F23AS00455_NOFO_FINAL.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - International Conservation https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs

F23AS00455 - Central Africa Regional Program Fiscal Year: 2023

F23AS00455

Due Date for Applications: 09/30/2023

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

Authority:

Applications awarded under this announcement will be funded through a Participating Agency Program Agreement (PAPA) between the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE). The Activity Title of the Agreement is Strengthening Conservation Management in Central Africa, signed on May 17, 2021. Section 632(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), 22 U.S.C section 2392 (b).

Assistance Listing Number:

15.651 Background, Purpose and Program Requirements:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The International Affairs Program delivers this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world. The Central Africa Program is administered by the Service’s Africa Branch and focuses on developing the capacity of protected area and conservation managers, at all levels of implementation, in order to sustain healthy wildlife populations and benefit those communities with which they co-exist.

With mounting threats to wildlife and wild places across the globe, investing in protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) is one of the most effective strategies to secure existing wildlife populations and ensure their survival. Scientific evidence links adequately staffed and resourced protected areas and OECMs with stable and increasing wildlife populations. They provide good governance, security, and stability for both wildlife and people.

The Central Africa Program defines Protected Area strongholds as a designated protected area or OECM within Central Africa that harbors Service-identified priority endangered species (African elephants, great apes, marine turtles), as well as additional populations of threatened, endemic, and regionally important populations (e.g. okapi, pangolin, slender-snouted crocodile etc.).

The Service aims to strengthen the long-term capacity for wildlife conservation in these areas.

We broadly define capacity to include 1) the capacity of habitat to support healthy wildlife populations, 2) the capacity of people and local and national institutions to lead conservation, and 3) the capacity of institutions to support and sustain improvements in governance that benefit the species and people that occur in and around regional wildlife strongholds.

The goal of the Service Central Africa Program is to strengthen the long-term capacity for conservation in the region’s wildlife strongholds. In support of this overall goal and in combination with other strategies, the Service Africa Branch is working towards three objectives in Central Africa’s protected and conserved areas:

(1) reduced pressure on wildlife and habitat, Desired results may include, as appropriate, (1a) reduction of protected species in the bushmeat trade, (1b) improved management measures based on understanding of transhumance dynamics and support to mobility of wildlife and pastoralists (transhumance refers to the regular movement of pastoralists and their livestock between fixed points in order to access seasonally available grazing resources), and (1c) reduction of infectious disease threats to priority wildlife species, particularly those of zoonotic potential, through preventative and mitigative measures.

(2) improvements in effective management and governance, Desired results may include, as appropriate, (2a) Increased transparency in governance arrangements and decision-making processes and, increased communication, and clearer responsibilities for implementation, including a readily accessible process to identify, hear, and resolve complaints, disputes, or grievances (GLS-V1.1-1.2.4), (2b) Improved planning and management to draw on the best available knowledge of the social and ecological context of the site, incorporating an adaptive management framework that anticipates, learns from, and responds to change in its decision-making (GLS-V1.1-1.3.3), (2c) Reduced financial constraints so the capacity of management is able to achieve the site's objectives (GLS-V1.1-3.1.6), (2d) Actively and effectively respond to threats so that their impact is not compromising the maintenance of major site values nor the achievement of the area’s goals and objectives (GLS-V1.1-3.4.1), and, (2e) Strategies and actions to maintain ecological attributes and processes (including natural disturbances) to maintain or enhance the site's major values are identified and implemented (GLS-V1.1-3.2.1).

And,

(3) strengthened individual and organizational capacity, Desired results may include, as appropriate, (3a) Comprehensive capacity development assessment completed, (3b) Training implementation plan developed and implemented, and (3c) Increased number of appropriately trained staff, led by an effective management team, to implement all aspects of the management plan in the long term (GLS-V1.1-3.1.4).

Applications will be evaluated based on likelihood to achieve conservation results in support of these objectives and overall goal. Desired results included above reference criteria established as part of the standards for the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The Service encourages applicants to review these standards when developing proposed objectives, activities, and monitoring and evaluation plans. Applicants may choose to include additional objectives or are welcome to use different terminology or framing to describe proposal goals and objectives that align with a project’s existing strategic planning or local context. All proposed outcomes and activities should collectively facilitate the delivery of meaningful results consistent with the Service program goal and objectives above.

The successful award recipient must demonstrate the status of their management authority in the protected or conserved area, either through a delegated management agreement, co-management agreement, or confirmation of efforts to obtain such an agreement.

https://iucngreenlist.org/standard/components-criteria/ https://www.iucn.org/resources/conservation-tool/iucn-green-list-protected-and-conserved-areas

This Notice of Funding Opportunity targets five protected area strongholds in the Central African region: Conkouati-Douli National Park and surrounding areas in the Republic of Congo, Chinko Nature Reserve in Central Africa Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area complex in Central African Republic, Garamba National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mbam et Djerem National Park and surrounding areas in Cameroon. If an applicant plans to apply for multiple sites, they may combine these into one application.

Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) and surrounding areas in the Republic of Congo is a coastal park in the Republic of Congo that supports a mosaic of habitats spanning coastal, marine, and forest habitat. These habitats are home to forest elephants, forest buffalos, leopards, sitatunga, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas, leatherback turtles, Atlantic humpback dolphins, and humpback whales. CDNP is internationally recognized as a RAMSAR site for the unique marine and continental wetland types (mangroves, papyrus marshes, submerged swamp forests), highly diverse fauna, and cultural importance. Since 1996, the Service has supported the conservation management of CDNP, including wildlife monitoring, community engagement, and park management.

Results have included the science-based development of a shark and ray management plan and extending the park boundaries to include two marine protected areas. The Service seeks to ensure consistent and effective management of the protected area given recent changes to the management of the park. The successful application should address one or more of the three objectives listed above. Please note, any proposed activities that include marine turtles should complement existing work currently funded by the Service Marine Turtle Conservation Fund in partnership with the non-governmental organization, Renatura.

Anticipated award: Over the course of five years the award total should not exceed $2 million USD.

Chinko Nature Reserve in Central Africa Republic is home to high levels of biodiversity located at the nexus of savannah and rainforest habitats. Chinko Nature Reserve and the surrounding area supports populations of elephants, chimpanzees, lions, giant elands, African wild dogs, bongos, and giant forest hogs. The Service has supported conservation activities in Chinko since 2013, focusing on building park management capacity for addressing the impacts of nomadic pastoralists moving across the region.

This solicitation seeks to build on progress made during previous Service investments to conserve key wildlife species and establish good governance, security, and stability in the Chinko landscape through a focus on a systematic approach to capacity development.

Specifically, the successful application should address site-specific challenges in Chinko Nature Reserve through the development of a systematic Training Needs Assessment and a supporting Training Implementation Plan. Applicants are encouraged to reference capacity development activities to address issues related to transhumance.

Anticipated award: Over the course of five years the award total should not exceed $1 million USD.

Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area (DSPA) complex in Central African Republic is comprised of the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve and the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park.

The Complex is part of the Sangha Trinational Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site (TNS) which supports a large scale, connected mosaic of diverse habitats, large buffer https://www.fws.gov/marine-turtle-conservation-fund zone, and rich, viable populations of wildlife including forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, bongos, and leopards. The DSPA is an important site for wildlife protection and research, harboring one of the first groups of habituated western lowland gorillas and the world renowned Dzanga Bai which hosts the longest running study of forest elephants. The TNS has long been a priority for biodiversity for the Service, with support focused on building coordinated management capacity and ensuring ecological integrity and connectivity across the transboundary landscape. The successful application should address one or more of the three objectives listed above. Applicants are encouraged to reference efforts and activities that include coordination with other protected areas within the TNS landscape.

Anticipated award: Over the course of five years the award total should not exceed $2 million USD.

Garamba National Park, in Democratic Republic of Congo in eastern Central African Republic is a stronghold for recovering populations of forest elephants, Kordofan giraffes, chimpanzees, lions, giant eland, African wild dogs, bongos, and other imperiled forest and savanna species. Since 1997, the Service has supported conservation activities in Garamba National Park to strengthen park management, conserve key wildlife species, and establish a foothold for governance, security, and stability throughout the landscape.

Most recently, the Service provided support to develop a Training Plan for the park. The Training Plan was based on a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment that identified gaps in performance and considered how to systematically develop needed capacity for protected area management; identified training includes formal education, in-service short course training, and on-the-job training. The successful application should build on the Training Needs Assessment developed under previous support from the Service and focus on implementation of the Training Plan.

Anticipated award: Over the course of five years the award total should not exceed

$700,000 USD.

Mbam et Djerem National Park and surrounding areas in Cameroon are home to extraordinary habitat and biological diversity. Representing a unique ecotone, the landscape includes a gradation from tropical forest to Sahelian grasslands that host forest elephants, bongos, forest buffalos, hippopotamus, leopards, giant pangolins, yellow back duikers, western lowland gorillas, and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees. The surrounding area includes Deng Deng National Park that was created for the critical conservation efforts and protection of great apes. The Service has supported efforts to monitor and protect the biodiversity in these areas since 2007 through park management, professional development training, wildlife research, anti-poaching, and community engagement. The successful application should address one or more of the three objectives listed above. Applicants are also encouraged to include activities that improve the understanding of transhumance dynamics and support mobility of wildlife and pastoralists (see objective 1b).

Anticipated award: Over the course of five years the award total should not exceed $2.5 million USD.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $8,200,000

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award $2,500,000 Minimum Award $700,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding Expected Award Date December 31, 2023

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type G - Grant CA - Cooperative Agreement In a cooperative agreement, the Service will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity.

USFWS technical experts may work with the project staff to implement a tailored program to increase capacity and professional development within the project. This may include conducting a training needs assessment to determine competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices) needed, identifying emerging leaders, developing, and implementing a training plan, and monitoring and tracking individual performance. USFWS will also facilitate additional opportunities for advanced training of project staff through partnerships with regional colleges and educational institutions.

The USFWS Central Africa Program has built a portfolio of projects and partners that are developing new and innovative tools to respond to emerging pressures. As part of its role in a cooperative agreement, USFWS may coordinate specific technical input, tools and expertise being developed in interrelated projects receiving USFWS support to maximize conservation impact across the region, contingent on available financial and staff resources. This may include, but is not limited to, implementing methods addressing the impact of transhumance on conservation, methods for collecting data on the bushmeat trade to influence policy, methods to prevent and mitigate the threat of infectious disease to priority wildlife species, and methods for assessing species and protected area status.

In addition, USFWS will engage, as appropriate, the governments of the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Cameroon, as well as the donor community, to advance wildlife conservation. The USFWS will foster partnerships and identify areas of collaboration to connect USFWS grantees with partners within the Department of the Interior (National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Wildland Fires, etc.), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S.

Department of State.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Applicants may be multi-national secretariats, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and Indigenous organizations, and U.S. and foreign public and private institutions of higher education.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Cost sharing is the portion of program costs not borne by the Service. Under this program, cost share is not required but may be committed voluntarily. Voluntary Committed Cost Share (See 2 CFR 200.1) is not an eligibility factor, and contributions will not result in a more favorable competitive ranking. Cost share should be necessary and reasonable to accomplish project objectives, and allowable in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E—Cost Principles.

Applicants may consider all types of cost sharing, including in-kind and public-private partnerships. Examples include the use of office space owned by other entities; donated or borrowed supplies and equipment; (non-federal) sponsored travel costs; waived indirect costs;

and program activities, translations, or consultations conducted by qualified volunteers. Assign a monetary value in U.S. dollars to each in-kind contribution. The values of offered cost-share should be included in the detailed budget and explanations of contributions should be included in the Budget Narrative whether cash or in-kind.

If the proposed project is a component of a larger program, identify other funding sources and the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources. In addition, it is recommended that the Budget Narrative address the overall cost-effectiveness of the proposal, including leveraging institutional or other resources.

Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency, or another Service award cannot be reported as cost share but contributions should be noted and explained in detail in the Budget Narrative.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_11 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_11 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#sp2.1.200.e

If cost share is included in the budget, written records must be maintained to support all allowable costs that are claimed as its contribution to cost share, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit.

C3. Other

Funds provided under this program may not be used for assistance to governments, parts of government, or government employees in countries that USAID notifies the Service to be ineligible for assistance.

Awards are contingent on funding eligibility and policy circumstances in each country and may be subject to special coordination or communication with USAID and/or its partners. In limited cases, the Service may request that applicants remove certain activities from the project to meet funding or policy requirements.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

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

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

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

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

Excluded Parties:

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

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

This funding opportunity contains everything needed to apply. To request paper copies of materials, please contact wwb_africa@fws.gov.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/program/international-affairs

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx mailto:wwb_africa@fws.gov

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except individuals and commercial entities, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44-4444.”

Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1".

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS-GMM):

Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

Project Narrative Project narratives should be ten pages or less. Project summary, figures, tables, maps, curriculum vitae, and required standard forms do not count toward the ten-page limit. Pages should be numbered.

1. Project Title: Provide a basic description of the project, including the location and country, in the title. If this is a continuation of an earlier funded proposal, use the same title and include the appropriate number to denote that this is a subsequent proposal.

Please note: This title will be the reference archived and communicated in all future documents.

2. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” Clearly identify the wildlife, habitat, or biodiversity targeted for conservation (including any existing estimates of population size, geographic range, or extent); a description of the direct pressures that affect the targeted species at the project site; and the specific pressures that the project will address. This section should describe how the proposed activities are expected to lead to desired conservation outcomes, such as the reduction of direct pressures or improvement of the status of species and habitats.

Summarize previous or ongoing efforts (of your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work, including how the proposal differs from past work, or builds upon it, and how the applicant plans to expand upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned from past efforts.

It is important for applicants to show that conservation project proposals are based on the best available evidence. Applicants are encouraged to describe and cite the evidence base for the most important conservation activities within a proposal. For example, applicants should describe the existing evidence that suggests proposed activities will be effective, with a focus on activities that may have substantial or sensitive consequences or activities that are considered high risk by the project. To identify evidence for conservation activities, applicants are encouraged to search and cite the Conservation Evidence database (https://www.conservationevidence.com/). The evidence base may also include published or grey literature, previous personal experience, Indigenous and/or traditional knowledge, evidence review and synthesis libraries (e.g., CEEDER, Evidence for Nature and People Data Portal), or species assessments published under the Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. If a proposed activity is considered sensitive or high risk but has little to no existing evidence base among these information sources, applicants are encouraged to discuss where new evidence is needed to https://www.conservationevidence.com/ understand effectiveness. Further guidance and examples are available in Parks et al.

(2022) Funding Evidence-Based Conservation and its supplementary materials.

If you have received funding previously from the Service for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, products, outcomes, and associated measurable conservation results. A table may be the most efficient way to convey this information: including columns for donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points of major activities, outcomes, products, and associated measurable conservation results. Projects with funding from any other government source or eligible for any other government source should add a section describing the activities supported and the added value of Service support. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other major donors. Former recipients of Service support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

3. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities and Methods: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” State the long-term goals of what your project aims to achieve. Objectives are the specific steps that you will take to reach your stated goals. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) used to carry out each activity.

The following format is recommended.

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2 Activity 3.3

Consider including activities that meet one or more of the following conditions:

a. Activities that clearly address the specific direct threats described in the above section titled: (2) Statement of Need;

b. Activities that are feasible and likely to be successfully implemented as stated;

c. Activities that apply the best scientific and/or technical information and methods available;

d. Activities that include the participation of local partners in project activities, including meaningful involvement of government, community, or civil society stakeholders; and

e. Activities resulting in benefits continuing beyond the period of performance of the project.

4. Project Timetable: This section should answer the question, “Over what period will project activities be implemented? Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire project period.

5. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who is impacted by this project and how will they be incorporated into the project (e.g.

consultation mechanisms, inclusion in governance system, outreach, etc.)?” As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations, local communities or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results, and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Please describe any previous work with these stakeholders and how working with them relates to the specific threats and target audiences. Where multiple groups are working in the same site or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will strengthen your proposal and may be requested by reviewers.

For projects where Indigenous Peoples are present in or have a collective attachment to the project area and there are either: (i) risks of possible adverse impacts on their human rights, livelihoods, and/or culture; (ii) the potential for adverse impacts on their lands and territories, natural resources, or sacred sites (whether the land is under traditional ownership title or based on customary use and occupation); or (iii) threats that might result in physical relocation from those lands, letters should explain the planned or completed process for how the project will obtain/has obtained free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in line with USAID’s Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in addition to national and international laws, regarding proposed project activities. Technical support documents for implementing FPIC are available at https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks.

6. Support for Protected Areas: Projects with activities taking place in a protected area must address the following questions regarding social safeguards. Technical support documents for implementing these safeguards are available at https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks to help applicants and recipients of USAID-funded projects apply these requirements and avoid or mitigate social risks associated with conservation activities for parks and protected areas. If the applicant believes that any of these items are not applicable, an explanation for this determination must be provided:

https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks

• How will information detailing the proposed project and potential impacts be shared with local communities and the free, prior, and informed consent of affected indigenous communities be obtained in accordance with USAID’s Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?;

• How will the potential impacts of the proposed project on existing land or resource claims by affected local communities or indigenous peoples be considered and addressed in a management plan?;

• What is the plan for providing proper training and monitoring to any eco-guards, park rangers, and other law enforcement personnel regarding safe and fair application of the law, including respect for human rights and avoiding intimidation or unnecessary use of force?; and

• Do effective grievance and redress mechanisms for reporting human rights abuse, misconduct, and other grievances exist? If not, what are the plans for their establishment?

7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should answer the question, “How will you evaluate the progress and success of this project?” Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (i.e., methods, sample size, survey tools). Indicators should not be outputs (products) but rather reflect a change in capacity, human behavior, threat, or status of the target species. If the current status of the indicator is known, and the applicant identifies the indicator’s desired status or qualitative condition, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

The Service encourages recipients to report on evidence for management improvements of protected and conserved areas within the geographic scope of the proposal, as well as evidence of growing individual and leadership capacity of African nationals working for the project or in the national or local wildlife authority. Applicants may reference relevant indicators as developed under the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.

The following table format is recommended:

Objective Indicator (i.e., what you will measure to track your progress toward achieving the objective)

Monitoring Method (i.e., how you will measure the indicator)

Current Status (if known)

Desired Status

In addition to project-specific indicators, projects funded under this announcement are required to report progress against USAID’s standard indicators for biodiversity projects.

If one or more of the following indicators are relevant to the project, include them in your monitoring plan.

• EG 10.2-1 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of USG assistance

• EG 10.2-2 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management as a result of USG assistance

• EG 10.2-3 Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance

• EG 10.2-4 Number of people trained in sustainable natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance

• EG 10.2-5 Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance

• EG 10.2-6 Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance

8. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who will carry out the project, and what are their specific qualifications?”

Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Where relevant, refer to any institutional codes of conduct or safeguarding policies the institution organization has in place to demonstrate capacity to implement the proposed project in accordance with relevant laws and best practices.

Based on the activities involved, reviewers may request additional information regarding institutional policies and codes of conduct that demonstrate such measures are in place. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. On the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Provide brief (1-page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. 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 in the description of key personnel qualifications.

9. Sustainability: This section should answer the question, “What is your long-term plan for this project beyond the Service funding period?” 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.

10. Literature Cited: (if applicable) include as an addendum and not within the text of the proposal.

11. Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is the project located?” The map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative. Label any protected areas.

12. Government Letter of Endorsement: For projects implemented outside of the United States, non-governmental applicants must include a recent letter of support (no older than two years) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. A current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the applicant and the government authority may be accepted as long as the MOU references the proposed work. Endorsement letters should be in English and make specific reference to the Service and the proposed work. If a support or endorsement letter is not in English, applicants must also provide an English translation of the letter.

Letters must be addressed to the US Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs or the Africa Branch. If the applicant itself is a government agency, the letter must be endorsed by someone other than those listed as key personnel.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A Budget Information form for Non- Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov or in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In “Section A – Budget Summary” on the SF-424A form enter in the first row the funding requested from this Federal program. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Budget Table Applicants must include an itemized Budget Table following the table format below. If your Budget Table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages. For multi-year or multi-phase projects, please include a separate budget table and narrative for each year/phase with subtotals.

If the proposed project is a component of a larger program, identify leveraged funds and other resources available and/or needed to accomplish the desired objectives (leveraged funds are funds that run parallel to or outside of the proposed SERVICE project budget). Include the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources and the relevant activities they will contribute to. In addition, it is recommended that the Budget Narrative address the overall cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the proposal, including leveraging institutional or other resources.

The itemized budget should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 charge for lodging should include the formula for how the cost was calculated (e.g., Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15/night = $3,300). For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time (e.g., 50% time on project).

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

Expenses listed as “Miscellaneous” or “etc.” are unallowable. Unless conditions listed under

200.433 Contingency provisions are applicable, “contingencies” are unallowable. Expenses listed as “Other” must be clearly identified and described in the Budget Narrative.

Applicants should be aware of and comply with the requirements of 200.216 Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.

Equipment is defined as an item with a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more and a service life of more than one year. If the item meets these criteria, all federal procurement policies and procedures must be followed. If an item does not meet these criteria, it should be considered a supply and listed under cost category E. Justify any equipment purchase/rental in the budget narrative. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro forma invoice.

For supplies, list items separately using unit costs and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the award for photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies (e.g., Telephone: $50/month x 50% = $25/month x 12 months).

Contractual:

1. Subawards: For each subaward, provide a detailed line-item breakdown explaining specific services in a separate tab in the Budget Table and Narrative. Subaward budgets should include the same level of detail for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs, and indirect costs required of the direct applicant. If indirect costs are charged on a subaward budget, include the subrecipient’s NICRA.

2. Consultant Fees: For example, lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for outside speakers or independent evaluators: list number of people and rates per day (e.g., 2 x $150/day x 2 days). Consultant/outside expert fees/honoraria should be consistent with the level of experience and based on a fair market value.

Go to https://www.fws.gov/media/budget-table-example-usfws-ia-notice-funding-opportunity to view a sample project budget table.

Category/Budget Item Units Cost per

Unit ($) No. of Units

Total USFWS Recipient

Personnel Trainer month $xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $XXX Project Director month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx Project Coordinator month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx Personnel Subtotal $xxx $ xxx Fringe Benefits % rate lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $XXX Fringe Benefits Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Travel https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1433 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1216 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1216 https://www.fws.gov/media/budget-table-example-usfws-ia-notice-funding-opportunity

Vehicle day-use (with driver) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx Vehicle maintenance and repair lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Domestic Flights (Coordination at Transit Points)

Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Meals (4 day Training 30 ppl) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Accommodation (4 day Training 20ppl)

Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Travel Subtotal Equipment xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Equipment Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Supplies xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Supplies Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Contractual xxx lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx month $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Contractual Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Other xxx lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx month $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Other Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx INDIRECT CHARGES $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx GRAND TOTAL $xxx $xxx

Every budget line included in the Budget Table should be explained in the Budget Narrative

Budget Narrative Applicants must include a budget narrative that describes and justifies requested budget items and costs. In your budget narrative, describe how the SF-424 Budget Information, “Object Class Category” totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays). Describe any proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.