Prescott NOFO 2019_Revised Submission Deadline.pdf

FY 2020 Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F20AS00048

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Ecological Services Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.683

Authorizing Legislation: Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; Pub. L. 92-522;

Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of 2000, 16 U.S.C. 1421f-I; Pub. L. 106-555; Title IV, Section 408;

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-6)

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: 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 37 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.

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

I. Program Description The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program (Prescott Grant Program) provides financial assistance to eligible marine mammal stranding participants to support all aspects of response (i.e., retrieval, care, treatment, rehabilitation, and release, as appropriate) to the stranding of certain marine mammals and for related scientific research. Successful applications will be those aimed at helping support these actions. The Service’s Prescott Grant Program will provide support for response to the stranding of wild populations of species under the Department of the Interior’s management authority per section 3(12) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Under this Funding Opportunity, the Service will select projects for funding based on how well and to what extent they support the species-specific priority activities, which are listed below under Species-Specific Funding Priorities. And, as required under the Prescott Grant Program (section 408(a)((2)(A)), the Service will give preference to those facilities with established records for rescuing or rehabilitating sick and stranded manatees, sea otters, walruses, and polar bears within waters of the United States.

For the purpose of this funding program, the term "stranding" means an event in the wild in which—

(A) a marine mammal is dead and is—

(i) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States; or

(ii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters); or

(B) a marine mammal is alive and is—

(i) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States and unable to return to the water;

(ii) on a beach, shore, or land of the United States and, although able to return to the water, is in need of apparent medical attention; or

(iii) in the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters), but is injured or needs assistance; or

(iv) in the case of polar bears and Pacific walruses stranded on land due to insufficient ice, in need of assistance for the (A) the protection or welfare of the mammal, or (B) the protection of the public health and welfare.

Species-Specific Funding Priorities:

Proposals must address at least one of the species-specific priorities identified for the current grant cycle as it pertains to species under the authority of the Department of the Interior (i.e., West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses, and polar bears) within waters of the United States. An applicant may submit more than one proposal (but no more than two proposals per category) or a single proposal may address more than one species, but the proposal(s) still must address at least one species-specific priority per species identified in the proposal(s). If more than one priority is identified, list first the priority that most accurately reflects the main objectives of the proposal.

The purpose of the priority list, as informed by Service staff responsible for marine mammal conservation and management efforts, is to guide applicants in proposal development by identifying those proposals that will best compete during the grant cycle for these limited funds, and to provide reviewers with guidance for their evaluations. The identified species-specific priorities will best ensure successful implementation of the Prescott Grant Program by providing funding for retrieval, rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals (and associated operational costs), the collection of data from living or dead stranded marine mammals for scientific research for improving the understanding of marine mammal health (including operational costs), and operational costs directly related to these purposes. New construction projects will not be considered; however, projects that involve construction for build-outs, alterations, upgrades, and renovations may be considered.

Proposals will be pooled by species according to the priority addressed by the applicant. If a proposal does not clearly identify a priority, or addresses a different priority than the one indicated by the applicant, it will not receive further consideration. Proposals will compete for funds within the appropriate species priority category, as identified in the proposal.

The following are the species-specific funding priorities for this grant cycle; they are not listed in any particular order and each is of equal importance. We support these activities for the purpose of enhancing the marine mammal response community’s ability to assist stranded and injured marine mammals and provide medical treatment and rehabilitation for potential release. These activities will also improve the community’s knowledge on the treatment and care of distressed marine mammals and the potential cause of stranding events.

For West Indian Manatees in the Southeast U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Enhance capability of stranding response, including training, planning, outreach, and improvement of equipment and resource availability.

2. Improve and expand existing facilities for medical treatment and rehabilitation, including build-outs, alterations, upgrades, and renovations.

3. Safe transport for live strandings of manatees, including equipment costs and contracts for transport.

4. Enhance access for veterinary care, including on-site (lab or field) equipment or instruments for more rapid assessment of medical condition or monitoring of treatment response.

5. Improve education and outreach efforts to the public to reduce the need for rehabilitation due to entanglement, cold stress, orphaning, and feeding/watering of manatees.

6. Specifically for Antillean manatees, enhance post-release monitoring of survival for individuals released from rehabilitation or on-site from strandings (e.g., satellite tags and ARGOS support).

For Southern Sea Otters in the Southwest, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Carcass collection.

2. Necropsies.

3. Oil spill response, including planning, training, and equipment.

4. Enhance response capabilities and associated costs.

5. Upgrade operations to handle, stabilize, diagnose, treat, surrogate-rear (in the case of stranded pups), release, and conduct post-release monitoring.

6. Upgrade existing facilities (including build-outs, alterations, upgrades, and renovations) and equipment to handle, stabilize, diagnose, treat, surrogate-rear (in the case of stranded pups), release, and conduct post-release monitoring.

7. Reduce impacts from anthropogenic mortality (such as boat strikes, fishing gear entrapment/entanglement, intentional shootings).

8. Improve understanding of other sources of mortality (such as shark bites, harmful algal blooms, disease) and how to reduce impacts to the wild populations.

For Northern Sea Otters in the Pacific Northwest, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Carcass collection or euthanasia, as needed.

2. Necropsies.

3. Oil spill response, including planning, training, and equipment.

4. Improve understanding of disease-caused mortalities, including sources and pathways of pathogens, such as microcystins and the protozoal parasite Sarcocystis neurona.

5. Improve understanding of health factors involving stranded sea otters.

For Northern Sea Otters in Alaska, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Data collection related to health parameters.

2. Tissue sampling for genetic analyses.

3. Oil spill response, including planning, training, and equipment.

4. Investigate large or unusual strandings, particularly those associated with strandings or mortalities of other species.

5. Improve understanding of stranding events and their impact on the relevant stock.

For Pacific Walruses, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Data collection related to health parameters (such as impacts of traveling greater distances to obtain food).

2. Oil spill response, including planning, training, and equipment.

3. Enhance response capability for the protection or welfare of the walruses, or the protection and welfare of public health particularly to reduce disturbances at large on-shore aggregations and monitor such events.

For Polar Bears, funding will be prioritized for projects addressing one or more of the following areas:

1. Data collection related to health parameters.

2. Tissue sampling for genetic analyses.

3. Oil spill response, including planning, training, and equipment.

4. Enhance response capability for the protection or welfare of the polar bear, or the protection of public health and welfare particularly to reduce the potential for human-polar bear interactions, such as improving management of attractants to reduce the overlap of polar bears and human activity.

Section 408(a)(2)(A) of the MMPA requires that, to the greatest extent practicable, funds provided as grants under this section be distributed equitably among the designated stranding regions. For the purpose of this funding program, the term “designated stranding region” refers to one of the four geographic regions that covers those areas where West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses, and polar bears occur:

South Atlantic-Gulf stranding region for manatees throughout the southeast and parts of the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands);

California stranding region for southern sea otters in California;

Pacific Northwest stranding region for northern sea otters along the northern coast of the Pacific

Ocean; and Alaska stranding region for polar bears, walruses, and northern sea otters in Alaska.

In addition, per section 408(a)(2)(B) the MMPA allows that, in determining priorities among these regions, the Service may consider: (i) any episodic stranding or mortality event (other than an event designated as an “unusual mortality event” under MMPA section 410(6)) that occurred in the preceding year; (ii) data regarding average annual strandings and mortality events per region; and (iii) the size and vulnerability of the marine mammal population or stock.

Final selections will take into account the program focus and priorities, conservation benefit of proposed activities, stranding needs of the species, and the performance history of the facility concerning rescue and rehabilitation efforts for stranded marine mammals.

Implementation of the Prescott Grant Program will help to foster the Service’s relationship with partners who are closest to the resources (e.g., State agencies, Tribes, established/authorized rescue/rehabilitation networks, local communities, aquaria, researchers) by providing needed support for their response efforts. These efforts, in turn, may provide information important to the Service’s management of these trust resources as well as enhance the scientific database and our knowledge of their needs in order to improve efforts to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and release these species back to the wild. In this way, this program supports the Department of the Interior priority of “Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by utilizing science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.”

II. Federal Award Information The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, included $1,000,000 to implement the Prescott Grant Program as authorized by section 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1421f-1).

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, included $1,200,000 for this program. The Service will use $160,000 of available funds to support administration of this program, as authorized by section 408(f) of the MMPA. The Service will award up to $2,040,000 under this Funding Opportunity. The Service is accepting applications for two separate funding accounts, i.e., grants to be provided with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 and grants to be provided with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. Applications for each funding account may not have a period of performance that overlap and each must be clearly identified in the application.

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis with a limit of up to $100,000 per grant in accordance with section 408(d) of the MMPA. The non-Federal matching requirement provided in section 408(e)(1) of the MMPA states that the “share of the costs of an activity conducted with a grant under this section shall be 25 percent of such costs.”

Section 408(e)(2) further states that the Service “may apply to the non-Federal share of an activity conducted with a grant under this section the amount of funds, and the fair market value of property and services, provided by the non-Federal sources and used for the activity.” Third-party in-kind contributions means the value of non-cash contributions (i.e., property or services) that: (a) benefit a federally assisted project or program; and (b) are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge, to a non-Federal entity under a Federal award. (see 2 CFR 200.96)

Grants or cooperative agreements may be established to cover a period of up to 3 years; however, the total Federal share of the award is fixed at the maximum of $100,000 regardless of the performance period. In addition, activities covered under funding for a 3-year performance period may not be funded in any subsequent grant cycle prior to the end of the 3-year period of performance.

Recipients under this program may request funding for a subsequent grant cycle of a previously funded project. However, these requests are subject to the same submission, review, and approval requirements as all new applications. Receiving an award under this Funding Opportunity does not guarantee the recipient access to Service funding to continue the project in subsequent years or to support any other project in the future. In addition, activities in a new proposal cannot overlap with the activities and projects identified in a currently open Service Prescott Grant unless the award balance is at least 75 percent spent by the time of new award.

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants:

Eligible Prescott Grant Program applicants must be a U.S. "eligible marine mammal stranding participant" that is not an employee of the Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce.

The term "eligible marine mammal stranding participant" means a person who is authorized under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to a stranding. Eligible entities also include Federal, State, or local government employees operating in the course of their official duties as indicated under MMPA section 109(h). For marine mammals that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eligible includes authorization under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) (except for polar bears as long as authorization has been provided under the MMPA) or ESA section 6 for State employees when acting in the course of their official duties.

Specifically, applicants must be:

1. A participant in a marine mammal stranding network and in good standing. To be in good standing means:

a. The applicant has authorization under MMPA section 104(c) for response to injured or distressed marine mammals or for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, or under MMPA section 112(c) to take marine mammals as described in MMPA section 109(h) in response to stranded marine mammals (live or dead animal response). For marine mammals, other than polar bears, that are listed under the ESA, the applicant also has authorization under ESA section 10(a)(1)(A).

b. All the Principal Investigators associated with the Prescott Grant Program application who hold or have held authorizations under the MMPA and, if listed, the ESA have fulfilled all requirements, including but not limited to, reports and publications and have fulfilled the terms of any enforcement actions. Noncompliance with MMPA/ESA permit or MMPA cooperative agreement actions will be considered on a case-by-case basis in terms of meeting this requirement.

c. All stranding participants have complied with the terms and conditions of any permit or cooperative agreement issued under the MMPA and, if listed, ESA.

d. The responsible stranding participant cooperates with the Service regarding the timely submission of data and materials collected, when requested.

e. The stranding participant is not under current enforcement investigation for activities involving the take of marine mammals contrary to MMPA and ESA regulations and do not have a notice of violation pending resolution.

2. The entity is a state, local, or eligible federal government employee (but not an employee of the

Department of the Interior or Department of Commerce) participating pursuant to MMPA section 109(h) (16 U.S.C. 1379(h)) and, if listed, ESA section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1535), and working in good standing with the Service.

Unsatisfactory performance under prior or current Federal awards may result in your application not being considered for funding for this fiscal year in this program. The Service evaluates the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.205 to make this determination.

Cost Sharing or Matching

The Prescott Grant Program requires cost sharing in order to leverage the limited funds available for this program and to encourage partnerships among government, private organizations, non-profit organizations, stranding participants, and academia to address the needs of marine mammal health and stranding response. You must provide a minimum cost share of 25 percent of total project costs (Federal share of project costs cannot exceed $100,000 and 75 percent of the total). For example, if the total project costs were $133,334, then the federal cost share would be 75 percent of $133,334 or $100,000 and your cost share would be $33,334 (25 percent of $133,334); similarly if the proposed total budget for your project is $100,000, the government portion would be $75,000 and your 25 percent contribution would be $25,000. Applications that do not comply with these cost share requirements will not considered for this funding cycle. Cost share above 25 percent of the total costs may be considered; however, this obligation will be binding.

The Service will determine the appropriateness of all cost sharing proposals, including the valuation of in-kind contributions, according to the regulations codified at 2 CFR 200.306. An in-kind contribution is a non-cash contribution, donated or loaned, by a third party to the applicant. In general, the value of in-kind services or property to fulfill the cost share requirement will be assessed at fair market value for the services or property provided. Thus, the value is equivalent to the cost for the applicant to obtain such services or property if it had not been donated, or to obtain such services or property for the period of the loan. In-kind services or property used to fulfill the cost-share requirement must be documented. If we decide to fund your application, we will require you to account for the total amount of cost share included in the Notice of Award document.

Other Eligibility Criteria The following additional criteria apply to the Service’s Prescott Grant Program funding opportunities and must be satisfied for a proposal to be considered for funding:

Permits and Approvals – It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain all necessary Federal, state, and local government permits and approvals. The applicant must include in the application package:

1. A copy of the pending request for renewal of an existing authorization under the MMPA and ESA (if applicable) or a copy of the current authorization. Receipt of required MMPA (and ESA, if applicable) authorization is required prior to awarding of funds. In addition, authorizations must be valid for the entire duration of the performance period of the award.

2. If the proposed activity or data collection involves intrusive research or if animals must be held after rehabilitation has been completed (prevented from release), the applicant must obtain MMPA (and ESA, if applicable) authorization that would be valid for the entire period of performance under the award before funds may be awarded. Intrusive research is considered to be a procedure conducted for bona fide scientific research involving: a break in or cutting of the skin or equivalent; insertion of an instrument or material into an orifice; introduction of a substance or object into the animals’ immediate environment that is likely either to be ingested or to contact and directly affect animal tissues (i.e., chemical substances); or a stimulus directed at animals that may involve a risk to health or welfare or that may have an impact on normal function or behavior.

3. If the proposed activities fall under the jurisdiction of a facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use

Committee (IACUC), the applicant must provide a copy of their request for IACUC approval or a copy of the approved IACUC. Verification of IACUC approval will be required prior to awarding of funds (as required by the Animal Welfare Act and its relevant implementing regulations at 9 CFR 2.30- 2.31).

4. If proposed activities will take place within a National Wildlife Refuge, National Park, Marine

Sanctuary, National Seashore, State Park, or other Federal or state-designated protected areas, it is the applicant’s responsibility to request and obtain from the appropriate Federal, state, and local government agencies any necessary permits or letters of agreement for conducting the proposed activities at such sites.

5. Applications will be reviewed to determine if sufficient environmental documentation has been provided to determine the appropriate level of environmental analysis needed to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Proposal activities may be categorically excluded or an Environmental Assessment (EA) may be necessary. For those applications needing an EA, affected applicants will be informed and will be requested to assist in the preparation of an EA by providing all necessary information to complete the assessment (prior to the award).

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). 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.

The Service 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 Service is ready to make an award, the Service may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The Service can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. Applicants should allow a minimum of four weeks to complete the SAM registration;

registration is required only once, but must be renewed periodically.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements:

Domestic (U.S.) non-Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See Pub. L. 113-235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

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 Service 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.

IV. Application Requirements Requesting Paper Application Package

Contact the Service Grant Specialist identified in this Funding Opportunity to request a paper application package if you do not have access to the internet to download the application package forms.

Application Form and Content Requirements Any applicant submitting a proposal for consideration under this Prescott Grant Program funding opportunity must adhere to the following requirements and must include all of the following information; all of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov:

1. 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. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity 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).

Please note information on other federal funding or in-kind services is for informational purposes only, as no federal funding sources (including both monetary and in-kind services) can be included as part of the proposed match.

2. SF 424B, Assurances Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing the required SF-424 Assurances form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

3. Project Narrative Applicants must submit a proposal that includes all of the information listed below (indicated page limits are to be used as a guide):

a. Title Page (one-page limit). Project proposals must include a Project Title Page containing the following information: Project Title; Funding Year (i.e., 2019 or 2020), Project Duration;

Applicant Name; Affiliation; Name, Address, and Contact Information (phone, email) of Principal Investigator; Species and Specific Priority Being Addressed; Prescott Grant Program Category A or B (see VI. Application Review Information - A. Evaluation Criteria of this document);

Project's Objective(s); the Federal funding request, non-Federal funding contributions, and total costs of the project.

b. Project Proposal Narrative (total 10-page limit). The application package must describe the project activities completely and accurately. The project description should be a clear statement of all work to be undertaken and must include detailed information in the following sections:

• Goals and Objectives (one half-page limit): Identify the Prescott Grant Program Category and the species-specific priority (see I. Program Description - Species-Specific Funding Priorities of this document) relevant to the project. State expected project accomplishments and their significance to marine mammals, health, stranding response, medical treatment, and rehabilitation. Objectives should be attainable within the specified time period and with the available monetary and human resources. Objectives should be simple, understandable, and as specific and quantitative as possible. Stranding data should be used, when appropriate, to justify the proposed actions and link them to the purposes of the Prescott Grant Program.

• Project Management (one-page limit): Describe how the proposed project will be organized and managed, including financial management of the project. Provide a description of the entity(ies) undertaking the project, indicating the Principal Investigator as well as any other partners and their respective roles. An application may only have one designated Principal Investigator. Other project participants or organizations that will have a significant role in conducting the project should be listed as Co-Investigators. Organizations or individuals that support the project should be referred to as Cooperators. If any portion of the project will be conducted through subcontracts, follow the procurement guidance found in 2 CFR Part

200. Describe how provisions for competitive subcontracting will be met, if applicable. If the contractor has been identified, please provide a statement of their qualifications or background. Also describe how governmental and non-governmental entities will participate in the project and the nature of their participation.

• Project Participant Qualifications (one-page limit): Provide a list of all personnel that will be involved in the project, identifying the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, collaborators, and other personnel and their project duties and responsibilities, and a brief description or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that demonstrates their expertise and experience to perform their designated duties, including knowledge of the marine mammal species that is/are the subject of the project. Resumes, CVs, and other supporting documents may be used to describe qualifications and demonstrate experience with the marine mammal species (or another similar marine mammal species) that is/are the subject of this application.

• Project Facility History (one half-page limit): Outline the facility’s involvement over the past 3 years with the target species including current protocols of the husbandry and veterinary care programs of the facility. Preference shall be given to those facilities that have established records for rescuing or rehabilitating sick and stranded marine mammals.

• Project Description (three-page limit): Describe the scientific or technical plan of activities that will be accomplished to meet the proposed project goals and objectives. Include detailed descriptions of activities, collaborators, milestones, and expected products resulting from the completed project. The description should include:

i. Project activities and relation to goals and objectives. List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated goals and objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs.

ii. Methods and procedures. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) and procedures to be used to carry out each activity.

iii. List of activities and participants. Provide a list of the activities that will be conducted by Co-Investigators, Cooperators, subcontractors, volunteers, etc. Describe the oversight of volunteers and how their staff time will be used to complete project activities. The Principal Investigator is responsible for all technical oversight and implementation of the approved work plan.

iv. Milestones and timelines. List project milestones and a description of the specific activities and associated timelines necessary to meet them. Describe the timelines in increments (e.g., month one, month two, etc.), rather than by specific dates. Please provide an explanation if dates are necessary (e.g., pupping or calving season). Make sure the timelines are reasonable and reflect your overall project period. Specify the quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation criteria to determine the relative success or failure of the project in achieving the stated project goals, objectives, and milestones.

Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments).

v. Outcomes, Results, and Products. Identify the outcomes, results, or products, and how they relate to the Prescott Grant Program (those actions under chosen Category A or B and species-specific funding priorities) and how they will be applied and/or made available to any appropriate user groups through outreach and education efforts. The narrative must provide sufficient detail for reviewers to make a clear connection to the purposes of the Prescott Grant Program and the applicability/effectiveness of the outreach and education efforts.

• Environmental Impacts (one-page limit): Discuss whether any negative environmental, biological, social, political, or economic impacts are expected as a result of the proposed activities. If any negative impacts are anticipated, describe what steps will be taken to minimize or mitigate these impacts. This narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine the level of analysis required under NEPA.

• Statement of Need for Federal Assistance (one half-page limit): Demonstrate the need for government financial assistance. Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposal builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, and products/outcomes. List all other sources of funding that are or have been sought for the project.

• Federal, State, and Local Government Programs and Activities: List any Federal, state, or local government programs or activities that this project would affect and reference any corresponding documentation (i.e., permits, approvals, and environmental assessments).

• Stakeholder Coordination or Involvement (one half-page limit). Describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Provide a data sharing plan that includes a description of the types of data and information expected to be created during the course of the project, the tentative date by which data will be shared, and methods for providing data access.

• Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (one-page limit). Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable and budget information. Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered. Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on the species. Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing, and reporting monitoring and evaluation data.

• Sustainability (one half-page limit). As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

• Literature Cited (no page limit). List any literature cited in support of the proposal request.

Note: All of the proposed work described in the funding request does not need to be completed in a single year; 2-3 year projects are allowable. However, the proposal and implementation schedule should include all project activities that would be supported by the funding request amount listed in the proposal, without an assumption for additional funding for multi-year projects.

4. SF-424A, Budget Information

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions” (see https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html). Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row 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 Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Narrative Each application must have a detailed budget narrative and corresponding spreadsheet describing the total project costs, including contributions and donations. The narrative must justify the itemized costs per category between Federal and non-Federal shares and the corresponding direct and indirect cost totals. For the non-Federal share, the itemized costs in the budget narrative and spreadsheet should be separated into applicant and third party in-kind contributions. If third party in-kind contributions are included, briefly describe the method for calculating the value of these contributions. The budget may include an amount for indirect costs if the applicant has an established indirect cost rate with the Federal government.

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.

Funds for salaries and fringe benefits may be requested only for those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed project and whose salaries and fringe benefits are directly related to specific products or outcomes of the proposed project. If funds are requested for a staff position that is new or not currently filled by personnel, a position description must be provided with the Supporting Documentation (see IV. B.9.f). The position description should include the qualifications, skills, and requirements necessary to fill the vacancy. Bear in mind that receiving an award under this Funding Opportunity does not guarantee the recipient access to Service funding to continue supporting any staff positions in subsequent years.

Funds requested for travel to professional meetings and conferences should be critical to the success of the project goals and objectives. The budget narrative should list each piece of equipment, the cost, and a description of how it will be used and why it is necessary to the successful completion of the proposed project. An applicant may choose to attach supporting documentation regarding any piece of equipment and/or the basis for its cost without affecting the page limits. Equipment is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more (unless the applicant organization has established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than one year. Any items that do not meet the threshold for equipment can be included under the supplies line item. Please note that any general use equipment (computers, etc.) that is charged directly to the award should be allocated to the award according to the expected usage on the project. Equipment procured for the project is subject to requirements in 2 CFR §§ 200.317-.326.

Fees, fundraising activities, travel for Federal employees, salaries for Federal employees, or profits are not allowable costs.

6. 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, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget and skip the next section.

7. Indirect Costs: Organizations Indirect costs may be included in the budget. Indirect costs are essentially overhead costs for basic operational functions (e.g., utilities, rent, and insurance) that are incurred for common or joint objectives and, therefore, cannot be identified specifically within a particular project. 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 (IBC) 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 Service 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 All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, 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, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [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 an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

□ A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

□ A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service 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 the Service.

□ A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that 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 the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award.