F19AS00403 Full Text NOFA SS Boise State_LBCU.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds - Southwest Region

Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

Notice of Single Source Funding Announcement Number: F19AS00403

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.665

Authorizing Legislation: The authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity match the program’s CFDA profile and include the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-754;

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C.661-667(e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C, 2901-2911; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, (16U.S.C. 709a)

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

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

I. Program Description This award directly supports Department of Interior priorities (1a and 3a). The single source award to Boise State University supports Secretarial Action #1a: “creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by utilizing science to identify best management practices to manage land and water resources and allowing adaptation to changes in the environment”. This proposed project’s satellite transmitter results will identify migration and wintering sites critical to an iconic American grassland bird species, the Long-billed Curlew. That information will help inform where to focus efforts to support this and other grassland- dependent species of conservation concern. This project will allow the Service and partners to better understand migration routes of adults breeding in New Mexico and migratory connectivity throughout the species’ entire range. These data will assist the State of New Mexico, and other conservation partners (including private landowners) select the land management practices (voluntary easements, enhancement and restoration efforts, and grazing regimes) most appropriate to support the curlew population.

The research generated by this award also provides a direct connection to Secretarial Action #3a:

“restoring trust with local communities”. Information on how North America’s largest shorebird (and one of great interest to the public) is using north-central New Mexico will be helpful to the rural towns and municipalities relative to attracting birders and other visiting publics. Relationships between natural resource managers and the ranching community (i.e., the National Grassland Alliance of New Mexico) will benefit because the information provided through this award will help private landowners evaluate alternate forms of revenue streaming (i.e., eco-tourism.) This project will also engage students from the neighboring University, one of the only in this rural part of the State. This hands-on research project will help expose traditionally under- served students to the fields of wildlife biology and collaborative conservation. tourism.) This project will also engage students from the neighboring University, one of the only in this rural part of the State. This hands-on research project will help expose traditionally under- served students to the fields of wildlife biology and collaborative conservation, The Migratory Bird Division, Southwest Region is a long-standing, established program within the FWS and has a long history of completing successful research and monitoring projects most of which have been collaborative with a myriad of stakeholders and partners. This award will support a second year of field work completed in spring of 2019 by the Boise State University, the FWS and a suite of partners including New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Highlands University, Denver Zoological Foundation, the FWS National Refuge System and citizen scientists. Those same partners along with new partners such as the US Forest Service (National Grasslands) will be involved in spring 2020 data collection activities supported by this award. Fore-mentioned partners are providing in-kind services in the form of labor (assisting with breeding surveys, nest searching, trapping, banding and monitoring nests for fate), housing, vehicles and more.

II. Federal Award Information The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to award a single source financial assistance agreement as authorized by 505 DM 2.14 (B) 1 & 4 to Boise State University (Dr. Jay Carlisle).

The Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) hereby provides notice of its intent to award ONE single source cooperative agreement without competition for the following:

Research award to continue the 2019 project of documenting the migratory path, wintering locations and migratory connectivity of Long-billed Curlews breeding on the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and surrounding areas of north-central New Mexico, and locate and determine hatch rate of a sample of nests within the study site. This continuation award will add $49,000 by amending the existing cooperative agreement with Boise State University for a total award for $98,000 over performance period of September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2021. The 2020 fieldwork will begin in late March to early April of 2020 and go through late May to early June of 2020.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in the project under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: a) participating in the development of the study design to ensure relevance to the Service, (b) liaison with project’s partners regarding logistics and access to refuge and private lands and coordinating partnership contributions to project (assisting with breeding surveys), (c) assisting in locating nests (trap sites), trapping and banding birds and determining hatch rate of nests of banded adults and (d) assisting with determining hatch rates of other located curlew nests in study area.

Project Background Due to declining population numbers and vulnerability to changes in grassland habitats, the Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus) is a species of conservation concern in New Mexico, numerous other states and nationally in the U.S. and Canada. The lack of data on where curlews breeding in New Mexico spend the winter, is limiting the comprehensive management and conservation actions required to better support this species.

A variety of stakeholders including government agencies, non-government organizations and private landowners are seeking science-based information on how this species is using New Mexico and how the state’s habitats are contributing to the global population. The award supports a collaborative research project with partners (Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, Denver Zoological Foundation, Highlands University, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, New Mexico Game and Fish, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, and others) to deploy satellite transmitters on Curlews breeding on and near the Refuge where observations of breeding efforts have increased in recent years. The proposed project will add a study site from the most southern portion of the Curlew breeding range to an existing large-scale research effort to identify migration routes and wintering areas of Curlews nesting in the Intermountain West (https://ibo.boisestate.edu/curlewtracking/locations/). Thus, the data produced will be novel and valuable at the state level but will also significantly add to the understanding of this species at the landscape-level. This project will also include a pilot-effort to locate and determine hatch rate of Curlew nests, a critical step to understanding how New Mexico is contributing to the global population. These data will help meet science needs outlined in the Long-Billed Curlew Status Assessment and Conservation Action Plan and other state and federal plans. The proposed project’s results will help address the growing prediction that New Mexico is an important contributor to the global Curlew population; especially given increasing loss and degradation of habitats in some portions of the birds’ range.

Required Project Activities This project and research will be accomplished by awardee through the tasks/activities below:

1. Provide Technical Assistance and Training

a. Provide technical assistance (including one site visit) to assist Service and project partner personnel (i.e., NM Department of Game and Fish), biological technician, and/or qualified volunteers in locating Curlew nests that will later serve as locations to trap adults.

b. Provide technical assistance and training to Service personnel, biological technician and/or qualified volunteers regarding determining fate of Curlew nests (hatch rates) and other productivity measures including designing and conducting breeding curlew surveys.

2. Data Collection and Management

a. Deploy satellite transmitters (PTTs) on up to five adult breeding Curlews in 2020 to add to 2019 data to further determine the migration routes, stopover and wintering sites for birds nesting near the Rio Mora NWR and other appropriate habitats in north-central and eastern New Mexico.

b. Compile satellite transmitter data of tagged birds for two years after banded (total of 2019-2021). If applicable and permission given, include movement results of birds tagged in New Mexico on the Boise State University’s project webpage to share with public and interested stakeholders.

3. Analyses

a. Analyze data and develop summary reports with recommendations on future data https://ibo.boisestate.edu/curlewtracking/locations/ needs and implications for management and conservation.

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants This Single Source Award to Boise State University, is being awarded in accordance with Department of the Interior (DOI) Policy 505 DM 2.14 B (1 & 4): Unsolicited Proposal and Unique Qualifications: The recipient, Boise State University is uniquely qualified to perform “Tracking Migration Routes, Connectivity and Nesting Efforts of Long-Billed Curlews in New Mexico” because this project is proposing to add appropriate portions of north-central and eastern New Mexico (using Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge as the focal point) to the University’s ongoing project tracking Curlew migration throughout the Intermountain West.

There are no eligibility restrictions. 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.

Cost Sharing or Matching

There are no cost sharing or matching requirements.

Other Eligibility Criteria

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.

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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

This announcement is not a request for applications. This NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE

SOURCE WITHOUT COMPETITION.

Requesting Paper Application Package This is extension of sole source award; applicant (Boise State University) has internet access to the application package via http://www.grants.gov

Application Form and Content Requirements

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

a. Project Title: “Tracking Migration Routes, Connectivity, and Nesting Efforts of Long-billed Curlews in New Mexico”

b. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization Provide complete contact information for the individual http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Detail the qualifications of key personnel; provide brief description of their education, experience and other skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, 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.

c. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization) that are relevant to the proposed work and provide brief summary of results up to date. Explain how this proposed work will add to landscape and local-scale data.

d. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) and objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period).

e. Project Activities, Methods, and Timetable: List the proposed 2020 -2022 project activities and how they will be used to meet stated objectives and add to 2019 data results. Provide a description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity.

Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

f. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

g. Project Products and Evaluation: Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered. Describe how the project’s findings and results will benefit stakeholders (managers of the study site and private landowners, and in general how results could benefit other state and federal agencies, non-government organizations, and Tribal Governments with an interest in Long-billed curlews).

Describe how findings will be used to inform management and conservation.

Describe how the project will be evaluated for success; refer to how you will measure if stated project objectives were met.

h. 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.

i. Description and/or Map of Project Area: Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible

j. Literature Cited

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.

5. Budget Narrative

In a narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs.

Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. 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 the Service’s approval and estimate its cost. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If Federally-funded equipment will be used (by awardee) for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source.

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.

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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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 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.

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 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 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.”

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

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

V. Submission Requirements 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.

2. Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html http://www.sam.gov/ 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.

Submission Dates and Times

9/30/2019; 23:59 MST

Funding Restrictions Not applicable.

Submission Instructions This program 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

VI. Application Review Information Criteria

To be considered for funding, applications must specifically address how activities in Part II, items 1 – 3 (sub-heading “Required Project Activities”) will be accomplished. Eligible applications will be evaluated with equal weight given to the following five criteria: technical merit (appropriateness of protocols), scientific rigor (including study design and sample size considerations), demonstrated past expertise in the relevant field of science, feasibility, and the degree to which each facet of the activity is addressed.

Cost sharing will not be considered in the evaluation.

Review and Selection Process Proposals are reviewed for eligibility by the Agency Contact provided in Part VIII. When multiple eligible proposals are received, they will be evaluated via numeric scoring matrices of the aforementioned criteria by a panel of at least 3 Migratory Bird Program staff with subject expertise, with due consideration to avoid conflicts of interest. The Agency Contact provided in Part VIII makes the final selection.

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 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=936f3f7f79de0e8eaf3f4f1150dc5f9d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1205 https://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/FWSForm3-2462Web01-06-17.pdf https://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/FWSForm3-2462Web01-06-17.pdf https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=936f3f7f79de0e8eaf3f4f1150dc5f9d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1207 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=936f3f7f79de0e8eaf3f4f1150dc5f9d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1207 their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

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).

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.

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.

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.