Foa_Content_of_F22AS00011.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms, https://www.fishwildlife.org

Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program Fiscal Year: 2022

F22AS00011

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

In addition, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, make hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Service will cite this as the R3 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP). The R3-MSCGP will make up to an additional $5,000,000 available specifically for these grants.

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A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and R3-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs will function similarly, with AFWA providing the Service with a priority list of projects to be considered for award and the Service administering the program and managing the awards. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides application guidance for both of these competitive programs.

Eligible grant proposals are shared with the AFWA National Grants Committee (NGC) for review and ranking to aid in the selection process. Proposals must address eligible activities in one or more of the selected AFWA Strategic Priorities to be considered. Strategic Priorities are annually selected by AFWA to establish the State fish and wildlife agencies' (States) conservation priorities (under T-MSCGP) or national recruitment priorities (under R3- MSCGP), and they are used to guide proposal development and grant selection for the programs.

The primary goal of both programs is to provide grant funds to address regional or national priority needs of the States and their partners that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single State. Projects selected and awarded are annually published in the Federal Register. Lists of past awards are also available from the Service and AFWA (see Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts).

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

Recipients awarded under the R3-MSCGP can only use the funds for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment projects that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

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

TRACS highlights program accountability by documenting program accomplishments and results-oriented accountability. As outlined in this NOFO, 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.

WSFR's mission is to work through partnerships to conserve and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. WSFR’s vision is of healthy, diverse, and accessible fish and wildlife populations that offer recreation, economic activity, and other societal benefits, in addition to sustainable ecological functions. WSFR’s guiding principle is that society benefits from conservation‐based management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and opportunities to use and enjoy them. Both funding programs align with WSFR’s mission, vision, and guiding principle.

Grant awards issued under this program typically include projects for biological research, training, species population status assessment, fish and wildlife conservation outreach, data collection regarding hunter and angler participation, hunter and aquatic education, assessing the economic value of fishing and hunting, and regional or multistate habitat needs assessments. Many of the projects that will be conducted under these types of projects either directly or indirectly support Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. For example, regional or habitat needs assessments will support climate resilience, land conservation, and biodiversity efforts, including the 30 x 30 initiative.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 11,000,000

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

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $ 11,000,000 Expected Award Date January 04, 2022 Estimated Funding for T-MSCGP: $6,000,000.

Estimated Funding for R3-MSCGP: $5,000,000.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards T-MSCGP Expected Number of Awards: 35-40 R3-MSCGP Expected Number of Awards: 20-25

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

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

Eligible proposals must benefit:

(a) at least 26 States;

(b) a majority of the States in a region of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; or

(c) a regional association of State fish and wildlife departments.

Any nongovernmental organization that applies for a grant shall submit with the application a certification that the organization will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity of the organization that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, to recreational shooting activities, or to the regulated taking of fish.

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

C3. Other Detailed information regarding AFWA Selected Priorities can be found at the AFWA website, https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program. A final Priority List of projects will be recommended by the AFWA National Grants Committee and forwarded to the Service by October 1, 2021. All applications for T-MSCGP grants can be eligible for either the Wildlife Restoration Program, the Sport Fish Restoration Program, or a combination of both programs. All proposals applying for R3-MSCGP are only eligible for Wildlife Restoration Program funds and specifically must focus 100 percent on Hunter Recruitment and Recreational Shooter Recruitment. No Sport Fish Restoration Program funds are available under the R3-MSCGP.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

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

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

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package Applying for funding through the T-MSCGP and R3-MSCGP requires a two-part process that is managed in partnership with AFWA. Please specify which program you are applying for in your https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program application. In part one, applicants submit their Initial Proposal by May 17, 2021 for review.

Initial Proposal requirements and deadline (May 17, 2021) information is available from the AFWA MSCGP webpage. Initial Proposals are required to address one or more of the AFWA Strategic Priorities listed within this webpage. Applicants must submit the Initial Proposals through the AFWA MSCGP portal. In part two, AFWA will invite the best Initial Proposals to submit a Final Proposal package through the AFWA MSCGP portal as well as through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. These sites have all required Federal grant forms.

To submit a Final Proposal package, download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity in GrantSolutions or Grants.gov to begin the application process. Using the “Search Grants” tab, enter Funding Opportunity Number F22AS00011. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Submit completed applications electronically through GrantSolutions.gov or Grants.gov. A complete copy of your application in PDF format should also be submitted through the AFWA MSCGP portal. Full grant proposals will only be considered for funding if the applicant submits an initial proposal by the deadline of May 17, 2021, AFWA invites the applicant to submit a full proposal for the relevant project, and the applicant submits the full grant proposal for the relevant project by the deadline of July 20, 2021 to both the AFWA MSCGP portal as well as either GrantSolutions or Grants.gov.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms, https://www.fishwildlife.org

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).

Applicants requesting support for a non-construction project must submit a signed and dated SF- 424B, “Assurances for Non-Construction Programs” form. Applicants requesting support for a construction or real property acquisition project must submit a signed and dated SF-424D, “Assurances for Construction Programs.” These forms are available in GrantSolutions.

If your annual Assurances forms are already on file with your WSFR Regional Office, you do not need to re-submit them with your application. If you have submitted the SF-424B Assurances form as part of your SAM registration or renewal, you do not need to resubmit it with your application.

https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/

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

Briefly summarize the project, in one page or less. Include the title of the project, regional geographic location or states impacted, and a brief overview of the need for the project. You may include goals, objectives, specific project activities or anticipated output and outcomes in this summary.

Project Narrative The Service has implemented an electronic performance reporting system, TRACS (https://tracs.fws.gov), in order to document recipient performance and reporting on national program accomplishments that deliver meaningful results consistent with the program’s authorizing legislation. Unless exempt, applicants/recipients will be required to enter grant and project statement information into TRACS. The Service encourages applicants to enter their grant and project statement information into TRACS prior to formally applying in GrantSolutions. TRACS data entry includes the required elements of 50 CFR 80.82(c) and will facilitate development of a complete project statement. Once entered, TRACS will generate a project statement that you may use as part of your formal application in GrantSolutions. Applicants who decline to enter their grant and project statement information in TRACS prior to formally applying in GrantSolutions will be required to enter this information within 60 calendar days of the latter: (a) period of performance start date; or (b) the date the award was approved. If you need assistance, please contact the Service’s Program Technical contact (see Section G. Program Technical Contacts).

Applicants applying for awards on a project-by-project basis are required to submit a project narrative (statement) containing the elements required by 50 CFR 80.82(c). The project statement must provide sufficient information so reviewers may verify that the proposed activities are eligible for funding and substantial in character and design (see 50 CFR 80.56).

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

Proposers are encouraged to carefully review the technical scoring criteria and ensure proposals are accurately responsive in this regard. The Project Narrative should include the following information:

Need The need for the proposed project(s) within the purpose of the MSCG Programs and Strategic Priories.

Objectives The Service created Standard Objectives to standardize performance reporting and document national accomplishments that deliver results consistent with the MSCGP’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 the WSFR Contact 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.

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

Approach Describe in detail the approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators. It is essential to be detailed yet concise and prove that every aspect of your proposed project is both covered and financially necessary to proceed. You will want to include the following:

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

If contractors/sub-recipients will be used to complete project-related work, be sure to indicate which tasks the contractor will complete. Identify specific costs for any contractor/sub-recipient in the budget.

Describe how your activities use a planned approach, appropriate procedures, and accepted principles of fish and wildlife management, research, and monitoring.

Experience Include a brief history of previous work conducted by the applicant and/or others that substantiates experiences and abilities to successfully complete this project and address the Strategic Priority. Personal Qualifications will be provided later. Describe any relationship with other grants. Describe any relationship between the proposed project and other related work funded by Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway.

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.

https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104

You may omit the SF-424A if you submit a budget in a different format as long as it contains the same or greater level of detail.

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.

Please note within your narrative the total costs budgeted to subrecipients or contractors and how many subrecipients or contractors are planned to work on your project and how much each is to be awarded for their part of the project.

Applicants intending to act as a fiscal agent (a pass through) for another organization must clearly state that they are acting as a fiscal agent and why it is necessary. Fiscal agents must clearly show in the budget what costs (if any) they are charging to the grant.

If applicable, please include information on:

Contingency Costs: Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are permissible but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with Federal Cost Principles, these must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and these 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.

Program Income: Program income is gross income received by the grantee or subrecipient and earned only as a result of the grant during the grant period. Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate. If necessary, indicate the method or combination of methods (deduction, addition, or matching) of applying your expected program income. The Service’s approval is required for the additive or matching method. Indicate whether the agency wants to treat income that it earns after the grant period as additional funding for purposes consistent with the grant terms and conditions or program regulations.

Equipment: Equipment means tangible personal property (including 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 the non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes, or $5,000 (see 2 CFR 200.1 Equipment). Grantees and subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.327, and 200.439.

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Useful life: Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install (see 50 CFR 80.2), and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000 (see 50 CFR 80.82(c)(5).)

Participant Support Costs: Participant support costs means direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects (see 2 CFR 200.1). These costs should be described in the narrative and identified in the budget under “OTHER” cost category. Grantees and subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when expending participant support costs under an award, with emphasis on 200.68, 200.75, 200.308, and 200.456.

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

(a) Applicability.

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

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

(b) Notification.

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

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

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

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

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1112&rgn=div8 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.

Examples:

a) Not required to submit an Single Audit Reporting Statement:

My organization was not required to submit an Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year (specify the year).

b) Required to submit an Single Audit Reporting Statement:

My organization was required to submit a Single Audit report from the most recently closed fiscal year (specify the year). The report can be found on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/) under EIN# (enter your EIN number).

Additional Required Statements Recipients are encouraged to compile all required statements within one document. The document should come from the recipient and/or their organization. The Service should be able to correctly identify the source of the document (i.e. Organization letterhead, signed document from the recipient point of contact).

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

Pre-Award Costs Statement Pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the effective date of the award directly pursuant to the negotiation and in anticipation of the award where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they 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 would have been allowable if incurred after the effective date of the award and only with the written approval of the awarding program.

To qualify for pre-award cost reimbursement, an applicant must demonstrate in the application that some pre-award activities were necessary and reasonable for accomplishing the overall program objectives and would have been approved had they occurred within the project period.

An entire project must never be funded retroactively as pre-award costs, i.e., obligating funds after the project period has ended, unless the awarding program has authorizing legislation or programmatic regulations that allows for such a project to be funded.

Examples:

a) No Pre-award costs:

There is no pre-award costs being requested for this project.

b) Pre-award costs requested:

We are requesting $5,000.00 in Pre-award costs for surveying costs that were completed from February 10th through February 12th. The surveys were critical in determining the correct area to focus the project efforts.

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.

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

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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 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 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.”

Examples:

a) No Overlap/Duplication Statement:

There is no overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs or time commitment of key personnel. Further, the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non- Federal).

b) Overlap/Duplication Statement explanation:

The active project will end at the end of (specify the year), and is covering ~90 percent and ~2 percent of effort for Drs. Xxxx (post-doc) and xxxx (PI). The proposed project is covering the remaining ~10 percent of Dr. xxx effort (and ~8 percent of Dr. xxxx effort) in (specify the year).

Ten percent and 8 percent effort are sufficient for us to meet our (specify the year) obligations on the proposed project.

The two projects also overlap somewhat in scope and approach, but this overlap is complementary rather than duplicative. Both projects are developing models of fathead minnows and centrarchids for scaling pollution effects up to the population level, so we can use similar parameter sets for both (particularly those that are not influenced by pollution). However, the active project is focusing solely on estrone pollution. Two other important differences are that the population model for the active project is spatially-explicit, and fatheads and centrarchids in this model interact (i.e., via predator-prey dynamics). The population model for the active project is also part of a larger model that, in addition to fish, governs estrone inputs, hydrodynamics, and economics. We are using this larger model to optimize estrogen removal by wastewater treatment. The proposal submitted for consideration under this program is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal).

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.

The Service cannot award recipients without a valid SAM registration at the time of proposal review and approval. In addition, the Service will not be able to enroll an applicant within the Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) system in order to receive their awarded funds.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 07/20/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Applying for funding through the T-MSCGP and R3-MSCGP requires a two-part process that is managed in partnership with AFWA. Please specify which program you are applying for in your application. In part one, applicants submit their Initial Proposal by May 17, 2021 for review.

Initial Proposal requirements and deadline (May 17, 2021) information is available from the AFWA MSCGP webpage. Initial Proposals are required to address one or more of the AFWA Strategic Priorities. Applicants must submit the Initial Proposals through the AFWA MSCGP portal. In part two, AFWA will invite the best Initial Proposals to submit a Final Proposal package through the AFWA MSCGP portal as well as through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. These sites have all required Federal grant forms.

Full grant proposals will only be considered for funding if the applicant submits an initial mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/8916/1581/7295/2022_Strategic_Priorities.pdf https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/8916/1581/7295/2022_Strategic_Priorities.pdf https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ proposal by the deadline of May 17, 2021, AFWA invites the applicant to submit a full proposal for the relevant project, and the applicant submits the full grant proposal for the relevant project by the deadline of July 20, 2021 to both the AFWA MSCGP portal as well as either GrantSolutions or Grants.gov.

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 Ineligible activities include law enforcement, activities conducted for the primary purpose of producing income, and activities, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of fish, hunting, or the trapping of wildlife (see 50 CFR 80.54). The T- MSCGP provides Federal grant funds ($6,000,000) for projects that address one or more of the annually selected AFWA Strategic Priorities listed within their website. Grantees under the T- MSCGP may use the awarded funds for sport fisheries and wildlife management and research projects, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Grant funds for the R3-MSCGP ($5,000,000) are to be used exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment projects that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. Projects must benefit at least 26 States, a majority of States in a Region of the Service, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. Please note the MSCGP program has traditionally asked applicants to voluntarily cap their overhead at 20% in order to make more funds available for programmatic activity. Please contact the Association if you have any questions or concerns about this.

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 https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

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

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

We are:

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

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

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

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

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

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