FAMD-1443-001 Notice of Funding Opportunity_CDFA 15.954.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Financial Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

P25AS00187

Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review Criteria

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), Youth Programs Division

Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward

Program

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: P25AS00187

Legislative Authority: 54 USC 101702(a)

Assistance Listing Number: 15.954- National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.

Total Anticipated Funding to Award: $0

The awards selected under this announcement are $0 Master Cooperative Agreements.

Subsequent funded Task Agreements will be determined once final fiscal year appropriations have been made for subject Task Agreement.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 06

Each activity or project under anticipated agreement will be treated individually, with more detail through award negotiations, including project statements, project plans and budgets developed cooperatively between the NPS and the non-Federal entity.

Anticipated Amount Per Award: An estimated range of $0 to $0 of funding is anticipated for each award. The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined as part of the application review process based on applications received and funding made available through appropriations.

The awards selected under this announcement are $0 Master Cooperative Agreements.

Subsequent funded Task Agreements will be determined once final fiscal year appropriations have been made for subject Task Agreement.

Cost Sharing Required? No

Submission Dates and Times: February 08, 2025, at 11:59PM EST.

Estimated Processing Time: Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis with anticipated notification occurring within 90 days of proposal submittal.

Anticipated Award Date: Master Cooperative Agreements will typically be selected for award within 90 days of proposal submittal. Master Cooperative Agreements are not effective until fully executed with a signature from the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding

Officer. Master Cooperative Agreements do not allow for individual projects to begin

Projects shall not start until a NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer signs a funded

Task Agreement.

Have Questions? Please contact the below administrative and programmatic contact(s) who will respond to applicant questions on this opportunity.

Program Technical Contact: Ernestine White, Ernestine_white@nps.gov

Administration Contact: Thomas Berry, thomas_berry@nps.gov

Executive Summary

The Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Program focus on youth development, recreation, service, social and environmental responsibility, and healthy living that emphasizes the value and significance of natural and cultural resources in nearby parks and communities. The program provides young people--particularly youth from underserved communities in urban, rural, military, and native settings -- with outdoor experiences and excursions to their local national park. Centered on recreation, conservation and service, the program provides the following:

• Unique recreational opportunities

• Learning experiences in nature and history

• Service learning through simple, memorable work projects

• Exposure to career field offered by the National Park Service

The objective of this Agreement is to expand educational, service, and outdoor recreational opportunities for children, youth including active-duty military families' members, on public lands and waterways and reinforce the recreational mission of the NPS. This Agreement will actively engage with the Recipient in programs that advance the recreational mission of the DOI including recreation, outdoor education, volunteer service, exposure to career fields and developmental opportunities and access in support of DOI Secretarial Order 3366 Increasing

Recreational Opportunities on Lands and Waters Managed by the U.S. Department of the

Interior. This Agreement also establishes the framework under which future implementation actions including the co-development of new programs to advance the objectives of this

Agreement.

This notice of funding opportunity is intended to establish a formal partnership for the coordination and collaboration among youth-serving organizations with a national focus. The goal is to enhance educational and recreational services, volunteer opportunities, and workforce exposure initiatives, while also increasing awareness of the diverse career fields available through the National Park Service (NPS) for youth on public lands and waterways.

The program opportunities offered should build confidence in participants to engage with national parks, public lands, and waterways throughout their lifetime.

mailto:Ernestine_white@nps.gov mailto:thomas_berry@nps.gov

Types of programming opportunities offered should fit into four main focus areas for children and youth up to age 18 years old:

• Recreation. To connect more children, youth, and families, including active military and veterans and their families, NPS will develop or enhance outdoor recreation partnerships in communities across the country. NPS will support new and enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation by working with non-profit partners, educational organizations, and state, local and tribal governments.

• Education. To increase outdoor educational opportunities, the NPS will partner with non-profit organizations, educational organizations, and state, local and tribal governments that have expertise in delivering such services.

• Volunteerism. To increase volunteerism on public lands, NPS will partner and coordinate volunteer opportunities on its lands and waters with non-profit organizations and industry that have a track record of working with volunteers.

• Career Exploration. The objective is to enhance awareness of diverse career fields within the National Park Service (NPS) and to provide teenagers aged 15 to 18 with exposure to potential pathways to these opportunities through summer employment and internship opportunities.

The NPS may choose to fund multiple awards to meet the goals and objectives of these efforts.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

☒ State governments

☒ County governments

☒ City or township governments

☒ Special district governments

☒ Independent school districts

☒ Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

☒ Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

☐ Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

☒ Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

☒ Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

☒ Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

☒ Private institutions of higher education

☐ Individuals

☐ For profit organization other than small businesses

☐ Small businesses

☐ Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

☐ Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

Additional Information on Eligibility

None

Cost Sharing Requirement

Non-Federal cost sharing is not required to be eligible for an award under this NOFO.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique

Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the

SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on

SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov

Help page.

☒ GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to

Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow for 30 days to register and set up a

Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

It is the mission of the NPS to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout the country.

The NPS works to connect all Americans to care for our shared heritage, natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. NPS is committed to working hand and hand with partners and communities, from across the nation, to help connect people to the stories of our origin and special places we treasure.

Together, in collaboration with partners the goal is to engage children and teens up to age 18 years old who live in communities with limited awareness or access to public lands, cultural and historical sites and outdoor recreational facilities in summer, afterschool, and year-round programming opportunities.

We develop the next generation of stewards of our public and cultural lands working with partners. Our collaboration goals are:

• Connect young people to the outdoors through recreation, education, and volunteerism.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

• Create opportunities for local communities to increase connections to the outdoors in partnership with local NPS units, non-profit partners, educational organizations, and state, local and tribal governments.

• Lay the groundwork for young adults to become the 21st-century stewards of our cultural, historical, scientific, and recreational legacies.

• Provide opportunities for youth to connect with natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources within their local communities and through the use of technology.

• Exposure youth to job fields and leadership development opportunities via mentorship, volunteerism, internships, and employment within the NPS.

Program Description

The Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program is designed to connect local young people, especially those up to 18 years old from underserved communities in urban, rural, military, and indigenous settings, in outdoor experiences and excursions to their local national parks. With a focus on recreation, education, and service, the program runs during the summer, after school, and throughout the year, delivering various opportunities for participation that are as follows:

• Unique recreational opportunities

• Learning experiences in nature and history

• Service learning through appropriate volunteer projects

• Exposure to career field offered by the National Park Service

Types of programming opportunities offered should fit into four main focus areas for children and youth up to age 18 years old:

• Recreation. In order to engage a greater number of children, youth, and families, including active military personnel, veterans, and their families, the National Park

Service (NPS) will establish or improve outdoor recreation partnerships within communities nationwide, thereby connecting local youth with national parks.

Recreational activities available for individuals of all ages encompass fishing, swimming, kayaking, and hiking.

• Education. To expand outdoor educational experiences, the initiative will focus on both formal and informal service-learning opportunities that promote engagement with nature and environmental stewardship.

• Volunteerism. The aim is to foster increased volunteer participation on public lands.

Volunteer initiatives suitable for individuals up to 18 years of age will include activities such as trail maintenance, community gardening, and general park maintenance, among others.

• Career Exploration. The goal is to raise awareness of the various career opportunities available within the National Park Service (NPS) and to provide teenagers aged 15 to 18 with insights into potential career pathways through summer employment and internship programs.

Legislative Authority

54 U.S. Code § 101702(a) - Cooperative Agreements

Type of Award

Master Cooperative Agreement – A legal instrument with a non-Federal entity in which more than one project is anticipated. This type of cooperative agreement includes a detailed description of all types of work that can be done under the agreement. The master cooperative agreement will also establish the overarching terms and conditions, and general level of substantial involvement agreed to by the National Park Service and the non-Federal entity. A

Master Cooperative Agreement is not a funded legal instrument. Funding is provided through specific task agreements which reference and are subject to the terms and conditions of the

Master Cooperative Agreement. See task agreement definition below for additional information.

Specific projects and funding under a master agreement are identified through task agreements, which are issued under the applicable legal authority documented in the master cooperative agreement. A specific task agreement will always reference, and be subject to, the terms and conditions of the master cooperative agreement. The receipt of a Master Cooperative Agreement is neither a requirement to obtain funding, nor is it a guarantee of funding for future projects.

Separate cooperative agreements may still be pursued by the NPS. The award of a Master

Cooperative Agreement does not preclude the NPS from soliciting for additional projects through separate competed or single source financial assistance agreements.

Substantial Involvement for Cooperative Agreement:

Substantial involvement may include:

• NPS is involved with the non-Federal entity in describing the goals, jointly developing the scope and the activities to be accomplished. This must be combined with other substantial involvement, such as providing technical assistance or any of the statements listed below, that goes beyond Federal stewardship responsibilities.

• NPS will provide cultural/environmental programs to the team members including park tours, educational programs, talks on the history of the park, and other similar programs in a variety of media and will coordinate among other NPS units in the area to provide joint educational programs and field trips to NPS and other related sites.

• NPS will provide the services of a national Program Coordinator to serve as liaison to

(the non-Federal entity) for the work under this agreement. This includes consulting and working specifically with the non-Federal entity’s program coordinator.

Task Agreement: Once a Master Cooperative Agreement is established, specific projects with funding are provided through subsequent task agreements, which are issued under the applicable legal authority documented within the Master Cooperative Agreement. A task agreement will authorize performance, establish timetables, identify key personnel, and obligate funds for a project that falls within the scope of an established Master Cooperative Agreement. Task agreements incorporate by reference the Master Cooperative Agreements thereby not repeating the terms and conditions contained in the Master Cooperative Agreement. The task agreement will cite the specific legal authority or authorities contained in the Master Cooperative

Agreement that authorizes that specific task agreement project. Task agreements may contain applicable “as-needed” terms and conditions, or specific conditions that are not otherwise specified within the Master Cooperative Agreement.

Other Information: Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission

Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

FORMS REQUIREMENT

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix

A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

Required from all applicants

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019) Required from all applicants

Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D) – Assurances

This form must be signed and submitted with your application.

Note: The SF-424 forms are only available in the Grants.gov

Forms Repository. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required from all applicants https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html

FORMS REQUIREMENT

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Narrative

The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria

(see Merit Review Criteria) The proposal text must be no longer than 10 pages, no smaller than font size 11, and have 1-inch margins. The 10-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and resumes (Forms SF-424, SF-424B, SF-LLL). Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included.

Other Required Information

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112.

Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement: Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement: U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized

Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending

$1,000,000 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, federally recognized 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov to the National Park Service. All application materials are available on Grants.gov. The SF-424 forms are only available in the Grants.gov

Forms Repository. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Submission Dates and Times

Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service.

Applications must be received by Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline. Note: Per 2 CFR 1402.204 (f)

Bureaus and offices must consider the timeliness of the application submission. Applications that are submitted beyond the announced deadline date must be removed from the review process.

Application preparation time may take several weeks, so please start the application process as soon as possible. If it is determined that a proposal was not considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified during the selection process.

Submission Instructions

Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov to the National Park Service by the deadline.

In the event the applicant experiences technical difficulties with submitting their application, please contact:

Program Technical Contact: Ernestine White, Ernestine_white@nps.gov

Administration Contact: Thomas Berry, thomas_berry@nps.gov

Apply Through Grants.gov

To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for

Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html mailto:Ernestine_white@nps.gov mailto:thomas_berry@nps.gov https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the

Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab.

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a

Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support

For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact:

Grants.gov Customer Support

1-800-518-4726

Support@grants.gov

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

If selected for award, NPS reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to:

(a) Other budget information

(b) Financial capability

(c) Evaluation of risk

(d) Name and phone number of the Designated Responsible Employee for complying with national policies prohibiting discrimination (See 43 C.F.R. § 17)

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

mailto:Support@grants.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205

Merit Review Criteria

NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criteria in the Project Narrative application requirement. Each applicant is required to provide a detailed project narrative of the following criteria elements. It is highly recommended that the project narrative has sections labeled by criterion.

Criterion 1

Organizational Structure Weight 25%

• Have a formal governance and accountability structure.

• Have sufficient staff or a plan to scale up in order to achieve stated programs and projects.

• Have clearly identified hiring and enrollment standards for project leaders.

Job descriptions for key staff (including biographies and resumes).

• Support an environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through work culture, trainings, and supervision practices.

• Have an operations plan that articulates all planned activities for youth and their, including participant recruitment methods, locations, descriptions, and how program offerings fit into the following recreation, education, volunteer service and career exploration experiences. Key tasks tied to project management and administration should be integrated into the operations plan.

Criterion 2

Capabilities and Competencies Weight 25%

• Applicant’s demonstrated ability to engage diverse youth in nature, environmental and place-based programs in national parks, public lands, and waterways.

• Commitment to an evidence-based approach in the promotion of national parks, public lands, and waterways as a recreation and education resource.

• Demonstrated success in the recruitment of underserved or historically underrepresented populations and diverse participants across the nation.

• Demonstrated experience in multi-channel outreach and communications.

• Experience working in partnerships with other federal groups including NPS and organizations.

Criterion 3

Project Design and Implementation Weight 25%

• Adequacy of the proposal, including the goals, objectives, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and impact.

• Clear articulation of how the continuum of recreation, education, service engagement opportunities will be delivered. Identify how programming will move participants from invitation, to introduction, to engagement, and ultimately to empowerment.

• Demonstrated creativity in considering ways to use partnerships, resource sharing, and other means to accomplish goals and objectives.

• Commitment to advancing a collaborative approach to advancing the goals and objectives of this effort with the NPS.

Criterion 4

Past Performance Weight 25%

• List and provide descriptions of outdoor engagement and educational programs, projects, or events that your organization has performed in the past three years with government and/or non-government entities (up to three examples).

• List and provide descriptions of outreach and communication strategies or campaigns your organization has performed in the past three years with government and/or non-government entities (up to three examples).

• Demonstrated experience delivering programs, projects, or events to engage kids and teens through age 18 years old.

• Demonstrated experience delivering programs, projects, and events in national parks, public lands, and waterways across the nation.

• Demonstrated expert ability and knowledge to successfully recruit and engage diverse racially, physically, socially, and economically disadvantaged communities.

• Demonstrated ability to develop natural and cultural resource stewardship ethics in the program participants.

Review and Selection Process

NPS personnel, and in some cases independent reviewers, will review all proposals. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

a. Initial Review

Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied;

and (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination). If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further review.

b. Comprehensive Merit Review

All applications that satisfactorily pass the initial review will be eligible for the

Comprehensive Merit Review. Each criteria element will be scored on a 0-10 point scale:

10 Superior (100 % of weighted average)

8 Good (80 % of weighted average)

6 Satisfactory (60 % of weighted average)

4 Marginal (40 % of weighted average)

2 Poor (20 % of weighted average)

0 Not Acceptable (No score)

The following numerical rating values may be assigned: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.

The scoring of each criterion must be based on the strengths and weaknesses of the application narrative. To assist in assigning an appropriate score, the following will be used as a guideline:

Rating Descriptive Statement

10 Superior: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates that it will meet the Government's performance requirements and demonstrates no weaknesses.

8 Good: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates a likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements, and demonstrates only a few minor weaknesses.

6 Satisfactory: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains weaknesses and/or a number of minor weaknesses.

4 Marginal: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains significant weaknesses and/or a significant number of minor weaknesses.

2 Poor: Applicant addresses some aspects of the criterion and demonstrates some doubt in the likelihood of successfully meeting the

Government's requirements. Significant weaknesses are demonstrated and clearly outweigh any strength presented.

0 Not Acceptable: Applicant does not address all aspects of the criterion and the information presented indicates a strong likelihood of failure to meet the Government's requirements.

c. Selection

The Selection Official may consider the merit review recommendation, program policy factors, geographic distribution of project performance and impact, leveraging of Federal funding, project addresses a critical resource, diversity of project partners, leveraging of programmatic resources, etc., and the amount of funds available to select applications for funding.

d. Discussions and Award

The Government may enter into discussions with a selected applicant for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to: (1) only a portion of the application is selected for award; (2) the Government needs additional information to determine that the applicant is capable of complying with the requirements of the Department of Interior (DOI) Financial

Assistance Regulations, and/or (3) additional specific terms and conditions are required.

Failure to satisfactorily resolve the issues identified by the Government may preclude award to the applicant.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

Risk Review

Prior to making an award, the program assesses the risk posed by the applicant per 2 CFR

200.206. If an award will be made, the program may apply special conditions corresponding to the risk assessed. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the program reviews eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant’s SAM.gov records per 2 CFR 200.206(a). The program also assesses financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges. Negative information that leads to an applicant being designated as “Medium Risk” or “High Risk” may result in specific conditions, as identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, being incorporated into the final award.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of

Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. If the program allows pre-award costs per 2 CFR 200.458, beginning performance before receiving a

Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Anticipated start date: May 10, 2025

Anticipated end date: May 9, 2030 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.206(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.211 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.458

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND

ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI Standard Terms and

Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

NPS will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

Data Availability

Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315:

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

Reporting

The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e),

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2 CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.315 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 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-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.330 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per

Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA

Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).

Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates which have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify NPS in writing as soon as the recipient becomes aware of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The recipient should also notify NPS in writing of any 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.

Other Information Payments

Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s

Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by NPS.

Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System.

Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the

Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). NPS will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all

Notices of Award.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://www.fsrs.gov/