Final 2019 NOFO_Caribbean Program_English_508.pdf

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of International Conservation

International Affairs

Western Hemisphere Program (Caribbean Regional Program) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.640

Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00102 Submission Deadline: 15 April 2019, 23:59 EDT.

Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions

Carefully read this opportunity as recent changes have been incorporated

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The International Affairs Program delivers on this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

The Caribbean region harbors a unique wealth of coastal and marine species and ecosystems. Bound together by the Caribbean Sea, its unique diversity of coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds are an important feeding and breeding areas for a variety of fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles, and provide ecosystem services such as storm protection, erosion control and food provision for the local communities.

The natural diversity of the Caribbean region is threatened by the growing and compounding effects of invasive species; agricultural encroachment and intensification; residential and commercial development;

uncontrolled touristic activities; beach erosion; extreme weather events and wildlife trafficking.

The Caribbean Regional Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) was established with the purpose of conserving species, habitats and ecological processes across coastal and marine landscapes with high biodiversity value in the Caribbean. Through this funding opportunity, the Service, in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is soliciting proposals to support efforts that reduce threats to key coastal and marine species and ecosystems in the Caribbean and strengthen the capacities of local individuals and institutions to undertake sustained biodiversity conservation actions.

Program Objectives:

1. To reduce the underlying threats to Caribbean coastal and marine biodiversity by supporting the implementation of on-the-ground projects.

2. To conserve the coastal and marine flora and fauna of the Caribbean region by strengthening the ability of local institutions, decision makers and civil society to deliver enduring conservation actions.

3. To maximize conservation impact by developing strategic partnerships with key stakeholders on the local, national, regional and international levels.

Project activities should take place in the insular Caribbean, Guyana or Suriname. Consideration will be given to projects that address one or more of the programmatic funding priorities in the following countries:

• Greater Antilles: Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica;

• Lesser Antilles: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago;

• Guyana and Suriname.

Due to other grant programs supported by the Service, the Caribbean Regional Program WILL NOT FUND projects related to:

• Mexico, Central America and South America (Latin America Program);

• Marine turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Fund). Please note that proposals aimed at addressing the illegal trade of marine turtles and their parts may be supported by the Caribbean Program; and

• Neotropical migratory birds (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund).

For information on how to apply for these other funding opportunities please visit our grants page:

(http://www.fws.gov/grants/programs.html).

In FY2019, grants will be awarded within three primary categories as described below. The following sections provide detailed information on the funding categories and instructions on how to apply to this program. Across all three categories, proposals submitted by local organizations are strongly encouraged.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity aligns with the Service mission and the Department of the Interior Secretary’s priorities, including: (1) Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt; and, (2) Achieving our goals and leading our team forward.

Conservation of Threatened Species and their Habitats.

Purpose: The Service seeks to support-on-the-ground projects that promote a comprehensive approach to the recovery and conservation of threatened species and their habitats in the Caribbean, reduce the threats and increase local capacities to engage in species conservation actions and management.

Species should meet the criteria to be listed as “Critically Endangered”, “Endangered”, or “Vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Species listed as “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List are also eligible if the applicant can provide information that suggests a similar urgency for conservation action. Species listed as “Extinct in Wild” are eligible if the applicant is proposing a reintroduction attempt.

Eligible project proposals include, but are not limited to:

• Projects that address the management, monitoring, and other proactive conservation needs of the species;

• Projects that support the implementation of species recovery and management plans while http://www.fws.gov/grants/programs.html strengthening implementation capacity of local personnel;

• Projects that promote landscape-level conservation approaches and ecosystem-level solutions to species conservation and protection;;

• Projects that strengthen the capacity of local communities established in the species range to implement better land management practices and promote sustainable economic alternatives;

• Projects that promote applied research actions;

• Projects that support behavioral change in local citizens and tourists aimed at the conservation of species and their habitats;

• Projects that have a high likelihood of creating durable conservation benefits.

Priority will be given to projects that address one or more of the following desired conservation outcomes:

• The extinction of threatened species is prevented and their conservation status is improved and sustained;

• Successful implementation of recovery and conservation strategies, as defined by species management plans;

• Establishment of self-sustaining and viable populations of the species throughout their range;

• Habitat is enhanced through conservation and restoration activities;

• Effective implementation of alternative sustainable livelihood schemes by local communities;

• Human–wildlife and other conservation-related conflicts are prevented/reduced through solutions that are participative, culturally, ecologically and economically robust and sustainable;

• Change in behaviors of the targeted audiences as demonstrated by their willingness to stop direct threats to the species and their habitats and implement positive environmental actions;

• Local citizens and tourists are aware of the values of coastal and marine biodiversity conservation and high-value ecosystems and carry out actions to conserve and use them sustainably.

Important Considerations:

• Proposals should clearly state how the proposed activities fit into a larger species conservation program, if applicable, or how data collected will be used to pilot a program that can then be scaled up and/or replicated;

• Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action, and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action in the past;

• Environmental education and outreach proposals should address behavior change, including evidence of the barriers to behavior change, methods of barrier removal and proposed alternatives;

• Proposals that do not identify how actions will reduce threats, or do not demonstrate a strong link between data collection and management action, have a lower likelihood of being selected;

• Scientific research projects and theses are NOT considered as a part of this program category and won't be supported.

Addressing Illegal Trade of Wildlife in the Caribbean.

Purpose: In the Caribbean region wildlife trafficking threatens an increasing variety of terrestrial and marine species including but not limited to marine turtles, queen conch, spiny lobsters, sharks, parrots, macaws, reptiles, timber, among others, while damaging local communities and undermining sustainable development efforts. The Service intends to support projects that address the root causes of illegal wildlife trade, by improving the capacities of Caribbean government agencies, their personnel and civil society to protect biodiversity from poaching and trafficking.

Eligible project proposals include, but are not limited to:

• Projects to prevent and reduce poaching and illegal trade of species of flora and fauna;

• Projects that augment Caribbean agencies’ capacity to perform enforcement actions (inspection, monitoring, patrolling and control);

• Projects that prevent illegal activities in natural protected areas (NPAs);

• Projects that increase the Caribbean countries’ legal capacity to improve compliance with anti-trafficking laws and law enforcement;

• Projects that develop and implement well-targeted, evidence-based demand reduction campaigns by engaging key consumer groups and reach out to companies and institutions in the private sector (e.g.

hotels, tourism bureaus, travel agents, travel companies and ticket-purchasing portals, restaurants, stores, airlines, cruise lines, etc.), while targeting the demand for illegal wildlife and that develop specific messaging approaches and methods for target audiences at national, regional, and/or local levels;

• Projects that identify one or several priority species that can serve as powerful symbols for combating wildlife trafficking and serve as a source of pride for Caribbean countries and their people.

Priority will be given to projects that address one or more of the following desired outcomes:

• Sufficient investigative capacity to identify both large-scale wildlife traffickers and the evidence that can be used to assist their arrest and prosecution;

• Illegal activities curtailed at the conservation area, local markets and trade routes, etc.;

• Tactical deployment of field missions to detect and deter illegal activities, including apprehension of poachers and perpetrators of other illegal activities;

• Effective coordination among different government entities (such as those identified as members of the Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network) in charge of enforcing the law as demonstrated by the increased number of arrests and improved prosecutions of suspected wildlife traffickers, and appropriate legal penalties for convicted traffickers;

• Reduction in hunting and fishing for the illegal trade in wildlife;

• Reduction of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in and around marine protected areas;

• Reduced demand for illegal wildlife, including products and parts;

• Increasing public knowledge about trafficking, and positive change in attitudes and behaviors.

Important Considerations: In the project narrative section, proposals should describe current conditions that will enable proposed activities to be successful, including the status of government resources to support field protection missions and/or wildlife law enforcement, existing intelligence and informant networks, and existing project strategies that support good governance and ensure the legal process is not undermined by corruption.

Coastal and Marine Protected Areas Management and Conservation through Institutional Capacity Building and Local Community Engagement.

Purpose: The Service seeks to support projects that strengthen the management and conservation of coastal and marine protected areas (CMPAs) and their buffer zones, while effectively addressing the key threats to priority species and ecosystems and providing alternatives that support the rational use of natural resources by the local communities.

Eligible project proposals aimed at strengthening the capacities of protected area personnel should:

• Include a brief and clear overview of the key threats to CMPAs wildlife and ecosystems addressed by the activities proposed;

• Show how capacity development will address gaps in the performance of personnel working on protected area management and/or sustainable development of local communities;

• Describe how participants will be selected; describe the type of training approach, competencies and skills that will be developed to carry out specific conservation activities once the training is completed;

• Explain how training will be applied by the participants; and

• Mention the anticipated outputs and conservation outcomes.

Eligible project proposals focused on communities living around CMPAs include but are not limited to:

• Projects that promote the creation of communal, voluntary and private protected areas and/or coastal and fishing sanctuaries;

• Projects that teach communities to manage their natural resources through the formulation and implementation of management plans and creation of alternative livelihood options;

• Projects that provide alternative sources of income for communities affected by illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable fishing practices in CMPAs;

• Projects that train communities on how apply better management practices; and

• Projects that establish networks of fishing communities and promote the exchange of experiences, better governance and gender equality, while promoting the use of traditional knowledge and practices, among others.

Priority will be given to projects that address one or more of the following desired conservation outcomes:

• Successful completion of training and application of new knowledge and competencies by trained individuals, as reflected in the improved management of marine and costal natural protected areas and buffer zones;

• Effective implementation of adaptive management methodologies, as well as ecosystem conservation and management approaches that promote large-scale landscape conservation, restoration, resilience and connectivity;

• Effective implementation of protected areas management plans that incorporate clear biodiversity objectives, targets, management strategies and monitoring and evaluation protocols;

• Effective application of measures to prevent, control and eradicate invasive alien species and wildlife diseases in coastal and marine natural protected areas;

• Reduction of human-wildlife and other conservation conflicts in and around coastal and marine natural protected areas through socially, culturally, ecologically and economically robust and sustainable solutions;

• Effective coordination among federal, state and municipal government entities, and local communities to implement conservation strategies;

• Species stocks are managed and harvested sustainably by protected area communities through the effective implementation of alternative sustainable livelihood schemes such as ecotourism enterprises, sustainable production cooperatives, sustainable fishing cooperatives, etc.;

• Community-owned lands are capable of sustaining biodiversity and promote wildlife and ecosystem functions;

• Ecosystem resilience is enhanced through communities’ conservation and restoration activities.

II. Award Information

The period of performance for projects awarded under this program is two years. The total amount of funding available under this program in fiscal year 2019 is approximately $1,000,000. The maximum award amount for a two year grant is $100,000 and the Caribbean Regional program typically supports 10 to 15 grants each fiscal year. The period of performance for projects starts on the date the award is signed by the Service. The amount of funding requested must match scope of the activities, the anticipated results, and the length of the project period. Proposals should include all materials noted in Section IV “Application Requirements.” Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for funding each new funding opportunity.

For multi-year projects, budgets and project activities should be clearly articulated in phases/years, with a separate budget table for each individual phase/year of project activities. Support for future phases/years will be contingent on project performance, satisfactory reporting and financial management, and availability of program funds. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for funding each fiscal year.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants Applicants under this initiative can be: non-profit, non-governmental organizations; and public and private institutions of higher education based on the U.S. or the Caribbean. Proposals submitted by small Caribbean organizations are strongly encouraged.

Ineligible Activities We will not fund the purchase of firearms or ammunition; buying of intelligence, evidence or information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws, or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the activity would occur.

Projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. These countries are subject to four main categories of sanctions which include restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, miscellaneous financial, and other restrictions. See http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm for more information;

Projects in countries included in comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S.

Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Controls, without proper licenses. See http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx for more information on OFAC and specific comprehensive and non-comprehensive sanction programs.

Applicants must ensure that activities occurring outside the United States are coordinated as necessary with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities and that any necessary licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained prior to undertaking proposed activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the work is to be conducted.

Leahy Vetting Requirements: This program may award funding subject to the requirements and restrictions of the Foreign Assistance Act, which includes a prohibition on providing foreign assistance to any individual or unit of the security forces of a foreign country that has a record of gross violation of human rights. The U.S. Department of State must screen qualifying individuals and units, including consular political and other specific security and human rights checks, prior to the Service issuing an award. This vetting is required for all forms of support to a foreign security force including provision of training, technical assistance, and direct support for the purchase of materials or equipment. This program may fund conservation efforts authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act that require working with or providing direct support to entities meeting the definition of “foreign security force”, which may include law enforcement personnel, park rangers, police, or customs officials. Please see the U.S.

Department of State’s website for more information. If foreign (non-U.S.) security forces will be https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/other/2017/271082.htm https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/other/2017/271082.htm involved in any of the proposed project activities, please describe in detail the resources to be used to support these forces and specify if the participants are a unit (e.g, rangers assigned to a protected area), a group of individuals, or a single individual. The Service will contact any applicant selected for funding that is subject to Leahy vetting with further instructions.

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and System for Award Management) mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, State, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

A. DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com. U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711 Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

Entity Registration in System for Award Management (SAM) Register in SAM online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered.

Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

Note: The official U.S. government website address for SAM is www.sam.gov. There is NO COST to register in or access SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who charge a fee in exchange for registering entities in SAM; please be aware that you can register to do business with the U.S.

government FOR FREE directly in SAM at www.sam.gov.

Excluded Entities Applicant entities or their key project personnel that have been designated as “ineligible”, “prohibited/restricted” or “excluded” from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits in the SAM.gov Exclusion Database will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program. The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions Database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

B. Voluntary Committed Cost Sharing or Matching:

Voluntary committed cost sharing is not required but priority will be given to projects for which there exists some measure of voluntary committed cost share or match funds. If voluntary committed cost share/match is included it may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Only verifiable contributions should be included as a voluntary committed cost share/match. Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as matching contributions but should be noted and explained in detail. A voluntary committed cost share/match shown during one year may not be repeated as a voluntary committed cost share/match in a subsequent proposal. Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share/match.

IV. Application Requirements.

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain:

A. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance: Applicants must submit the appropriate SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance. The SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. 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 SF 424 forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF 424 Application. 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 section E.2 below).

B. Project Title Provide a basic description of the project, including the location and country, in the title. If this is a continuation of an earlier funded proposal, use the same title and include the appropriate number to denote that this is a subsequent proposal such as: Save the Blue and Gold Macaw – 2. Please note: This title will be the reference archived and communicated in all future documents.

C. Project Summary This section should answer the question, “What is the purpose of this project?” BRIEFLY summarize your project in one paragraph or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project. Goal(s), objectives, specific project activities, beneficiaries, and expected products can also be included in this section. This summary will be shared with the public and should describe the project but not reveal any security-sensitive information. The following four-sentence format is recommended:

Sentence #1 identifies the category under which the project belongs:

This project fits under the [insert the category the project belongs to]

Sentence #2 identifies where the project will take place and its key intended result(s):

The purpose of this project is to support a conservation effort in [insert place name and country] by [active verb] [key intended result(s)].

Sentence #3 identifies the conservation target and direct threats:

This project is intended to conserve the [insert species, habitat, or other biodiversity] by addressing the impacts of [direct threats addressed by project].

Sentence #4 identifies what will be done:

Specific activities include: (1) [activity 1]; (2) [activity 2]; [and so on].

Example:

This project follows under the “Coastal and Marine Protected Areas Management and Conservation through Institutional Capacity Building and Local Community Engagement” category of the Caribbean Program. The purpose of this project is to support the conservation of the Three Bays National Park of Haiti by establishing a community-based fishing cooperative. The project is intended to conserve mangroves, coral reefs and spiny lobster by addressing the impacts of illegal mangrove extraction, unsustainable fishing practices, and overfishing. Specific activities include: (1) participative workshops with local communities to develop a business plan and governance structure of the cooperative; (2) completion of the government application for the community-based fishing cooperative, including responding to modifications and field data requested by national authorities; (3) delivery of five training workshops on sustainable fishing practices; fisheries laws and regulation, fisheries management practices;

accounting and administration; governance and decision making.

D. Project Narrative

Please note: Project narratives should be ten pages or less. Pages should be numbered. Project summary, figures, tables, maps, curriculum vitae, and required standard forms do not count toward the ten-page limit.

1. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” Clearly identify the wildlife, habitat or biodiversity targeted for conservation (including any existing estimates of population size, geographic range, or extent); a description of the direct threats that affect the targeted species at the project site; the specific threats that the project will address; the direct drivers of those direct threats; and the specific conservation capacity that needs to be built to address these drivers and threats (if applicable). You should also identify and address any risks the project is exposed to as a result of more frequent and severe weather events, sea level rise, changes in drought or flooding frequency and intensity, increased ocean temperature, and other variabilities of this nature. Describe the conservation activities that need to be implemented, as well as the intended audience for proposed activities (e.g. rangers, protected area managers, local community leaders, etc.). This section should also describe a clear theory of change for how proposed activities are ultimately intended to reduce direct threats and improve the status of species and habitats in the project area. Additional guidance and resources on theory of change is available in the How to Apply section of the USFWS International Affairs web site.

Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work, including how the proposal differs from past work, or builds upon it, including how the applicant plans to expand upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned from past efforts.

If you have received funding previously from the Service for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, products, outcomes and associated measurable conservation results. A table may be the most efficient way to convey this information: including columns for donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points of major activities, outcomes, products and associated measurable conservation results. Projects with funding from any other government source or eligible for any other government source should add a section describing the activities supported and the added value of Service support. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other major donors. Former recipients of Service support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

https://usaidlearninglab.org/library/how-note-developing-project-logic-model-and-its-associated-theory-change

2. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities and Methods: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” State the long-term goals of what your project aims to achieve. Objectives are the specific steps that you will take to reach your stated goals. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, measurable, and realistic.

Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) used to carry out each activity.

The following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2 Activity 3.3

3. Project Timetable: This section should answer the question, “Over what time period will project activities be implemented?

Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished.

Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

Consider including activities that meet one or more of the following conditions:

a. Activities that clearly address the specific direct threats describe in the above section titled: Statement of Need.

b. Activities that are feasible and likely to be successfully implemented as stated;

c. Activities that apply the best scientific and/or technical information and methods available;

d. Activities that include the participation of local partners in project activities, including meaningful involvement of government, community or civil society stakeholders; and

e. Activities resulting in benefits continuing beyond the period of performance of the grant.

An example of a timetable can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-timetable.pdf .

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who are you going to work with?” As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations, local community groups or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Please describe any previous work with these stakeholders and how working with them relates to the specific threats and target audiences. Where multiple groups are working in the same site or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will strengthen your proposal and may be requested by reviewers.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should answer the question, “How will you evaluate the progress and success of this project?” Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (i.e., methods, sample size, survey tools). Note that outputs (or products) should generally NOT be used as indicators, including the Service performance reports. Indicators should reflect a change in capacity, human behavior, threat, or status of the target species. If the current status of the indicator is known, and the applicant identifies the indicator’s desired status or qualitative condition, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

To assist applicants, the Caribbean Program of the USFWS has identified short-term and medium-term conservation outcomes for the following conservation actions in the Caribbean:

Training Species reintroduction Conservation planning Species or habitat management Patrols and field surveillance SMART Protocol Counter wildlife trafficking

Prosecutions and convictions Alternative livelihoods Public engagement Communications and outreach Environmental law and policy, and Partnerships

If you are proposing one or more of the above actions, please use the Measures of Programmatic and Project Effectiveness for the Caribbean Region for guidance on indicators. The following table format is recommended:

Objective

Conservation Action

Indicator (i.e., what you will measure to track your progress toward achieving the objective)

Monitoring Method (i.e., how you will measure the indicator)

Current Status (if known)

Desired Status

The Service values projects that report both the success and failures of efforts as a means by which an applicant can improve their performance and provide lessons learned to improve our efforts to conserve wildlife.

6. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who will carry out the project and what are their specific qualifications?” Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. On the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. If eligibility for funding is based completely or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide brief (1 page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, DO NOT include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics on the description of key personnel qualifications.

https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/Measures-of-Effectiveness_Caribbean-English.pdf https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/Measures-of-Effectiveness_Caribbean-English.pdf

7. Sustainability: This section should answer the question, “What is your long-term plan for this project beyond the USFWS funding period?” As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

8. Literature Cited: (if applicable) include as an addendum and not within the text of the proposal.

9. Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is the project located?” The map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative.

10. Governmental Endorsement: For projects implemented outside the United States, non-governmental applicants must include a recent letter of support (no older than two years) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should make specific reference to the project by its title as submitted on the applicant’s proposal.

E. Budget Information

1. SF 424, Budget Information Form Applicants must submit the appropriate SF 424 Budget Information form. Complete the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs form for construction projects. Complete the SF-424A for all other projects. The required SF 424 forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

2. Budget Narrative Provide a written justification explaining all requested budget items/costs. Each budget item must demonstrate a clear connection to the project activities, and show how the item amounts were determined.

Each of the major costs (salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, supplies, other direct and indirect costs) must be explained. For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro forma invoice. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal Cost Principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

The Budget Narrative should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 for lodging costs should include the formula for how the cost was calculated: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15/night = $3,300.

For any salaries, staff time or contractors for which Service funds are requested, the person should be identified and their qualifications described in Section 6 (Description of Entities Undertaking the Project). For any training, a description of the training should be included in the Methods section. For any meetings, a description of participants, a draft agenda and desired outputs should be provided.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=974bebd76b597b88096d4727b387bf41&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro forma invoice. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal Cost Principles requires USFWS approval and estimate its cost.

Wherever possible, cost calculations and additional descriptions should be included in the Budget Narrative. It is strongly recommend a detailed Budget Table accompany your Budget Narrative.

The following table format is recommended:

Category/Budget Item Units Cost per Unit ($)

No.

Units

Total UFSWS Other Donor

Personnel Trainer month $xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Project Director month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx Project Coordinator month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx

Personnel Subtotal $xxx $ xxx

Purchased Services Printing (Manuals) Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $ xxx Printing (Training) lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $ xxx Printing (Outreach materials; banners, stands, etc.)

lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Purchased Services Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Travel Vehicle day use (with driver) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx Vehicle maintenance and repair lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Domestic Flights (Coordination at Transit P i t )

Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Travel Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Lodging and Meals

Meals (4 day Training 30 ppl) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Accommodation 4 day Training 20ppl) Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Lodging and Meals Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx Supplies

Supplies (Training) lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Supplies (Patrols) month $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx Supplies Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx GRAND TOTAL $xxx $xxx

*Present all amounts in U.S. dollars

Go to http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-budget.pdf to view a sample project budget table.

If your Budget Table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages. For multi-year or multi-phase projects, please include a separate budget narrative and table for each year/phase with subtotals.

Other things to consider when developing your Budget:

• Federally Funded Equipment: If the U.S. Federal Government has paid for equipment for another award, applicants cannot claim it to be a matching or in-kind contribution and SHOULD NOT include it in the budget table. Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

• Banking fees and charges: Banking and funds transfer fees resulting from a Federal award are typically included in and recovered by the recipient’s indirect cost rate (facilities & administrative (F&A) costs). Applicants that will charge all project costs directly (i.e., do not have an indirect cost rate and will not claim the flat de minimis indirect cost rate) should include an estimate of any anticipated electronic funds transfer or other banking fees and charges directly related to the Federal award in their proposed budget.

• Program Income: Your project may include activities that will generate program income.

Program income earned as a result of activities supported with Federal funding includes, but is not limited to the following: income from fees for services, the use or rental of property, the sale of commodities or fabricated items, license fees and royalties on patents and copyrights, and interest on loans. Program income does not include interest earned on advances of Federal funds. Income earned during the project period of an approved award shall be retained by the recipient and used in at least one of the following ways:

1. Added to the funds requested from the Service for the project in addition to those committed by the recipient/other partners, and later used to conduct additional activities that will further the project objectives; OR

2. Used to finance the non-Federal share of the project.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Applicants that do not have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) cannot claim more than a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs. All applicants, except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate, must include in the budget justification one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. A [insert your organization type] 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.”]

OR

2. 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]. 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

3. 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]. However, in the event an award is made, 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% of modified total direct costs as defined in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, section 200.68. We understand that the 10% de minimis rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

OR

4. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly. 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, in the event an award is made, 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%] of [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 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

OR

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

● Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a

Federal award. Accepting the 10% de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

● Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

● Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non-Federal alike.

● Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy voluntary…