F23AS00467_NOFO_FINAL.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - International Conservation

Promoting the long-term conservation of gorillas and chimpanzees in key landscapes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Nigeria-Cameroon transboundary region.

Fiscal Year: 2023

F23AS00467

Due Date for Applications: 10/04/2023

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) Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI). The Activity Title of the Agreement is Critical Capacity Partnership signed on August 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:

15.629

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 on this mission through its financial and technical assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

The goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s African Great Ape Program is to ensure the long-term conservation of African great ape populations in the wild. We do this through financial and technical assistance to support effectively implemented site-based ape conservation projects, strengthen the evidence base for ape conservation, and further develop ape conservation capacity in African ape range states.

In support of this overall goal and in combination with other strategies, this assistance program is working towards three objectives in the indicated conservation areas:

(1) reduction of threats to wildlife and habitat;

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (1a) increased ape habitat under legal management status, (1b) improved connectivity of existing ape strongholds, (1c) reduction of illegal destructive extractive practices in ape habitat, (1d) reduction of apes in the bushmeat and live ape trade, and (1e) reduction of infectious disease threats to apes.

(2) generation of scientific data to guide conservation action;

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (2a) advanced understanding of ape distribution and abundance, (2b) determined effectiveness of specific conservation actions, and (3c) improved understanding of disease affecting apes through applied research.

(3) strengthened individual and organizational conservation capacity;

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (3a) improved capacity to manage community lands in ape habitat, (3b) the positive and negative effects/impacts of the project on local communities are understood and are reflected in project activities; (3c) robust monitoring and evaluation program is developed and implemented, and (3d) landscape-wide coordination and communication are strengthened.

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, however, should collectively facilitate the delivery of meaningful results consistent with the Service’s program goal and objectives above. Applicants should clearly indicate how data generated by proposed activities will be made available to the great ape conservation community.

Human population growth over the coming decades is projected to be significant and will undoubtedly result in increased pressures on apes and ape habitat, both within and outside of formal protected areas (PAs). The Service is prioritizing support for the conservation of great ape strongholds, which we’re defining as robust ape populations of a given taxon living in suitable habitat. Ape strongholds may exist within formally recognized PAs, outside of PAs, or both.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity targets four African great ape taxa: (a) Cross River gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli), (b) Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), (c) Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), and (c) eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Applications should address one of the two following focus areas:

1. Promoting the long-term conservation of Cross River gorillas and Nigeria-Cameron chimpanzees in their transboundary landscape.

The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is the least numerous of the gorilla taxa, estimated to number fewer than 300 individuals. The majority exist as a single metapopulation, occurring in multiple small groups of 10-30 individuals in nine core areas, including community reserves and core protected areas (Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Mbe Mountains and Cross River National Park in Nigeria and Takamanda National Park, Mone River Forest Reserve and Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary in Cameroon) within the 12,000km2 Nigeria-Cameroon trans-frontier landscape. A third or more of the population ranges outside of protected areas. Threats include hunting, habitat loss and fragmentation reducing connectivity between subpopulations, and infectious disease.

Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, the population is believed to be stable.

The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), endemic to southern Nigeria and western Cameroon, is the least numerous of the chimpanzee subspecies. The total population is estimated to be fewer than 9,000 individuals widely distributed in small groups in both forest and savanna woodland. Fewer than 1,000 occur within the Cross River gorilla range, where they are found in four protected areas and numerous community forests. Hunting is the principal threat to the species. Classified as endangered by the IUCN, the overall population has declined by at least 50% in the past 20-30 years and continues on a decreasing trend.

The Service has supported conservation of both taxa in this landscape since 2004, including protected area creation and management, wildlife monitoring, and community engagement. Results include creation of Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary and Takamanda

National Park in 2008, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary in 2000, and Tofala Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in 2014; establishment of the Gorilla Guardian program to provide better protection and monitoring of gorillas in Cameroon’s unprotected forests; and reduced levels of poaching in recent years. The Service seeks primarily to further reduce pressures on already degraded and fragmented habitat; enhance connectivity between gorilla sub-populations; and enhance current understanding of gorilla and chimpanzee status in the landscape. Applications should include a robust recovery plan. Activities may include: (1) strengthening connectivity between ape sites through improved conservation management of protected and unprotected habitat, 2) implementing SMART-based wildlife and habitat monitoring, 3) reassessing ape abundance and distribution to inform future program planning, and 4) improving transboundary conservation, including seeking World Heritage site designation.

Anticipated award: One award, for a total budget of up to USD$1.5 million over a period of three years. As stated above, the award period (duration) is expected to be three years.

However, applicants may request renewal funding for the project for an additional two years (for a total of five years), which if approved, may be awarded as a continuation amendment to the initial award. Approval of renewal funding is subject to the availability of funds, program authority, satisfactory performance, and compliance with award terms and conditions.

2. Securing habitat to promote the long-term conservation of Grauer’s gorillas and eastern chimpanzees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where they are estimated to number fewer than 7,000 individuals.

Though this landscape includes national parks and community reserves, most of the gorilla population is found outside of protected areas. Threats, including hunting and the live ape trade, habitat degradation and loss associated with resource extraction, and infectious disease are exacerbated by decades of regional security issues. Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, the population has suffered precipitous population declines of nearly 80% over the past 20-30 years and continues on a decreasing trend.

The eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) is the most numerous of the chimpanzee subspecies, estimated to number over 200,000 individuals inhabiting a broad geographic range. Up to a quarter their population overlaps with the Grauer’s gorilla range. Classified as endangered by the IUCN, numbers are on a decreasing trend.

The Service has supported ape conservation in this landscape since 2006, including surveying and monitoring, strengthening law enforcement, protected area demarcation, community engagement, and creation of the Oku Community Reserve. Results include strengthened community engagement, a significant increase in ape habitat under community management, improved knowledge of ape populations, development of a public-private partnership management agreement for Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and improved standards for law enforcement and monitoring practices.

The Service will consider proposals for projects in the following geographies identified as priority gorilla populations in the 2012-2022 Conservation Action Plan: Maiko South, Kasese, Kahuzi-Biega, Tayna-Usala, and Itombwe. The Service seeks to 1) increase the amount of ape habitat under improved management, and 2) strengthen the connectivity between ape strongholds. Activities may include: 1) effectively managing protected and unprotected ape habitat, 2) engaging and supporting communities in establishing community-managed ape habitat, and 3) strengthening habitat connectivity between gorilla sub-populations.

For work in national parks, applicants should have management agreements in place prior to issuing of an award.

Anticipated award: Two awards, each for a total budget of up to USD$1.5 million over a period of three years. As stated above, the award period (duration) is expected to be three years. However, applicants may request renewal funding for the project for an additional two years (for a total of five years), which if approved, may be awarded as a continuation amendment to the initial award. Approval of renewal funding is subject to the availability of funds, program authority, satisfactory performance, and compliance with award terms and conditions.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $4,500,000

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award $1,500,000

Minimum Award $1,000,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding $4,500,000

Expected Award Date January 01, 2024 Estimated award date is January 1, 2024.

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards A total of two to three awards are anticipated: a single 3-year award in the Cross River gorilla landscape; and one to two 3-year awards in the Grauer’s gorilla landscape. The maximum for any single award is $1,500,000 over a 3-year period. Actual award amounts are contingent upon the number of awards and funds availability.

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

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. Though Voluntary Committed Cost Share (See 2 CFR 200.1) is not required, as prescribed by the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, preference will be given to projects that include cost share funds. 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.

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 or countries 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 greatapeafrica@fws.gov

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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.

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 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 the funding requested from this Federal program in the first row. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). In the SF-424A “Contractual” category total, do not combine estimated subawards and contractual costs. Use the “Contractual” category to reflect estimated contractual costs only. Enter estimated subaward costs in the SF-424A “Other” category. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs 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: 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.

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 http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-budget.pdf 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

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

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. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any third-party cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information. Please note the prohibitions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment in 2 CFR 200.216. The Department of the Interior’s Unmanned Aircraft web page provides a list of approved unmanned aircraft and related equipment and software.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

a. Applicability.

1. This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

2. In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR§200.318 apply.

b. Notification.

1. Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass- through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

2. Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

c. Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §18 and 31

USC §1352.

d. Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, 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, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, 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.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43CFR 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.

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” form 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 with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

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 regard 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 regard 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 regard 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.”

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

Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration:

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). A Federal award may not be made 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 program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). Entities already registered in SAM.gov should review their registration to confirm that they are registered as a financial assistance recipient, which requires completion of the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations”. See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can 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 made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Due Date for Applications 10/04/2023

Application Due Date Explanation Applications must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions by 11:59 PM ET on the listed application due date. Applications must be submitted in English. Late applications will not be accepted. A confirmation email containing an assigned application number beginning with “FWS-” will be sent to applicants upon submission. If you do not receive this email within five days of the opportunity closing date, contact [program inbox email]. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION MORE THAN ONCE. Duplicate applications will be discarded. Please see more information about submission requirements in section D7. Other Submission Requirements.

D5. Intergovernmental Review

An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. The State Single Point of Contact list is available on the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website.

D6. Funding Restrictions

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

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 (DOI) is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the IBC 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 may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted by Organization:

U.S. state or local government entities receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding must include the following statement in their application and attach a copy of their most recently negotiated rate agreement:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. Attached is a copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement/certification.

U.S. state or local government entities receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding must include the applicable statement from this list:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award].

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We have not prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR §200, Appendix VII and elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until we choose to establish a rate per 2 CFR §200. We understand we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs 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.

All other organizations must include the applicable statement from this list and any related documentation in their application. Please note, an organization with a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may not elect to charge the 10% de minimis rate of Modified Total Direct Costs during the period covered by their current negotiated rate.

We are an organization with a current negotiated indirect cost rate. In the event we receive an award, we will charge indirect costs per our current negotiated rate agreement.

Attached is a copy of our current rate agreement.

We are an organization with a negotiated indirect cost rate that has expired. Attached is copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement. 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. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

We are an organization that has never negotiated an indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award]. 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. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

We are an organization that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate. In the event an award is made, we elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until such time as we negotiate a different rate with our cognizant agency. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if during the award period we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs to the award. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

We are an organization submitting a [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”] project proposal, which has an indirect cost rate cap of [insert rate; CRU is currently 15%; CESU is currently 17.5%]. In the event we receive an award, we understand that if we have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate agreement we must charge the capped indirect cost rate to the same base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand we must request prior approval from the awarding program to use the 2 CFR 200.1 Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) base instead of our approved base and that we must submit such requests with our application, including a calculation showing how use of the MTDC base results in an overall reduction in the total indirect costs recovered. If we do not have current negotiated (including provisional) rate, we understand we must charge the capped indirect cost rate against Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. If we have never negotiated a rate, we understand we must use the de minimis rate of 10% of MTDC.

We are an organization that will charge all costs directly.

D7. Other Submission Requirements

The Service uses the GrantSolutions system to manage financial assistance applications and awards. Applicants must register in and conduct any subsequent award business with the Service in GrantSolutions. To apply, your organization and organization officials must be established in GrantSolutions. To register your organization in GrantSolutions, send an email to help@grantsolutions.gov with the following information:

Subject: New Organization Request

Organization/Individual Name Point of Contact first and last name, email, and phone number Organization Type SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (not required for individuals or Service-waived entities) Organization Employer Identification Number (Applicants that are INDIVIDUALS DO

NOT include your social security number) Address

Organizational details should match those in the organization’s SAM.gov registration. To establish organization official accounts and user role(s), complete a Recipient User Account Request Form for each official and email it to help@grantsolutions.gov. The GrantSolutions entity user roles are: Authorizing Official (ADO); Principal Investigator/Program Director (PI/PD); Support Specialist (GSS); Financial Officer (FO); and Financial Support Staff (FSS).

All roles can do the following: enter applications, amendments, and reports, view awards, and view and create notes. The ADO and the PI/PD roles can also submit applications, amendments, and reports. The FO role can also submit reports. At a minimum, registered organizations must assign someone to the ADO and PI/PD roles. For more information, see the GrantSolutions Recipient Training and FAQs web page. For GrantSolutions registration, submission, and other assistance contact their Customer Support by telephone at 1-866-577-0771 or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.

Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management before attempting to register in GrantSolutions. If you experience problems registering or submitting an application in GrantSolutions, you may be granted a waiver. If you wish to seek a waiver, you must submit supporting documentation to demonstrate the issues you are experiencing. Documentation may include computer screenshots showing error messages or email communication with the GrantSolutions Help Desk attempting to resolve the issue. The request must be submitted at least three days before the submission deadline. Please send your waiver request to DIC_GRANTS@fws.gov.

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

Merit Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated and scored on how well each addresses program priorities and the requested proposal elements. High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will receive higher scores. The Service will consider the following criteria in evaluating proposals:

1. Likelihood of conservation impact in support of the Service Africa Great Ape Program goal and objectives outlined in Section A, specifically:

To what degree the proposed project is likely to contribute to one or more of the following:

o reduced threats to ape populations and habitats;

o scientific data needed to guide future conservation efforts and adequately articulates how that data will be made available;

o strengthening individual and organizational conservation capacity;

Whether the objectives have incorporated desired results;

2. Capacity of the applicant organization and staff to implement the project, including:

Whether the proposal demonstrates the applicant’s ability to implement the proposed activities effectively (e.g. activities are logistically feasible, adequately resourced, achievable within the designated time frame, and under the authority of the applicant);

Whether the proposal is clear, concise, and complete;

Whether the proposal provides sufficient detail regarding relevant qualifications and institutional policies of the applicant, including experience of key personnel;

If applicable, whether the applicant has received a positive record of accomplishment with the Service based on previous grant support;

The degree to which the project has authority over the project operations and staff;

3. Evidence of collaboration with or inclusion of key stakeholders, including host country governments and impacted indigenous peoples and local communities.

Whether the project demonstrates that it has considered both positive and negative impacts on stakeholders and appropriately incorporated such into objectives and activities;

Where relevant, whether the application references specific consultation, input, facilitation, or participatory activities with stakeholders;

Whether the proposal has sufficient detail regarding coordination of project activities with similar, ongoing, or…