Foa_Content_of_F21AS00522.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services

White-nose Syndrome Research for Conservation Grants Fiscal Year: 2021

F21AS00522

Due Date for Applications: 07/20/2021

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 Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et. seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 661-666; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. § 742 et seq.; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (H.R. 113, 116th Cong. Div. G, Title I).

15.684

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the availability of funding for research and conservation in 2021 to support issues related directly to the management of white-nose syndrome (WNS). The Service provides financial and technical assistance to non-governmental, university, and private researchers, as well as state and local governments, Native American tribes, and federal agencies, for the management of WNS and conservation of bats.

Funded projects will investigate priority questions to improve our ability to manage the disease and implement management actions that will help to conserve affected bat species.

As of May 10, 2021, WNS is confirmed or suspected in bats in 38 states and seven Canadian provinces, and evidence of the causative fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has been detected in at least two additional states without additional sign of the disease. Numerous North American and Eurasian species of bats have been confirmed with WNS or detected carrying Pd.

For information on WNS and previously funded projects, please see:

http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

Funding through WNS Research for Conservation Grants provides critical information and resources for maximizing the benefits of conservation efforts for bats. These actions are focused on minimizing the impacts of WNS and compounding stressors on federally listed species, prioritizing actions to conserve species that are susceptible to the disease, including those that may be assessed for listing due to the impacts of WNS, and understanding how different species are likely to respond when exposed to the pathogen. Projects submitted tor this opportunity should concentrate on efforts where there is the greatest need and benefit.

Priorities for this funding opportunity are designed to develop and apply tools that maximize persistence of WNS-affected bat populations, minimize the range and impacts of Pd, support collaborative actions of the WNS National Response, and inform management decisions in preparation for, or in response to, WNS. Scientific research conducted in collaboration with management authorities is encouraged.

http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

Funding in 2021 will support projects that address the following objectives and priorities:

1. Objective: Support research to produce critical knowledge relevant to management decisions and actions for hibernating bats.

A. Understand mechanisms of survival between and within bat species, including variability in susceptibility to WNS and non-lethal effects to health and reproduction. Mechanisms may involve environmental, physiological, behavioral, genetic and other factors affecting hosts, pathogen, and environments, as well as interactions among them.

B. Understand effects of non-disease factors influencing viability of hibernating bats.

Factors may include stressors (e.g. prey scarcity, contaminants, etc.) that introduce additive or compounding impacts to populations and should produce information needed to enact comprehensive management strategies for bats.

C. Develop tools to improve survival and persistence of WNS-affected or WNS-vulnerable species; especially tools that can be applied during summer. Vulnerable species include hibernating bats likely to be susceptible to WNS in the future even if they have not yet been exposed to Pd.

2. Objective: Leverage resources (expertise, funds, partnerships, etc.) to implement adaptive management efforts aimed at building resiliency and promoting recovery in hibernating bat populations.

A. Implement strategies to support biological and ecological needs of hibernating bats, including establishing baseline information relevant to implementing management actions and monitoring their effects.

B. Implement adaptive management programs to improve survival and persistence of species impacted by or vulnerable to WNS using existing options for management. This priority includes work with species that are not yet confirmed to be susceptible to WNS but can reasonably be anticipated to be in the future.

Through this funding opportunity, we aim to support research to inform management decisions for WNS, and to implement those strategies for the greatest benefit to affected and vulnerable species. Due to the urgency of this threat to bats and the rapid progress of related science, we seek to fund projects that are likely to produce impactful results within a two year project period.

The WNS Research for Conservation Grants opportunity accompanies two additional funding opportunities from the Service’s WNS National Response in 2021: 1) WNS Grants to States and Tribes 2021 (through June 1, 2021: www.grants.gov); and 2) Bats for the Future Fund (managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; closed April 29, 2021: www.nfwf.org/bats).

Contact the Service WNS coordinator in your region (below) for more information about these funding opportunities.

NOTE: Grantees are encouraged to use or allow use of the data management infrastructure of NABat prior to completion of the grant reporting period, if appropriate. Projects involving http://www.grants.gov http://www.nfwf.org/bats population monitoring are not required to occur with the specific monitoring protocols of NABat, nor in the highest priority grid cells. Contribution of data entails providing locations only at the resolution of the NABat grid cell (10 km x 10 km), and not precise locations of data or descriptive site names. Standard reports including data visualization outputs generated by NABat are accepted to fulfill award reporting requirements for project activities funded through this opportunity.

The use of grant funds requires adherence to established protocols and methodologies developed or espoused by the national WNS working groups for surveillance, diagnostics, population monitoring, conservation and recovery, and disease management (for more information contact the appropriate Service WNS coordinator), as well as the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. All proposed actions must be in line with the most current guidance, policies, and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2.

The Service’s White-nose Syndrome program is coordinated and funded through the branches of Ecological Services and Science Applications, and will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR) to administer these WNS Research for Conservation Grants.

Grants will be competitively awarded based on merit review of proposed projects for their applicability and feasibility to address priorities identified in this notice and for their overall contribution to meeting the objectives of the WNS national plan (White-Nose Syndrome Response Plans).

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 1,500,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 250,000 Minimum Award $ 20,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding Expected Award Date November 01, 2021 Average award amounts are expected to be ~$120,000 with most funded efforts beginning in winter 2021 and spring 2022. In 2020, 10 grants averaging about $125,000 per award were administered for this funding opportunity. Funding is available for new projects and to continue or expand previously funded projects that have achieved relevant milestones. The period of https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/response-plans/-a-national-plan-for-assisting-states-federal-agencies-and-tribes-in-managing-white-nose-syndrome-in-bats-the-national-wns-plan https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/response-plans/-a-national-plan-for-assisting-states-federal-agencies-and-tribes-in-managing-white-nose-syndrome-in-bats-the-national-wns-plan performance to complete project activities should be no more than two years.

Earliest starting dates for awarded projects will likely be January 1, 2022, although earlier starts may be possible for applications submitted prior to July 1.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards We anticipate awarding 10 to 15 grants through this funding opportunity.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant CA - Cooperative Agreement In the case of cooperative agreements, the Service participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician and/or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work. Applicants should identify the Service’s involvement and clearly describe this collaboration in the application. Coordination with Service personnel during the development of proposals for cooperative agreements is encouraged. Actions may include, for example:

Training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort.

Review and approval of accomplishments in projects with stepwise study design.

Review and approval, prior to recipient action, of proposed modifications or sub-awards.

Collaboration and assistance with selecting project locations, staff, trainees, or partners.

Directing or redirecting work because of interrelationships with other projects.

Altering or halting project activities if performance specifications are not met.

Limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 01 – County governments 02 – City or township governments 04 – Special district governments 05 – Independent school districts 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 20 – Private institutions of higher education 22 – For profit organization other than small businesses 23 – Small businesses Additional Information on Eligibility This funding opportunity is open to domestic and foreign applicants. Additional information for foreign entities is included below.

To be eligible, the following conditions must be met:

1. Proposed projects must clearly address one or more priorities identified by the WNS program, as identified above.

2. Applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements, with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants (if applicable).

When an applicant is carrying two or more active WNS awards while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in implementing the existing awards. The Service will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. Previous recipients that demonstrate their effective use of WNS funds will not be affected. Previous recipients 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 funds from the WNS program until the issue is resolved.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement A match equal to 30% of the requested federal funds is required.

Funds previously awarded by the U.S. Federal Government are not allowable as match, unless specifically allowed by the other funding source. See match eligibility in 2 CFR 200.306.

C3. Other 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.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=975db78f7471625568d8b749a984cb37&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1306 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

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.

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 The Application Package can be found at the following locations:

GrantSolutions https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ - Search for the funding opportunity using the Program name and/or CFDA Number 15.684.

Forms required for the application can also be found here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html or requested from Bill Perry, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 413-253-8302 or Bill_Perry@fws.gov.

Program Website Link

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).

SF 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:Bill_Perry@fws.gov

Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate and any entity waived from the SAM.gov registration requirements by the funding bureau or office must submit the signed and dated SF-424B, Assurances for Non- Construction Programs form. The SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Project Summary

On a single page, provide the project title, names of investigator(s) and affiliation(s), and key collaborators* and affiliations, focal species and locations of the project, and total amounts of requested and matching funds. Include a brief summary paragraph introducing the main objectives, methods and anticipated outcomes of the proposed work.

Project Narrative The components of the Project Narrative listed below must be included in this section, which is limited to 8 pages of 11 pt or greater font and 1” margins. Figures and tables should be included within this page limit. The Project Summary, letters of support, and Literature Cited are not counted in the page limit.

a. Statement of Need: Describe the significance and value of the project. Summarize background that is relevant to the proposed work and explain how the proposed project builds on existing knowledge. If you have received funding previously for this specific project or study site (from the Service or elsewhere), provide a summary of the outcomes of that work.

b. Project Goals and Objectives: State the short and long-term goal(s) of the project. State the specific objectives addressed to reach the stated goals. State the objectives addressed to meet the goals of the project, which must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed period of performance).

c. Expected Results and Outcomes: State the anticipated outcomes, benefits and/or management implications of the project. Describe how these products will support management decision making. For projects that implement management strategies, identify the species and number of bats anticipated to benefit from the activities.

d. Project Activities and Methods: State the project activities, and describe how they relate to the project objectives. The proposed methodology must be described with sufficient detail for reviewers to make a clear connection between the proposed methods, how they achieve study objectives, and their cost efficiency. Include proposed project locations. For adaptive management projects, describe metrics that will be used to monitor effects of the actions and how those metrics will be interpreted.

(For projects being conducted within the United States, the narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.)

e. Timetable: Provide a schedule indicating when project activities and milestones are to be accomplished. The timetable should group activities by month over the entire proposed project period.

f. Contribution to National Response to WNS: Describe how your work responds to the information needs of partners in the WNS National Response. This may include coordination with relevant management agencies and conservation organizations while planning the project, involvement with activities of national working groups for WNS, etc. Detail how these partners will contribute to completing the project and applying the information gained.

Projects that entail acoustic monitoring for bats, or population estimates from winter or summer colony counts may be more competitive if they are clearly compatible with and contribute to the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat).

g. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all cooperating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. If eligibility for funding is based in whole 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. Do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information on the curricula vitae.

h. Permitting and Animal Care: All participants of funded projects must procure all necessary Federal, State, and local permits, and landowner permissions prior to project initiation. (Existing permits and approvals may be submitted as addenda that do not count toward page limits.)

Principal Investigators (PIs) will be expected to maintain compliance with the Animal Welfare Act with satisfactory review of animal use protocols by an established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (as appropriate). All awarded projects must comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.

NOTE: Some proposed WNS research, mitigation and treatment actions will entail significant workload with input from the grantee to comply with regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Satisfactory completion of these requirements is required prior to funds becoming available for the proposed actions.

i. Literature Cited (DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD PAGE LIMIT): Components of the project narrative must be properly cited using parenthetical documentation in name-year format. A complete biography of cited literature must be included and does not count toward the 8-page maximum.

j. *Proposals must be accompanied by letters of support or collaboration from all partners (e.g., State and Federal biologists, private landowners, etc.) whose contributions or cooperation are necessary for successful completion of the proposed project (e.g., commitment to collect swab samples on behalf of the Principal Investigator, etc.). (These letters do not count toward the narrative page limit.

SF-424, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

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

For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding.

In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

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.

A table in the budget narrative should be used to clarify use of requested funds, if this information is not clear elsewhere. This table should include at least these budget categories:

a. Salaries and benefits (include names, responsibilities, and time commitments)

b. Project related expenses (such as: travel, communications, supplies, consultants etc.)

c. Equipment (purchases of tangible, personal property over $5,000.00 that will be used for a year or more);

d. Indirect costs (if any).

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

(a) Applicability.

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

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

(b) Notification.

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

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

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

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

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html

Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from

SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 07/20/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity will be open for at least 60 days. All proposals submitted by 5:00 PM, Eastern Time on July 18, 2021, will be considered for funding. Proposals may be submitted prior to the deadline.

Applications submitted by 11:59 PM on July 1, 2021, will be evaluated prior to the July 18 deadline and may be selected for awards. Highest quality proposals submitted by July 1, 2021 may be notified of award decisions by August 1, 2021, based on criteria identified below. A total of no more than two thirds of the available funds for this opportunity will be awarded prior to the final deadline. No eligible proposals will be declined prior to the final deadline, and all eligible proposals that are not selected for earlier funding will be evaluated along with eligible proposals submitted during the open period. Applicants that are not selected for early notification will be notified of award decisions by November 1, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to notify the regional WNS coordinator in their region or national assistant coordinator (see below) when applications are submitted.

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.”

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

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 The white-nose syndrome research for conservation grant program funds scientific and management activities that address the stated priorities of the funding opportunity. Travel costs for conferences or meetings that are not directly related to achieving the objectives of the proposed project are not permitted.

Projects may be proposed as cooperative agreements to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners that will qualify as CESU projects and therefore will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap (currently 17.5%).

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 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 https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

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

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

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

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

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

A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 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 D7. Other Submission Requirements If the application package is submitted in Grants.gov, Grants.gov will automatically generate an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

If the application package is submitted in GrantSolutions the proposals status will change to submitted.

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria Minimum criteria for WNS research proposals: Proposals that do not meet these minimum requirements will not be reviewed further.

Maximum Points: 0

Minimum criteria for WNS research proposals: Proposals that do not meet these minimum requirements will not be reviewed further.

• Proposed project clearly addresses one or more priorities of this funding opportunity.

• Applicant is in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous WNS grants.

• Matching funds are at least 30% of the amount of federal funds requested.

Ranking criteria for proposals that meet minimum requirements Maximum Points: 100

Project Responsiveness (20%) https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1bfd0da1190f850482e94794cca23a5d&mc=true&node=20190830y1.1

How well does the proposed study address priorities identified for this funding opportunity?

Project Relevance (24%)

Does the project have a high likelihood of contributing positively to bat conservation?

How much will the anticipated products of the proposed research benefit future research and management activities for WNS?

Project Need (18%)

Does the project build upon and advance our current understanding of WNS and bat conservation, or implement management strategies appropriate to the level of knowledge and current status of bats and WNS in the project location?

Study Design (15%)

Does the proposal have clear, specific, measurable objectives, robust study design and methods, and usable expected outcomes?

Budget (13%)

Is the project budget justifiable and cost effective for the proposed actions and outcomes?

What is the total past, current, and future anticipated cost for the project to complete an impactful management or scientific product?

Project Feasibility (10%)

Are the proposed timeline and work schedule realistic for achieving the goal of the project in one year after receipt of funding?

Are project key personnel experienced and well positioned to successfully complete the project and communicate the results?

Does the proposal adequately address issues regarding regulatory requirements or permits that are necessary for the success of the project?

The review committee also may employ additional review criteria to specifically evaluate groups of proposals with similar objectives. These criteria may include prioritization of projects that increase the number of locations, species, or topics addressed by the grant program as a whole.

Selected proposals will receive budget review in accordance with DOI-APP-0062 prior to final selection.

E2. Review and Selection Process Prior to award, the program will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or…