F25AS00007_FY25 Multistate Opportunity.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://www.fws.gov/program/multistate-conservation

F25AS00007 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Announcement Fiscal Year: 2025

F25AS00007

Due Date for Applications: 06/07/2024

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 The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) and the Pittman- Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) as amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §113 and 114 STAT. 1722 §122) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually to fund Multistate Conservation project grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cite this traditional portion of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) as Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG). In addition, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, authorize the Service to make hunter recruitment and recreational target shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Service will cite this portion of the MSCGP as R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG). There will be up to $5,000,000 available specifically for the R3-MSCG grants.

A2. Assistance Listing Number

Assistance Listing Number 15.628

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSCG and R3-MSCG. AFWA sets the Strategic Priorities for project activities and provides the Service with a list of recommended projects to be considered for awards. The Service administers the program and manages the awards. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), also called a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), provides application guidance for both types of projects (i.e., T-MSCG and R3-MSCG) under the competitive Multistate Conservation Grant program.

Proposals must address eligible activities in one or more of the selected AFWA Strategic Priorities to be considered for funding. AFWA updates the Strategic Priorities annually. The Strategic Priorities are used to guide the proposal development and project selection. The primary goal for both types of projects, T-MSCG and R3-MSCG, in the Multistate Conservation Grant program is to provide grant funds to address regional or national priority needs of the

States and their partners that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single State within the scope of eligible activities. Information on the projects selected and awarded will be published annually in the Federal Register. Lists of past awards are also available from the Service and AFWA (see Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts).

Eligible activities for T-MSCG include projects involving research, surveys, restoration, conservation, management, habitat improvements, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. R3 activities for fishing or boating are only eligible under T-MSCG.

Eligible activities for R3-MSCG are hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment activities that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

Please be advised that, at the time of publication of this NOFO, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule changes affecting OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements located in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), including changes that may affect definitions, allowable costs, and other grant guidance found in sections of 2 CFR 200 that are referenced throughout this NOFO. Please be sure to check current 2 CFR 200 regulations posted online and review the final rule describing the changes to 2 CFR 200 once it is published in the Federal Register. Once published in the Federal Register, it is anticipated the final rule will be effective October 1, 2024.

2025 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Strategic Priorities, as established annually by AFWA (Detailed information can be found at the AFWA website, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program):

Conservation & Science

Climate Change

Fish and Wildlife Health (“One Health”)

Human Dimensions & Conservation Social Science

Invasive Species

Emerging Technologies for fish and wildlife management

Expanding Relevancy and Engagement (ERE)

Enhancing Conservation Through Broader Engagement

Enhance efforts to make fish and wildlife-based recreation accessible and welcoming to everyone, emphasizing actions targeting underrepresented groups.

Research

Capacity Building, Conservation Education, and Coordination of Conservation Policies

Leadership Development

Conservation Education

Coordination of Conservation Policies

Integration of Law Enforcement https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

AFWA Priorities Identified in AFWA Funding Principles (submitted by ExCom)

Management Assistance Team

Management of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program

CITES and International Conservation Programs and Their Impact on State Agencies

Coordination of Conservation on a National Scale

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation (R3)

Marketing

Engaging Participants

Monitoring and Evaluation

Hunting and Shooting Sports Access and Infrastructure

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals The goal of the Multistate Conservation Grant funding opportunity is to support projects that address regional or national priority needs of State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners that are beyond the scale, scope, and capabilities of a single State. The priority needs, also known as Strategic Priorities, are identified annually by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies with input from State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners. Eligible proposals funded under this opportunity may address Strategic Priorities related to traditional wildlife or sport fish projects involving research, restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement of wild birds, wild mammals, sport fish, or their habitats or projects providing for public use and benefit from these resources. Eligible proposals funded under this opportunity may also address Strategic Priorities related to hunter, recreational target shooter or angler recruitment, retention and reactivation, also known as R3.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $11,000,000 Estimated Funding for T-MSCG: $6,000,000 Estimated Funding for R3-MSCG: $5,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award $1,000,000 Minimum Award

$50,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding $250,000 Expected Award Date January 01, 2025 Grants are traditionally approved for one year of funding. Applicants whose projects are expected to take more than one year to complete are encouraged to describe in their proposals the need and intent to apply for a subsequent year(s) of funding for the project. Subsequent year(s) funding is not guaranteed and will depend on project merits, available funding, and progress made to date upon applying for the subsequent year(s) of funding. Grant recipients will be required to report on progress made in the first year as part of the justification for subsequent year(s) of funding. Under special circumstances, the National Grants Committee coordinated by AFWA will consider recommending multiple years of funding. The criteria for multiyear funding established by the National Grants Committee are in AFWA's MSCGP Multiyear Proposal Criteria found on the AFWA MSCGP website. Please note there is a very high bar to justify multiyear funding, and most applicants will be requested to apply for one year of funding at a time.

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards T-MSCG Expected Number of Awards is 25 to 35. R3-MSCG Expected Number of Awards is 20 to 25.

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program

13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants also include the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or a State or group of States, for the purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife- Associated Recreation. The State governments designation refers to agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia (Sport Fish Restoration only), Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or a group of these agencies.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

C3. Other Eligible project proposals must address eligible activities under at least one of the 2025 AFWA Strategic Priorities to be considered for funding.

Eligible activities for T-MSCG include research, restoration, management or habitat improvement, or projects providing for public use and benefit from these resources, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. R3 activities for fishing or boating are only eligible under T-MSCG. Eligible activities for R3-MSCG are hunter recruitment and recreational target shooter recruitment activities that promote a national hunting and target shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

Eligible species include wild birds, wild mammals, or sport fish. Sport fish are defined as aquatic, gill-breathing, vertebrate animals with paired fins, having material value for recreation in the marine and fresh waters of the United States.

Eligible project proposals must benefit:

1. A majority of States.

2. A majority (over 50%) of the States in a U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service Region. Please list the Regions and States in each Region that will benefit (use State abbreviations).

3. A majority (over 50%) of the States belonging to a regional association of State fish and wildlife agencies (click each of the Associations for the state members, WAFWA, MAFWA, NEAFWA, SEAFWA). Please indicate the regional fish and wildlife association that will benefit and list each region's States.

Required Certification Statement for Nongovernmental Organizations: Any nongovernmental organization that applies for a grant shall submit with the application a certification that the organization will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://www.wafwa.org/ http://www.mafwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MAFWA_Map_11.jpg https://www.neafwa.org/members.html http://www.seafwa.org/ activity of the organization that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, to recreational shooting activities, or to the regulated taking of fish.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

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

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

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

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

Excluded Parties:

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

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package There is a two-phase process to apply:

Phase I: You must first submit your Grant Proposal, comprised of a Project Statement, Budget Narrative and Budget Table (without Federal forms), through the AFWA MSCGP Portal by June 7, 2024, no later than 11:59 PM ET. The AFWA MSCGP webpage provides information for submitting Grant Proposals via the AFWA MSCGP Portal. Proposals should not be submitted through GrantSolutions during Phase I. Proposals should not be submitted in Grants.gov in either Phase I or Phase II.

Phase II: If your Grant Proposal is selected for further consideration, you will be invited via email to submit your Complete Grant Application through a Directed Announcement posted in GrantSolutions.gov by early to mid-September 2024. The Complete Grant Application, comprised of a Project Statement, Budget Narrative, Budget Table and Federal forms, should be submitted in GrantSolutions.gov. Federal forms will be available in GrantSolutions once invitations to apply are sent to selected applicants. Only Grant Proposals invited for further consideration will submit Complete Grant Applications in GrantSolutions.

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 https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/

The deadline for submitting a Complete Grant Application in GrantSolutions will be identified in the Directed Announcement. Proposals should not be submitted in Grants.gov.

Please be advised that, at the time of publication of this NOFO, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule changes affecting OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements located in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), including changes that may affect definitions, allowable costs, and other grant guidance found in sections of 2 CFR 200 that are referenced throughout this NOFO. Please be sure to check current 2 CFR 200 regulations posted online and review the final rule describing the changes to 2 CFR 200 once it is published in the Federal Register. Once published in the Federal Register, it is anticipated the final rule will be effective October 1, 2024.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/program/multistate-conservation

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

Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1". For instructions on completing the SF-424, please reference: Instructional Video: Completing the SF424.

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 Applicants applying for awards on a project-by-project basis must submit a Project Statement (also referred to as a Project Narrative or Project Proposal) containing the required elements as outlined below and in the specific format required by AFWA and found on AFWA's MSCGP website. The Project Statement must provide sufficient information that reviewers will use to verify proposed activities and species are eligible for funding and that the proposal project is substantial in character and design. A proposed project qualifies as substantial in character and design if it: (a) describes a need consistent with the Wildlife Restoration Act or Sport Fish Restoration Act, (b) states a purpose and sets objectives, both of which are based on the need identified in the proposal, (c) uses a planned approach, appropriate procedures, and accepted principles of fish and wildlife conservation and management, research, or education, and (d) is cost-effective. All information the applicant wants to be considered during the selection process should be presented in the Project Statement. The technical scoring criteria listed in this package reference specific information requirements relative to project scoring. Applicants are encouraged to review the technical scoring criteria in section E1 of this NOFO to ensure proposals appropriately address these scoring criteria. The Project Statement should include the following information:

• Project Title. Be descriptive but brief.

• Organization Type. Identify the Organization undertaking the project as defined under section C1. Eligible Applicants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Jw5k2DPfg

• Grant Recipient Contacts(s). You must identify one primary contact and any additional contacts (secondary contacts) who will have access to GrantSolutions if a grant is awarded. You must identify the project's Principal Investigator and Authorizing Official within GrantSolutions.

• Beneficiary Information. Choose one of the following categories that best describes the geographic scope of the project:

o Project benefits at least 26 states. List state abbreviations for all states that will benefit.

o Project benefits a majority (over 50%) of the states in a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region. Indicate which region of the Service and list state abbreviations for all states that will benefit in the region.

o Project benefits a majority (over 50%) of the states belonging to a regional association of state fish and wildlife agencies. Click each of the Associations for the state members: WAFWA, MAFWA, NEAFWA, SEAFWA. Indicate which regional fish and wildlife association will benefit and list state abbreviations for all states that will benefit in the region.

• Strategic Priority. Please identify one or more 2025 AFWA MSCGP Strategic Priorities addressed by the project.

• Need. Identify and describe the specific concern, problem, or issue to be addressed or opportunity to be leveraged by the project, including the consequences of not addressing the need, and how the proposed project fulfills the purposes of the relevant Acts (Wildlife Restoration Act or Sport Fish Restoration Act).

• Purpose. State the purpose of the project based on the statement of need. The purpose states the desired outcome of the proposed project.

• Objective(s). State project objectives that support resolving the need. Objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

• Approach(es). Describe the methods that will be used to achieve each stated objective.

Include detail addressing all the following: what activities will be carried out, how, where (include specific locations, maps or GIS data, as applicable), when (specify dates or date ranges), and by whom. Include a description of stakeholder involvement, if applicable.

Sufficient information must be provided to support environmental compliance review requirements. Note: Although environmental compliance laws are primarily applicable to projects carried out in the U.S., projects carried out on the high seas are subject to compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and projects outside the U.S.

on any property on the UNESCO World Heritage List or the in-country equivalent of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places are subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

• Results or Benefits Expected. Describe the intended results, expected benefits, and outcomes if the project objectives are completed and the identified need is resolved or significantly improved by your project. Benefits can be described regarding the improved state of fish and wildlife resources, users, economy, and/or society once your project has been completed. Address how the project benefits will be continued after project completion beyond the life of the grant by describing the anticipated, extended use/life of the project’s results, products, or services after the project is completed and how this extended use/life will be sustained.

https://fws.gov/about/regions https://fws.gov/about/regions https://www.wafwa.org/ http://www.mafwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MAFWA_Map_11.jpg https://www.neafwa.org/members.html http://www.seafwa.org/

• Deliverables. Identify and describe deliverables that will be produced by the project.

Deliverables may include but are not limited to, designed reports, peer-reviewed publications, photo and video collections, marketing templates, toolkits, and presentations and webinars. Also, describe how deliverables will be disseminated to intended users. All deliverables made available for distribution in digital or hard copy format must include acknowledgment of the MSCG federal award number and program logos, which will be provided by the Service if you receive an award.

• Timeline. Identify time frames within which key project tasks and activities will be carried out and milestones reached. A timeline may be presented as a list or chart. The timeline will help reviewers determine whether the project Objective(s) and Approach(es) are realistic for the grant period. Grants are traditionally approved for one year of funding. Applicants whose projects are expected to take more than one year to complete are encouraged to describe in their proposals the need and intent to apply for a subsequent year(s) of funding for the project. Subsequent year(s) funding is not guaranteed and will depend on project merits, available funding, and progress made to date upon applying for the subsequent year(s) of funding. Grant recipients will be required to report on progress made in the first year as part of the justification for subsequent year(s) of funding. Under special circumstances, the National Grants Committee coordinated by AFWA will consider recommending multiple years of funding. The criteria for multiyear funding established by the National Grants Committee are included in AFWA's Multiyear Proposal Criteria found on the AFWA MSCGP website. Please note there is a very high bar to justify multiyear funding, and most applicants will be requested to apply for one year of funding at a time.

• Monitoring and Evaluation. Describe how you will monitor and evaluate your project's progress according to the proposed timeline. Evaluation of your project will help ensure the funds allocated have been used as intended, and milestones are being met. Significant developments, defined as problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective(s) of the grant or favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned, must be disclosed and communicated with AFWA and the Service as soon as recognized.

• Qualifications of Key Personnel. Provide a description of personnel working on the project, including details about their role, relevant expertise, skill, and significance to project.

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 “Section B – Budget Categories” on the SF-424A form enter the funding requested for each Object Class Category. For the SF-424A “Contractual” category enter estimated contractual costs only. Do not include subaward costs in the “Contractual” category. 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). For more information about subrecipient and contractor determinations, see 2 CFR §200.331. For instructions on completing the SF-424A, please reference: Instructional Video: Completing the

SF424A.

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. Include a complete description of each cost category. 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 proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If known at the time of application, include an estimated number of subawards and the dollar amount anticipated for each subaward. 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. Recipients may not earn, make, or keep any profit resulting from any financial assistance awards. These costs are not allowable and should not be included in any proposed costs.

The Budget Narrative and Budget Table should include the specific content required by AFWA, which can be found at the AFWA MSCGP website.

The Budget Narrative must indicate the total amount of funding requested under each funding source (i.e., T-MSCG SFR, T-MSCG WR, and/or R3-MSCG).

Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants – Sport Fish Restoration (T-MSCG SFR) means the funding portion requested for sport fish restoration projects, including angler and boater R3 projects. Proposals may address Strategic Priorities 1-5.

Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants – Wildlife Restoration (T-MSCG WR) means the funding portion requested for wildlife restoration projects that do not address R3. Proposals may address Strategic Priorities 1-4.

Modern Multistate Conservation Grants – Wildlife Restoration (R3-MSCG WR) means the funding portion requested for Hunting and Target Shooting Sports-related R3 projects under Wildlife Restoration and the Pittman-Robertson Modernization Act. Proposals must address Strategic Priority 5.

In addition to the requirements specified above, the Budget Narrative should include a budget table showing details address all Object Class Categories, and for those categories that do not apply to your project proposal and budget, indicate “not applicable”.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzhmFOUeY3c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzhmFOUeY3c 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 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

The Budget Narrative should include the following information for these additional items that require prior written approval (2 CFR 200.407):

Travel: Describe how travel supports the project objectives, including the purpose of travel, including the specific name of the meeting or event that employees are attending. For each travel, describe who is traveling to the meeting or event and their individual roles (e.g., presenting, leading program, facilitating, or participating in the discussion), and describe the breakdown of estimated costs per traveler (e.g., airfare, lodging, meals), as allowable under 2 CFR 200.475 Travel costs.

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 (2 CFR 200.1). Grantees and subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.327, and 200.439.

Contractual: Provide a separate description of services and total estimated cost for each contract anticipated during the project. Do not describe subawards and subrecipients in this section. See 2 CFR 200.331 “Subrecipient and contractor determinations” to learn how to determine the difference.

Subawards: Provide a separate description of services and total estimated cost for each subaward anticipated during the project. Do not describe contracts and contractors in this section. See 2 CFR 200.331 “Subrecipient and contractor determinations” to learn how to determine the difference. Applicants intending to act as a fiscal agent (a pass-through) for another organization must clearly state that they are acting as a fiscal agent and why this role is necessary for the project. Fiscal agents must be clearly identified in the budget and described in the narrative, including which costs (if any) they will charge to the grant. These costs should be described in the narrative and identified in the budget under “OTHER” cost category on the SF- 424A.

Participant Support Costs: Participant support costs means direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects (2 CFR 200.1). These costs should be described in the narrative and identified in the budget under “OTHER” cost category on the SF-424A. Grantees and subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when expending participant support costs under an award, with emphasis on 200.68, 200.75, 200.308, and 200.456.

Program Income: Program income is gross income received by the grantee or subrecipient and earned only as a result of the grant during the grant period. Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate. If necessary, indicate the method or combination of methods (deduction, addition, or matching) of applying your expected program income (2 CFR 200.307). The Service’s approval is required for the additive or matching method. Indicate whether the agency wants to treat income that it earns after the grant period as additional funding for purposes consistent with the grant terms and conditions or program regulations.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.475 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.475 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.307 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.307

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

a. Applicability.

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

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

b. Notification.

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

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

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

USC §1352.

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

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

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

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 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://www.fac.gov/ https://www.fac.gov/ https://www.fac.gov/

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

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

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

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

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

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application 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/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-mandatory-family https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html 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. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Due Date for Applications 06/07/2024 Application Due Date Explanation You must first submit your Grant Proposal comprised of a Project Statement, Budget Narrative and Budget Table (without Federal forms) through the AFWA MSCGP Portal by June 7, 2024, no later than 11:59 PM ET.

If your Grant Proposal is selected for further consideration, you will be invited via email by early to mid-September 2024 to submit your Complete Grant Application through a Directed Announcement posted in GrantSolutions.gov. The Complete Grant Application, comprised of a Project Statement, Budget Narrative, Budget Table and Federal forms, should be submitted in GrantSolutions.gov. Federal forms will be available in GrantSolutions once invitations to apply are sent to selected applicants. Only Grant Proposals invited for further consideration will submit Complete Grant Applications in GrantSolutions. The deadline for submitting a Complete Grant Application in GrantSolutions will be identified in the Directed Announcement.