Foa_Content_of_F21AS00004_final.docx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation

F21AS00004

08/07/2020

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100, Expiration Date: 7/31/2021 We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

A. Program Description

A1. Authority The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.), as amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §113 and 114 STAT. 1722 §122) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) to fund multistate conservation project grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cite this traditional program as the T-MSCGP.

In addition to the traditionally annually available funds, the President signed the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act) (Public Law (Pub. L.) 116-94) into law on December 20, 2019 as part of the larger Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. This law amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, create a new “Modern Multistate Conservation Grant Program.” The Service will cite this as the “Modern Multistate Conservation Grant Program (M-MSCGP).” The M-MSCGP will make up to an additional $5,000,000 available specifically for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides application guidance for both T-MSCGP and M-MSCGP.

CFDA 15.628

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and M-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs will function similarly to recent administration of the T-MSCGP. The Association manages the grant application process, providing oversight, coordination, and guidance. The Service awards and manages the grants. Both programs are competitive grant programs.

Eligible grant proposals are shared with the Association’s National Grants Committee (NGC) for review and ranking to aid in the selection process. Proposals must address eligible activities in one or more of the Association’s selected Strategic Priorities to be considered. Strategic Priorities are annually selected by the Association to establish the States’ conservation priorities (under T-MSCGP) or national recruitment priorities (under M-MSCGP), and they are used to guide proposal development and grant selection for the program. The primary goal of both programs is to provide grant funds to address regional or national priority needs of the State fish and wildlife agencies (States) and their partners that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single State. Projects selected and awarded are annually published in the Federal Register. Lists of past awards are also available from the Service and the Association.

Recipients awarded under T-MSCGP may use the funds for sport fisheries and wildlife management and research projects, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation.

Recipients awarded under the M-MSCGP can only use the funds for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

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

1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt;

2) Utilizing our natural resources; and

3) Restoring trust with our local communities.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 11,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 1,000,000 Minimum Award $ 100,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Date January 01, 2021

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 00 – State governments 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or a State or group of States, for the purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The State Governments’ designation refers to Agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia (Sport Fish Restoration only), Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or a group of these agencies.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

C3. Other Detailed information regarding the Association’s Selected Priorities can be found at the Association’s website, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program. A final Priority List of projects will be approved by the Association’s National Grants Committee and forwarded to the Service by October 1, 2020. All proposals applying for T-MSCGP grants can be eligible for either Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration, or a combination of both funds. All proposals applying for M-MSCGP are only eligible for Wildlife Restoration funds and specifically must focus 100% on Hunter Recruitment and Recreational Shooter Recruitment. No Sport Fish Restoration funds are available under the M-MSCGP.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

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

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

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package Applying for funding through these two programs (T-MSCGP and M-MSCGP) requires a two-part process that is managed in partnership with the Association. Please specify which program you are applying for in your Proposal. In part one, applicants submit their Initial Proposal for review. Initial Proposal requirements and deadline information is available from the Association’s MSCGP webpage. Initial Proposals with be required to address one or more of the Association’s Strategic Priorities listed within their webpage. Applicants must email Initial Proposals directly to the Association’s coordinator Silvana Yaroschuk (see contacts section D7, Other Submission Requirements). In part two the Association invites the best Initial Proposals to submit a Final Proposal package, which includes all required Federal grant forms.

To submit a Final Proposal package, download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Using the “Search Grants” tab, enter the Funding Opportunity Number. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Submit completed applications electronically through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. Copies should also be sent to the Association’s coordinator.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

Project Summary Briefly summarize the project, in one page or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project. Be sure and indicate local need for said project, alternatives in the absence of federal support, as well as the benefits of the project both before and after its implementation. The consequences of the proposal after funds are allocated should certainly be highlighted, essentially ensuring that the National Grants Committee members reviewing the proposal will see clearly, from the first page, the benefits of allocating funds.

In the following text field, enter instructions for applications regarding the required content for their project summary. Indicate any restrictions on length, as applicable.

Project Narrative Please address all the following items/elements and include this information within your proposal when following the specific format required by the Association. The Project Narrative must not exceed 8 pages in length. Supplemental information or materials (e.g., pamphlets, booklets, fliers, etc.) will not be accepted. All information the applicant wants considered during the selection process should be presented in the Project Narrative. The technical scoring criteria included in this package reference specific information requirements relative to project scoring. Proposers are encouraged to carefully review the technical scoring criteria and ensure proposals are accurately responsive in this regard. The Project Narrative should include the following information:

Problem Statement (Identifying the Issue) This should be a clear and concise account of the problems or issues that need to be addressed, and which were the foundation for applying for this specific grant in the first place. The important aspect is to present the data in relation to your proposal to clarify a need that only grant funding can relieve. Applicants will want to note how the organization or individual came to notice the problem or issue, the nature of the problem, what is currently being done, and the purpose for developing the proposal. Also include the remaining, (if limited), alternatives if funds are not allocated, and what will happen if the project or problem is not addressed.

By a detailed chronicle of the problem or need, the facts, the solution, and the overall benefits from your solution along with the unappealing alternatives, the Problem Statement can affectively make the case for why the proposed grant funds are a necessity. Explain how this project addresses the desired outcomes described in the Strategic Priority under which this proposal was submitted.

Project Goals and Objectives The Project Objectives portion of your grant proposal identifies all objectives related to the desired outcome of your proposal. The best way to address this is with quantitative and measurable goals and objectives. Your goals and objectives will be used to measure progress, so don't embellish the numbers. Be realistic, and make sure your objectives can be measured, as well as obtained. Provide clear and specific goals, objectives, milestones/deliverables, timelines for accomplishing the project and completing the project on time. Provide goals supported with clear, measurable objectives. Be sure to include when your evaluation tasks and steps will be completed and disseminated, but do not explain how you will evaluate your project as that is provided in a later section of your proposal.

Program Methods and Design: (A Detailed Solution) The program methods or design section will outline how the methods and tasks will function in order to address the issue in the Problem Statement. The project should be based on sound science and methodologies with achievable outcomes. Describe the techniques and methods that will be used to meet the project’s goals(s) and objective(s) you presented earlier and indicate why this approach has been chosen rather than alternative approaches. You will want to include the following in this section of the proposal when applicable, as clearly and concisely as possible:

A description of technical methods and steps to be taken to produce quality and timely results.

If contractors/sub-recipients will be used to complete project-related work, be sure to indicate which tasks the contractor will complete. Identify specific costs for any contractor/sub-recipient in the budget. It is essential to be detailed yet concise and prove that every aspect of your proposed project is both covered and financially necessary to proceed.

Deliverables and Benefits:

Describe the deliverables to be provided, including the evaluation results, how the results will be disseminated to the intended users, and the benefits of each deliverable. As best as possible, the benefits should be expressed in measurable outcomes when possible (i.e., number of participants likely to continue the learned outdoor activity and purchase licenses in the future).

Proposals should clearly address in specific detail how grant products / materials / programs will be used, by whom, and the initial and continuing benefits beyond the life of the grant.

Clearly describe the anticipated, extended use/life of the project’s results / products / services after the project is completed and how this extended use/life will be accomplished.

Monitoring and Evaluation Most federal agencies that distribute grants require some sort of project or process of evaluation among the grantees to ensure the funds allocated have been used as intended and milestones are being met. As such, it is incredibly helpful to both the reviewers and the applicants to include a proposed evaluation process to showcase how the project will be reviewed during and after its completion.

The proposal should include monitoring and evaluation processes to assess and measure the project’s effectiveness in accomplishing the desired goals and objectives described earlier.

The original evaluation design may be altered as the project progresses but having a solid background of how an evaluation will take place is helpful, as well as an idea how the effectiveness of the project will be monitored by the grant recipient after the grant has ended.

Experience Include a brief history of previous work conducted by the applicant and/or others that substantiates experiences and abilities to successfully complete this project and address the Strategic Priority. Personal Qualifications will be provided later.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Program In this section provide the description of the program-specific requirements for project narrative statements. Indicate any restrictions on length, as applicable. Application narrative requirements may include:

· Project title;

· Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project;

· Statement of need;

· Goals and objectives;

· Activities;

· Methods;

· Timetable or milestones;

· Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. Note: For projects on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. For projects outside the U.S. on any property on the UNESCO World Heritage List or the in-country equivalent of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act;

· Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement;

· Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including description of assessment tools to be used;

· Information on key project personnel;

· Anticipated future funding needs;

· Details and supporting documentation on the project location; and

· Other program- or project-specific narrative requirements.

The following header will display if this checkbox is selected: SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative. For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property The following header will display if this checkbox is selected: SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Program The following header will display if this checkbox is selected: Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. These forms may be found on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html Budget Narrative In addition to the following standard statement, provide any additional program specific budget narrative instructions in the text field after the standard statement.

Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

Please note within your narrative the total costs budgeted to subrecipients or contractors and how many subrecipients or contractors are planned to work on your project and how much each is to be awarded for their part of the project. For the “Other” cost category please specify what these costs represent. In order to charge indirect costs, a copy of your most recent Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is required.

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

(a) Applicability.

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

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

(b) Notification.

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

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

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

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

(e) 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 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, 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. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, 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.

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

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Programs issuing any awards using discretionary funds must collect overlap/duplication of effort statements from their applicants. Programs issuing mandatory funds are not required to collect these statements. Select the appropriate value from the list as applicable to this funding opportunity. Selection of the first option will automatically insert the following standard language in the text field.

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

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must 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. We may not make a Federal award 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 that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. 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.

Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Register on the SAM.gov website. “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. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

Enter any program specific language regarding DUNS/SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Funding Opportunities must identify due dates and times for all submissions in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Appendix I, section D (4). Review and address all of the 2 CFR 200-Appendix I requirements in the following text field. We must clearly state deadlines in terms of date and local time (Please Note: Grants.gov uses Eastern Time); what the deadline means and if submission method affects it; and the effect of missing a deadline.

Format the information in this section so that it is easy to understand and use. A tabular format or checklist may be more helpful than narrative paragraphs.] This includes not only submission dates and times for full applications but also any preliminary submission requirements (e.g., letters of intent, white papers, or pre-applications). We must also describe any other submissions of information before Federal award that are separate from the full application. If the funding opportunity is a general Notice of Funding Opportunity that is open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications, state that clearly in this section.

Due Date for Applications 08/07/2020 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT, on the listed application due date.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions You must include information on funding restrictions in order to allow an applicant to develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements.

Examples are whether construction is an allowable activity, if there are any limitations on direct costs such as foreign travel or equipment purchases, and if there are any legislatively authorized limits on indirect costs (or facilities and administrative costs). There may also be funding restrictions listed in the program’s SAM.gov Assistance Listing (CFDA) profile. You must also state if the award will or will not allow reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs.

Any program that anticipates issuing cooperative agreements to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners that will qualify as CESU projects and therefore will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap (currently 17.5%), MUST clearly state so in the Funding Opportunity. Programs cannot cap indirect costs to successful CESU partner university applicants if the Funding Opportunity does not explicitly state that awards to such universities will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap.

In addition to program specific text for Funding Restrictions, the following text on Indirect Costs will be included on all NOFOs.

Indirect Cost: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget. Individuals are not required to submit any of the following statements regarding indirect costs.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

· A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

· A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

· A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

· A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

· A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

Funding Restrictions The T-MSCGP provides Federal grant funds ($6,000,000) for projects that address one or more of the Association’s annually selected Strategic Priorities listed within their website. Grantees under the T-MSCGP may use the awarded funds for sport fisheries and wildlife management and research projects, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Grant funds ($5,000,000) for the M-MSCGP are to be used exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. Projects must benefit at least 26 States, a majority of States in a Region of the Service, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. Please note that the Association has imposed a 20% indirect cost cap for the two programs.

Certification Regarding Fishing/Hunting/Recreational Shooting Activities All proposals must include a fishing/hunting/recreational shooting activities certification as required by law (16 U.S.C. 669h-2 and 16 U.S.C. 777m). It is recommended that you use the following certification statement: “By submitting this proposal, the organization’s primary contact and/or authorized representative identified in this grant application certifies that the (insert name of organization) (1) will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, the regulated taking of fish, or recreational shooting activities; and (2) that the grant funds will not be used, in whole or in part, for an activity, project, or program that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting and trapping of wildlife, the regulated taking of fish, or recreational shooting activities.”

D7. Other Submission Requirements You must provide detailed submission instructions, including the format of submission (i.e., paper or electronic), for each type of required submission. Do not require applicants to submit in more than one format. Indicate if applicants have more than one choice for how to submit an application and provide detailed instructions for each option, including where to send the application. For postal mail submissions, provide a complete mailing address. For electronic submissions, include the website URL or email address and detail if a password is required, if particular software or other capabilities are required, what to do in the event of system problems, and a point of contact in the event of technical difficulties. Describe how the receiving program determines timely submission, and whether, when, and in what form applications will be sent acknowledgement of receipt. State if you are requiring the use of Grants.gov or GrantSolutions for submission of applications. If you are requiring the use of Grants.gov include the link to the How to Apply For Grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.htm

Submit completed applications electronically through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov and to the Association. Applications must be formatted to fit on 8.5”X 11’ paper, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, on both sides, and page numbers at the bottom of the page. Fonts must be no less than 12 point Arial, Times New Roman, or other commonly used font. In accepting Federal funds, you must comply with all the applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. If your application is selected, you may need to provide evidence of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other Federal laws, or regulations as part of the post-selection approval process.

E. Application Review Information This section must address the criteria that the Federal awarding agency will use to evaluate applications. This includes the merit and other review criteria that evaluators will use to judge applications, including any statutory, regulatory, or other preferences (e.g., minority status or Native American tribal preferences) that will be applied in the review process.

E1. Criteria All competitive discretionary programs must design formal application evaluation and selection procedures before posting Notices of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Programs must document these procedures in writing and either describe them in full, or incorporate them by reference, in all Notices of Funding Opportunity. Describe all criteria and sub-criteria used to evaluate applications, including merit and other criteria used to judge applications. Include any statutory, regulatory, or other preferences applicable to the process and provide a detailed explanation of those and their effect (e.g., result in additional points). These criteria are different from eligibility criteria addressed before accepting an application for review and any program policy applied during selection after the review process is complete. The intent is to be transparent about the process so all applicants have a fair opportunity to address those in their applications. If cost sharing will be considered in the review (as opposed to being treated as an eligibility criterion), specifically address how it will be considered (e.g., results in additional points, or to break ties between applicants with equivalent scores after evaluation of all other factors). Clearly state any restrictions on the types of costs that are acceptable as cost sharing. In the text fields below, clearly describe your criteria used to evaluate applications.

The Association develops the scoring criteria, ranks, and selects proposals for funding and produces an annual Priority List according to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408). The Service selects awards from the proposals that are listed within the Association’s Priority List. The Service can only award projects for T-MSCGP and M-MSCGP that appear on this list.Final Proposal Review and Selection Process: Once all proposals of both programs have been submitted to the Association, they will be distributed to the NGC or a subcommittee of the NGC to review and score. The technical scoring criteria used to evaluate proposals are listed below. NGC members’ responses will be used to develop a relative ranking of proposals for the final review stage of the grant selection process. Each criterion listed below should be scored on a scale from 0-5, with 0 representing the lowest score and 5 representing the highest score.

Scale: 5 = Exceptional 4= Very Good 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor 0 = Very Poor

Criterion One: Impact Does the proposal adequately respond to the strategic priority and consider the most relevant science and or other best practices for the strategic priority?

· Proposal does not demonstrate understanding of scientific background of the priority or best practices around the subject matter of the Strategic Priority, score 0.

· Proposal demonstrates clear understanding of the science and or best practices related to the strategic priority and adequately explains how it will respond to or incorporate them, score 1-5.

Criterion Two: Objectives and Methods Do the project’s proposed methodology and methods accomplish/produce the proposed project objectives/goals?

· Objectives cannot be accomplished using the proposed methodology, score 0.

· Objectives can clearly be accomplished using the proposed methodology, score 1-5.

Criterion Three: Project Objective Clarity Are the project objectives clearly defined, achievable, measurable, and connected to specific goals, milestones/deliverables, and timelines (i.e., a work plan) for completion?

· Project objectives are ambiguous; project lacks specific goals linked to milestones/timelines for project completion, score 0.

· Project objectives…