F19AS00404 NOFO.doc

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FBMS Project Charter

Yukon River Salmon Research and Management Assistance FY 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00404 Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7, Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.671 Authorizing Legislation: The Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 (16 USC 5701 et seq., P.L. 104-43, November 3, 1995, 109 Stat 392) as amended by P.L. 106-450, November 7, 2000, 114 Stat 1941; P.L 108-219, April 13, 2004, 118 Stat 615.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 3, 2020 @ 5:00 pm AKST 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

The Yukon River Salmon Research and Management Assistance (R&M Fund) is administered by the Fisheries Program of Region 7.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) receives funds for implementation of the Yukon River Salmon Agreement of 2000 (Agreement) with Canada. The Agreement authorizes funds for the implementation of the Agreement including funds for cooperative research and management projects on the Alaska Portion of the Yukon River. The Service administers these funds through financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects, studies, and events that advance the scientific and public community’s understanding of the biology and management of salmon, with focus on Yukon River Chinook and Chum salmon stocks in Alaska. The following is a request for Detailed Project Proposal of one year in length addressing the needs of the priority general Categories and Factors and specific near-term needs listed below. For additional information about the R&M Fund please visit https://www.fws.gov/alaska/fisheries/fieldoffice/fairbanks/subsistence/r_m_fund.htm.

All funding opportunities must identify which Department of Interior financial assistance priorities are being met through this funding opportunity. Three of the Department of Interior’s priorities are addressed through the implementation of the R&M Fund.

1 Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt

a. Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

The R&M Fund has provided financial assistance for projects that assist managers assessing stock health and productivity, enumerating and assessing Chinook and Chum salmon returning to the Yukon and its tributaries; analyses for genetic mixed stock analysis to determine the location of origin of shared Chinook and Chum salmon; age, sex, and length compositions for postseason analyses. The information collected and developed by these projects ensures the Service, the State of Alaska, and other users are using the best scientific information available to manage these key resources.

e.

Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

The R&M Fund provides financial assistance to cooperative Federal and State governments, non-government organizations; and other entities to assist in projects that inform the conservation and management actions of both the State and Federal agencies for coordinated subsistence, commercial and recreational fisheries in State and Federal waters. The funding fosters partnerships between the entities who manage salmon as well as the people who depend upon them for their livelihood and subsistence needs.

f.

Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing.

The R&M Fund expands the knowledge of research and management tools for State and Federal fisheries managers. This provides greater confidence in managing for long-term sustainable fisheries while minimizing or eliminating restrictions for subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries on salmon returning to the Yukon River when there are not concerns for conservation, especially in regards to ensuring that the U.S. meets the agreed escapement of salmon into Canada.

g.

Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to access.

The R&M Fund provides some of the same information to address this priority as described in priority 1(f). By focusing on key salmon habitat needs, locations, and public use, we are better able to match our management with the type of resource use.

3 Restoring trust with local communities

a. Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands;

b. Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife Offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

One of the main priorities of the R&M Fund has been to facilitate projects that promote continuous outreach, and facilitate understanding and collaboration in conservation and management throughout the Alaska portion of the Yukon Drainage. Due to the vast geographical distances between communities, much of this outreach is done through telecommunications, newsletter, mailed surveys, other media types, as well as in-person preseason meetings.

The R&M Fund has provided financial assistance to multiple projects and organizations to conduct outreach projects such as Yukon Advisory Group teleconferences, the Chena River (Yuko Tributary) juvenile salmon citizen scientist project, Yukon Flats village outreach and communication, and a short film titled “The Voices of the Chena”.

4 Ensuring sovereignty means something

b. Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories.

One of the R&M Fund’s primary purposes is to provide financial assistance to fund projects or studies that advance the scientific community’s understanding and management of Chinook and Chum salmon in the Alaska Portion of the Yukon River. This advancement in understanding and management benefits not only the State and Federal resource managers, but more significantly the local communities and their residents who rely on the Yukon River to meet their subsistence, commercial, and recreational fishery needs.

Funding will support work beginning in May, 2020 with project activities completed and final reports due September, 2021. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop projects that incorporate local capacity with members of Yukon River communities in which they may be working. Coordinating projects with state and federal regulatory agencies is also recommended, but not mandatory.

The U.S. Delegation of the Yukon River Panel (Panel) has laid out the following general Categories and corresponding Factors for the Fiscal Year 2020 R&M Fund. The four categories will be used as evaluation criteria for each proposal and are listed in descending order of importance from highest (Priority 1) to lowest (Priority 4). The factors within each category are not prioritized.

Category: Assess and achieve fishery management objectives (Priority 1).

a.) Develop and/or improve in-season run size and stock specific estimates at the mouth of the Yukon River.

b.) Develop or incorporate new methodologies and/or approaches to improve management and research capability.

c.) Develop and expand the genetic baseline for Alaska Yukon River Basin salmon stocks.

d.) Identify stock composition of salmon runs through genetic stock identification.

e.) Monitor salmon escapements by Alaskan Genetic Groupings.

Category: Build and maintain public support of, and meaningful participation in, salmon resource management (Priority 2).

a.) Build and maintain community capacity.

b.) Develop mutual understandings between agencies and the public, best demonstrated by a third party.

c.) Encourage conservation principles of the salmon resources.

d.) Encourage stewardship of the resource.

e.) Promote public values of the salmon resource.

Category: Improve understanding of salmon biology and ecology (Priority 3).

a.) Assessment of the quality of escapements (e.g., age/size/sex; health).

b.) Develop population estimates for Alaskan Yukon River Basin salmon stocks.

c.) Investigate relationships between salmon and their physical environment.

d.) Investigate relationships between salmon and other organisms.

Category: Assess, conserve and restore salmon habitats (Priority 4).

a.) Habitat monitoring.

b.) Identify and characterize salmon spawning and rearing habitats.

c.) Identify and evaluate potential impacts to habitat.

d.) Identify and monitor key salmon spawning streams/areas (index streams).

e.) Identify and implement restoration opportunities.

The Panel has also identified two near term priority needs. Proposals that fall within the scope of the following priorities will receive additional points during the review process. Each proposal should incorporate elements of the Factors listed above.

1) Yukon River fall Chum Salmon stock assessment and genetics.

· Description of Focused Priority: Fall Chum Salmon are an important resource within the Yukon, with the decline in the Chinook Salmon populations, there has been a trend towards a greater utilization of fall Chum Salmon particularly in communities unable to harvest other salmon species throughout the year. Although recent annual run sizes of Fall Chum Salmon have been healthy, the Panel is seeking proposals that utilize genetics to improve the mixed stock analysis of fall Chum Salmon in the harvest or the stock assessment of fall Chum Salmon returning to the Teedriinjik (Chandalar) and Porcupine rivers.

2) Yukon River salmon management awareness and participation.

· Description of Focused Priority: There are over 42 communities within the Alaska portion of the Yukon River basin. These communities have diverse needs; however, they all significantly rely on salmon for a food resource. An informed and involved public is critical to effectively manage and conserve Yukon salmon stocks. The Panel seeks to build on past successes through supporting projects that increase awareness and participation in management and conservation of Yukon River salmon stocks. The Panel invites proposals that work towards public education and multi-stakeholder planning efforts necessary to develop and sustain locally-supported approaches for management.

II. Federal Award Information Up to $260,000 may be awarded in the federal fiscal year 2020. Currently, the source of general funding is federally appropriated funds directed to the Service. The funds shall be used for salmon related projects, with focus on Chinook and chum salmon research and management located in the Alaska portion of the Yukon River drainage as recommended by the Yukon River Panel after review for scientific and technical merit. Due to the limited funds available, modest funding requests (< $60,000) are encouraged; however, higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification. The period of performance for projects funded under this program is for one year, starting on the date the proponent indicates within the proposal. Proponent should keep in mind that due to when proposals actually receive approval for funding by the U.S. Delegation of the Yukon Panel (~early April) and the time needed to process the financial assistance that the project may begin prior to award notification with a signed notification of risk document. In general, past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible and all applicants must submit new proposals to compete for funding each year. Applicants who had projects funded with these funds in 2018, and who have applications that successfully compete for funding through this notification, will not receive their 2020 funds until the Technical Review Committee reviews and accepts their final report for the work funded in 2018. This program uses grant agreements as the primary assistance instrument.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants Applicants are encouraged from nonprofit organizations, public and private educational organizations, federal, state, local, and tribal governments and organizations, and individuals. Individuals and organizations submitting investigation plans should have the necessary technical and administrative abilities and resources to ensure successful completion of studies.

U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity; however, it is strongly encouraged.

Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as a voluntary committed cost-share/match.

C. Other Eligibility Criteria In order to be considered for funding under the R&M Fund, the proposed project should improve the understanding of the biology and management of the Yukon River salmon within the Alaska portion of the Yukon River drainage.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

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

Excluded Parties: The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Service cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

IV. Application Requirements

A. Requesting Paper Application Package You can obtain application materials by going to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants Page at: (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html). You can also contact the Service program point of contact listed in Section VIII of this notice of funding opportunity.

B. Application Form and Content Requirements

Applicants need to adhere to the formatting outlined in the (3) Project Narrative or your proposal may be rejected. The Project Narrative should not be more than 10 pages long. All applicants must submit the following (1-12):

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 Project Summary

Project Title: Use the following format for titles: Location, Species, Method;

Ex: Black River Chinook Salmon Genetic Sample Collection

Project Leader or Principal Investigator: For the Principal Investigator, include name, agency or organization, address, phone number, email (if available), FAX number.

Project Partner: For each co-investigator identify the name, agency or organization.

Identify one Category and its corresponding Factor from the R&M Priority List within the Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions that best fits the intent of your project:

Identify the Near Term Prioritie(s) within the Notice of Funding Opportunity that best fits the intent of your project:

Stock: Identify the stock or stock group being addressed (specify the unit identified e.g. population, stock grouping, etc.).

Is this a continuing project or does it require multiple years of funding?

Yes / No

If so, provide the number of years this project has been funded and/or would need funding.

Year ____ of ____.

Justification for Project Duration: Describe the biological, ecological, and/or social reasoning behind your selection of the duration necessary for the project to be completed if it is a multi-year project.

Note* An answer from proponents stating the project will continue until the Panel decides otherwise will not be accepted.

Project Narrative

A.

Introduction:

Project Justification: Describe in detail why there is a need for your project and why it should receive funding from the R&M fund. The specific issue being addressed must be related to one or more of the following specific needs: developing or refining current management techniques, improving public support/participation in management, filling gaps in knowledge of biology and ecology; or improving aquatic habitat.

Project Relevance: Briefly explain the goal and value of the proposed project and describe how the proposed project will address: specific management needs; improving aquatic habitat; gaps in knowledge of biology and ecology; or improving public support/participation in management of Yukon River salmon within the Alaskan portion of the Yukon River Basin. To earn a higher ranking under this criteria, investigators should clearly describe how the information collected would ultimately be applied to conservation and regulation of the Yukon River salmon fisheries within the Alaskan portion of the Yukon River Basin.

B.

Project Goals and Objectives: Provide a numbered, annotated listing of your project objectives in the sequence they would be completed; this should not be a narrative in paragraph form. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, repeatable, and time bound. If there are multiple investigators, clearly describe which investigator(s) would be responsible for each objective.

This section must also provide a list of clear hypotheses that will be addressed through the project if a research component exists.

i. Objective 1:

a. Hypothesis:

ii. Objective 2:

a. Hypothesis:

C.

Project Activities, Methods and Timetable:

A. Methods and Technical Merit:

To improve clarity, please divide this section into the following subsections that represent different components of the project:

i. Study Area: List the nearest communities, major watershed and land status (e.g. village or native corporation, state, National Park/Preserve, National Wildlife Refuge, etc.) of project area. Include map of project area. Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative or if not applicable to your proposal please mark this is Not Applicable and justify why.

ii. Methods: Provide details (sampling procedures, etc.) on the methods you will use to address each of the objectives listed above. Demonstrate that you have evaluated or established the most appropriate methods to meet your objectives. That is, what have you already done to prepare for this project (i.e. pilot studies, conducted project in previous years)? Descriptions of the methods employed should be detailed enough to enable reviewers to fully assess the technical components of the project. Provide justification and support for the methodology that you will use

iii. Project Design: Describe and justify the experimental design, assumptions, required sample size, and/or the type of analyses that will be used for the proposed project. In projects that have a sample size component, please articulate the reasoning for your selected size (i.e. results of power analyses). If project does not contain a statistical design, explain your reasoning for designing the project the way it is. Concisely state the analytical approach.

B. Project Operation Schedule: Provide a date (mm/dd/year) of when each project objective will begin and end and who will be responsible for achieving the objective if multiple proponents are involved.

i. Objective 1:

ii. Objective 2:

In addition, please complete the table below with timing of when specific portions of your project will be completed. Note: This is an example and can be modified to compliment your project goals and objectives.

Project Start

Sampling

Data Analysis

Report Writing

Draft Final Report

Final Report

D.

Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: Describe the ways in which this project would develop partnerships and build the capability and expertise of members of the communities this project would be occurring in or near. Describe specific plans to hire and train local residents and the type of skills that would be taught. Summarize how the project would promote interaction among rural residents, agencies and other organizations in information gathering, data analysis, reporting, and information sharing. If not applicable to your proposal, please mark this is Not Applicable.

E.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should include the vision of this project beyond this current funding year. Describe how the results of your project will help manage and conserve Yukon River salmon stocks. Describe the anticipated outcomes and/or benefits of the project and identify how you will monitor and/or evaluate the short-term and long-term success of your project. Identify what you will measure and how you will measure if you have achieved your stated objectives. Reference the stated project timetable (i.e., process indicators) and budget information (i.e., input indicators). Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered (i.e., output indictors). Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on beneficiaries (i.e., outcome indicators). Include any available questionnaires, surveys, curricula, exams/tests or other assessment tools to be used for project evaluation. Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities. Describe how findings will be fed back into decision making and project activities throughout the project period.

F.

Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: 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. 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.

a. Provide the following information in each description:

i. Education and training

ii. Duties of current position

iii. Experience in duties related to the proposal

iv. Past work on R&M projects G.

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 or if not applicable to your proposal please mark this is Not Applicable.

H.

Required Licenses and Permits: Demonstrate that you have considered what permits or licenses you may be required for this study.

I.

Literature Cited: Provide complete citations for published literature referenced in the above sections. If not applicable to your proposal please mark this is Not Applicable.

J.

Map of Project Area: Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative or if not applicable to your proposal please mark this is Not Applicable.

K. Single Audit Statement: Enter the appropriate single audit language from Section 9 below or fill out form 1.18_Statement of Single Audit Requirement.pdf.

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

Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

6. Indirect Costs: Individuals

Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget and skip the next section.

7. Indirect Costs: Organizations

The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement

All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

· A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

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

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

· A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

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

8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

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

9. Single Audit Reporting Statement

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

10. Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

12. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

(All applicants expect Federal Entities; Federal Entities see checklist below)

· Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

· SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF 424-Mandatory, or SF 424- Individual form

· SF-424 Budget form: A complete SF 424A or SF 424C Budget Information form

· SF-424 Assurances form: Signed and dated SF 424B or SF 424D Assurances form

· Project Narrative

· Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, statements regarding applicability of and compliance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart F, Audit Requirement.

· Budget Narrative/Justification

· Federally-funded equipment list: If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment

· Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

· Conflict of Interest Disclosures: When applicable, written notification of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award.

· SF-LLL form: If applicable, completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form

· Overlap/Duplication statement Federal Applicant Checklist (for Federal Applicants only)

· Project Summary, if applicable

· Conflict of Interest Disclosures: When applicable, written notification of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award.

· Project Narrative

· Timetable

· Budget Justification and a detailed budget table

· Description of key personnel qualifications, if applicable

· Federally funded equipment, if applicable

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

V. Submission Requirements

C. 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 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.

D. Submission Dates and Times

Detailed proposal Packets are to be received by January 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time. Application packages will be rejected if not submitted by the deadline. If mailing your application package, the application package must be postmarked on or before the submission deadline.

E. Intergovernmental Review

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

F. Funding Restrictions

Reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs is not allowed.

G. Submission Instructions

Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Completed applications may be submitted by mail, by email, electronically through Grants.gov, or as otherwise described in the Grants.gov funding opportunity. If submitting by mail or email, you will be notified of receipt by the Service program point of contact. Please select ONE of the submission options:

This program encourage applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

3. 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.

4. 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.