F24AS00386_BIG Tier I_Updated.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure

F24AS00386 - FY 2024 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - BIG Tier 1 Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00386

Due Date for Applications: 09/20/2023

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

Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act, 16 U.S.C. §777; and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §777 et seq.

A2. Assistance Listing Number

15.622 A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

Recreational boating is a popular activity; there are approximately 11 million registered motorized recreational vessels in the United States. Of this total, an estimated 596,000 are at least 26 feet long. The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) established the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program (16 United States Code (U.S.C.)

777g-1) to provide funding to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands (hereafter States) for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure. This Act amended the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777). Subsequent reauthorizations of the Act allow expenditures from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and the continuation of the BIG Program.

Boating infrastructure means the structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Transient vessels are those passing through or by a place, staying up to 15 days. Projects completed using BIG funds must provide public access, but may be publicly or privately owned. Some examples of potentially eligible activities include but are not limited to the following (See Section D6, Funding Restrictions for additional information):

a. Boat slips, piers, mooring buoys, dinghy or coutesty docks, day docks, and gangways;

b. Fuel stations, restrooms, showers, utilities, laundry facilities, and similar amenities;

c. Lighting, communications, buoys, beacons, signals, markers, signs, security features;

d. Floating or fixed breakwaters, wave attenuators, sea walls, and other improvements that provide a harbor of safe refuge;

e. Planning, permitting, engineering, cultural, historic, and environmental studies or assessments necessary to construct boating infrastructure;

f. Equipment and structures for collecting, disposing of, or recycling liquid or solid waste from eligible vessels or for eligible users;

g. Retaining walls, bulkheads, pilings, and living shorelines;

h. Debris deflection structures or water hazard removal;

i. Dredging necessary to fulfill the purpose and objectives of the project;

j. Maintenance of facilities during the project period;

k. Repair or restoration of roads, parking lots, walkways, or other surface areas damaged as a direct result of BIG-funded construction;

l. Information and education materials specific to BIG or a BIG funded project that credits

BIG as a source of funding;

m. Recording of the Federal interest in BIG-funded real property; and

n. Administration, coordination, and monitoring of BIG awards.

Additional information on BIG, including application requirements, eligible activities, and grants is in the BIG regulation published on May 6, 2015 (50 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 86) and throughout this document. You may also find information about the BIG program on the internet at: Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Information.

This document is the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 BIG Tier 1 – State grants. You may download it by doing an advanced search using the Funding Opportunity Number at Grants.gov. You may also access it in GrantSolutions. The NOFO for FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 – National grants is a separate announcement. Note that the FY 2024 BIG Tier 2 – National grants NOFO may be published at a different time.

References to “you” in this NOFO refer to the State agency completing the application and any potential subrecipient, if applicable. References to “we” or “us” in this NOFO refer to the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration’s (WSFR) mission is to work through partnerships to conserve and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. WSFR’s vision is of healthy, diverse, and accessible fish and wildlife populations that offer recreation, economic activity, and other societal benefits, in addition to sustainable ecological functions. WSFR’s guiding principle is that society benefits from conservation-based management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and opportunities to use and enjoy them.

The BIG Program aligns with WSFR’s mission, vision, and guiding principles, and supports the Administration's priorities and incorporates them where appropriate and consistent with authorizing statutes and regulations. Focused on water-based infrastructure, the BIG grant program specifically includes elements that recognize and account for the effects of climate change including scoring criteria in the Tier 2 subprogram that reflect resiliency, innovation and reduction in the carbon footprint of the BIG-funded facility.

Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species) is the tracking and reporting system used by WSFR to capture information about conservation and related actions funded by its grant programs. TRACS serves as the electronic repository system for all performance, accomplishment, and real property reporting related to those Federal awards.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-06/pdf/2015-09961.pdf https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure http://www.grants.gov/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/

TRACS highlights program accountability by documenting program accomplishments and results. For applications that are selected for funding, grant and project statement information and performance reporting data must be entered into TRACS as authorized under 2 CFR 200.102(c), 200.202, 200.301, and 200.329.

Please note:

The maximum Federal amount available for FY 2024 BIG Tier 1 - State grants has been raised from $200,000 to $300,000.

Applicants should read this announcement in its entirety to insure all requirements are met. Failure to fully adhere to all requirements may result in your application being rejected.

Be sure to read and adhere to the requirement in section D2 to submit the Project Abstract Summary form, OMB Number 4040-0019 in Grants.gov or to enter the same information in the Project Abstract Summary screen in GrantSolutions. The description in the abstract 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. This information will be public on USASPENDING.gov once an award is made.

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

Congress authorized the Boating Infrastructure Grant program to provide funds to States for the development and maintenance of facilities for transient nontrailerable recreational vessels. The goal of the program is to maintain, renovate and increase boating infrastructure facilities dedicated for the use of transient recreational vessels 26 feet and longer in length.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $4,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award $300,000 Minimum Award $0 An application may not be selected for funding, or we may find that it is ineligible, which would result in no funds being awarded.

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B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding Expected Award Date July 01, 2024 We expect awards to range from $30,000 - $300,000 with an average of approximately $200,000 per award. Funding approvals are expected to occur during March or April 2024 with grants being awarded as compliance and permitting efforts are completed over the following 12 months.

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 00 – State governments Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are the Governor-designated State agencies in the United States, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands and the Mayor-designated agency in the District of Columbia. You may not apply directly if you are not one of these entities. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact the national contact in Section G. or your Regional WSFR Office (below).

State-specific Regional WSFR Office Contacts:

American Samoa, Hawaii: Chris Swenson, Chris_Swenson@fws.gov. 503 231-6758

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam: Ruth Utzurrum, Ruth_Utzurrum@fws.gov, 503-231-2083

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington: Lia McLaughlin, Lia_Mclaughlin@fws.gov, 503-724-8017

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas: Brian Hobbs, Brian_Hobbs@fws.gov, 505-248-

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin: T. Casey Weathers, Thomas_Weathers@fws.gov, 612-283-1878

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the United States Virgin Islands:

Scott Meister, Howard_Meister@fws.gov, 404-679-7180

Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia: Bill Perry, Bill_Perry@fws.gov, 413-253-8302

Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming: Kayla Barrett, Kayla_Barrett@fws.gov, 303-236-4375

Alaska: Cary Myler, Cary_Myler@fws.gov, 907-351-7989

California and Nevada: Becky Miller, Becky_Miller@fws.gov, 916-978-6185

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement The maximum Federal award per State under BIG Tier 1 – State is 75 percent of the total allowable project cost up to $300,000. American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are exempt from the match requirements. In-kind services, materials, and other contributions may be used to satisfy the required minimum non-Federal match of 25 percent of project costs.

You may meet your minimum required cost share or match through contributions from a third party. A third party is any individual or organization other than the State applicant, such as a partner or subrecipient. Match provided must be necessary and reasonable for accomplishing the proposed project objective(s). As the primary State recipient, you are responsible for the full amount of the non-Federal match proposed, including any amount provided by one or more third parties as listed on the Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.

C3. Other

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.

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

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

Apply to this announcement in the GrantSolutions Grants Management Module (GMM). We request that you apply via GrantSolutions if you are able to do so. Note that the application package is also available on Grants.gov. Using the “Search Grants” tab, in Grants.gov, enter the Funding Opportunity Number. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Applicants may apply through Grants.gov if needed. You should reach out to the contacts listed in Section C1 and Section G if you have questions about your application.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure

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;

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.grantsolutions.gov http://www.grants.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302

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 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

A concise project statement that addresses the following elements must be included in the application. In general, the project statement must provide sufficient information so reviewers may verify that the proposed activities are eligible for funding and substantial in character and design. Please see the WSFR Financial Assistance Guidance website for more details and examples. Identify any applicable federal permits and status of permits associated with the application.

Need: Explain why the project is necessary and how it fulfills the purpose of BIG;

o Describe existing facilities available for eligible vessels at your location and near the proposed project; and o Describe how the proposed project fills a need or offers a benefit not offered by existing facilities; and o Give information to support the number of transient boats expected to use the facilities in the proposed project area and demonstrate why existing facilities are insufficient to meet demand.

Purpose: State the ultimate purpose for the proposed project and link the purpose to the demonstrated need.

Objectives: The Service created Standard Objectives to standardize performance reporting and document national accomplishments that deliver results consistent with the BIG Program’s authorizing legislation and program regulation. Your project narrative must only use one or more of the Standard Objectives listed in the TRACS Performance Matrix. We encourage you to work with your WSFR Regional Office if you have questions about the use of TRACS Standard Objectives in your Project Narrative. Please refer to the Service’s WSFR Training Portal site for example project statements that utilize TRACS Standard Objectives. You can also build your objectives using the TRACS Objective Builder Tool available at the WSFR Training: TRACS Resources and Job Aids site.

Results or benefits expected:

o Describe the expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives;

o Describe each capital improvement (see 50 CFR 86.3), service or other product that will result from the project;

o Describe how the structures, service, or other products will address the need(s) and benefits for eligible users.

Approach:

o Describe the approach to be used in meeting the objectives;

o Describe the methods, designs, and/or procedures to be used to achieve the objectives, providing enough information on the status of required permits or other compliance requirements (National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) for us to make a preliminary assessment of what environmental compliance may be needed;

o Identify the Project Officer who has or will have detailed knowledge of the project, state whether they are the Federal Assistance Coordinator for the State agency, give the contact information, and state whether they have signatory authority for committing the recipient to a course of action;

https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.3 o Give the name, contact information, qualifications, and role of each known concessioner or subrecipient;

o Explain how you will exercise control to ensure the BIG-funded facility continues to achieve its authorized purpose during the useful life of the facility;

o Provide a timeline of activities.

Relationship with other grants: Describe any relationship between the proposed project and other related work funded by Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway.

You must also list any previous federal grant(s) with the applicable FBMS #, if any exist, that this application is related too. If this application is related to a previously awarded WSFR grant explain the reason for submission (adding funds, scope change, additional work, etc.).

Geographic Location/Drawings/ Maps/Photographs: Your proposal will be reviewed, in part, on the quality of the access you provide for eligible vessels to significant destinations, services, and other amenities. In addition to addressing the project location generally in the Project Statement, please provide additional context by visually depicting the following:

o The location of the project site using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates in the following format: degrees:minutes:seconds;

o All existing structures, facilities, and amenities;

o All proposed project components;

o Clearly marked areas that are for (1) eligible transient recreational vessels, (2) areas that are for others, and (3) areas that are for shared use;

o Water depths (before and after planned dredging, if applicable);

o If dredging is proposed, you must include an aerial photograph or schematic drawing to indicate the specific area(s) you intend to dredge;

o Measurements for all docks, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other features where boats will be accommodated;

o Any other information that will assist reviewers to identify project components, prorating criteria, or other factors involved with ranking;

o A small State map that shows the general location of the project;

o A local map that shows the facility location and the nearest community, public road, and navigable water body;

o Maps or images that show proximity or distances to significant destinations, services that support eligible users, terrain considerations, access, or other information applicable to your project;

o Any other map that supports the information in the project statement.

Note: The purpose of BIG is to construct, renovate, and maintain boating infrastructure (see 50 CFR 86.3 Boating infrastructure and 86.12) for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long (see 50 CFR 86.3, Eligible vessel). Critical boating infrastructure in a BIG-funded project must be strictly dedicated to the purposes of BIG. This means that dockage, slips, and moorings funded under the award, must be specifically identified as accessible to only BIG-eligible vessels, at distinct locations and times. Applicants must clearly identify these required details in their applications.

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Structures, equipment, accessories, and services not directly associated with the BIG-dedicated boating infrastructure (dockage, slips and moorings) are unlikely to be approved for funding under BIG. There may be occasional exceptions. If a specific need is demonstrated and supported in a Tier 1 application, an applicant may propose that BIG funds be appropriately allocated to anticipated BIG-eligible vessel use for a shared amenity, such as a fuel dock, if a clear need by BIG-eligible vessels is justified in the approach. The applicant must provide clear evidence for the justification, how they determine the appropriate amount of BIG funds to apply to the activity, and how they will monitor to ensure BIG-eligible vessels receive commensurate benefits.

The Service has implemented an electronic performance reporting system called TRACS (https://tracs.fws.gov) in order to document recipient performance and for reporting on national program accomplishments that deliver meaningful results consistent with the BIG Program’s authorizing legislation and regulation. If your application is selected for funding, you are required to enter grant and Project Narrative information in TRACS within 60 calendar days of the latter: (a) period of performance start date; or (b) the date the award was approved. If you need assistance, please contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section C1).

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).

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).

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 https://tracs.fws.gov 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 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 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.

Match and other partner contributions: Identify the cash and in-kind contributions that you, a partner, or other entity contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefits completion of the project. See 50 CFR 86.32-33 for more information.

Contingency Costs: Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are permissible but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with Federal Cost Principles, these must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and these 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.

Proration: Costs for facilities that will benefit operators of boats other than transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long must be prorated. Common examples of costs that often must be prorated include fuel stations, restrooms and showers, retaining walls, bulkheads and breakwaters, pumpout stations, dredging, and other features that are expected to partially benefit ineligible users. You do not need to allocate costs between user groups when you propose to construct, renovate, or maintain facilities solely for eligible users, or when you propose to produce information and education materials related to BIG funded facilities. This list is not exhaustive; therefore, contact your Regional WSFR Office if you are unsure of the need to prorate a cost, or if you believe proration is not required based on the following information. For each discrete project component or element, clearly state:

a. The basis or method you used to allocate costs between eligible and ineligible users. For example: Your facility has slips for 100 vessels, and 20 are dedicated for transient recreational vessels. Your prorating basis would be 20 percent. If you propose to construct a wave attenuator that will benefit the entire facility, you may only charge 20 percent of the construction costs of the wave attenuator to the project.

b. Your reasoning and evidence supporting use of this method. Include relevant documentation to validate your basis for allocating costs between eligible and ineligible users, such as facility use records or trends.

c. Why prorating is not necessary (if applicable). If a proposed facility, component, or element which is primarily designed to benefit eligible users happens to provide a secondary, tangential benefit to ineligible users, or if the value of a project component or element is $5,000 or less, you do not have to prorate costs. For more guidance, see 50

CFR 86.19.

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/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b146bb0c549b27a8ad7728166ba3713e&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1433&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.19

Note: After you submit your proposal, we may contact you to clarify your proration basis or method, or to negotiate a more equitable allocation prior to award.

Program Income: Program income is gross income earned by you or your subrecipient that is directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of the grant, during the grant period. Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate (see 50 CFR 86.90). If necessary, indicate the method or combination of methods (deduction or addition) of applying your expected program income (see 50 CFR 86.77 and 50 CFR 86.78 for more information). You should request the Regional Director's approval for the additive method prior to the deadline and include documentation of your method and approval in this section and in attachments. Note that program income that is not approved for use as additive prior to the obligation of BIG funds will be applied using the deductive method.

Equipment: Equipment means tangible personal property (including 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 the non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes, or $5,000. Provide a list of equipment to be purchased with BIG funds, if any.

Useful life: Estimate the useful life in years of each capital improvement for the proposed project. A capital improvement is typically a structure that costs at least $25,000 to build, or a repair or renovation of a structure costing at least $25,000 that increases the structure’s useful life by 10 years or more (see 50 CFR 86.3). If selected for funding, you will be required to explain how you estimated the useful life of each capital improvement. You must reference a generally accepted method used to determine useful life of a capital improvement; however, your estimates do not need to be certified by a licensed engineer or other professional. You may be required to revise or adjust useful life estimates during the approval process. See 50 CFR 86.73 and 50 CFR 86.74.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.90 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.90 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.77 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86#86.78 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-A/section-86.3 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-F/section-86.73 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-F/section-86.74 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

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.

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

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.

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

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Due Date for Applications 09/20/2023 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

State and other eligible agency applicants must submit applications through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov by the deadline. The Service recommends that you submit your application early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications. We also recommend that you verify that all documents have been received with your Regional WSFR Office before the deadline. The Service will not consider applications received after the deadline.

Applicants requesting comments or assistance with their applications are encouraged to submit applications to their Regional WSFR Office (see Section C1) at least 4 weeks prior to the due date. Although there is no guarantee that the Regional WSFR Office will provide comments, feedback may include recommendations to improve the application.

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…