DOI BLM Modified Full FOA_L22AS00069.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

BLMHQ - BLM Headquarters

L22AS00069

01/31/2022

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

B6. Additional Funding Information

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Grants Management Officer Contact

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description Authority:

The Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. 16 U.S. Code CHAPTER 30—WILD

HORSES AND BURROS: PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b)

Assistance Listing:

15.229 Program Background, Objective, and Goals:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking to work with potential research partners for research that will either: A) develop and/ or test fertility control methods that are safe, humane, and applicable to female wild horse (mares), and which are longer-lasting than currently available fertility control methods used by the BLM in wild mares; or B) address ecological relationships between WHB and their environments, with studies that may also address the effects of climate change on WHB populations.

Background The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across 10 Western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for a variety of uses. The Wild Horse and Burro (WHB) Program's goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands. The BLM created its WHB Program to implement the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, passed by Congress in 1971. Broadly, the law declares wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and stipulates that the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have the responsibility to manage and protect herds in their respective jurisdictions within areas where wild horses and burros were found roaming in 1971. To maintain wild horses and burros in good condition and protect the health of our public lands, the BLM must manage the population growth of wild horse and burro herds. Without natural population controls, such as predation, herds can increase at a rate of up to 20 percent annually, doubling in size in just 4 to 5 years, if not appropriately managed. The BLM removes animals from some herd management areas to reduce the risk that large populations of wild horses and burros can cause negative ecological impacts. In addition to removals, though, management methods that reduce population growth rates must be implemented to protect scarce and fragile resources in the arid West, and ensure sustainable populations of healthy WHBs in the long term.

The BLM wild horse and burro program recently released its ‘BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program 2021 Strategic Research Plan’ [hereafter, ‘Strategic Research Plan’], which can be accessed via: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/science-and-research. That document and associated appendices provide extensive background information on the agency’s motivations to support research, history of recently funded WHB-related research, and agency-identified research topics that may be of highest interest to the

WHB program. The development and testing of long-lasting fertility control methods for wild mares is identified as the BLM’s highest current priority for WHB-related research. The second-highest priority is research into relationships between WHBs and their environment that could inform BLM’s management.

As part of its efforts to manage the population growth of wild horses on public rangelands, the BLM has supported the development and testing of various contraceptive agents for wild horses since 1978. Fertility control methods for wild burros have been tested and applied, but to a lesser degree. Development and testing of humane and effective fertility control methods for wild mares that are longer-lasting than currently available methods is vital to the BLM’s ability to manage herd population growth rates.

To protect the quality of resources and values on the lands it manages, the BLM must ensure that ecosystems on the public lands system meet rangeland health standards (BLM 2001), including where WHB roam. In doing so, the BLM provides adequate resources and thriving natural rangelands where WHB live, so that widespread populations of these treasured animals exist into the future. The BLM needs to improve its understandings of the current and expected future state of natural resources in the lands where WHB live and of the effects of WHB on rangeland ecosystem conservation and restoration. The BLM must have accurate scientific projections of future conditions, to plan climate adaptation actions that will ensure that WHB herds will continue to be self-sustaining and that the rangelands they depend on will be in a thriving natural condition.

The ‘Strategic Research Plan’ and appendices describe a subset of possible fertility control methods that may be of interest to the BLM, for their application to wild mares. Those include identified physical methods of long-term mare fertility control or sterilization (for example, intrauterine devices; oviduct ablation techniques; tubal ligation; ovariectomy; or other methods), or pharmacological and immunological methods of long-term mare fertility control or sterilization (for example, improvements to vaccines against oocyte growth factors, porcine zona pellucida, or gonadotropin releasing hormone; development of new immunocontraceptive vaccines; or other methods). However, the list of possible mare fertility control study topics in the ‘Strategic Research Plan’ is not exhaustive: BLM also encourages the preparation of research proposals that address other safe, humane, and long-lasting fertility control methods that could be applied to wild mares.

As explained in the ‘Strategic Research Plan,’ research that addresses male horse neutering, male horse temporary fertility control, or burro fertility control is not currently a BLM priority, and such research will not be considered responsive to this funding opportunity.

The ‘Strategic Research Plan,’ also describes a subset of possible research questions pertaining to the relationship between WHB and their environment. For example: predictions of future forage and water availability could inform local-level herd planning; related research could reveal how variable herd density and resource availability might interact under future climate change; studies of some specific interactions between WHB and the environment may inform the BLM’s efforts to conserve biodiversity and increase landscape resilience to climate change. The list of possible study topics in the ‘Strategic Research Plan’ is not exhaustive: BLM also encourages the preparation of research proposals that would address other research within this general topic.

Program Expected Outcomes Proposals should support at least one of the goals of this program listed below:

Development and/ or testing of new or improved long-lasting fertility control methods for mares, and/ or testing the application of existing methods in a way that provides essential information for successful application of long-lasting fertility control methods for mares, and/ or testing and documentation of the effects of new or existing long-lasting fertility control methods for mares.

Examination of the relationships between wild horses or wild burros and their environment, with potential special attention paid to effects of climate change, or effects of wild horses or burros on ecosystem resilience to climate change.

All proposed projects submitted under this funding opportunity must state an anticipated benefit to the public, in addition to the provision of research results that are informative to the BLM. For example, fertility control methods that would be useful in wild mares may be of value for domestic horses, and research studies that inform BLM about environmental relations on public lands may also be of value on private lands, or other federal, state, or tribal lands that the public uses.

This NOFO will run concurrently to a Request for Proposals (RFP) from Federal agencies.

Federal agencies interested are eligible to apply for Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA) by submitting research proposals that are responsive to the goals of this program. Proposals from Federal agencies should contain the information found in Attachment A of this NOFO. All proposals from federal agencies must be submitted by email to BLM_HQ_WHBResearch@blm.gov. All research proposals for Interagency Agreements must be received by the BLM no later than 5 pm ET on January 17, 2022.

The following program legislation authority, BLM handbook, and Policy Manuals may be applicable to this program:

1. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971

2. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

3. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

4. The Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978

5. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – BLM Handbook 1790-1

6. MS-4710, Management Considerations Relating to Wild Free-Roaming Horses and

Burros

7. MS-4700, Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Management

8. MS-4720, Removal of Excess Wild Horses and Burros

9. H-4180-1, Rangeland Health Standards

10. H-4700-1, Wild Horses and Burros Management

11. H-4740-1, Wild Horse and Burro Program Aviation Management

12. H-4750-2, Adoption of Wild Horses and Burros

13. H-4760-1, Conducting Compliance Checks for BLM's Wild Horses and Burro Adoption Program

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $11,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $10,000,000 Minimum Award $100,000

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates This NOFO is being released prior to the passage of an Appropriations Act for the Department of the Interior for FY 2022, by Congress. Enactment of additional Continuing Resolutions or an Appropriations Act may affect the availability and/or level of funding for this program.

The BLM anticipates awarding between $1,000,000 and $11,000,000 in total funding for approximately 15 total research projects that are responsive to this opportunity. Included in this estimate is the following:

$900,000 to $10,000,000 for approximately ten (10) agreements related to long-lasting mare fertility control

$100,000 to $1,000,000 for approximately five (5) agreements related to relationships between wild horses or wild burros, and their environment

Exact amounts are unknown at the issuance of this NOFO and will be influenced by, among other factors, Congressional funding levels for the BLM and any specific directions for allocation of funds from Congress. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated as they are received and may be submitted at any time up until the closing date of this NOFO.

Projects funded through this NOFO will start upon issuance of a notice of award by the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO) executed through GrantSolutions.

Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and no more than five years and are determined based on the period of performance as stated on the recipient’s project proposal.

Projects cannot be funded for more than a five-year period

B4. Number of Awards Anticipated Number of Awards

The actual number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. Awards will be based out of district or field offices where the project occurs.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement The recipient should expect the BLM to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to:

BLM will be closely engaged in of the care of any wild horses that may be involved in the recipient’s programs

BLM will coordinate and assist the recipient in carrying out development of public outreach as well as joint events between the BLM and the partner to maximize public education about the research efforts.

Collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work.

Training of recipient personnel, especially with respect to work elements that overlap BLM management actions.

Review and approval by the BLM of one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage.

Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or sub-awards prior to their award.

Participation in selecting recipient project staff.

Ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in the proposed work.

B6. Additional Funding Information Funding for projects is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds. Evaluation of proposals is based on the criterion in this NOFO. In appropriate circumstances, BLM reserves the right to partially fund proposals in discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If BLM chooses to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. Funded proposals through this competitive NOFO is not a guarantee of future funding.

When or if additional funding becomes available, BLM reserves the right to issue additional awards under this NOFO through the next fiscal year. These awards will not require further competition. Any additional selections will be made in accordance with the terms of this NOFO and BLM policy. Only Grants Management Officers can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 01 – County governments 02 – City or township governments 04 – Special district governments 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 20 – Private institutions of higher education 21 – Individuals Additional Information on Eligibility For-Profit organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

Federal agencies interested are eligible to apply for Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA) by submitting research proposals by email to BLM_HQ_WHBResearch@blm.gov.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II- Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Cost sharing or matching is not required for this program; however, a voluntary cost match is strongly encouraged.

Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost share or match.

C3. Other Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Excluded Parties:

The DOI conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The DOI 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

D1. Address to Request Application Package This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting Tricia Glass, pglass@blm.gov.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard 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).

Project Summary Proposed research must be responsive to either of the following research topics:

1. Development and/or testing of new or improved long-lasting fertility control methods for mares, and/or testing the application of existing methods in a way that provides essential information for successful application of long-lasting fertility control methods for mares, and/or testing and documentation of the effects of new or existing long-lasting fertility control methods for mares.

2. Examination of the relationships between wild horses or wild burros and their environment, with potential special attention paid to effects of climate change, or effects of wild horses or burros on ecosystem resilience to climate change.

Project Narrative (Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template may be used when submitting your proposal.) The project proposal must be no longer than 22 pages (excluding references and any appendices), with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one-half (1/2) inch margins on all sides. The 22-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include a complete list of References and any Appendices, or the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

Application narrative requirements are indicated on the template, titled “Wild Horse and Burro (WHB) Research Proposal to the BLM.” A copy of this template is included in this NOFO, and is included as a Word file Attachment A to the NOFO. A cover letter and any letters of support are optional, but encouraged. Content requirements for sections of the proposal template are described within Attachment A. The essential proposal sections include:

● A. Proposal cover page with specified information

● B. Abstract of proposed project and list of all study personnel (350 word maximum)

● C. Project proposal body, including all of the following:

o Goals / objectives / hypotheses (2 page maximum) o Specific aims (2 page maximum) o Background and significance / preliminary studies (4 page maximum) o Scientific approach / study design (5 page maximum) o Statistical methods (1 page maximum) o Anticipated effects (5 page maximum) o Pitfalls and limitations (1 page maximum) o Project monitoring and evaluation plan (1 page maximum) o Timetable or milestones to complete expected outcomes (1 page maximum) o Expected public benefit and program interest of the BLM (1 page maximum) o Qualifications / past performance (3 page maximum) o Leveraging of resources (1 page maximum) o Overlap of duplication of effort statement (1 page maximum) o Affirmation of reporting requirements o References cited (no page limit) o Appendices (no page limit)

● D. Biographical Sketches (2 page limit per key personnel)

● E. Facilities Statement (1 page maximum)

● F. Affirmation of requirements for humane care and use of animals

All proposals are confidential.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs 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 BLM’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 SF-424A 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 Assistance Listing number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The Assistance Listing number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

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.

Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications (see BLM’s suggested format Attachment B for more detail). Additionally, provide any cost sharing and matching funds in the same level of detail as the federal funds. The budget narrative submitted with the application must match the dollar amounts on all required forms.

Budget items must be reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to the supported activity.

Refer to 2 CFR §200, for applicable administrative requirements and cost principles.

If your proposal period of performance is for multi-year or multiple year funding, you must provide a budget and budget justification for the full amount of the project. Show each year in a separate column on the SF-424A and use a separate column for listing any matching funds.

Applicants must ensure that no Federal or non-Federal grant funds will be expended for in-kind goods or services, for purposes of providing transportation, travel, and other expenses for any Federal employee.

NOTE: Budget Detail and Narrative form (Attachment B) is a suggested format to present the breakdown of your estimated costs, by category, needed to accomplish project activities. If you elect to use a different format, all information requested on Attachment B must be included.

Estimated costs must be documented in sufficient detail to determine reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed.

Additionally, for multi-year budgets, please describe in your budget detail justification any items to be purchased or expended that may be specific to a particular year of the proposed project.

Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detailed breakdown of how the cost were determined. Profit or fees are not allowable.

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 grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §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.

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 §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, 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, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. 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 regard 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 regard 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 regard to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any 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 Bureau of Land Management in this application, we will immediately notify the Bureau of Land Management 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 an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which will replace Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet In April 2022. A Federal award may not be made 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 the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Applicants registering in SAM.gov prior to April 2022, may still be required to obtain a DUNS number prior to completing the registration process within SAM.gov. Federal award recipients must also 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. 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 In April 2022, the Federal Government will stop requiring DUNS numbers. At that point, entities doing business with the government will use the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov in place of a DUNS number. A UEI will be assigned to entities upon registering with SAM. If an entity is applying for federal financial assistance prior to April 2022, a DUNS number may still be required as part of the SAM registration process. A DUNS Number can be requested through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form (version 3).

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.

Applications must be submitted in English.

BLM requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt.

Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

Due Date for Applications 01/31/2022 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

D5. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372.

D6. Funding Restrictions Any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners submitting a project is subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap (currently 17.5%).

The BLM will not approve the cost of international travel under this NOFO.

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

Individuals are not required to submit any of the following statements regarding indirect costs.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the BLM to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

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. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

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 have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. 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.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted or does not have a current indirect cost rate proposal from our cognizant agency. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand that we must notify BLM in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by BLM.

A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”, which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of 17.5%. 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 per 2 CFR §1402.414.

If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against 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 BLM to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that BLM 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. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

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

D7. Other Submission Requirements BLM requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt.

Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.htm

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria First Level Screening - Basic Eligibility Maximum Points: 0 Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer and the Ely District Special Legislation program manager to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Depending on the specifics of the funding opportunity, screening may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Submission is timely;

Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; and Complete and properly executed required application package documents are included.

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

Second Level Evaluation - Merit Review Evaluation Maximum Points: 100 The evaluation criteria portion should be addressed in the technical proposal section of the application (following the template in Attachment A). Applications should thoroughly address each criterion and any sub-criterion, as noted below. It is suggested that applicants copy and paste the below criteria and sub criteria into their applications to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed. Applications will be evaluated against the criteria listed below, based on information provided in the project proposal (following the template in Attachment A).

APPLICANT STATEMENT OF NEED Maximum Points: 15 Mission and objectives, including achievable project goals and how they relate to the

BLM’s request for research that will: A) develop and/ or test fertility control methods that are safe, humane, and applicable to female wild horse (mares), and which are longer-lasting than currently available fertility control methods used by the BLM in wild mares; or B) address ecological relationships between WHB and their environments, with studies that may also address the effects of climate change on WHB populations.

Objectives of the project Expected value to improvement of BLM’s WHB management DOI priorities met: https://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities

APPLICANT TECHNICAL APPROACH Maximum Points: 60 Goals directly address the topic of research interest identified by BLM / objectives clearly follow from the goals / hypotheses are well formulated and testable Specific aims are clearly stated, and well formulated Proposed method is justified by background, references, and supporting information Study design is appropriate to address objectives / hypotheses Techniques, processes, and methodologies are well explained and have a reasonable probability of success Data collection, sample size, analysis, and means of interpretation are appropriate to allow for strong inference at the conclusion of the study Any proposed use of live animals is humane, justified, warranted, and appropriate Significant anticipated accomplishments would result from successful project

There is a clear and reasonable plan to assess project performance; there are clear proposed milestones / measurement criteria

The project team appears to be well qualified to carry out the proposed research

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND PROGRAM INTEREST OF

THE BLM Maximum Points: 10

Direct public benefit Expected direct and indirect benefits of project activities for the BLM’s WHB program

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/PAST

PERFORMANCE Maximum Points: 15

Key project personnel experience and qualifications Qualifications of any contractors, subrecipients and/or consultants Experience with federally funded assistance agreements within the last three to five years Similar successfully completed projects Unique qualifications Academic and/ or professional degree(s), licenses and/or certifications held

LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES Maximum Points: 0 (This will be considered in the review process as a tiebreaker among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors)

A proposal that demonstrates effective partnerships to share resources and expertise

LETTERS OF SUPPORT (Optional) Maximum Points: 0 You may submit up to five (5) letters of support as part of your application package. These attachments should address specific information that will supplement the project proposal and/or document support for the project description as provided in the application. Letters of support may also document financial commitments from any third party or parties or from entities that will contribute substantive funds to the completion of project activities. You may also include letters from partners or other organizations who will work closely with you on the project and/or provide technical expertise. Furthermore, letters of support may be from experts, community members, and/or stakeholders that support the project. Letters of support do not count toward the page limit of the proposal.

Third Level Review Pre-award Clearance and Budget Approval Maximum Points: 0

Prior to award, the BLM will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. BLM programs document applicant risk evaluations using the DOI “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards, the BLM is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The BLM will consider this information when completing the risk review. The BLM uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

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

Budget review is based on the following:

Budget line items must be allowable, allocable, reasonable in price, and appropriate for the level of effort needed to accomplish the project.

Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost.

Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project.

Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from Federal sources.

Final Review of Selected Applicants:

Final review will be made by management to determine if the selected proposed project(s) are in line with DOI and BLM current priorities.

The process overall may take a few months to finalize, after the closing date for proposal submission.

E2. Review and Selection Process Prior to award, the program will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the program may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Bureau may choose not to fund the selected project.

The program 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 Bureau 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.

Prior to award, the program will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. Programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Bureau’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Bureau is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Bureau will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Bureau uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

Applications that pass the first level screening requirements and are eligible for merit review will be evaluated by an external (non-BLM) panel of scientific peer reviewers, then scored by a BLM-led merit evaluation team assembled to review, rate, rank, and recommend applications for award using the below evaluation criteria. Merit evaluation teams are made up of five or more qualified personnel familiar with the WHB program and recognized as having no conflict of interest with respect to any of the applications received.

A BLM-led…