FAMD-1443-001 Notice of Funding Opportunity v. 2023-01_CORE Crews__Final_04262024_SV.pdf

FAMD-1443-001-2023-01

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Financial Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

NOFO Title Creating Opportunities for Relevant

Experience (CORE) Wildland Fire Training

Crews

NOFO Number: P25AS00012

Announcement Type: Initial

Assistance Listing Number: 15.969 - National Wildland Fire Management and Natural Resource Training and Workforce

Development

Issue Date: 05/24/2024

Application Due Date: 05/24/2029 Time: 5 PM Mountain Time

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.

This announcement remains open until May 21, 2029. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated as they are received and may be submitted at any time between the issue date and the application due date. The submission process for proposals is discussed in section D Application and Submission Information of this announcement.

Agency Contact Information: Questions and completed applications should be emailed directly to wildland_fire_financial_assistance@nps.gov.

Table of Contents

Section A: Program Description 3

Section B: Federal Award Information 6

Section C: Eligibility Information 8 Section D: Application and Submission Information 9 Section E: Application Review Information 15 Section F: Federal Award Administration Information 18

Section G: Federal Awarding Agency Contacts 20

Section H: Other Information: 20

Section A: Program Description

Legislative Authorities:

• Public Law 117-117-58, Div D, Section 40803 of the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) authorizes federal funds to be used for Wildland Fire preparedness, training, and workforce reform.

• 16 U.S.C. § 1723(c)(1) Public Land Corps. This act authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for individuals ages 16-30 (up to 35 for veterans) with any qualified youth or conservation corps to perform appropriate conservation projects. Projects are typically for development and maintenance of natural resources and environmental education programs. Requires a 25% match of non-federal funds from the recipient.

• 54 U.S.C. 101702 (a) authorizes the transfer of federally appropriated funds through cooperative agreements to States, local or tribal government, or other public entity, an educational institution, or a private non-profit organization to carry out public purposes of a Service program.

• 16 U.S.C. 460bb-3 authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with any Federal agency, State of California, or any political subdivision thereof for rendering, on a reimbursable basis, or rescue, firefighting, and law enforcement and fire preventive assistance.

• 54 U.S.C. 102711 grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to use applicable appropriations for the

System to render assistance to nearby law enforcement and fire prevention agencies and for related activities outside the System.

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 15.969 - National Wildland Fire Management and Natural Resource Training and Workforce Development

Federal Regulations: 2 C.F.R. § 200, 2 C.F.R. § 1402

Program Background, Objectives, and Goals: The National Park Service (NPS) manages wildland fire to protect the public, communities, and infrastructure, and to restore and maintain ecological health. The NPS manages fire based on the best scientific information and monitors programs to ensure that objectives are being met. NPS wildland fire managers work in coordination with other natural and resource disciplines and interagency partners to ensure that park resources and values are preserved, protected, and enhanced through appropriate responses to wildfire and the application of fuels treatments.

Fire is complex to manage, and fire personnel work with many different stakeholders regarding resources, planning, air quality/smoke management, and public access. Wildland fire has great potential to change park landscapes and does so more often than volcanoes, earthquakes, or even floods. In many ecosystems wildland fire is a critical natural process. In fire-dependent ecosystems, many plants and animals cannot survive without the cycles of fire to which they are adapted. If all fire is suppressed, fuel may build up, making hotter, more destructive fires inevitable.

The NPS Wildland Fire Management Program is dedicated to safety, science, and resource stewardship. A safe and successful fire management program has many elements that must all work together. At the core of the NPS fire management program is a dedicated workforce that is passionate about the NPS and its mission. To ensure continued recruitment and retention of a talented and diverse workforce, the NPS is seeking to expand its use of women’s, veterans, and youth fire crews.

Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experiences (CORE) Crews: The Creating

Opportunities for Relevant Experience Crews (CORE Crews) are wildland fire training crews comprised of women, veterans, or youth. CORE crews offer participants job experience and wildland fire specific training that serves as a developmental opportunity for participants and an opportunity for parks build relationships with the next generation of fire managers. The CORE crews’ goal is to engage with women, veterans, and youth to begin development of the next generation of the wildland firefighters, managers and scientists contributing to the mission of the

NPS wildland fire program by offering relevant work experience.

The CORE Crew program seeks to offer basic training, knowledge and experience that will inspire interest in future career opportunities for participants while working to support the NPS wildland fire mission. CORE crewmembers will work with trained professional fire staff with the

NPS and gain on-the-job skills and experience. They will also be coached and mentored in wildland fire and NPS operations. Job experience will vary and include a wide array of activities such as work on fuels management projects, wildfire preparedness activities, fire effects monitoring, and potentially wildfire suppression. Training will cover numerous topics including employee and agency orientation, basic firefighter training, chainsaw training, and incident management and response overview.

Upon completion of their CORE crew commitment, participants will understand the benefits of future employment with the NPS, an understanding of processes to obtain entry-level positions within the NPS, and basic training, knowledge, skills, and experience related to wildland fire work allowing them to effectively compete for employment if interested. CORE crewmembers may have the opportunity to be hired as Administratively Determined (AD) employees to engage in wildfire activities throughout the United States depending on fire activity and ability of resources for mobilization.

Examples of training crews will receive:

• Entry-level overview of wildland firefighting

• NPS wildland fire career pathways and overview

• Resume building overview

• First Aid/CPR

• S-130 Wildland Firefighter training

• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

• L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service

• I-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System

• IS-700 NIMS An Introduction

• S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws

Work Examples:

• Fuels reduction projects

• Fire effects monitoring

• Fire preparedness activities

• Wildfire equipment maintenance

• Prescribed fire preparation activities

• Prescribed fire implementation

• Wildfire suppression work

• Post-fire rehabilitation work

Definitions

Cooperative Agreement: A legal instrument of financial assistance between a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity and a non-Federal entity that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6302-6305:

(a) Is used to enter into a relationship the principal purpose of which is to transfer anything of value from the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to the non-Federal entity to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law of the United States (see 31 U.S.C. 6101(3)); and not to acquire property or services for the Federal Government or pass-through entity's direct benefit or use; (b) Is distinguished from a grant in that it provides for substantial involvement between the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity and the non-Federal entity in carrying out the activity contemplated by the Federal award (2 CFR

200.24).

A cooperative agreement may be entered into to accomplish various projects or tasks anticipated and initiated over a span of up to five (5) years unless otherwise indicated. Such a cooperative agreement should establish the general scope of the agreement, as well as its essential elements and the estimated funding. Either a bilateral modification or a task agreement may then be issued to authorize specific project commencement and funding. A bilateral modification or a task agreement is not always required as a cooperative agreement may stand on its own without task agreements and can contain the specific scope of work and related funding.

Master Cooperative Agreement: A Master Cooperative Agreement is used to enter into a relationship with a non-federal entity in which the primary purpose is to establish a relationship with the non-Federal to carry out broad public purpose objectives when more than one project is anticipated. This type of cooperative agreement will include a detailed description of all types of work that could be done under the agreement as well as citation to the legal authority or authorities that authorize the agreement. The

Master Cooperative Agreement also establishes the overarching terms and conditions and the general level of substantial involvement.

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.

Public Purpose of Support or Stimulation: Public purpose is government assistance for which the principal purpose is to promote the general welfare, security, prosperity, or public convenience as authorized by a federal law. Public purpose is required for all financial assistance awards. A financial assistance award must principally fulfill a public purpose of support or stimulation, which is different than a procurement contract which is designed to directly benefit the NPS.

Substantial Involvement: Substantial involvement is significant NPS participation during the performance of a cooperative or task agreement. Substantial involvement is a required component of a cooperative agreement and task agreement. Some examples of substantial involvement include: NPS involvement in program management decisions; NPS collaboration in the accomplishment of the activity;

or NPS operational involvement or participation during the project. NPS funding and monitoring/administering of the financial assistance agreement alone does not constitute substantial involvement. The nature of the federal involvement will be identified within the resulting Master

Cooperative Agreement.

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.

Section B: Federal Award Information

Estimated Total Funding: Awards selected under this announcement are $0 Master Cooperative

Agreements. Subsequent funded Task Agreements will be determined once final fiscal year (FY) appropriations have been made. This NOFO may be canceled if FY appropriations are insufficient to support new awards.

Expected Award Amount: 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. Funding provided under this NOFO will be provided through the issuance of subsequent Task Agreements based on individual program goals and funding made available through annual appropriations. The amount of funding provided through individual Task Agreements will vary depending on the scope of individual project objectives, but past projects have ranged approximately between $20,000 - $200,000 per Task Agreement.

Anticipated Award Date: Projects receiving funding through this NOFO will start once funding has been secured and awards have been made. Master Cooperative Agreements are not effective until fully executed by 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 fully executes (awards) a funded Task Agreement.

Anticipated Term of the Agreement: Agreement terms for funded projects could range between one and five years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work. Agreements are not effective until fully executed by the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

Master Cooperative Agreements may have a maximum period of performance for up to five (5) years, if selected. Task agreements awarded under the Master Cooperative Agreements may have a period of performance up to five (5) years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work and funding for the specific task agreement. Should the task agreement require continuation of funding over that duration, continuation funding (funding for the second and subsequent budget periods) is contingent on: (1) availability of funds appropriated by Congress and future year budget authority; (2) progress towards meeting the objectives of the approved proposal; (3) submission of required reports; and (4) compliance with the terms and conditions of the award.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded: Each activity or project under this agreement will be treated individually, with more detail through project statements, project plans and budgets developed cooperatively between the NPS and the non-Federal entity.

Funding Instrument Type: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) allows for the award of Master Cooperative Agreements by NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officers service wide. The NPS shall award non-funded agency wide Master Cooperative Agreements from this

NOFO under Assistance Listing 15.969. The Master Cooperative Agreements awarded under this notice of funding opportunity announcement will be used to award future Task Agreements for the NPS. Master Cooperative Agreements are not funded, but the awarded Master Cooperative

Agreements will allow for the NPS to fund subsequent Task Agreements bureau wide.

Non-federal entities that are awarded a Master Cooperative Agreement are not guaranteed funding under Task Agreements. Funded Task Agreements will be issued under the awarded

Master Cooperative Agreements based on program need and the availability of fiscal appropriations. The number of awards made under this announcement will depend on the number of meritorious applications.

The receipt of a Master Cooperative Agreement under this announcement 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 apart from this notice of funding opportunity. 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.

NPS substantial involvement will vary for individual projects and will be defined within subsequent task agreements. Substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to, the following:

- Providing all the necessary medical exams, work capacity testing, and training to give CORE crewmembers the opportunity to qualify as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) and Faller 3 (FAL3).

- Providing meaningful opportunities to learn basic elements of wildland firefighting, fuels management, and other aspects of wildland fire management in the NPS.

- Hiring crewmembers as Casual Hires (Administratively Determined) to take wildland fire assignments as fire season allows to gain firefighting experience. Time spent on fire assignments as a Casual Hire does not count against a CORE crewmembers time in this program.

- Providing all necessary wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE).

- Conducting onboarding surveys regarding expectations, an exit survey regarding the program, and establishing communication for future employment opportunities if desired by participants.

- Assisting in developing a job application and applying to wildland fire positions.

- Ensuring any CORE crewmember that is not able to meet the wildland fire arduous duty medical standards and remains with the program could work in non-arduous duty work.

Section C: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

NPS is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with any entity type (e.g., states, subdivisions of states, territories, Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education) qualified as youth or conservation corps to perform appropriate conservation projects, However, this funding opportunity is limited to non-profit applicants who are Section 501(c)(3) compliant, state governments, and federally recognized Tribal governments.

Non-Profit Organizations Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code exempts payment of federal income taxes for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational organizations. It is the most used section in the

IRS code granting tax exemption. Unless a non-profit corporation files a 501(c)(3) application with the

IRS, it will not be exempt from paying federal income taxes. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) including a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. Additionally, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time NPS is ready to make the award, NPS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

A twenty-five percent (25%) minimum cost-match inclusive of non-federal cash and/or in-kind services and/or resources is required only for projects funded under 16 USC § 1723(c)(1) Public Land Corps authority. For all other projects not funded under Public Land Corps authority, a cost-match/share is voluntary.

Excluded Parties: NPS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The NPS 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.

Foreign Entities or Projects: This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

3. Other Participants under a Federal financial assistance award using 16 U.S.C. § 1723, Public Land

Corps Programs as its authority shall consist of individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, and veterans aged 35 and younger who satisfy the criteria specified in 42 U.S.C. 12591(b), Special

Rules for Certain Youth Programs.

Section D: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

A complete application package is described in this Section. The application package contains both mandatory standard forms (SF) and various optional templates that may be used to satisfy other stated application requirements. The application package can also be accessed and downloaded from the Related Documents tab on the Synopsis page of this announcement in

Grants.gov. Access forms here: Grant Forms | GRANTS.GOV

2. Contents and Form of Application Submission

You must complete the mandatory standard forms and any applicable optional forms, in accordance with the instructions below, as required by this NOFO. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. A complete application must be limited to

25MB file size per email submission and should include:

Mandatory Requirements:

• Standard Form 424 (SF 424) - Application for Federal Assistance. Complete this form as much as possible with all applicable information.

• Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D) – Assurances This form must be signed and submitted with your application.

• Project Narrative - Proposal Submission Format The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria (see Section E). The proposal text must be no longer than 15 pages, no smaller than font size 11, and have 1-inch margins. The proposal narrative shall be in one of these file extensions: .pdf, .docx, or .doc. The 15-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and resumes (Forms SF-424, SF-424B, and the statement of indirect charges are not counted as part of the page limit). Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included. The Project Narrative should be structured into sections to clearly identify/explain the Merit Review Criteria in Section E.

3. Additional Instructions:

Indirect Costs

If your proposed budget includes indirect costs, the rate as proposed must meet the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Section 200.414 and 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix III through Appendix VII, as applicable. If fully negotiated indirect cost rates are applied, the associated rate agreement must be provided with your proposal. Proposals that fail to document their indirect costs may have those costs disallowed.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

If selected for a Master Cooperative Agreement, NPS reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary, for the duration of the Master Cooperative Agreement, including, but not limited to:

• Financial capability;

• Evaluation of risk;

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

• Travel Regulations;

• Procurement Regulations.

As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200, Subpart F, Audit Requirements, a non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity’s fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program specific-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the procedures 2 CFR 200, subpart F.

Optional Requirements:

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure

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

Applicability.

• 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.

• 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.

Notification.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1318 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1112 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title31/subtitle2/chapter13&edition=prelim

• Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict-of-interest disclosure based on 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 U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized 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, 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 recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

• Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43

CFR 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 and 31

USC 1352 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

• Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement If the project proposed in this application is funded through another Federal financial assistance award, in part or in whole, the applicant must provide a statement detailing the potential funding overlap regarding activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. Provide a copy of any https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1339 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr180_main_02.tpl https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted or copy of Federal financial assistance award covering activities covered under this proposal. The statement and the description of overlap or duplication, when applicable, may be provided within the proposal or as a separate attachment to the application. Any overlap or duplication of funding between the proposed project and other active or anticipated projects may impact selection and/or funding amount. 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”.

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)

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

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 in SAM.gov prior to submitting a

Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which will replace Data Universal

Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. 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. Applicants registering in

SAM.gov prior to April 2022 may still be required to obtain a DUNS number prior to completing the registration process within SAM.gov. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active

SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their federal award(s). See the

“Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov;

please be aware you can register and request help for free.

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 in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaces the Data Universal Numbering

System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. 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).

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM): Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM.

Once registered in SAM, entities will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 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.

There is no cost to register with SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free. 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.

4. Submission Dates and Times

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

Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 21, 2029, 5 p.m. Mountain Time. File must be limited to 25MB per email submission. 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.

5. Intergovernmental Review

This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372 “Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs.” Applicants subject to EO 12372 must contact their State’s Single

Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State’s process. The names and addresses of the SPOC’s are listed in the OMB’s home page at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

6. Funding Restrictions

Costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of performance of a signed

Federal award are only allowable with written approval by a Financial Assistance Awarding

Officer.

7. Other Submission Requirements

Applications must be submitted by email to wildland_fire_financial_assistance@nps.gov at the

National Park File size must be limited to 25MB per email submission.

Applications may not be submitted through Grants.gov. Please note that due to system limitations, Financial Assistance Awarding Officers do not receive a notification when applications are submitted through Grants.gov.

Applications submitted by other means or not received by the deadline will not be considered.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

A Master Cooperative Agreement under this announcement is not a requirement to obtain funding, nor is it a guarantee of funding for future projects. Separate cooperative agreements may still be pursued by the National Park Service apart from this notice of funding opportunity. 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. Additional future funding opportunities are anticipated.

If the applicant has other questions with submitting their application, they may also be submitted to wildland_fire_financial_assistance@nps.gov

8. Application Checklist

SAM/UEI active registration (see requirement in Section C. Eligibility Requirements.)

SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF424

SF 424B, Assurances form: Signed and dated SF424B

Project Narrative

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

START THIS PROCESS EARLY DON’T DELAY!

Section E: Application Review Information

1. 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, in accordance with section D.2., of the following criteria elements. It is HIGHLY recommended that the project narrative has sections labeled by criterion.

Proposals submitted under this NOFO are evaluated through a merit review process and will be first reviewed for the following initial screening factors by the Financial Assistance Awarding Officer:

• The applicant is eligible for award based on the criteria identified in Section C.1. Eligible

Applicants.

• The applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements

(reference Section D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)).

• All required documents and additional information have been provided (reference Section D.2.

Contents and Form of Application Submission).

Following this initial screen, applications will be evaluated based on three weighted criteria:

Criterion 1 - Recruiting/Hiring and Developing Crews

Recruiting and hiring diverse crews for natural resource work Weight 40%

- Demonstrated ability to recruit and hire diverse crews particularly for youth, women, and veterans.

- Demonstrated ability to teach and develop relevant vocational/work skills for program participants including dependability, punctuality, honesty, integrity and problem solving.

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

- Have a documented training curriculum for supervisory staff and youth participants.

- Support an environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Criterion 2 - Organizational Structure

Adequate organizational structure Weight 30%

- Have a formal governance and accountability structure.

- Have sufficient staff to develop, supervise and oversee crews, crew logistics, and project completion.

- Have clearly identified hiring and enrollment standards for project/crew leaders. Job descriptions for key staff (include biographies and resumes).

- Clearly articulated organizational policies and procedures for the management and execution of development programs for youth, young adults, women, and/or veterans.

- Demonstrated ability to support crew and project needs at regional and/or national scales.

Criterion 3 - Past Performance

Track record of success completing projects, supporting crews Weight 30%

- List and provide descriptions of natural resource, cultural resource, and/or conservation projects that your organization has performed in the last three years.

- Describe the nature of crews (youth, women’s, veterans, or similar crews) provided for projects in the last three years.

- Describe plans for how crews receive logistical support and housing when operating at one or multiple locations when completing projects.

2. 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 go through a merit review process.

The merit review panel will conduct the review based on the criteria outlined section E.

Application Review Information 1. Review Criteria. Each criterion will be reviewed and assigned a rating of “Satisfactory”, “Marginal”, or “Unsatisfactory” based on whether it exceeds, meets, or does not meet the criteria. Proposals that meet or exceed the criteria with a strong confidence that future Task Agreement objectives will be met based on demonstrated qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the applicant may be selected to receive a Master

Cooperative Agreement.

c. Selection

The Selection Official may consider the merit review recommendation, program policy factors and criteria that are important to the success and goals of CORE crews.

d. Program and Policy Factors

In addition to the criteria listed above, the following program and policy factors may also be considered when selecting:

1) Potential for Future Project Funding: A determination may be made to not select an applicant for receipt of a Master Cooperative Agreement if the NPS determines that there are no anticipated projects for which the applicant may qualify based on either the applicant’s primary focus of collaborative activities, or their geographic location. If an application is found to otherwise meet or exceed the criteria of section E. Application Review Information 1. Review Criteria, the application will be held on file for the duration of this NOFO and may be considered for a Master Cooperative Agreement at a later date should projects become anticipated for which the applicant would qualify based on their primary focus and/or geographic location.

2) Diverse and Inclusive Capacity: Organizational capacity to recruit, hire and support diverse and inclusive crews.

3) Logistical Support: Organizational capacity to support crews with adequate housing, lodging and other necessary logistical needs to meet daily needs and periods of rest and recuperation.

e. 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 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.

3. CFR – Regulatory Information

See the National Park Service’s Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

4. Evaluation of Applicant Risk

In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.205, applications selected for funding will be subject to a pre-award risk assessment which may include a review of information contained within the applicant’s proposal, past audits, Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), and/or past performance on previous Federal financial assistance awards. 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. § 200.207, being incorporated into the final award.

Prior to making a Federal award, any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance will be reviewed and considered (see 41 U.S.C. § 2313). Applicants may review and comment about any information about itself. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under

Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. §200.205

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

NPS will notify the applicant selected for award. A notice of selection is not an authorization to begin performance on an agreement. This notice will detail the next steps in the awarding process. Once all clearances and reviews have been conducted, a master cooperative agreement will be executed. Master

Cooperative Agreements do not obligate the government to fund any project or program with the applicant.

Organizations whose applications have not been selected will be advised as promptly as possible.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

3. 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.

4. Reporting

a) Financial Reports: All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report. Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are 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-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.315 required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

The only exception to the interim financial reporting requirement is if the recipient is required to use the SF 270/271 to request payment and requests payment at least once annually through the entire award period of performance. We will describe all financial reporting requirements in the

Notice of Award.

b) Performance Reports: Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than

12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

c) Real Property Reports: Recipients and subrecipients are required to submit status reports on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains…