Experienced_Services_NOFO_9.02.2019_FinalDraft.docx

Notice of Funding Opportunity

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Experienced Services Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number:

F19AS00357

Federal Program:

Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Conservation Training Center Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

15.682 Authorizing Statutes:

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6, Division E, Sec. 113). Program activities will be carried out under various authorities, including: Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 742 et seq.); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666e); Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 753); Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.)

Deadline for Submission of Applications: November 15, 2019 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:

We are collecting this information to carry out activities as authorized in Sec. 113, Division E of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-6). Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and 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

a. Description of Program

1. Background:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the oldest fish and wildlife agency in the nation and the only Federal agency whose primary purpose is the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants. Its mission is: working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The USFWS manages 855.6 million acres of lands and waters in its National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), including 567 National Wildlife refuges, 38 wetland management districts, 50 coordination areas, seven National Monuments, and 9.1 million acres in Marine National Monuments. The USFWS operates and maintains 70 National Fish Hatcheries (NFH), one historical National Fish Hatchery, eight Fish Health Centers, seven Fish Technology Centers, 51 Fisheries Offices, and 80 Ecological Services Field Stations. The USFWS accomplishes its mission through diverse partnerships, including other Federal agencies, States and local governments, Tribes, international organizations, and private organizations and individuals. The bureau carries out projects involving fish and wildlife biology; species and habitat conservation; land management; monitoring, research and science coordination; professional training; outreach and education; providing visitor services, myriad administrative projects, and more. It is organized into 8 geographic regions and 9 programs, including Ecological Services, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, NWRS, International Affairs, Migratory Birds, Law Enforcement, and Science Applications.

2. The USFWS Experienced Services Program Overview:

Three eligible nonprofit organizations for a total of five years to assist the agency in establishing and conducting an Experienced Services Program. Under this program, the USFWS will enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor as eligible to receive funds under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to recruit and utilize the skills and experience of older Americans, aged 55 and older. Program enrollees (selected recruits) will work on projects that are authorized by provisions of law administered by the Secretary of the Interior and that are consistent with such provisions of law. Under each cooperative agreement and as funding becomes available, the USFWS will work with the recipient organizations to develop and carryout individual task agreements that will support the USFWS’ mission, goals and objectives. These task agreements will be staffed by program enrollees, who are recruited by the recipient organization, interviewed and selected by the USFWS, and then supported with payroll, benefits and administrative support from the recipient organization. This approach will allow the USFWS to focus on identifying priority needs for specific expertise to complete projects, and then to secure qualified, temporary personnel in a cost-effective manner. Before task agreements are established under the master cooperative agreement(s), the recipient organization(s) will assist the USFWS in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the USFWS and recipient organization(s) to use to administer the program, within 180 days of the start of the Master Agreement.

By law, the USFWS Experienced Services Program enrollees cannot displace or reduce the non-overtime hours, wages, or employment benefits of USFWS employees; perform work of USFWS employees who are in a layoff status from the same or substantially-equivalent job or function; or affect existing contracts for services. Enrollees cannot be assigned work that is determined to be inherently governmental, as defined in OMB Circular A-76. Enrollees in the program are not USFWS employees. Enrollment in the program will not affect the retirement benefits of retired federal employees.

3. Recipient Responsibilities:

The USFWS will enter into master cooperative agreements with up to three eligible organizations for a total of five years to assist the agency in establishing and conducting an Experienced Services Program. Recipient responsibilities will include:

· Working with the USFWS to establish program administration Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s within 180 days from start of the Master Agreement, and other guidance as needed.

· Recruiting and screening candidates, based upon the approved task position description/work plans from the USFWS, and recommending qualified candidates to the USFWS to interview for selection and placement.

· After USFWS recommends candidates for selection, enrolling selected candidate(s) into the program.

· Processing enrollee payroll, managing enrollee time and attendance records, and managing enrollee benefits (e.g., workers compensation, unemployment, leave) earned by enrollees.

· Notifying selected candidates of enrollment status, providing orientation to the administration of payroll, benefits and other procedures and protocol of the Experienced Services Program, and addressing all questions and provide guidance pertaining to these matters.

· Ensuring enrollees receive a copy of the USFWS position description, program handbooks or other guidance, and important dates and conditions.

· Processing training and travel reimbursements for all required and /or approved travel and training, as appropriate.

· Providing a web site or other interface for enrollees and the USFWS day-to-day manager (Technical Officer) of each project, as needed;

· Working with the USFWS to ensure that participants are aware of and agree to comply with all relevant Federal and USFWS-specific laws and policies;

· Making site visits, as warranted by program needs; and

· Otherwise working in joint collaboration with the USFWS through a master cooperative agreement to carrying out the establishment, management, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed Experienced Services Program, in accordance with a master cooperative agreement between the USFWS and the selected applicant(s).

The selected recipient(s) will receive obligation of new funds only as those become available from the requesting USFWS program to support each new project or activity.

4. Public Benefit of the Program:

The Experienced Services Program will provide a cost-effective recruitment process to obtain the services of non-federal, experienced workers, aged 55 and older. Through agreements with eligible nonprofit organizations, the USFWS will be able to utilize the services of these workers on a project-by-project basis to enhance its capacity to achieve its mission, goals and objectives. Skilled and experienced older Americans, including veterans, will have an opportunity to contribute their skills and experience for compensation toward conservation of the nation’s natural and cultural resources. Enrollment in the program will not impact the retirement benefits of retired federal employees.

b. Expected Program Outcomes

1. Program-Specific Outcomes:

the program is still in line with management’s top priorities; and/or

a. Award Instrument:

Awards made under this Notice of Funding Opportunity will be through a cooperative agreement, called a Master Cooperative Agreement:

Master Cooperative Agreement: A master cooperative agreement is an agreement to develop and carry out the USFWS Experienced Services Program with a private nonprofit organization, under which more than one individual award, or “task agreement,” is anticipated. This master cooperative agreement will include a detailed description of the types of work that can be done through task agreements and will establish the overarching terms and conditions agreed to by the USFWS and the recipient. The master cooperative agreement will not obligate funding, authorize the recipient(s) to incur any costs, or guarantee any minimum future obligation of Federal funds. The USFWS will identify specific projects and provide funding for them, as funding becomes available, through task agreements that will include reference to the applicable legal authority and terms and conditions established in the master cooperative agreement. The USFWS may update master cooperative agreements over time to incorporate new award terms and conditions when required by regulation or Department policy.

b. Expected Number of Awards:

The USFWS will award no more than three master cooperative agreements. A nationwide master cooperative agreement may be established, if only one recipient is chosen. If the USFWS selects more than one recipient organization as a result of this notice, the USFWS may assign geographic or other divisions to each agreement to eliminate competition for hiring support among the multiple recipient organizations. As funding becomes available for potential projects, individual task agreements will be prepared under the master cooperative agreement(s) without further competition.

c. Award Amounts/Funding: Up to a total of $7 million may be provided under this notice.

Total funds provided for individual task agreements will vary, at the discretion of the USFWS.

The USFWS will identify specific projects and provide funding for those through individual cooperative agreement awards (“task agreements”) to the entities with master cooperative agreements established as the result of this funding opportunity. The establishment of a master cooperative agreement does not obligate any funds, authorize the recipient(s) to incur any costs or guarantee any minimum future obligation of Federal funds.

d. Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date:

Master cooperative agreement(s) period of performance will begin on the date the cooperative agreement(s) is/are signed.

e. Length of Award:

Master cooperative agreement(s) will remain in effect for 5 years. The period of performance for individual projects will vary.

f. Length of Projects:

In general, recipients must complete projects within the shortest timeframe need to meet all the expected program outcomes. A project may occur over multiple years, but the task agreement must end no later than the POP end date on the associated master agreement. Each task agreement provided by the USFWS will have a start and an anticipated project end date.

g. Substantial Involvement of the USFWS:

The USFWS will be substantially involved in carrying out the master cooperative agreement(s) made as a result of this notice of funding opportunity. This involvement may include:

Funding for this program is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds and evaluations of proposals based on the criterion in this announcement.

USFWS reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement if additional funding becomes available after the original award selections are made.

a. Eligible Applicants:

This program is limited to organizations that meet the criteria described in Section 113 of P.L. 116-6, Consolidated Appropriations for FY 2019. This means the program is limited to qualified nonprofit organizations:

Proof of these qualifications must be submitted with application. Failure to meet eligibility requirements will result in precluding the USFWS from making an award.

b. Cost Sharing or Matching:

This program has no cost sharing or matching requirements.

c. Other Eligibility Criteria:

1. State Sponsors of Terrorism:

This program will not fund projects in in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

2. Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions:

This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

3. In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals:

Entities conducting activities outside the U.S. are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

4. 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 USFWS 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 USFWS 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 USFWS 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.

5. 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.

6. Excluded Parties:

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

7. Other Excluded Activities:

This program will not fund enrollee positions with duties that involve active law enforcement, firefighting, foreign travel or postings, and use of firearms or explosives.

IV. Application Requirements

a. Requesting Paper Application Package:

This announcement includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

b. The Application Form and Content Requirements:

Applications must include all required Standard Forms (SF) shown below, a Proposal, a Budget Narrative, and a copy the applicant's approved federal agency Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. Non-governmental organizations that have not previously received award funds or have not had an active award within 3 (three) years must complete a Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet. Do not merge documents into a single PDF file. Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

c. Applicants must submit the following:

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).

2. SF-424, 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 Proposal:

a) Project Proposal.

The Project Proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a type-face no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Narrative. Eligible applications will be evaluated using the following merit review criteria using numerical scoring based on a 100-point maximum score.

b) Proposal Requirements. The proposal must contain the following 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 USFWS’ “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions.” 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.

e. Budget Narrative:

All applications must have a complete detailed budget narrative explaining and justifying the federal and the non-federal expenditures by object class category as listed on SF-424A - Section B (Budget Category) for non-construction awards (and the SF-424C for construction awards). Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications.

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 IBC Website for more information.

1. Organizations must have an active Federal award:

before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate (includes accepting the 10% de-minimus rate, when eligible) are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. 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 USFWS 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.

2. Required Indirect Cost Statement:

All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the USFWS, 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 USFWS 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 USFWS 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 USFWS.

· 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 USFWS to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that USFWS 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.”

g. Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and subrecipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests; close personal relationships; positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision-making authority related to the proposed project. Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or subrecipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project. Applicants may not solicit, obtain, or use non-public information that may be of competitive interest to the entity, including information regarding the funding opportunity, evaluation, award, or administration of an award to the entity. Applicants must notify the USFWS in writing in their application if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term “employee” means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Applicants may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role for the proposed project, whose participation puts them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethic’s website at https://oge.gov/ for more information on these restrictions. The USFWS will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed project and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the USFWS may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the USFWS may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

h. Single Audit Report:

All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

i. 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.

j. 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 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 on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

k. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

l. Application Checklist

· SF-242, Application for Federal Assistance

· SF-424A or C, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

· SF-424B or D, Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

· SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form, if applicable

· Project Proposal

· Budget Narrative

· Indirect Cost Statements and related documentation, if applicable

· Conflict of Interest Disclosure, if applicable

· Single Audit Reporting Statement, if applicable

· Proof of establishment under the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965

· Proof of non-profit, tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application; complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. 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.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number:

Request a DUNS Number 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.

2. Register with SAM:

Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions. You can also 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 to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

b. Submission Dates and Times:

See announcement cover sheet for the deadline (date and time) for this information. Applications must be received by the USFWS prior to the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline for submission may not be considered for award unless it can be determined the delay was caused by Federal government mishandling.

c. Transmittal of Sensitive Data:

Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the USFWS is protected during its transmission/delivery. The USFWS strongly recommends that recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available. The USFWS recommends the following digital transmission methods: secure digital faxing; encrypted emails; emailing a password protected zipped/compressed file attachment in one email followed by the password in a second email; or emailing a zipped/compressed file attachment.