F16AC00853modification2NOFO.docx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Financial Assistance Business Process Notice of Funding Opportunity Template Point of Contact Send any questions about this document by email to the Chief, Policy Branch, Financial Assistance Support and Oversight (FASO) Division, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR). See the Policy Branch “Contact Us” Intranet page contact information. See Table 1 below for document change history.

Table 1: Document Change Log

Instructions Use this template to develop the full text of your Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). NOFOs must address all 2 CFR 200, Appendix I-Full Text of Funding Opportunity requirements. The template begins on page 2 of this document. Do not include this first page in your NOFO. See Table 2 below for a key to using the highlighted text found throughout the template. See also the WSFR/FASO/Systems Branch User Guide “How to Create and Post a Funding Opportunity and Synopsis". Use the Microsoft Word View>Navigation Pane feature to view embedded template headings and use those to go directly to a specific section. Programs are responsible for making sure Funding Opportunity documents posted for the public on Grants.gov are accessible, as required under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Table 2: Template Text Highlighting Key

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00393 Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Division of Ecological Services Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife Title: Alabama Partners for Fish & Wildlife Longleaf Pine Restoration

1. Program Description:

Funds under this award are to be used to facilitate the restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem on private lands in Alabama for the benefit of federal trust resources. Longleaf pine restoration projects will be implemented in a 3-way partnership with the Longleaf Alliance, Fish and Wildlife Service, and private landowners in Alabama.

1. Federal Award Information:

The award will be made as Amendment no. 2 to Cooperative Agreement No. F16AC00853 The amount of the amendment award is $80,000.00 The total amount of this cooperative agreement will be $230,000.00 Agreement period of performance remains 09/30/2016 to 09/30/2021

1. This is not a request for proposals. This is a notice of intent to award funding on a single source basis. Single source justification is based on:

0. Unique Qualifications: The Recipient is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on a variety of demonstrable factors such as voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability, past performance, and technical expertise.

Cooperative Agreement Recipient:

The Longleaf Alliance, Inc.

12130 Dixon Center Road Andalusia, Al 36420-7161

DUNS: 827655353

The Recipient is a non-profit 501C3 organization

Funding is Authorized by Legislation:

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §§3771-3774; Fish and Wildlife Act; 16 U.S.C. §742 et seq.; and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§661-666.

A.

Cost Sharing or Matching [State if the program has a cost sharing or matching requirement without which an application would be ineligible. If cost sharing is not required, the application must explicitly state it. Required cost sharing or match may be a certain percentage or ratio as compared to the total Federal share, or may be in the form of contributions of specified items or activities (e.g., provision of equipment). It is important to be clear about any restrictions on the types of costs that are acceptable as cost sharing or match (e.g., indirect costs). Cost sharing as an eligibility criterion includes requirements based in statute or regulation as described in 2 CFR 200.306 or those imposed by administrative decision of the Service. This section should refer to any section(s) of the Application and Submission section of this document that includes details any pre-award requirements to submit letters or other documentation to verify commitments to meet cost-share requirements. Include any restrictions on the types of costs (e.g., in-kind contributions) that are acceptable as cost sharing. Cost sharing as an eligibility criterion includes the requirements based in statute or regulation, as well as those imposed by administrative decision of the Service. Indicate if there are any pre-award requirements for submission of letters or other documentation to verify commitments to meet cost-sharing requirements. The announcement must explicitly state if cost sharing is not required.].

B.

Other Eligibility Criteria [Insert a description of any other criteria that have the effect of making an application or project ineligible for Federal awards, as applicable (e.g., restricted activities, “responsiveness” criteria, “go-no go” criteria, “threshold” criteria, or others). State any limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit under the announcement and make clear if the limitation is on the organization, the individual investigator/program director, or both. Include any eligibility criteria for beneficiaries or for program participants other than Federal award recipients.] NOTE: The yellow-highlighted text below contain suggested text for use by programs funding projects in foreign countries. Edit the suggested text as appropriate and remove yellow highlighting. If not applicable, remove yellow-highlighted text below. Remove this note.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

1. Requesting Paper Application Package [Insert information for potential applicants on how to get application forms, kits or other materials needed to apply. You may provide an Internet address where materials are available. However, high-speed Internet access is not yet universally available and applicants may have additional accessibility requirements; you should consider providing a way for potential applicants to request paper copies of materials, such as a U.S. Postal Service mailing address, telephone number, Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD), Text Telephone (TTY) number, and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number.]

1. Application Form and Content Requirements [The “Application Form and Content Requirements” section must identify the required content of an application and the forms or formats that an applicant must use to submit it. This section should specifically address content and form or format requirements, as applicable. This includes pre-applications; letters of intent; white papers; all application components; limitations of the total number of pages; font size, typeface, margins and paper size requirements; number of copies; sequence or assembly instructions; special requirements for digital signatures; and any information that successful applicants must submit after notification of intent to make an award but prior to award. At a minimum, all Service programs must require submission of the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance, the appropriate SF-424 Assurances form and the appropriate SF-424 Budget form. Programs must include all of the SF-424 forms needed for your applicant types in the Grants.gov “Application Package” attached to the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov, which means the program may need to add more than one “Application Package” to the Funding Opportunity to provide all the forms needed for every eligible applicant type and project type. All attached application packages will appear on the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity posting under the “Packages” tab. See the FWS FA Systems User Guide "How to Create and Post a Funding Opportunity and Synopsis" for more information.] 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 Narrative [Insert description of the program-specific requirements for project narrative statements. Application narrative requirements may include:

· Project title;

· Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project;

· Statement of need;

· Goals and objectives;

· Activities;

· Methods;

· Timetable or milestones;

· Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. Note: For projects on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. For projects outside the U.S. on any property on the UNESCO World Heritage List or the in-country equivalent of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act;

· Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement;

· Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including description of assessment tools to be used;

· Information on key project personnel;

· Anticipated future funding needs;

· Details and supporting documentation on the project location; and

· Other program- or project-specific narrative requirements].

4. SF-424, 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”. 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.

NOTE: The yellow-highlighted text below contain suggested text for requesting required budget narrative information. Edit the suggested text as needed and remove yellow highlighting. Remove this note.

5. 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. [Insert any other program-specific information for applicants to detail in their budget justifications].

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 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 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. 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.

8. 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 Service 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 Service 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 Service may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

NOTE: The “Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement” below is not required for mandatory programs. All discretionary funding opportunities, both competitive and single source, must include the section. Mandatory programs, please delete the section. All programs, remove this note.

12. 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.”

NOTE: Revise the application checklist below to match your program’s application requirements, as needed. Be sure to insert new list items in order as they appear in the Funding Opportunity. Remove any text highlighting. Remove this note.

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

· SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

· SF-424B or D, Assurances

· Project Narrative

· SF-424A or C, Budget Information

· Budget Narrative

· Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

· Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

· Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

· SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

· Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

· Foreign Government Letter of Endorsement Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

V. Submission Requirements

1. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration 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.

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.

1. Submission Dates and Times [Enter submission deadline date(s) or open period start and end dates and any other related information following the instructions for this section in 2 CFR 200, Appendix I, section D (4). Review and address all of the 2 CFR 200-Appendix I requirements for this section. These include clearly stating deadlines in terms of date and local time (Please Note: Grants.gov uses Eastern Time); what the deadline means and if submission method affects it; and the effect of missing a deadline. Format the information in this section so that it is easy to understand and use. A tabular format or checklist may be more helpful than narrative paragraphs.] NOTE: If U.S. state and local governments are never eligible to apply for funding under the program, remove the Intergovernmental Review section below. If they are, retain the section. Remove yellow highlighting on retained text. Remove this note.

1. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

1. Funding Restrictions [Provide information on any program funding restrictions in order to allow an applicant to develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements. Examples include whether construction is an allowable activity, if there are any limitations on direct costs such as foreign travel or equipment purchases, and if there are any legislatively authorized limits on indirect costs (or facilities and administrative costs). We also must advise applicants if we will not allow reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs.] NOTE: Provide application submission instructions below to reflect the application options and procedures for your program. Use the yellow highlighted text to provide instructions for Grants.gov applicants. Remove yellow highlighting on retained text. Remove this note.

1. Submission Instructions [Provide detailed submission instructions, including the format of submission (i.e., paper or electronic), for each type of required submission. Do not require applicants to submit in more than one format. Indicate if applicants have more than one choice for how to submit an application and provide detailed instructions for each option, including where to send the application. For postal mail submissions, provide a complete mailing address. For electronic submissions, include the website URL or email address and detail if a password is required, if particular software or other capabilities are required, what to do in the event of system problems, and a point of contact in the event of technical difficulties. Describe how the receiving program determines timely submission, and whether, when, and in what form applicants will be sent acknowledgment of receipt.] This program [encourages or requires] applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

1. Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission. When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

1. Proof of Timely Submission 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.

NOTE: All Competitive programs must design formal application evaluation and selection procedures before posting Notices of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Programs must document these procedures in writing and either describe them in full, or incorporate them by reference, in all Notices of Funding Opportunity. See the Service’s “Establishing a Written Review and Selection Process” guidance for more information. Any program issuing a discretionary single source award must describe the criteria used to justify selecting that particular application for funding following the requirements in Service policy 516 FW 6. Remove this note.

VI. Application Review Information

1. Criteria [Describe all criteria and sub-criteria used to evaluate applications, including merit and other criteria used to judge applications. Include any statutory, regulatory, or other preferences applicable to the process and provide a detailed explanation of those and their effect (e.g., result in additional points). These criteria are different from eligibility criteria addressed before accepting an application for review and any program policy applied during selection after the review process is complete. The intent is to be transparent about the process so all applicants have a fair opportunity to address those in their applications. If cost sharing will be considered in the review (as opposed to being treated as an eligibility criterion), specifically address how it will be considered (e.g., results in additional points, or to break ties between applicants with equivalent scores after evaluation of all other factors). Clearly state any restrictions on the types of costs that are acceptable as cost sharing].

1. Review and Selection Process [List any program policy or other factors or elements other than merit criteria that the selecting official may use in selecting applications for Federal award (e.g., geographical dispersion, program balance, or diversity). Include other details about the program’s review and selection process, as appropriate. For example, you may indicate who is responsible for evaluation against the merit criteria (e.g., peers external to the Federal awarding agency or Federal awarding agency personnel), or who makes the final award selections. If there is a multi-phase review process (e.g., an external panel advising internal Federal awarding agency personnel who make final recommendations to the deciding official), the announcement may describe the phases. It also may detail the number of individuals on evaluation panels, how the panel operates, the way the program qualifies and selects reviewers, and if the program permits applicants to nominate or suggest reviewers for their applications. Detail if, due to limited funding or for other reasons, the program routinely negotiates selected project scopes of work and budgets prior to award. If this is the case, make it clear here that those applicants will have to submit revised SF-424 forms and narratives prior to award. Service programs must make awards based on final, approved applications that parallel their awards in scope and funding amount. Describe the timing, form, and content of notifications to unsuccessful applicants.

Prior to award, the Service 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 Service may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Service may choose not to fund the selected project.

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 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 Service will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.205. Service programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Service’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 Service is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Service will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Service 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.

VII. Federal Award Administration Federal Award Notices [Detail what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection. If the program will provide a selection notice to the entity before actually issuing the Federal award, this is the place to indicate that the letter is not an authorization to begin project performance (to the extent that the program allows charging of pre-award costs to the award at the entity’s own risk). This section should indicate that the signed notice of Federal award is the authorizing document and how the program delivers notices of award to recipients (e.g., postal mail, electronic means)]. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

1. Award Terms and Conditions See the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The “Department of the Interior (DOI) Award Provisions” attached to this Funding Opportunity also apply to Service awards (Attachment A). [Insert any program- or project-specific terms or conditions that will apply to recipients under the program. See the Service’s “Sample Financial Assistance Award Special Terms and Conditions” guidance for more information.]

1. Payments Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by the Service program. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Service will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.

D. Reporting Requirements The Service will include recipient-specific reporting requirements, including the required reports, reporting frequency, and report due dates in all Notices of Award, as applicable.

NOTE: Revise the yellow highlighted text below as needed to reflect the program’s financial reporting requirements. Remove yellow highlighting. We may only waive interim financial reporting on awards to ASAP-waived entities using the SF-270/271 and requesting payment at least once annually throughout the entire award period of performance. See 516 FW 1, section 1.14 for more information. Remove this note.

1. Financial Reports All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

NOTE: Revise the yellow highlighted text below to reflect the program’s performance reporting requirements. For awards that include construction, onsite technical inspections and certified percentage of completion data may be relied on to monitor progress for construction. Additional performance reports for construction activities may be required only when considered necessary. Awards that include both construction and non-construction activities should require performance reporting for the non-construction activities. See 2 CFR 200.328 for more information. Remove yellow highlighting. We may only waive performance reporting for awards to individuals for which we have another way of assessing and documenting recipient performance at least annually. See 516 FW 1, section 1.14 for more information. Remove this note.

1. Performance Reports Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final performance report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date.