Foa_Content_of_F23AS00007.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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

Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program Fiscal Year: 2023

F23AS00007

Due Date for Applications: 05/18/2022

Table of Contents A. Program Description

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 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.

Assistance Listing Number:

15.628 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 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.

AFWA Strategic Priorities

1. Conservation & Science

A. Large Landscape Systems & Species B. Climate C. Wildlife Disease Including Connections with Human Health (“One Health”) D. Data E. Human Dimensions & Social Science F. Invasive Species

2. Relevancy & Inclusion & Participation

A. Enhancing Conservation Through Broader Engagement B. Communication Programs that Further Regional & National Conservation Efforts C. Implementing and/or Expanding Internal and External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts

3. Coordination, Capacity Building & Fish and Wildlife Agencies Support

A. Leadership Development B. Conservation Education C. Coordination of International, National & Regional Conservation Efforts & Policies D. Integration of Law Enforcement

4. Trust Fund Stewardship

A. Research that Informs & Supports Conservation Efforts B. Trust Fund Education & Promotion of North American Model of Conservation (“Legal Strategy”) C. Conservation Law Education

5. AFWA Priorities Identified in AFWA Funding Principles (submitted by ExCom)

A. Management Assistance Team B. Management of MSCGP Program C. CITES and International Conservation Programs and Their Impact of State Agencies D. Coordination of Conservation on National Scale

6. Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation (R3)* *The category was recently developed in response to the Pittman Roberson Modernization Act and includes up to an additional $5 million for R3 projects focused specifically on hunting and shooting sports (i.e. recreational target shooting). Potential projects under sections (6a – 6e) of this priority should be broad in scope and far-reaching. Collaboration between new and existing partners such as industry, NGO’s and state agencies is encouraged. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can refer to racial diversity. Proposals should include a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan. The Association is also requesting R3 projects focused on fishing through this category although they will be funded through the Traditional MSCGP program using available Sport Fish Restoration funding.

A. Monitoring and Evaluation (Wildlife Restoration Only)

Description: Development of tools, trainings and technologies that allow R3 practitioners to document the influence of R3 effort implementation on the target participants’ or populations’ initiation into and/or increased avidity in hunting and/or recreational target shooting.

Potential projects might include: Development of tools to support data collection methodologies, data dashboards, and resources that increase R3 staff competency and capacity to evaluate, manage, and interpret data in order to benefit decision making. Creation of R3 effort outcome indicators measurement and collection systems that allow participant and license sales data to be summarized and compared at regional or national scales.

B. Marketing

Description: Identification, development and implementation of strategic marketing tools and resources (with defined and measurable R3 outcomes) intended to1) maximize social support for (from increasing broad societal awareness and acceptance, to connecting prospects with opportunities) and to 2) increase participation in hunting and/or recreational target shooting.

Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP.

Potential Projects might include: Market research; best marketing practices; development of marketing toolkits; strategies to form regional or national marketing campaigns; or increase community-wide engagement and implementation of marketing tactics.

C. Mentoring

Description: Identification and evaluation of elements of successful mentoring programs as well as current mentor/mentee motivations and application of that knowledge to expand and promote effective mentoring or instructional efforts from the current base of hunting and/or recreational target shooting participants. Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP.

Potential projects might include: Development of program guidance to increase effectiveness, capacity, scalability, and collaboration of partners; efforts to increase involvement and marketing to current participants to become mentors; efforts to increase understanding and engagement of potential mentees; and efforts to facilitate effective brokering of mentoring or instructional experiences within populations of mentors/instructors and prospective mentees/students.

D. Engaging New Audiences

Description: Assist organizations and R3 efforts with targeting new or underserved audiences by further defining likely new and efficient audiences, and then identifying effective pathways and tools to create targeted R3 efforts to engage those new and diverse audiences.

Proposals focused specifically on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives are encouraged.

Potential projects might include: Development of tools to increase the effectiveness of targeted R3 efforts; evaluation of adoption and effectiveness of existing toolkits; research projects to understand potential target audiences; development of additional toolkits or trainings to increase organizations’ effectiveness and capacity in retaining new hunting and target shooting participants. Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP.

E. R3 Capacity and Infrastructure

Description: Assist the R3 community in increasing capacity and infrastructure to address regional and national R3 threats and barriers; and provide for the unification of strategic and effective R3 efforts by state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, NGO and industry partners to yield measurable outcomes.

Potential projects might include: Development of resources to help organizations improve effectiveness in R3 efforts; projects that increase partners’ (industry, NGO, regional associations, etc.) capacity to work on collaborative R3 efforts; development of tools that foster effective communication, planning, coordination, and networking at all levels on R3 efforts; facilitation of strategic efforts to unify the R3 community in its pursuits.

Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species) is the tracking and reporting system used by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program 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 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 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.

If you have questions for the AFWA, please contact the Grant Program Manager or visit the AFWA website more additional information:

Silvana Yaroschuk Multistate Conservation Grant Program Manager Phone: 202-838-3467 Email: syaroschuk@fishwildife.org https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $11,000,000 Estimated Funding for T-MSCGP: $6,000,000 Estimated Funding for R3-MSCGP: $5,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $1,000,000 Minimum Award $50,000 $200,000 to $300,000 (average awards)

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $230,000 Expected Award Date January 01, 2023 MSCGP grants are traditionally approved for one year of funding. Applicants whose projects are expected to last for more than one year are encouraged to let the Grants Committee know that they will apply for a subsequent year(s) of funding for the project and will need to report on progress made in the first year as part of the justification for subsequent / supplemental funding. Subsequent funding is not guaranteed and will depend on the project’s merits, available funding and progress made to date.

Under special circumstances the Grants Committee will consider approving multiple years of funding (multi-year funding). The criteria for multiyear funding established by the National mailto:syaroschuk@fishwildife.org

Grants Committee is included in the application package. Please note that there is a very high bar to justify multi-year funding and most applicants will be requested to apply for one year of funding at a time.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards T-MSCGP Expected Number of Awards: 25-35 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 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 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 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:

1. A majority of States.

2. A majority (over 50%) of the States in a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region. Please list the Regions and States in each Region that will benefit (use State abbreviations).

3. A majority (over 50%) of the States belonging to a regional association of State fish and wildlife agencies (click each of the Associations for the state members, WAFWA, MAFWA, NEAFWA, SEAFWA). Please indicate the regional fish and wildlife association that will benefit and list each region's States.

https://www.wafwa.org/ http://www.mafwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MAFWA_Map_11.jpg https://www.neafwa.org/members.html http://www.seafwa.org/

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, 2022. All applications for T-MSCGP grants can be eligible for 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:

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

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

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

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

Excluded Parties:

The DOI conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The DOI 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 https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx

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 application. In part one, applicants submit their Initial Proposal by May 18, 2022 for review.

Initial Proposal requirements and deadline (May 18, 2022) 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. 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 to begin the application process. Using the “Search Grants” tab, enter Funding Opportunity Number F23AS00007. 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. 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 18, 2022, 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 19, 2022 to both the AFWA MSCGP portal as well as GrantSolutions.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/wsfrprograms

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except private citizens, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of 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/ https://afwamscgp.smapply.io/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337 funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44- 4444” and in Box8c. For organizational DUNS substitute number “123456789”. For UEI substitute the number "000123456789".

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS- GMM): Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-80/subpart-G/section-80.82 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 This should be a clear and concise account of the problems or issues that need to be addressed, and which were the foundation for applying for this specific grant in the first place. The important aspect is to present the data in relation to your proposal to clarify a need that only grant funding can relieve. Applicants will want to note how the organization or individual came to notice the problem or issue, the nature of the problem, what is currently being done, and the purpose for developing the proposal. Also include the remaining, (if limited), alternatives if funds are not allocated, and what will happen if the project or problem is not addressed.

Purpose The Purpose states the desired outcome of the project by describing the benefits to users, habitat and/or species and the expected results/outcomes from resolving a conservation need.

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.

Approach The approach describes the specific methods necessary to accomplish the objective. The approach answers the question of “how” the objective will be accomplished by describing the actual work that will be done. This approach should include an adequate level of detail in order to demonstrate sound design, appropriate procedures, and accepted fish and wildlife https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 conservation, 10 management, or research principles.

Results and Benefits 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).

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.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A Budget Information form for Non- Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov or in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In “Section A – Budget Summary” on the SF-424A form enter the funding requested from this Federal program in the first row. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Budget Narrative Applicants must include a budget narrative that describes and justifies requested budget items and costs. In your budget narrative, describe how the SF-424 Budget Information, “Object Class Category” totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays). Describe any proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any third-party 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, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 about:blank 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.

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 §18 and 31

USC §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.

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 §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, 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, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit applicants must state https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx 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 43CFR 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 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 regard 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 regard 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 regard 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 an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which will replace Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made 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 the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Applicants registering in SAM.gov prior to April 2022 may still be required to obtain a DUNS number prior to completing the registration process within SAM.gov. Federal award recipients must also 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. 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 In April 2022, the Federal Government will stop requiring DUNS numbers. At that point, entities doing business with the government will use the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov in place of a DUNS number. A UEI will be assigned to entities upon registering with

SAM.

If an entity is applying for federal financial assistance prior to April 2022, a DUNS number may still be required as part of the SAM registration process. A DUNS Number can be requested through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, go to www.dnb.com/govtduns. 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 (version 3).

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “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. Applicants can 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 made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, 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 05/18/2022 https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.dnb.com/govtduns mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

Application Due Date Explanation Applying for funding through the T-MSCGP and R3-MSCGP requires a…