F24AS00241_2024 TWG NOFO.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS-NNA National Native American Programs Office https://www.fws.gov/service/tribal-wildlife-grants

F24AS00241_Fiscal Year 2024_Tribal Wildlife Grant Program (TWG)_Funding Opportunity Announcement

Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00241

Due Date for Applications: 06/21/2024

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Assistance Listing Number

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

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

A1. Authority Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024, Public Law 118- 35 (H.R. 2872, 118th Cong., Div. A), Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, Public Law 118-15 (H.R. 5860, 118th Cong., Div. A) and prior-year appropriations acts.

A2. Assistance Listing Number 15.639

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program was created to support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. The TWG Program is part of the Congressionally authorized State and Tribal Wildlife Grant (STWG) Program which provides wildlife conservation grants to States, Commonwealths, and to the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Tribes under provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. TWG Program funding originates from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Pub. L. 107-63), when Congress first specified that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) use a portion of the funds appropriated under the STWG Program to establish a competitive grant program available to federally recognized Tribes. This language allows the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, through the Director of the Service, to establish a separate competitive Tribal grant program which is not subject to the provisions or other requirements of the STWG Program.

The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recognized Tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI-managed lands. Many of the TWG Program-funded project activities increase fish and wildlife populations, allowing for hunting and fishing opportunities on and off Tribal lands. Additionally, the TWG Program funds project activities that align and assist the Service with Endangered Species Act (ESA) activities supporting downlisting, delisting, and preventing new species listings under the ESA. Eligible projects include those that initiate, develop, or implement activities or programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native

American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Planning for conservation of fish and wildlife, and their habitats

• Conservation management actions for fish and wildlife, and their habitats

• Field and laboratory research related to fish and wildlife resources

• Natural history studies

• Fish passages

• Habitat mapping or evaluation

• Field surveys and population monitoring

• Restoration of habitat

• Management of invasive species

• Public education relevant to the proposed project

Since its inception in 2003, the competitive TWG Program has awarded more than $118.1 million to Native American Tribes, providing support for more than 662 conservation projects.

In FY 2022, 51 proposals were received, and 33 awards were issued; in FY 2023, 71 proposals were received, and 36 awards issued; and, in FY 2024, an estimated 50-100 proposals are expected to be received and about 20-40 awards are expected to be issued.

You are encouraged to work with Service staff in developing your applications and addressing all scoring criteria provided in this announcement. Additional information about the TWG Program is on the web at: http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html. If you do not have access to the Internet and would like to receive information by mail, contact the Service point of contact identified in this announcement.

To fulfill Executive Order 14008 and meet Department of the Interior and Service priorities (https://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities), and commensurate with available appropriations, the Service is implementing a Third-Tier funding process. Third Tier grants target Tribes that have not received TWG Program funds in the past. The purpose is to increase Tribal fish and wildlife management capacity to address threats to tribally identified species, including threats associated with climate change.

Regional TWG Program Contact Information:

Portland Regional Office (Region 1) American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Native American Liaison:

Nathan Dexter

(503) 736-4774 Nathan_Dexter@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

Lia McLaughlin

(503) 724-8017 Lia_McLaughlin@fws.gov http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities mailto:Nathan_Dexter@fws.gov mailto:Lia_McLaughlin@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Eastside Federal Complex 911 NE 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97232-4181 Rlfa_grants@fws.gov

Albuquerque Regional Office (Region 2) Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

Native American Liaison:

Westley Foster

(480) 421-8889 Westley_Foster@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

Nicole Jimenez

(505) 238-7154 Nicole_Jimenez@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 1306 500 Gold Avenue, SW Albuquerque, NM 87103 fw2fa@fws.gov

Bloomington Regional Office (Region 3) Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Native American Liaison:

Allison Smart (651) 440-5697 Allison_Smart@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

Jennifer (Jennie) Mcnicoll

(612) 202-0820 Jennifer_Mcnicoll@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990 Bloomington, MN 55437-1458 r3fedaid@fws.gov

Atlanta Regional Office (Region 4) Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Native American Liaison:

Tim Binzen

(413) 253-8731 Timothy_Binzen@fws.gov mailto:Rlfa_grants@fws.gov mailto:Westley_Foster@fws.gov mailto:Nicole_Jimenez@fws.gov mailto:fw2fa@fws.gov mailto:Allison_Smart@fws.gov mailto:Jennifer_Mcnicoll@fws.gov mailto:r3fedaid@fws.gov mailto:Timothy_Binzen@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

Matt Roberts

(470) 813-2848 Matthew_Roberts@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 240 Atlanta, GA 30345 r4federalassistance@fws.gov

Hadley Regional Office (Region 5) Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia

Native American Liaison:

Tim Binzen

(413) 253-8731 Timothy_Binzen@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

Richard Zane

(413) 253-8506 Richard_Zane@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 fw5fareports@fws.gov

Denver Regional Office (Region 6) Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

Native American Liaison:

Cassie Powell (406) 885-7988 Cassie_Powell@fws.gov

TWG Program Lead:

Cassie Powell (406) 885-7988 Cassie_Powell@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 134 Union Blvd.

P.O. Box 25486 Denver, Colorado 80225 fw6fagrants@fws.gov

Anchorage Regional Office (Region 7) Alaska

Native American Liaison:

Crystal Leonetti mailto:Matthew_Roberts@fws.gov mailto:r4federalassistance@fws.gov mailto:Timothy_Binzen@fws.gov mailto:Richard_Zane@fws.gov mailto:fw5fareports@fws.gov mailto:Cassie_Powell@fws.gov mailto:Cassie_Powell@fws.gov mailto:fw6fagrants@fws.gov

(907) 786-3868 Crystal_Leonetti@fws.gov

WSFR TWG Program Lead:

John Warzybok

(907) 227-6943 John_Warzybok@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 East Tudor Road MS-261 Anchorage, AK 99503 ak_twg@fws.gov

Sacramento Regional Office (Region 8) California, Nevada, and Klamath Basin

Native American Liaison:

Eldon Brown

(916) 414-6474 Michael_Eldon_Brown@fws.gov

TWG Program Lead:

Eldon Brown

(916) 414-6474 Michael_Eldon_Brown@fws.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2800 Cottage Way, W-1729 Sacramento, CA 95825 r8fa_grants@fws.gov

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals The outcome of the Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program is increased and enhanced fish, wildlife, and plant conservation on Tribal lands. Through projects funded in part by the TWG Program, Tribes protect and restore habitats and populations of species of Native American cultural or traditional importance, enhancing hunting, fishing, and other subsistence or ceremonial opportunities that support Tribal member well-being, economic development, and sovereignty.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $6,200,000 mailto:Crystal_Leonetti@fws.gov mailto:John_Warzybok@fws.gov mailto:ak_twg@fws.gov mailto:Michael_Eldon_Brown@fws.gov mailto:Michael_Eldon_Brown@fws.gov mailto:r8fa_grants@fws.gov

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award $200,000 Minimum Award $10,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding $6,200,000 Expected Award Date October 18, 2024

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Additional Information on Eligibility Participation is limited to federally recognized Tribal governments listed in the current Federal Register Notice of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. This is the official listing of all federally recognized Tribes in the United States pursuant to Section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454; 108 Stat. 4791-4792). The most recent Notice was published in the Federal Register, 89 FR 944 (January 8, 2024). Tribal organizations and other entities may participate as subrecipients or contractors to federally recognized Tribal governments. Tribal contact information is available in the BIA Tribal Leaders Directory.

Applicant Tribes must bring all administrative and fiscal reporting for any open TWG Program grants up to date in order to be eligible to apply for new funds. Applicants will be notified within five business days upon receiving proposals noting any outstanding reporting issues that need to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/tribal-leaders-directory/ be addressed. Tribes will then have 30 days to bring these grants into compliance. Proposals from Tribes that have not brought past due reports (e.g., interim or final performance reports, or interim or final financial status reports) up to date in this 30-day period will be found ineligible and excluded from further consideration in the FY 2024 TWG Program cycle.

When an applicant is carrying two or more active TWG projects while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in implementing the existing awards. We will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. Tribes that demonstrate their effective use of TWG Program funds will not be affected. Tribes that have taken no significant action on any one of their preexisting awards will not be considered eligible to apply for new TWG Program funds until any correctable problems are resolved. Possible resolutions might be for the Tribe to demonstrate progress in the agreed-upon activities of an inactive grant, demonstrate that the assertion of “no action” is incorrect, or the Tribe may cancel the grant so that the obligated funds may be recovered and made available to other Tribes in the next grant cycle.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

C3. Other There is no limit to the number of applications that may be submitted within a single fiscal year.

However, no single Tribe may be funded for multiple projects within a given fiscal year if the total combined federal request exceeds the maximum annually allowable amount of $200,000. If multiple applications exceed this amount, only the highest scoring application will be accepted, and the other(s) will be determined to be ineligible.

Any entity receiving TWG Program funds as a subrecipient must comply with the requirements described in this announcement, as applicable.

TWG Program funds may not be used to acquire real property interests. Real property interests include, but are not limited to, fee simple, fee with exceptions to title, easements, water rights, mineral rights, and leaseholds.

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.

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

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 If you have access to GrantSolutions, we recommend you apply there. Log in and search for the announcement using Funding Opportunity Number F24AS00241, or search using CFDA number

15.639 or grant program name, then follow the instructions to download required forms and complete and submit your application.

To access the application package in Grants.gov, in the “Search Grants” tab, enter Funding Opportunity Number F24AS00241 or CFDA number 15.639. Downloading and saving the application package to your computer makes the required forms fillable and printable. Submit applications downloaded via Grants.gov in Grants.gov. Applications using the Grants.gov package may also be submitted to your WSFR Regional Office mailbox (see the Regional TWG Program Contact Information in Section A3 of this announcement).

You will receive automatic confirmation of your application submission in GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. We also receive system notifications that document that you have submitted your application by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be rejected, unless you can demonstrate that a technical problem with GrantSolutions or Grants.gov resulted in late or incomplete submission of your application.

If you need a copy in another format, contact:

DJ Monette Associate Native American Liaison Advisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 413-244-4495 dj_monette@fws.gov

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/service/tribal-wildlife-grants mailto:dj_monette@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".

Cover Letter The cover letter transmits the project proposal and briefly states its main features.

Cover Page Include the following information in the upper right corner of the cover page: Name of Tribe, Project Title, Federal (TWG Program) Funds Requested, Project Start Date, Project End Date, Project Contact’s Name and Job Title, Project Contact’s Phone Number, Project Contact’s E-mail Address, and Date. It also may include the Tribal logo, seal and/or photo.

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 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 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 Submit a Project Narrative of no more than 10 pages addressing all the elements listed below.

You may combine your responses as necessary; separate headings or sections for responses to each element are not required. Only your responses to the following requirements in this Project Narrative subsection are included within the page limit, unless otherwise indicated. Your Project Narrative must be formatted to fit on an 8.5” x 11” document, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and sides and page numbers at the bottom of the page (starting with the first page of the Project Narrative). Font size should be no less than 12 point.

Note: The Project Narrative clearly identifies the problems that the proposal will correct or help solve for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and their habitats, including species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance or species that are not hunted or fished.

1. Need: The need for the proposed project(s) within the purpose of the TWG Program;

2. Objectives: Consider using SMART Objectives in your Project Narrative. SMART Objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. We encourage you to work with your Tribal Liaison and/or WSFR Regional Office if you have questions about articulating objectives in your Project Narrative. You may also wish to review the Standard Objectives used in other WSFR programs;

3. Results: Expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives;

4. Methodology: The methodology/approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators or partners;

5. Monitoring Plan: A description of the monitoring activities and how the project results will be collected and assessed;

6. If applicable, indicate the number of impacted acres and/or miles of stream or shoreline;

7. Environmental Compliance: A description of the activity in sufficient detail, so Service staff are able to evaluate compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of the ESA, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA);

8. Project Location: Maps or other geographic aids may be attached. Please include GPS https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/pluginfile.php/406/mod_page/content/258/TRACS%20Performance%20Matrix_V20%2008092023.pdf

Coordinates in decimal degrees, if available; and

9. Partnership: Describe partnerships with other Tribes, organizations, or agencies.

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).

Submit the SF-424A only if your project does not include any construction activities. You may omit the Budget Information form if you provide the same or more detailed budget information in another format. At a minimum, your alternative budget table must include all the Object Class Categories in the Budget Information form.

SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Program Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424C Budget Information form for Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Submit the SF-424C form only if your project involves construction. You may omit the Budget Information form if you provide the same or more detailed budget information in another format.

At a minimum, your alternative budget table must include all the Object Class Categories in the Budget Information form.

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. 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E 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.

As applicable, also provide the following information in your Budget Narrative:

1. Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate, if any. Indicate the method of applying and disposing of it. For more information on program income, contact your WSFR Regional Office.

2. Describe the method for allocating costs in multipurpose projects and facilities. You must allocate costs in multipurpose projects based on the uses or benefits for each purpose that will result from the completed project or facility, and you must also describe the method used to allocate costs.

3. Identify any equipment, including any tangible personal property (includes information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by you or your subrecipient(s) for financial statement purposes, or $5,000. You and your subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.326, and 200.439.

4. Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install,and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000.

5. Contingency costs estimated using broadly accepted cost estimating methodologies are allowable but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with Federal Cost Principles, they must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and they must be verifiable from your financial records (2 CFR 200.433). Explain how any contingency costs were calculated and why they are necessary to improve the precision of your budget estimates.

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.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.doi.gov/aviation/uas/fleet https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1313&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&se2.1.200_1317 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&se2.1.200_1326 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&se2.1.200_1439 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1433&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1433&rgn=div8 https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-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-https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html 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 https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm 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 06/21/2024 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date indicated in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov (June 21, 2024). For applications that are emailed to your WSFR Regional Office, the full application must be received no later than the application due date. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than the application due date.

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.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/indirect-cost

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.