria: The Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program evaluates proposals by scoring how well each proposal addresses strengthening CITES through capacity development , as well as the requested proposal elements listed in the Full Application Requirements section above. High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will receive higher scores. In addition to the basic eligibility elements other review criteria include:

● Direct activity that will strengthen CITES implementation, including the degree to which: (1) a project supports national and/or regional capacity development to strengthen CITES implementation in key countries and regions (NB: if proposed activities are not expected to impact CITES implementation directly during the project period of performance (e.g., some capacity development, educational, and data collection or research activities), it is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly explain in the narrative how the activity is intended to ultimately advance effective implementation of the Treaty); (2) the goals are well defined and relevant to the project’s Statement of Need; (3) the objectives, methods, and activities are well-defined, described in detail, measurable, apply the best scientific and technical information available, statistically valid, and realistic for the project’s anticipated timeframe; (4) the proposal is a catalyst for activities in a previously neglected area with potential significant conservation value; and (5) the budget line items are justified in the proposal narrative, appropriate, allowable and reasonable, and applicant and other counterpart cash and in-kind contributions are acceptable.

● Capacity to implement, including the degree to which: (1) a proposal indicates that the applicant organization and/or individual(s) has the ability to implement the proposed activities effectively; and (2) the applicant maintains a positive record of accomplishment with USFWS based on previous grant support, if applicable, including timely submission of financial and performance reports and a summary of major activities and accomplishments of previous USFWS support in the Statement of Need section.

● Desired conservation results and relevance of activities, including the degree to which (1) the proposal addresses one of the identified priorities and/or the Objectives and Next Steps identified in the Implementation Plan of the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking (NB: applicants are encouraged to focus on doing one or a few things well, rather than proposing a long list of Objectives and Next Steps addressed by the project); (2) the proposal addresses a conservation need identified by a specialist group, or by a regional, national or global strategy.

• Willingness to collaborate, including the degree to which: (1) the proposal adequately details coordination of project activities with similar, ongoing or planned activities of other stakeholders; (2) the proposal promotes networking, partnerships and/or coalitions; (3) proposed activities are harmonious with international, national and/or regional counter wildlife trafficking priorities, action plans and/or strategies; and (4) the proposal suggests activities that are non-duplicative of other ongoing activities.

• Sustainability of project, including the degree to which: (1) the proposal implements activities or provides benefits that have the potential to be sustained beyond the life of the grant; (2) the monitoring and evaluation plans are well described, and are appropriate and adequate; and (3) the expected products/outputs/outcomes are identified and enumerated, their impact on the resource is apparent, and they will be effectively distributed to resource managers, community members, researchers and other stakeholders.

• Inclusion of range country personnel, including the degree to which: (1) the proposal includes the participation of local people in the project activities; and (2) the proposal provides training essential to the development of local capacity to implement conservation activities (i.e. capacity development), and provides project management experience to local personnel, strengthening the local capacity to manage conservation programs.

• Past performance (if applicable)

The above considerations are not listed in any order of importance. USFWS staff may consider additional factors to break ties and further distinguish among applications with equivalent scores:

including financial need; cost sharing or matching; geographical and project diversity in the USFWS portfolio; and a monitoring and evaluation plan that is designed so that the effectiveness of activities can be credibly assessed and shared. Following review, applicants may be asked to revise the project scope and/or budget before a final funding decision can be made. In addition to the criteria above, the proposal must meet minimum programmatic requirements, and follow basic proposal content and formatting requirements as described in Section V Full Application Requirements. Proposals that do not meet minimum programmatic requirements may be considered ineligible to advance to panel review.

Review and Selection Process: The Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program evaluates proposals by how well each addresses strengthening CITES through capacity development and the requested elements outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity. High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will be more competitive.

After proposals have been submitted, they are reviewed by a grants specialist to determine if all required basic eligibility elements listed in the Application Checklist are complete and sufficient.

In addition, a detailed budget review is conducted before they are forwarded to the Program Officer and assigned to a review panel. Review panels are comprised of three to five U.S.

Government employees with subject area expertise. In addition, USFWS may solicit advice from additional qualified experts to conduct a technical review of the proposed project.

Each reviewer assigns each proposal an ordinal score based on the criteria listed above.

Proposals and scores are discussed during the review panel and a consensus score is assigned to each proposal. Proposals are then ranked by the group according to the consensus scores and funding recommendations are put forth. These scores are not the sole determining factor for final funding decisions and other factors and sub-factors as described above are then used to make the final funding decisions. High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will receive higher scores and be recommended for funding. This process takes place regardless of whether an award is competitive or single source.

Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer…