F18AS00240_NOFO_full text.pdf

OMB Control Number: [1018-0123] Expiration Date: [01/31/2021]

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use it, and whether or not you have to respond. A response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity is required to receive funding. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection and assigned OMB Control No. 1018-0123, which expired on 09/30/2014. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average of 22 hours per application and 40 hours per performance report. These burden estimates include time for reviewing instructions and gathering data, but do not include the time needed to complete government-wide Standard Forms associated with the application and financial reporting. You may send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: BPHC Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs

Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.679

Funding Opportunity Number: F18A000240 Submission Deadline: July 21, 2018

Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions

I. Description of Funding Opportunity Strengthening the Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

Background: The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be a multibillion-dollar business involving the unlawful harvest of and trade in live animals and plants, or parts and products derived from them.

Illicit wildlife trafficking has wide security implications, with corruption and sophisticated transnational crime syndicates at the center of poaching and trade. It harms wild populations of animals and plants and pushes endangered species toward extinction. Endangered animals and plants are often the target of wildlife crime because of their rarity and increased economic value.

Furthermore, illegal trade negatively impacts a country’s natural resources and local communities that might otherwise benefit from tourism or legal, sustainable trade.

Recognizing the urgent need for a coordinated response to this growing global crisis, the United States issued the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking (CWT). Released in 2014, this strategy sets forth a robust, whole-of-government approach that focuses on three key objectives to stop wildlife trafficking – strengthening enforcement, reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife, and expanding international cooperation. The National Strategy was further reinforced by the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, and by Executive Order 13773, signed by President Trump on February 9, 2017, calling for a comprehensive and decisive approach to dismantle organized crime syndicates, including those associated with wildlife trafficking.

This NOFO aligns with the USFWS mission and the Department of the Interior Secretary’s priorities, https://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2014/trafficking/national-strategy-wildlife-trafficking.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2494 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-enforcing-federal-law-respect-transnational-criminal-organizations-preventing-international-trafficking/ including: (1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt.

Critical elements of these mandates are to strengthen international arrangements that protect wildlife, including CITES.

Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs Program (USFWS) intends to provide funding to the CITES Secretariat to execute Decisions and Resolutions adopted by the CITES Parties during the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) and 69th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC) to combat wildlife trafficking and strengthen enforcement of and compliance with the international framework for legal trade. Most Decisions and Resolutions are adopted with their implementation being subject to the availability of external funds since the CITES core budget is only sufficient to cover core Secretariat activities. Thus, effective implementation of those important multi-lateral decisions must be financed by Parties to the Convention and other donors.

The CITES Decisions and Resolutions that we plan to support through this agreement are of key importance to United States priorities for combating wildlife trafficking and include the following:

Priorities Related Decisions and Resolutions requiring funding

1. Reduce demand for illegal wildlife products Dec. 17.48 Demand Reduction

2. Adoption of national legislation in accordance with the Convention

Dec. 17.64 National Laws

3. CITES compliance and enforcement to combat wildlife trafficking

Dec. 17.87 Domestic Markets for Frequently Illegally Traded Specimens

Res. Conf.11.3 (Rev. CoP17) Compliance and Enforcement

Res. Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) Review of Significant Trade in Specimens of Appendix-II Species

Res. Conf. 17.7 Review of Trade in Animal Specimens Reported as Produced in Captivity

4. Capacity building and support for the development of technologies that will streamline processing and reduce opportunity for fraud in the management of CITES trade

Dec. 17.159 Electronic Systems and IT

5. Priority CITES-listed endangered species and taxa involved in illegal trade

Dec. 17.241 African Lion Dec. 17.253-254 African Grey Parrot Dec. 17.265 Helmeted Hornbill Dec. 17.295 Tortoises and Freshwater turtles Res. Conf. 13.4 (Rev. CoP16) and Dec. 17.232 Conservation of and Trade in Great Apes

USFWS will provide funding to the CITES Secretariat to carry out the following priority activities adopted by the CITES Parties:

1. Reduce demand for illegal wildlife products

Decision 17.48 on Demand Reduction: USFWS will provide funding for an assessment of best practices, challenges, strategies and programs towards increasing the effectiveness of efforts to reduce demand for illegal wildlife specimens, and for the development of CITES guidance on demand reduction strategies. The assessment will support issues identified in SC meetings to reduce demand for illegal specimens of various CITES-listed species, including cheetahs, elephants, rhinoceroses, and Asian big cats.

2. Adoption of national legislation in accordance with the Convention

Decision on 17.64 National Laws: Because the effectiveness of CITES is significantly undermined when Parties do not have adequate national laws in place for implementing the Convention, it is critical that we maintain continued momentum on progress achieved to date.

USFWS will provide funding to support efforts of countries in most need of assistance with regard to their national laws.

3. CITES compliance and enforcement to combat wildlife trafficking

• Decision 17.87 on Domestic Markets for Frequently Illegally Traded Specimens:

Unregulated and poorly regulated domestic markets continue to pose a threat to many CITES-listed species, and a better understanding of country-by-country gaps in regulation is needed to best target efforts. Funding will support an independent consultant(s) to undertake a study on the domestic controls in consumer markets for specimens of CITES-listed species for which international trade is predominantly illegal.

• Res. Conf. 11.3 (Rev. CoP17) on Compliance and Enforcement: Funding will support CITES Parties’ efforts to combat wildlife trafficking through expansion of law enforcement, prosecution, national legislation, and international cooperation for intelligence-driven operations by providing funds to the Secretariat to analyze the annual reports on illegal wildlife trade provided by the Parties. These analyses will be undertaken in collaboration with the International Consortium on Combatting Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) partners.

• Res. Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) on Review of Significant Trade in Specimens of Appendix-II Species: The Review of Significant Trade (RST) process aims to ensure that trade in Appendix II species is conducted sustainably and in accordance with the Convention, and identifies remedial action to improve CITES implementation where needed. USFWS will assist Parties in meeting CITES RST recommendations, and will provide support to identify additional species and countries of highest priority to enter the review process.

• Res. Conf. 17.7 on Review of Trade in Animal Specimens Reported as Produced in Captivity: There is growing evidence of illegal trade in wild-caught specimens of CITES-listed species through fraudulent claims that wild-caught specimens are captive bred. Funding will support the Secretariat’s work to analyze data, consult with range states and report to CITES Parties so to ensure illegal trade is not allowed to occur through the legal system.

4. Capacity building and support for the development of technologies that will improve the management of CITES trade

Decision 17.159 on Electronic Systems and IT: Automation of CITES processes helps to enforce regulations, increases transparency and reduces opportunities for corruption and the use of fraudulent documents. Exchange of electronic CITES permits with customs and border control agencies enables more fine-tuned risk management and better coordination between border controls. Electronic information exchange with other countries puts an end to current practices of fraudulent paper permits used to launder illegal trade in endangered species in the international supply chain. USFWS will support a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development workshop on the functional audit of a CITES-specific module in the Automated SYstem for CUstoms Data (ASYCUDA) system that can act as a ready-made CITES e-permitting system for use by developing countries.

5. Priority CITES-listed endangered species and taxa involved in illegal trade

• Dec. 17.241 African Lion: In collaboration with African lion range States, and as part of a larger suite of activities, USFWS will co-sponsor a comparative study of lion population trends and conservation and management practices within and between countries to help elucidate drivers of illegal killing and trade. Funding will also support a CITES Task Force on African lions which will invite the participation of all African lion range States, consumer states for lion parts and derivatives, and relevant enforcement bodies, including the members of the ICCWC Task Force.

• Decision 17.253-254 on African Grey Parrot: Incursions of poachers into African grey parrot range countries is hindering conservation efforts throughout the species’ range. USFWS funding will assist range States, in collaboration with relevant experts, NGOs, and other stakeholders, in the development and implementation of National and Regional Action Plans for the conservation of the species, including combating poaching and illegal trade.

• Decision 17.265 on Helmeted Hornbill: Despite being listed on CITES Appendix I since 1975, wild populations of Helmeted Hornbill have been severely threatened by poaching to supply demand for raw and carved casques, the source of ‘hornbill ivory’ or ‘red ivory.’

Funding will support the Secretariat and Parties to develop an action plan for the species, including legislative and enforcement measures and regional and sub-regional initiatives, to halt or reduce, and ultimately, eliminate illegal trade in the species.

• Decision 17.295 on Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: A Turtles and Freshwater Turtles Task Force was established to exchange intelligence and other information on the illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater and terrestrial turtles. As a result, a number of intergovernmental investigations were initiated. Given the importance of face-to-face meetings of wildlife enforcement officials in keeping momentum up for addressing illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles, the USFWS will provide funding for additional Task Force meetings to be held prior to CoP18.

• Res. Conf. 13.4 (Rev. CoP16) and Dec. 17.232 on Conservation of and Trade in Great Apes: Habitat loss and illegal harvest for commercial markets are the two most significant pressures on great ape populations. In collaboration with the IUCN/Species Survival

Commission Primate Specialist Group, the Great Ape Survival Partnership, and other experts, USFWS will provide funding to finalize a report on the threats to and status of great apes.

II. Award Information

This is a notice of intent to award a single source award in accordance with 516 FW 6.

This program will use a grant and/or cooperative agreement as the assistance instrument. The type of assistance instrument to be used is the decision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The amount of funding requested must match scope of the activities, the anticipated results, and the length of the project period. The period of performance for projects starts on the date the award is signed by the USFWS. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for funding each year.

Cooperative Agreements Under cooperative agreements, substantial involvement by the USFWS should be expected and may include participating and collaborating jointly with the recipient or other personnel in carrying out the scope of work including training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; reviews and approves one stage of work before the next stage can begin; reviews and approves, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards; helps select project staff or trainees; directs or redirects the work because of interrelationships with other projects; has power to immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and limits recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements:

This is a notice of intent to award a single source award in accordance with 516 FW 6.

Applicants under this program can be individuals; multi-national secretariats; foreign governments; US and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and indigenous organizations; US and foreign public and private institutions of higher education; and U.S. and foreign for-profit organizations.

Applicants must ensure that activities occurring outside the United States are coordinated as necessary with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities and that any necessary licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained prior to undertaking proposed activities. The USFWS does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the work is to be conducted.

The USFWS International Affairs will not fund the purchase of firearms or ammunition;

buying of intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that prompt suspects to carry out illegal activities so they may be arrested (entrapment); or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the activity would occur.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization. Applicants must be registered in SAM at the time of pre-proposal submission. We recommend that applicants immediately begin registering as the process, depending on the type of organization, can take months to complete. Please begin by reading our General Instructions for Registering in DUNS/SAM at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sam-duns-registration-instructions.pdf, and then visit www.sam.gov.

A. DUNS Registration Request a DUNS number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711 Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1) For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807- 1679 (TTY Line)

Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM Register in System for Award Management online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

C. Excluded Entities Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required. If cost share or match is included, it may be in the form of http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sam-duns-registration-instructions.pdf http://www.sam.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/ cash or in-kind contributions. Only verifiable contributions should be included as a match.

Applicant and partner contributions cannot be included as contributions for any other federally assisted project or program. Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as matching contributions but should be noted and explained in detail. A match shown during one year may not be repeated as a match in a subsequent proposal.

IV. Application Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A. SF-424 and Assurances Forms

1. Completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form (SF- 424). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box.

Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

Additional instructions for completing the SF-424 can be found here:

http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf

2. Completed, signed and dated Assurances - Non-Construction form (SF-424b).

The SF-424 and SF-424b forms are located here:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Look for the form name - Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Assurances for Non- Construction Programs (SF-424B).

B. Project Summary: 1 page maximum This section should answer the question, “What is the purpose of this project?” Summarize your project in 300 words or less. This section should be a stand-alone summary of your project and it may be shared with the public. The summary should explicitly identify the target species and how it is impacted by the illegal trade.

The following 3 sentence format is recommended:

Sentence #1 identifies where the project will take place and its key intended result(s). The purpose of this project is to counter illegal wildlife trade in [insert place name and country or region if applicable] by [active verb] [key intended result(s)].

Sentence #2 identifies what is the conservation target and direct threat(s). This project is intended to conserve [insert species, habitat, or other biodiversity] by addressing the impacts of [direct threats addressed by project].

Sentence #3 identifies what will be done. Specific activities include: (1) [activity 1]; (2) [activity 2]; [and so on].

http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby%3D1

C. Project Narrative: 8 pages maximum (from “Statement of Need” to “Literature Cited”)

1. Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is this project located?” Provide a map showing the location of your project site at the regional or national level. Ensure that the sites that you have referred to in the proposal are labeled on the map. Provide the latitude and longitude coordinates of a representative geographic location for your project in decimal degrees format (NOT degree-minute-seconds format). For example, USFWS in Arlington, Virginia, USA, would be provided as 38.8825, -77.1145 (latitude, longitude). Please correctly enter north and east coordinates as positive values, and south and west coordinates as negative values.

If the proposed project is not site-based (i.e. database analysis), please include a description of where the proposed project work will take place and any additional areas impacted.

2. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” The Statement of Need should clearly demonstrate that the applicant has a well-developed understanding of the specific problem to be addressed. Thus, as appropriate, proposals should include the best available information on the wildlife species being trafficked, routes and key transit points, and who is doing the harvesting, trafficking and/or consuming of wildlife products. Proposals should explicitly address the priorities identified above in Section I. “Description of Funding Opportunity”.

This section should also explain how your proposal differs from past work, or builds upon it, including how your proposal expands upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned of past efforts. Projects with other U.S. government funding (USG) must add a section describing the activities supported by each USG funding agency and mechanism and how the awards and activities will be coordinated. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other agencies.

In addition to the text, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a table that summarizes past USFWS support, if any, to the project or applicant. This table does not count toward the eight page limit. A table should include columns for: (1) year of grant, (2) USFWS grant number, (3) amount funded in US$, and (4) bullet points of major activities, outcomes, or products. Former recipients of USFWS support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

3. Project Goals and Objectives: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” As an example, the following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2

A goal is the long-term biological outcome that you want to achieve in order to successfully conserve the target species.

Objectives are the specific outcomes that you want to achieve in order to reach your stated goal(s), and should reflect a desired change in capacity, threat, or species status.

Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, measurable, realistic, and results-oriented. Objectives should form the basis for the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation section. A recommended reference for identifying and developing appropriate objectives and measures of success is the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (Internet link: http://cmp-openstandards.org/download-os/).

4. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: Activities are the specific actions that you undertake to fulfill your objectives and reach your goal. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) for each activity. The methods, including equipment used/requested and personnel conducting the work should be clearly articulated in this section. The proposed activities should correspond with the Project Budget Table and the narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Activities in which no USFWS funds are being requested should be clearly identified as such, and described concisely.

Project Timetable. This section should answer the question, “Over what time period will project activities be implemented?” Provide a timetable indicating when activities or project milestones will be accomplished. Include any tables, spreadsheets or flowcharts within the body of the narrative (DO NOT include separate attachments).

The timetable should not propose specific dates, but rather list the activities described in Section 2, for each month over a 12-month or 24-month period.

5. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who are you going to be working with?” Describe any coordination with local resource managers and other relevant organizations or individuals in planning your project, conducting project activities, or disseminating project results. Where multiple groups are working in the same site, or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal, and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization, will strengthen your proposal and may be requested by http://cmp-openstandards.org/download-os/ http://cmp-openstandards.org/download-os/ reviewers. If activities to collect data are proposed and the project can demonstrate a strong partnership with the wildlife authority that will use the data to manage the species more effectively, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

6. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should answer the question, “How will project implementation and impacts be understood?” For USFWS grants, project monitoring and evaluation involves two components:

(1) Anticipated outputs that document project implementation. Identify all expected outputs (also known as products) of key project activities. Examples include management plans, brochures, posters, training manuals, number of people trained, workshops held, hours of training provided, and equipment purchased.

(2) Conservation outcomes that are the intended results of the project.

Identify all conservation outcomes intended to be achieved by this project.

Examples include increased numbers of giant pangolins, more trained individuals applying their training, and increased number of prosecutions and convictions of poachers. Outcomes should directly relate to, or even be synonymous with, your Proposal Objectives identified above. To track your progress toward achievement of each objective, identify what you will measure (i.e., indicators), and how will you will measure it (i.e., methods, sample sizes, survey tools). Applicants are encouraged to review and use the Standard Measures of Effectiveness and Measuring Efforts to Combat Wildlife Trafficking and the USAID Measuring Efforts to Combat Wildlife Crime: A Toolkit for Improving Action and Accountability for guidance on indicators.

The USFWS values projects that report both the successes and failures of efforts as a means by which an applicant can improve their performance and provide lessons learned to improve our efforts to conserve wildlife. Projects have a higher likelihood of being selected that advance the practice of conservation by being designed and implemented in a way that the effectiveness of activities can be credibly assessed and shared.

7. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who are you, and who are you going to be working with?” Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Provide brief (1-2 pages) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to carry out project activities. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics on the description of key personnel qualifications.

https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guidance-effectiveness-measures-central-africa.pdf http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KQR6.pdf http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KQR6.pdf http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KQR6.pdf

8. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

9. Literature Cited.

10. Government Letter of Endorsement - For projects implemented outside of the United States, non-governmental applicants must include a RECENT letter of support (not older than two years) from the country’s appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should make specific reference to the project by its title as submitted on the applicant’s proposal. If the project activities will take place domestically, a letter of endorsement IS NOT required from any U.S. government agency or office.

D. Budget Form When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity.

Instructions for Budget Table: Begin your project budget table on a new page. The budget table should include a column for all cost categories/items for the project. One column to show the cost calculation, a column for the total costs, one column for the requested USFWS funding, one or more columns for applicant and partner contributions, and, if applicable, a column for any program income that will be used to conduct project activities as demonstrated her

Category/Budget Item Units Cost per Unit

(USD)

No.

Units Total Requested from FWS Applicant

Match Personnel Expenses Related to Project Trainer Month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Project Director Month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Project Coordinator Month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

Personnel Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Purchased Services http://www.ecfr.gov/

Printing (Manuals) Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Printing (Training) Lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Printing (Outreach materials;

banners, stands, etc.)

Lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

Purchased Services Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Travel Vehicle day use (with driver) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Vehicle maintenance and repair Lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Domestic Flights (Coordination at Transit Points)

Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

Travel Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Lodging and Meals Meals (4 day Training 30 ppl) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Accommodation 4 day Training 20ppl)

Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

Lodging and Meals Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Supplies Supplies (Training) Lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx Supplies (Patrols) Month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

Supplies Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx GRAND TOTAL $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx *Present all amounts in U.S. dollars

Things to consider when developing your Budget Table:

The Budget Table should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 line item for lodging costs should include the formula for how the cost was calculated: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15/night = $3,300.

For any salaries, staff time or contractors that USFWS funds are requested for, the person should be identified and their qualifications described in Section 6 (Description of Entities Undertaking the Project). For any training, a description of the training should be included in the Methods section. For any meetings, a description of participants, a draft agenda and desired outputs should be provided.

Wherever possible, cost calculations should be included in the Budget Table. Where necessary, additional description should be provided in the Budget Justification. If the Budget Table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages.

Federally Funded Equipment: If the U.S. Federal Government has paid for equipment for another award, applicants cannot claim it to be a matching or in-kind contribution and SHOULD NOT include it in the budget table. Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

E. Budget Justification In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. A thorough written justification that explains both the necessity and the basis for the proposed costs must accompany the budget. Each budget line must have a corresponding justification and must demonstrate a clear connection to the project activities and show how line item amounts were determined. Each of the major costs (salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, supplies other direct costs and indirect costs) must be explained (please see example below).

Example of a Budget Justification:

A. Personnel request= [insert amount]

-Principal Investigator-Jane Smith- (Time=12 months) Jane’s time will be spent [insert activity and describe why it is needed for the project].

-Trainer- John Doe- (Time= 5 months) - John is responsible for the overall coordination of staff training. He will recruit staff, for 2 months and spend his time on training for the remaining 3 months.

(Continue to list other staff and explain/justify roles).

B. Services request= [insert amount] -Production and printing of 50 training manuals (100pgs) used to conduct workshops.

C. Travel request= [insert amount] -Airfare costs for three person team (principal investigator, program manager, trainer) to travel to work sites. Travel is necessary to establish new work sites for the project and is more cost effective via air. Costs include airfare and accommodations.

-Vehicle cost with driver for XX days is requested, to conduct field patrols.

Travel and food costs to cover the annual needs of XX person patrol team including fuel and other costs related to transportation.

-Maintenance for vehicles is estimated at XX per month.

D. Other-request = [insert amount] Explain any other costs

E. Indirect Cost Indicate rate or if claiming 10% de minimis or charging directly

For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro-forma invoice. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal Cost Principles requires USFWS approval and estimate its cost.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Applicants that do not have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) cannot claim more than a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). When calculating MTDC please ensure that these line items are NOT included in your calculation: capital expenditures, rental costs, equipment over $5,000 USD or more, fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each sub-award in excess of $25,000 USD. All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. 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. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

2. 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 are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

3. 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: “A copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement is attached. 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 “A copy of our current, approved rate agreement(s) is attached.”]

4. 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]. 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.

5. 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, in the event an award is made, 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%] of [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 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. 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, in the event an award is made, 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% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved 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 such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. 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 the basis for direct costs will be 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 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and 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.

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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

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

• Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to their USFWS award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non-Federal alike.

• Recipients must have prior written approval from the USFWS to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

• Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.”

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the USFWS’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior:

http://www.fws.gov/grants/

For organizations without a NICRA, you must have an open, active Federal award to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430 Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: 916-566-7111; Email: ics@nbc.gov Internet address: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements (Foreign Applicants Excluded): As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, 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 a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System.

All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”. Do not include your audit report in the proposal or application.

G. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Non- Construction Programs (SF 424B). Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Foreign Applicants Excluded):

Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award.

Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in mailto:ics@nbc.gov http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://harvester.census.gov/sac/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15 connection with this project AND the project budget exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

I. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter.

Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the application.