Foa_Content_of_F21AS00354.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS-NNA National Native American Programs Office https://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html

Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program - Fiscal Year 2021 Fiscal Year: 2021

F21AS00354

Due Date for Applications: 06/18/2021

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.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, P.L. 116-260 (H.R. 113, 116th Cong., Div. G, Title 1, State and Tribal Wildlife Grants)

15.639

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program was created to support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. The TWG Program is part of the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program which provides wildlife conservation grants to States, Commonwealths, and to the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Tribes under provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. TWG Program funding originates from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Pub. L. 107-63), when Congress first specified that the Service use a portion of the funds appropriated under the SWG Program to establish a competitive grant program available to federally recognized Tribes. This language allows the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), to establish a separate competitive Tribal grant program which is not subject to the provisions or other requirements of the SWG Program portion. The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recognized Tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI- managed lands. Many of the TWG Program-funded project activities increase fish and wildlife populations, allowing for hunting and fishing opportunities on and off Tribal lands. Additionally, the TWG Program funds project activities that align and assist the Service with Endangered Species Act (ESA) activities supporting downlisting, delisting, and preventing new species listings under the ESA. Eligible projects include those that initiate, develop or implement activities or programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Planning for conservation of fish and wildlife, and their habitats Conservation management actions for fish and wildlife, and their habitats Field and laboratory research related to fish and wildlife resources Natural history studies Fish passages Habitat mapping or evaluation Field surveys and population monitoring

Restoration of habitat Management of invasive species Public education relevant to the proposed project

Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species) is the tracking and reporting system used by WSFR to capture information about conservation and related actions funded by its grant programs. TRACS serves as the electronic repository system for all performance, accomplishment, and real property reporting related to those Federal awards.

TRACS highlights program accountability by documenting program accomplishments and results. As outlined in this announcement, grant and project statement information and performance reporting data must be entered into TRACS as authorized under 2 CFR 200.102(c), 200.202, 200.301, and 200.329.

Tribal Government grantees are exempt from TRACS data entry requirements. A Tribal Government may, however, contact their WSFR grant administration office to request user credentials to take on data entry responsibilities in TRACS. The request must be made in writing.

Although Tribal Governments are exempt from TRACS data entry requirements, applicants for all WSFR grant programs including Tribal Governments must use the TRACS Standard Objectives when designing a project and submitting a Project Narrative. For more information, see Section D. Application and Submission Requirements.

Since its inception in 2003, the competitive TWG Program has awarded more than $94 million to Native American Tribes, providing support for more than 456 conservation projects. In FY 2019, 76 proposals were received and 24 awards were issued; in FY 2020, 81 proposals were received and 32 awards issued; and, in FY 2021, an estimated 80-100 proposals are expected to be received and about 20-35 awards are expected to be issued.

You are encouraged to work with Service staff in developing proposal applications and addressing all scoring criteria provided in this announcement. Additional information about the TWG Program is on the web at: http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html. If you do not have access to the Internet and would like to receive information by mail, contact the Service point of contact identified in Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 6,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 200,000 Minimum Award $ 10,000 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1102&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1102&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1202 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1301 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1329 http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $ 6,000,000 Expected Award Date December 03, 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 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Additional Information on Eligibility Participation is limited to federally recognized Tribal governments listed in the current Federal Register Notice of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. This is the official listing of all federally recognized tribes in the United States pursuant to Section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454; 108 Stat. 4791-4792). The most recent Notice was published in the Federal Register, 81 FR 5019 (January 29, 2016). Tribal organizations and other entities may participate as sub-grantees or contractors to federally recognized Tribes. This information is available here under the heading Tribal Leaders Directory.

Applicant Tribes must bring all administrative and fiscal reporting for open TWG Program grants up to date in order to be eligible to apply for new funds. Applicants will be notified within five business days upon receiving proposals noting any outstanding reporting issues that need to be addressed. Tribes will then have thirty days to bring these grants into compliance. Proposals from Tribes that have not brought past due reports (e.g., interim or final performance reports, or interim or final financial status reports) up to date in this 30-day period will be found ineligible and excluded from further consideration in the FY 2021 TWG Program cycle.

When an applicant is carrying two or more active TWG projects while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/ implementing the existing awards. We will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. Tribes that demonstrate their effective use of TWG Program funds will not be affected. Tribes that have taken no significant action on any one of their two or more preexisting awards will not be considered eligible to apply for new TWG Program funds until the problem is resolved. Possible resolutions might be for the Tribe to demonstrate progress in the agreed-upon activities of an inactive grant, demonstrate that the assertion of “no action” is incorrect, or the Tribe may cancel the grant so that the obligated funds may be recovered and made available to other Tribes in the next grant cycle.

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

C3. Other There is no limit to the number of applications that may be submitted within a single fiscal year.

However, no single Tribe may be funded for multiple projects within a given fiscal year that exceed the maximum annually allowable amount of $200,000. If multiple applications exceed this amount, the highest scoring will be accepted and the other(s) will be ruled ineligible.

Any entity receiving TWG Program funds as a subgrantee must comply with the requirements described in this announcement, as applicable.

TWG Program funds may not be used to acquire real property interests. Real property interests include, but are not limited to, fee simple, fee with exceptions to title, easements, water rights, mineral rights, and leaseholds.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program may provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

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

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

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

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

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx

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 If you have access to GrantSolutions, we recommend you apply there. Log in and search for the announcement using Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00354, or search using CFDA number

15.639 or grant program name, then follow the instructions to download required forms and complete and submit your application.

To access the application package in Grants.gov, in the “Search Grants” tab, enter Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00354 or CFDA number 15.639. Downloading and saving the application package to your computer makes the required forms fillable and printable. Submit applications downloaded via Grants.gov in Grants.gov.

You will receive automatic confirmation of your application in GrantSolutions or Grants.gov.

We also receive system notifications that document you have submitted your application by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be rejected, unless you can demonstrate that a technical problem with GrantSolutions or Grants.gov resulted in late or incomplete submission of your application.

If you need a copy in another format, contact:

DJ Monette Associate Native American Liaison Advisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 413-244-4495 dj_monette@fws.gov

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html

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).

For non-construction projects, submit a signed and dated SF-424B, “Assurances for Non- Construction Programs" form. For construction projects, submit a signed and dated SF-424D, “Assurances for Construction Programs” form. These forms are available in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov. If you have submitted the SF-424B as part of your SAM registration or renewal or the appropriate Assurances form is already on file in your WSFR Regional Office, you do not need to submit it with your application.

Project Summary

Cover Letter The cover letter transmits the project proposal and briefly states its main features.

Cover Page Include the following information in the upper right corner of the cover page: Name of Tribe, Project Title, Federal (TWG Program) Funds Requested, Project Start Date, Project End Date, and Project Contact’s Name, Job Title, Phone Number, E-mail Address, and Date. You also may include the Tribal logo, seal, and/or photo.

Project Summary The project summary describes the main project objectives, deliverables, and type and duration of activity that will take place if the Service funds the project and should not be longer than one-half page.

Project Narrative Submit a Project Narrative of no more than seven pages addressing the elements listed below (see also 50 CFR 84.22(c)).You may combine your responses as necessary; separate headings or sections for responses to each element are not required. Only your responses to the following requirements in this Project Narrative subsection are included within the page limit, unless otherwise indicated. Your Project Narrative must be formatted to fit on an 8.5” x 11” document, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and sides and page numbers at the bottom of the page (starting with the Project Narrative). Font size should be no less than 12 point.

Note: Your Project Narrative should not exceed 10 pages. The Project Narrative clearly identifies the problems that the proposal will correct or help solve for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats, including species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished.

a. Need: The need for the proposed project(s) within the purpose of the Program;

b. Objectives: The Service has implemented an electronic performance reporting system called TRACS (https://tracs.fws.gov) in order to document recipient performance and for reporting on national program accomplishments that deliver meaningful results consistent with the TWG Program’s authorizing legislation. Within this system, the Service created https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=sp50.9.84.b&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_122 https://tracs.fws.gov

Standard Objectives to standardize performance reporting and document national accomplishments that deliver results consistent with the NCWCG Program’s authorizing legislation. To avoid delay, your project narrative must only use one or more of the Standard Objectives listed in the TRACS Performance Matrix. We encourage you to work with your WSFR Regional Office if you have questions about the use of TRACS Standard Objectives in your Project Narrative. Please refer to the Service’s WSFR Training Portal site for example project statements that utilize TRACS Standard Objectives;

c. Results: Expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives;

d. Methodology: The methodology/approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators or partners;

e. Monitoring Plan: A description of the monitoring activities and how the project results will be collected and assessed;

f. If applicable, indicate the number of impacted acres and/or miles of stream or shore line;

g. Environmental Compliance: A description of the activity in sufficient detail is needed so

Service staff are able to evaluate compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of the ESA, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (NOTE: this is a new requirement.);

h. Project Location: Maps or other geographic aids may be attached. Please include GPS Coordinates in decimal degrees, if available; and

a. Partnership: Describe partnerships with other Tribes, organizations, or agencies.

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.

The SF-424A form is also available in GrantSolutions. You may omit the Budget Information form if you provide the same or more detailed budget information in another format.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424C, “Budget Information for Construction Programs”. 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 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

The SF-424C form is also available in GrantSolutions. You may omit the Budget Information form if you provide the same or more detailed budget information in another format.

Budget Narrative 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.

As applicable, also provide the following information in your Budget Narrative:

1. Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate, if any.

Indicate the method of applying and disposing of it. For more information on program income, contact your WSFR Regional Office (see Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts).

2. Describe the method for allocating costs in multipurpose projects and facilities. You must allocate costs in multipurpose projects based on the uses or benefits for each purpose that will result from the completed project or facility, and you must also describe the method used to allocate costs.

3. Identify any equipment, including any tangible personal property (includes information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by you or your subrecipient(s) for financial statement purposes, or $5,000 (see 2 CFR 200.33). You and your subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.326, and 200.439.

4. Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install, and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000.

5. Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are allowable but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with Federal Cost Principles, they must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and they must be verifiable from your financial records (2 CFR 200.433). Explain how any contingency costs were calculated and why they are necessary to improve the precision of your budget estimates.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, about:blank https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=421d3e3a239e70bdcef843df7113da50&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_133&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1313&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1317 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1326 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1439 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1433&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1112&rgn=div8 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 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 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.

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.

The SF-LLL form is also available in GrantSolutions.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in 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.”

Tribal Resolution of Support A signed Tribal resolution of support should be included in the application from the appropriate Tribal governing body, or an official signed letter from an individual with delegated Tribal authority stating their support for the proposal application will be accepted. The designation letter to sign grant reporting documents does not extend to providing support for applications. If a signed Tribal resolution of support is not included in the application, one will be required should the proposal be successfully awarded.

Use the following list of elements to ensure your application is complete:

A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF 424-Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual form https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html

A signed and dated SF-424B (Non-Construction) or SF-242D (Construction) Assurances form

Cover Letter Cover Page Project Summary Project Narrative (10 page limit) Submit statements regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit Reporting requirements (2 CFR 200.501) A complete SF-424A (Non-Construction), a SF-424C (Construction) Budget Information form, or the same or more detailed budget information in another format Budget Narrative If applicable, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Single audit reporting statement, if applicable Certification regarding lobbying and, if applicable, a completed SF-LLL Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities form Statement regarding Overlap/Duplication Indirect Cost Statement When applicable, a copy of the Tribe’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement should be included in the proposal application A signed Tribal resolution of support and / or official signed letter from an individual with delegated Tribal authority stating their support for the proposal application Responses to the scoring criteria provided in Section E. Application Review Information and a table identifying the locations of your responses to the criteria

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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=788241a31dbe4156aa17ec9893ffc55e&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5%20-%20sp2.1.200.f

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.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 06/18/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications in GrantSolutions or Grants.gov or applications emailed to your WSFR Regional Office must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the application due date. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than the 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

a. Under certain conditions, TWG Program funds may be used to fund public education and law enforcement activities. In order for an education or law enforcement objective to be eligible for TWG Program funding, these activities must constitute a minor portion of a project, and must be critical to the project’s success. “Minor” is considered no more than 10 percent of Federal TWG Program funds requested.

mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/

b. TWG Program funds may be used to conduct environmental reviews, habitat evaluations, permit reviews related to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and other environmental compliance activities only when they are directly related to the proposed project and are indicated in the application.

c. Generally, only expenses incurred and budgeted during the grant period are reimbursable.

The grant period begins with the effective date established at the time the grant is approved. However, a Tribe may request reimbursement of pre-award costs for certain necessary expenses detailed in the application. Pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the effective date of the award where such costs are necessary to comply with the proposed delivery schedule or period of performance. Such costs are allowable only if the grant is awarded and only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the award and only with the written approval of the Service (see 2 CFR 200.458).

d. TWG Program funds cannot be used to conduct activities to comply with a Biological Opinion or for mitigating fish or wildlife habitat losses, where the obligation to mitigate is incurred by the Service, another Federal agency, Tribe, State agency, or private entity, nor may the value of property purchased be used for similar purposes, with only one exception. Only activities to mitigate or compensate for TWG Program-funded activities, or that are necessary to secure permits or approval of those activities, are allowable. Contact your WSFR Regional Office if you have specific questions related to eligibility of mitigation-related costs. TWG Program funds can be used to implement conservation recommendations.

e. Projects may be proposed on lands other than those that are held in Tribal trust status. For projects that propose to conduct work off of trust lands, the Service requires assurance that, if awarded, the recipient has permission to conduct the activities proposed through a contract with the landowner. A contract would not be required where a Tribe retains treaty rights so long as the proposed activities are pursuant to those treaty rights.

f. Projects that include partnerships may score higher in the ranking process. Any partners providing support (i.e., technical, outreach, data sharing) must be listed in the proposal with a letter of support and/or commitment from each.

g. Proposals should be written for the shortest duration needed to accomplish project objectives. Grant performance periods may be extended if necessary. A project application that is a part of a longer-term initiative will be considered but the objectives, benefits, and tasks of the proposed project must stand on their own merits, as there are no assurances that additional funding will be awarded in future years for associated or complementary projects.

h. TWG Program funds cannot be used for acquisition of real property or conservation easements.

Indirect Costs: 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b19363814aa7894ab6f355df9cd9d281&node=2:1.1.2.2.1.5.44.59&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b19363814aa7894ab6f355df9cd9d281&node=2:1.1.2.2.1.5.44.59&rgn=div8 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 https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services 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.

D7. Other Submission Requirements Submit your complete application(s) electronically through GrantSolutions, Grants.gov, or via mail or email to the address associated with your location and listed in Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts.

In accepting Federal funds, you must comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies.