M-MSCGP NOFO 2020April03.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Modern Multistate Conservation Grant Program https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms

Notice of Funding Opportunity – Fiscal Year 2020

Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00068

Closing Date: May 15, 2020

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100, Expiration Date: 7/31/2021

We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program- specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg

Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

A. Program Description

A1. Authority

The Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Wildlife Restoration Act, as amended by the Wildlife and

Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §112 et seq.; Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §777 et seq.; and Pittman-Robertson

Wildlife Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §669 et seq.) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to

$6,000,000 available annually under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) to fund multistate conservation project grants.

In addition to the regular annually available funds of $6,000,000, the President signed the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act) (Public Law (Pub. L.)

116-94) into law on December 20, 2019 as part of the larger Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. This law amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (WR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) to, among other measures, create a new “Modern Multistate Conservation Grant Program.” The Service will cite this as the “Modern Multistate Conservation Grant Program (M-MSCGP).” This specific

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is providing application guidance for the FY 2020 M-

MSCGP award funds only.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.628

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) and the Service work cooperatively to manage the M-MSCGP. The Association manages the grant application process, providing oversight, coordination, and guidance. The Service awards and manages the grants. The M-MSCGP is a competitive grant program. Eligible grant proposals are submitted to the Association’s National Grants

Committee (NGC) for review and ranking to aid in the selection process. Proposals must address one or more of the Association’s selected Strategic Priorities to be eligible. Strategic Priorities are annually selected by the Association to establish the States’ conservation priorities, and they are used to guide proposal development and grant selection for the MSCGP. Projects awarded funding are published annually in the Federal Register. Lists of past awards are also available from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program or the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies contacts listed below (Section VIII, Agency Contacts).

The Modernizing PR Act makes available to the Secretary of the Interior not more than $5 million annually to be used exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The funds come from the authority at 26 U.S.C. 4161(b) of the

IRS code of 1986 (Bows and arrows, etc.)

Administratively, the M-MSCGP will function similarly to the traditional Multistate Conservation

Grant Program (MSCGP), with the Association providing the Service with a priority list of projects to be considered for award. However, the M-MSCGP awards are targeted exclusively for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program.

The primary goal of both Multistate Conservation Grant Programs is to provide grant funds to address regional or national priority needs of the State fish and wildlife agencies (States) and their partners that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single State. In this first year of awards for the FY 2020 M-

MSCGP, the Association’s President’s Task Force developed Strategic Priorities that applicants will use to develop their proposals.

WSFR’s mission is to work through partnerships to conserve and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. WSFR’s vision is of healthy, diverse, and accessible fish and wildlife populations that offer recreation, economic activity, and other societal benefits, in addition to sustainable ecological functions. WSFR’s guiding principle is that society benefits from conservation‐based management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and opportunities to use and enjoy them. The M-MSCGP aligns with WSFR’s mission, vision, and guiding principle, and supports three of the Department of the Interior’s priorities including:

1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt through land acquisition promoting protection and enhancement of high‐priority coastal wetland ecosystems;

2) Utilizing our natural resources by allowing fish‐ and wildlife‐based recreation and public use and enjoyment, as appropriate;

3) Restoring trust with our local communities through partnering with eligible State agencies and their partners on local projects.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding: $5,000,000.

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award: not to exceed $1,000,000 per year

Minimum Award: $100,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

The grant Program expects individual Federal awards to range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 with a typical average award of $350,000 with anticipated start dates in late summer 2020.

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards: 3-10

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type: Grants

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

1) Agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources in each of the 50

States, the District of Columbia, Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana

Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or a group of these agencies;

2) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with and without 501(c) status. United States non-profit NGOs with 501(c) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) status must provide a copy of their

Section 501(c) status determination letter received from the IRS. In addition, NGOs including educational institutions must submit with their application a certification that their organization will not use grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, the regulated taking of fish, or recreational shooting activities.

Additional Information on Eligibility

Detailed information regarding the Association’s Selected Priorities can be found at the

Association’s website, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program. A final Priority List of projects will be approved by the Association’s National Grants

Committee and forwarded to the Service by July 15, 2020. All proposals must be 100% eligible for

Hunter Recruitment and Recreational Shooter Recruitment funds. No Sport Fish Restoration funds are available under this notice.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Does the program have a cost sharing or matching requirement? No

Excluded Parties: The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information

Applying for funding through the M-MSCGP requires a two-part process that is managed in partnership with the Association. In part one, applicants submit their Initial Proposal for review.

https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program

Initial Proposal requirements are available in this NOFO and from the Association’s MSCGP webpage (beginning April 15). In part two, if an applicant’s proposal passes the first review, they are invited to submit a Final Proposal package, which includes Federal grant forms. Applicants who have submitted an Initial Proposal and are invited to submit a Final Proposal can obtain application forms from the Grants.gov website or the AFWA Webpage.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for Initial Proposals is May 15, 2020. The second step of the process will begin immediately after the Initial Proposal is reviewed. Based on the technical review of the Initial

Proposal applicants may be asked for additional information to be put into their Final Proposal. The

Association will notify applicants of deadlines for Final Proposals. Applicants may submit the

Initial Proposal through Grants.gov, however they are encouraged to submit their proposals directly to the Association (for details, see section D7, Other Submission Requirements).

Required Format for the Initial Proposal (Part One)

The Initial Proposal consists of the following:

1. Executive Summary (Limit – two pages)

2. Project Narrative (Limit – one page)

3. Budget (One Page)

4. Qualifications (Limit – one page)

Please note: Images and literature references are discouraged. Also, due to the page limit, cover letters, letters of support, and any additional materials submitted will not be accepted.

The Executive Summary provides background information on the applicant and the project.

Responses should adhere to the following specifications: single spaced, 1 inch margins, and 12-point

Times New Roman font. The following items should be addressed:

Applicant Information

1. Full Legal Name of Organization

2. Organization Website URL

3. Lead Applicant’s Contact Information

a. Title

b. First Name & Last Name

c. Street Address

d. City, State, Postal Code

e. Email

f. Phone Number

4. Name and Affiliation of Co-Investigators(s)/Partner(s) (if applicable)

5. Have you applied for MSCGP funding before?

7. If yes, was/were your previous proposal(s) funded?

8. Date(s) of Previous Applications(s) from the most recent 3 years (if applicable)

Program Eligibility

1. Organization Information. Please indicate the appropriate classification of your organization. If you are a NGO, please indicate the type:

a. Applicant Classification:

1) A State or a group of States,

2) A State instrumentality (such as a State university), https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://www.grants.gov/

3) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to carry out the National Survey, or

4) NGO.

b. NGO Classification (if applicable):

1) 501(c) status,

2) Public or Private Institution of Higher Education.

2. Beneficiary Information. Please choose any of the following categories that best describes the geographic scope of the project:

a. Project benefits all 50 States.

b. Project benefits at least 26 States. Using State abbreviations, please list all States that will benefit.

c. Project benefits a majority (over 50%) of the States in a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Region. Please indicate the Service Region(s) that will benefit and list the States in each

Region that will benefit (use State abbreviations).

d. Project benefits a majority (over 50%) of the States belonging to a regional association of

State fish and wildlife agencies. Please indicate the regional fish and wildlife association that will benefit and list the States in each region that will benefit (use State abbreviations).

3. Primary Strategic Priority Addressed.

4. Terms and Conditions. All applicants must ensure that their proposed project does not fund, in whole or in part, an activity that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, taking of sport fish, or recreational shooting activities. If you accept these terms, please copy and paste the statement within the proposal.

Project Information

1. Project Title. Please provide a short, descriptive name of the proposed project (≤20 words).

2. Project Length. Please indicate whether the project performance period will be one, two, or three years (note: in nearly all cases, funding will only be approved for one year).

3. Funding Source. All proposals under this NOFO must benefit 100% Hunter Recruitment and

Recreational Shooter Recruitment.

4. Funding Requested.

Problem and Needs to be addressed (150 words): The summary is the first opportunity to impress the importance of your proposal to the reviewers. Be sure to describe the need for the project as it relates to the Strategic Priorities, alternatives in the absence of MSCGP support, as well as the benefits from addressing the problem and/or needs. Please make sure that the National Grants

Committee members reviewing the proposal will see clearly, from the first page, the importance of allocating funds to your proposal.

Summary of Proposed Solution (One Paragraph, 200 words or less). The summary is the first opportunity to outline your project idea. Briefly describe how this project meet the needs of the

Strategic Priority. Then, briefly describe how your proposed solution will address the problem or needs stated above, including the methods you will use, and how your proposed approach is superior to other possible approaches. Please make sure that the National Grants Committee members reviewing the proposal will see clearly, from the first page, the merits of your proposed approach to state fish and wildlife agencies. If selected to submit a full grant proposal, that will be your opportunity to explain the technical issues and merits of your approach in detail.

Implementation, Outreach and Communication of the results: (100 words) Briefly describe how will you implement the results or products of your project, plus enhance the usefulness, quality, and communication of the project’s results, both during and after the project completion?

https://www.fws.gov/where/

Budget (Limit-1 page)

A detailed budget is necessary. The preferred format is a Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel table. Please be sure to include the total cost of the project broken into four general categories:

1. Salaries and benefits;

2. Project-related expenses (such as: travel, communications, supplies, consultants etc.);

Equipment (purchases of tangible, personal property over $5,000.00 that will be used for a year or more); and

3. Indirect costs (if any) (Note: There is a 20% cap on indirect costs for the MSCGP).

Qualifications (Limit – 1 page)

Provide a brief abstract of relevant qualifications for the Primary Investigator/Project Coordinator and key team members.

Evaluation of Proposals

Recipient Initial Proposals must address one or more of the following Recruitment, Retention and

Reactivation (R3) Strategic Priorities for FY2020 M-MSCGP.

R3 Priorities for Consideration for Initial Proposals

These topics were developed based on the R3 Implementation Priorities identified in the Interim

Report of the National R3 Implementation Workgroup. More information may be found here:

https://cahss.org/nationalr3implementationworkgroup/

1. Research and Evaluation

Description: Development of guidelines and tools necessary to ensure activities included under the

M-MSCGP will result in increased funding for wildlife conservation, while also providing a framework for conducting the 10-year study required by the Modernizing PR Act.

Potential projects might include: Development of an M-MSCGP framework to include standardized measurement baselines, metrics and criteria for prioritizing and evaluating M-MSCGP projects in future years based on their projected and actual return on investment for wildlife conservation funding. Development of tools to support the framework such as data collection methodologies, data dashboards, and resources that increase R3 staff competency to evaluate, manage, and interpret data in order to benefit decision making.

2. Marketing

Description: Identification of marketing needs and recommended actions to 1) maximize social support for (from increasing broad societal awareness and acceptance, to connecting prospects with opportunities) and 2) participation in hunting and recreational target shooting.

Potential Projects might include: Market research; best marketing practices; development of marketing toolkits; strategies to form regional or national marketing campaigns; or increase community-wide engagement and application of marketing tactics.

3. Mentoring

Description: Identification of elements of successful mentoring programs as well as current mentor/mentee motivations and apply that knowledge to expand and promote effective mentoring efforts from the current base of hunting and recreational target shooting participants.

Potential projects might include: Development of program guidance to increase effectiveness, https://cahss.org/nationalr3implementationworkgroup/ scalability, and collaboration of partners; efforts to increase involvement and marketing to current participants to become mentors; or increase understanding of target markets for mentoring efforts.

4. Engaging New Audiences

Description: Assist organizations and R3 efforts with targeting new or underserved audiences by further defining likely new and efficient audiences, and then identifying effective pathways and tools to create targeted R3 efforts to engage those audiences.

Potential projects might include: Development of tools to increase the effectiveness of targeted

R3 efforts; research projects to understand potential target audiences; toolkits or trainings to increase organizations’ effectiveness in retaining new hunting and target shooting participants.

5. R3 Capacity and Infrastructure

Description: Assist the R3 community in increasing capacity and infrastructure to address regional and national R3 barriers.

Potential projects might include: Development of tools to help organizations improve effectiveness in R3 efforts; projects which increase partners (industry, NGO, regional associations, etc.) capacity to work on collaborative R3 efforts; development of tools that foster effective communication, planning, coordination, and networking at all levels on R3 efforts.

The Association judges every proposal on its merits and how well it addresses one or more of the

Association’s Strategic Priorities. The following items should be addressed in the Project Statement and/or supporting budget information:

Responsiveness to Strategic Priority

1. How well does the Proposal address the specific needs of the Strategic Priority and the overall

MSCGP?

2. Are the proposed objectives quantifiable?

3. Can the proposed objectives be evaluated and if so, does the proposal indicate how they will be evaluated?

4. Does the proposal take into consideration the most relevant science and or other technical components of the priority?

Project Quality

1. What is the geographic scope of the Proposal and its subsequent impacts/benefits?

2. Are the project objectives clearly defined, achievable, measurable, and connected to specific goals, milestones/deliverables, and timelines (i.e., a work plan) for completion?

3. Will/can the proposed objectives and methodology produce the desired outcomes identified in the Strategic Priority under which this Proposal was submitted?

4. What is the anticipated, extended use/life of the project’s results/products/services after the project is completed, and are they clearly stated in the Proposal?

Practical Relevance to the mission of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Will the objectives/goals of the project benefit the mission of State fish and wildlife agencies?

Project Value

Is the project budget detailed enough and ‘reasonable’ when compared to the proposed benefits as well as other projects submitted under the priority?

Applicant's Qualifications

1. What are the qualifications of project personnel (project team, project leader, principal investigator)?

2. How well-suited are the project team’s experience and background to successfully conduct this project?

Please note: Any attempt to discuss a Proposal with a National Grants Committee member or technical reviewer outside of a committee meeting is considered lobbying and is strictly prohibited.

Required Format for the Final Proposal Package (Part Two)

If a recipient has been invited to submit a Final Proposal application package, an application must contain all the required Federal forms.

D1. Address to Request Application Package

This funding opportunity contains all the information needed to apply. Additional information regarding the required Federal forms can be found at the Association’s web page, http://www.fishwildlife.org, or the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program website https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms, click Find/Apply Grants, which takes applicants to Grants.gov and click Forms.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, “Application for Federal

Assistance.” The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note:

Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-

424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the

“Budget Narrative” section below).

SF 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs

When requesting support for a non-construction project, individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate and any entity waived by the Service from the SAM.gov registration requirements must submit a signed and dated SF-424B, “Assurances for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available on with this announcement on Grants.gov.

Project Summary

Briefly summarize the project, in one page or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project. Be sure and indicate local need for said project, alternatives in the absence of federal support, as well as the benefits of the project both before and after its implementation. The consequences of the proposal after funds are allocated should certainly be highlighted, essentially ensuring that the National Grants Committee members reviewing the proposal will see clearly, from the first page, the benefits of allocating funds.

Project Narrative

Please address all the following items/elements and include this information within your proposal when following the specific format required by the Association.

Instructions: The Project Narrative must not exceed 8 pages in length. Supplemental information or materials (e.g., pamphlets, booklets, fliers, etc.) will not be accepted. All information the applicant http://www.fishwildlife.org/ https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html wants considered during the selection process should be presented in the Project Narrative. The technical scoring criteria included in this package reference specific information requirements relative to project scoring. Proposers are encouraged to carefully review the technical scoring criteria and ensure proposals are accurately responsive in this regard. The Project Narrative should include the following information:

Problem Statement (Identifying the Issue)

This should be a clear and concise account of the problems or issues that need to be addressed, and which were the foundation for applying for this specific grant in the first place. The important aspect is to present the data in relation to your proposal to clarify a need that only grant funding can relieve.

Applicants will want to note how the organization or individual came to notice the problem or issue, the nature of the problem, what is currently being done, and the purpose for developing the proposal.

Also include the remaining, (if limited), alternatives if funds are not allocated, and what will happen if the project or problem is not addressed.

By a detailed chronicle of the problem or need, the facts, the solution, and the overall benefits from your solution along with the unappealing alternatives, the Problem Statement can affectively make the case for why the proposed grant funds are a necessity. Explain how this project addresses the desired outcomes described in the Strategic Priority under which this proposal was submitted.

Project Goals and Objectives

The Project Objectives portion of your grant proposal identifies all objectives related to the desired outcome of your proposal. The best way to address this is with quantitative and measurable goals and objectives. Your goals and objectives will be used to measure progress, so don't embellish the numbers.

Be realistic, and make sure your objectives can be measured, as well as obtained.

• Clear and specific goals, objectives, milestones/deliverables, timelines for accomplishing the project and completing the project on time.

o Provide goals supported with clear, measurable objectives. Be sure to include when your evaluation tasks and steps will be completed and disseminated, but do not explain how you will evaluate your project as that is provided in a later section of your proposal.

o In the next section – not here – you will be asked to describe your technical approach and details.

Program Methods and Design: (A Detailed Solution)

The program methods or design section will outline how the methods and tasks will function in order to address the issue in the Problem Statement. The project should be based on sound science and methodologies with achievable outcomes. Describe the techniques and methods that will be used to meet the project’s goals(s) and objective(s) you presented earlier and indicate why this approach has been chosen rather than alternative approaches.

You will want to include the following in this section of the proposal when applicable, as clearly and concisely as possible:

• A description of technical methods and steps to be taken to produce quality and timely results.

• If contractors/sub-recipients will be used to complete project-related work, be sure to indicate which tasks the contractor will complete. Identify specific costs for any contractor/sub-recipient in the budget. It is essential to be detailed yet concise and prove that every aspect of your proposed project is both covered and financially necessary to proceed.

• Do not describe your monitoring and evaluation steps in this section. These are provided in the next section.

Deliverables and Benefits:

Describe the deliverables to be provided, including the evaluation results, how the results will be disseminated to the intended users, and the benefits of each deliverable. As best as possible, the benefits should be expressed in measurable outcomes when possible (i.e., number of participants likely to continue the learned outdoor activity and purchase licenses in the future).

• Proposals should clearly address in specific detail how grant products / materials / programs will be used, by whom, and the initial and continuing benefits beyond the life of the grant.

• Clearly describe the anticipated, extended use/life of the project’s results / products / services after the project is completed and how this extended use/life will be accomplished.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Most federal agencies that distribute grants require some sort of project or process of evaluation among the grantees to ensure the funds allocated have been used as intended and milestones are being met. As such, it is incredibly helpful to both the reviewers and the applicants to include a proposed evaluation process to showcase how the project will be reviewed during and after its completion.

The proposal should include monitoring and evaluation processes to assess and measure the project’s effectiveness in accomplishing the desired goals and objectives described earlier.

The original evaluation design may be altered as the project progresses but having a solid background of how an evaluation will take place is helpful, as well as an idea how the effectiveness of the project will be monitored by the grant recipient after the grant has ended.

Experience

Include a brief history of previous work conducted by the applicant and/or others that substantiates experiences and abilities to successfully complete this project and address the Strategic Priority.

Personal Qualifications will be provided later.

Certification Regarding Fishing/Hunting/Recreational Shooting Activities

All proposals must include a fishing/hunting/recreational shooting activities certification as required by law (16 U.S.C. 669h-2 and 16 U.S.C. 777m). It is recommended that you use the following certification statement: “By submitting this proposal, the organization’s primary contact and/or authorized representative identified in this grant application certifies that the (insert name of organization) (1) will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, the regulated taking of fish, or recreational shooting activities; and (2) that the grant funds will not be used, in whole or in part, for an activity, project, or program that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting and trapping of wildlife, the regulated taking of fish, or recreational shooting activities.”

Certification Regarding Grant Activity Overlap and Duplication

By submitting this proposal, the organization’s primary contact and/or authorized representative identified in this grant application certifies that the (insert name of organization) There is no overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. The proposal submitted for consideration under this program is not duplicative of a proposal that was or will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal).

Literature Cited

List any sources of literature thought necessary in support of the project.

Map of Project Area

If project activities will occur within a specific area, a map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project statement.

Relationship with other grants

Enter title, year of award and Federal grant number of any appropriate grants.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Program

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative. For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget

Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to

Federal award cost principles per the Service’s General Award Terms and Conditions. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding.

In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property

Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the

SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report

Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award.

Budget Narrative

Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the

Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2

CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

Additional Budget Narrative Information (required with the submission of the SF424A)

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Narrative,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs.

Detail how the SF-424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. The justification for each budget category should be a brief general description of the costs that make up that category, yet provide enough detail to demonstrate that the applicant has a financial plan for implementation of the proposed objectives. For example, under personnel costs include the total number of staff and the various job titles (classifications) anticipated to be charged to the project. Describe any item that under the https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html file://///IFW-HQSKYFS1/conwr/share/SHARED/2.%20DIVISION%20OF%20POLICY%20AND%20PROGRAMS/4.%20PROGRAM%20BRANCH/MULTISTATE/2021%20proposals%20and%20NOFO/For%20construction%20programs%20or%20projects,%20applicants%20must%20complete%20and%20submit%20the%20SF-%20424C, file://///IFW-HQSKYFS1/conwr/share/SHARED/2.%20DIVISION%20OF%20POLICY%20AND%20PROGRAMS/4.%20PROGRAM%20BRANCH/MULTISTATE/2021%20proposals%20and%20NOFO/For%20construction%20programs%20or%20projects,%20applicants%20must%20complete%20and%20submit%20the%20SF-%20424C, file://///IFW-HQSKYFS1/conwr/share/SHARED/2.%20DIVISION%20OF%20POLICY%20AND%20PROGRAMS/4.%20PROGRAM%20BRANCH/MULTISTATE/2021%20proposals%20and%20NOFO/For%20construction%20programs%20or%20projects,%20applicants%20must%20complete%20and%20submit%20the%20SF-%20424C, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost. Also include:

a. Estimated costs to attain the objectives – The various activities or components of each project should be broken down by cost and by cooperator;

b. In-Kind Match – Include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to arrive at the total;

c. Program Income, if any – Include the source, amount, and the requested method of crediting the program income (i.e., deductive or additive);

d. If federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source; and

e. When applicable, for any organization charging indirectly, a copy of a current Negotiated

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

Budget (Limit – 2 Pages)

An itemized budget showing funds requested for each year of the project must be included in the proposal, and cost justifications may be necessary if not provided in the proposal narrative. A budget outline table is provided below to ensure all costs are clearly represented. PLEASE NOTE: The table below represents the Association’s preferred budget format. However, applicants are not required to use it. If an applicant wishes to use it, they may modify it to meet their needs as long as they include the budget categories required by the Federal Forms. Total MSCGP for the project is $X;

MSCGP

Funds

Requested

Objective 1:

Personnel

Fringe ( %)

Travel

Supplies

Equipment

*Contractual total total

Contractor #1

Contractor #2

Contractor #3

**Other (specify)

Subtotal

Objective 2:

Personnel

Fringe ( %)

Travel

Supplies

Equipment

MSCGP

Funds

Requested

*Contractual total

Contractor #1

Contractor #2

Contractor #3

**Other (Specify)

Subtotal

Total Direct Costs

***Indirect Costs

(%) (Note: 20% cap for MSCGP) request)

Total Expenses

* Please specify the estimated funds requested for each sub-recipient/contractor

**Please identify how these funds are being used.

***In order to charge indirectly, a copy of your most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost

Rate Agreement is required.

a. The format may be modified by the applicant to accommodate additional expenses or special considerations. Please ensure the budget reflects the project’s work plan, either by linking costs to the accomplishment of each objective or if costs are attributable to more than one objective include an explanation. Please provide the number of expected contractors and the amount awarded to each.

b. In most cases projects are only awarded funding for one year. If you feel there is a need for an exception please contact the Association.

c. Recipients whose projects are expected to last for multiple years and require additional

MSCGP funding should indicate in their proposal that they intend to apply for funding in subsequent years. They should also explain if and what partial outcomes can be expected in the first year.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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

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

3. There is a 20% cap imposed by the Association on indirect costs for the MSCGP. Applicants can only request a maximum of 20% indirect cost rate based on awarded funds (this also applies to all sub-recipients and contractors).

4. Recipients may not charge the Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct project costs paid by any other Federal funding source or non-Federal partner.

5. Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs.

6. 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 NICRA guidance document. Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their 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 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 the IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services

Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center

U.S. Department of the Interior

650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-400

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-930-3803

Email: Through Link to the Interior Business Center email address web form

Internet address: Link to the Interior Business Center's internet address

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

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

(a) Applicability.

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

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

(b) Notification.

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

200.112.

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

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a https://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/USFWSIndirectCostsGuidance01-06-17.pdf https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1bfd0da1190f850482e94794cca23a5d&amp%3Bmc=true&amp%3Bnode=20190830y1.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

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

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement

All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet

Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single

Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR

Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than

$100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part

18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non- appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&amp%3Bmc=true&amp%3Bnode=pt43.1.18&amp%3Brgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&amp%3Bmc=true&amp%3Bnode=pt43.1.18&amp%3Brgn=div5 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third- party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.