Foa_Content_of_F24AS00060_Full_Annoucement.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - International Conservation https://www.fws.gov/service/african-elephant-conservation-grant-fund

Protecting and Conserving African Elephant Priority Populations

Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00060

Due Date for Applications: 11/27/2023

Table of Contents

A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Assistance Listing Number

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

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

African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 (and reauthorizations in 1998, 2002 and 2007).

A2. Assistance Listing Number

15.620

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the

American people. The International Affairs Program delivers this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

African elephant (Genus: Loxodonta) numbers in the wild have fallen from as many as 26 million individuals at the end of the 18th century to an estimated 415,000 today [1], due to poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflict. In 1988, the U.S. Congress passed the African Elephant Conservation Act in response to the alarming decline of African elephant populations. The Act provides for the establishment of the African Elephant Conservation Fund to provide financial assistance in support of projects that will enhance sustainable conservation programs to ensure effective, long-term conservation of African elephants. In 2021, the African elephant was re-classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) African

Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) as two separate species [2], with the African forest elephant

(Loxodonta cyclotis) now listed as “Critically Endangered” and the African savanna elephant

(Loxodonta africana) listed as “Endangered” under the IUCN’s 2020 African elephant Red List

Assessment [3-4]*. The Service works closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, and a range of other partners to ensure a strategic, results-based approach to conservation of both elephant species across Africa’s 37 elephant range states.

The goal of the Service’s African Elephant Conservation Fund Program is to ensure healthy

African elephant populations in the wild, while improving pathways for human-elephant coexistence. We achieve this through stewardship of a three-decade-old financial assistance program, convening and connecting partners, informing conservation decision making with technical expertise and data, and cultivating long-term partnerships and relationships with field projects and other key stakeholders across African elephant range states.

In support of this overall goal and in combination with other strategies, the African Elephant

Conservation Fund Program is working towards three objectives:

1. Habitat protection for and conservation of African elephant priority populations.

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (1a) enhanced protection and reduction of threats to elephant population strongholds [DEF1], ecologically or evolutionarily unique populations

[DEF2], or populations under immediate threat [DEF3], (2a) maintenance of existing habitat integrity and connectivity, (3a) support for integrated landscape management and corridor restoration and/or establishment, (4a) improved understanding of elephant distribution and abundance necessary to inform protection and management, (5a) development of innovative technologies that have the potential to improve elephant protection.

The following will be considered forest and savanna elephant population strongholds:

Forest Elephant Strongholds (populations >1,000 individuals)

• TRIDOM Forest: including Minkébé NP, Djoua-Bélinga, Ivindo NP, Mwagne NP, Odzala-Kokoua NP, Ngombe, Ntokou-Pikounda NP, Mengame, Dja Reserve, Nki NP, Boumba-Bek NP

• Greater Sangha-Ndoki Region: including Lobéké NP, Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, Dzanga-

Ndoki NP, Likouala-aux-Herbes, Nouabalé-Ndoki NP, Lac Télé Reserve

• Central African Coast: including Gamba Complex, Loango NP, Moukalaba-Doudou NP, Mayumba NP, Conkouati-Douli NP

• Gabon Interior: including Lopé NP, Waka NP, Birougou NP

• DR Congo Interior: including Maiko NP, Okapi Reserve, Ituri Forest

• Salonga Region: including Salonga NP

• WAP Complex: including W-Arly-Pendjari NPs

Savanna Elephant Strongholds (populations >10,000 individuals)

• KAZA Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA): including Northern Botswana, Khaudum NP, Caprivi, Hwange NP, Kafue NP

• Nyerere-Selous-Niassa Region: including Nyerere NP, Selous Reserve, Mikumi NP, Niassa Reserve

• Tanzania Highlands: including Moyowosi Reserve, Kigosi NP, Ugalla NP, Katavi-

Rukwa, Ruaha-Rungwa

• Luangwa-Zambezi Valley: including North and South Luangwa NPs, Lower Zambezi

• Laikipia-Samburu Ecosystem: including Laikipia-Samburu, Mt. Kenya NP, Aberdare

NP

• Greater Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA): including Kruger NP, Gonarezhou NP, Limpopo NP

• Kenya Rift Valley: including Tsavo NPs, Amboseli NP, Chyulu NP

2. Improving conservation governance and human well-being in landscapes housing elephant priority populations.

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (2a) improved planning and management for protected and conserved areas (including other effective area-based conservation measures or

OECMS) [DEF4] that act as the anchors for the continent’s most viable elephant populations, (2b) reduction in the rate and severity of human-elephant conflict (HEC) incidents and improvements in sustainable local livelihoods, (2c) improved understanding of the governance and management context in landscapes that house African elephant priority populations and the relationship between the quality of conservation governance and the health of elephant populations, (2d) compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of elephants, parts, and products, or regulate the use and management of elephant habitat.

3. Greater partner connectivity and conservation capacity in African elephant range states.

Desired results may include, as appropriate, (3a) strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs, (3b) development and execution of elephant conservation management plans or ivory action plans, (3c) improved wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensic skills for range state governments, (3d) more timely and enhanced data sharing on the status and trends of elephant populations within the international conservation community.

Applicants may choose to include additional objectives or are welcome to use different terminology or framing to describe proposal goals and objectives that align with a project’s existing strategic planning or local context. All proposed outcomes and activities, however, should collectively facilitate the delivery of meaningful results consistent with the Service’s previously mentioned program goal and objectives. Proposed project work should occur within the range of African forest or savanna elephants, or, if work is to be conducted outside of these ranges, the proposal must explain how the work will benefit elephants and elephant stakeholders in Africa. Applications will be evaluated based on likelihood to achieve conservation results in support of these objectives and overall goal.

This funding opportunity will solicit multiple, two to five-year awards with a range of $100,000 to $250,000 USD/per year for each project.

[1] Thouless, C.R., H.T. Dublin, J.J. Blanc, D.P. Skinner, T.E. Daniel, R.D. Taylor, F. Maisels, H. L. Frederick and P. Bouché (2016). African Elephant Status Report 2016: an update from the

African Elephant Database. Occasional Paper Series of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, No. 60 IUCN / SSC Africa Elephant Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. vi + 309pp.

[2] Hart, J., Gobush, K., Maisels, F., Wasser, S., Okita-Ouma, B., and Slotow, R. (2021). African forest and savannah elephants treated as separate species. Oryx, 55(2): 170-171.

[3] Gobush, K.S., Edwards, C.T.T, Maisels, F., Wittemyer, G., Balfour, D. & Taylor, R.D.

(2021). Loxodonta cyclotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021:

e.T181007989A181019888.

[4] Gobush, K.S., Edwards, C.T.T, Balfour, D., Wittemyer, G., Maisels, F. & Taylor, R.D.

(2021). Loxodonta africana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021:

e.T181008073A181022663. *The African elephant taxonomy used by IUCN is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes.

[DEF1] Continuous or contiguous African elephant continental sub-populations inhabiting sufficiently intact habitat. Forest Elephant Strongholds (populations >1,000 individuals);

Savanna Elephant Strongholds (populations >10,000 individuals). Priority population strongholds are determined based on the latest available AfESG African Elephant Status Report and Database (2016) and recently published, peer-reviewed African forest and savanna elephant population studies.

[DEF2] Populations defined by at least one of the following conditions: (a) the population is reproductively isolated and differs markedly in its genetic characteristics from other elephant populations; (b) the population persists in an ecological setting unusual for elephants; (c) the loss of the population would result in a significant gap in elephant range; or (d) the population is of national importance.

[DEF3] Populations with a measurable and notable decrease in the number of individuals and/or habitat, decreased movement corridor connectivity, increased incidents of human-elephant conflict, etc., in the past 1-5 years.

[DEF4] A protected area being “a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values”. OECMs being “a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values.” See: IUCN-WCPA Task Force on OECMs, (2019).

Recognising and reporting other effective area-based conservation measures. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

The goal of the Service’s African Elephant Conservation Fund Program is to ensure healthy

African elephant populations in the wild, while improving pathways for human-elephant coexistence.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding

$8,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award

$1,250,000

Minimum Award

$200,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

Expected Award Funding

$8,000,000

Expected Award Date

May 01, 2024

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

The amount of funding per Federal award may range from $100,000 to $250,000 USD/per year for each project. Anticipated support for the previously mentioned 14 African forest and savanna elephant strongholds will be approximately $5,500,000, with awards ranging from $500,000 to

$1,250,000. Anticipated support for other previously mentioned priorities occurring outside of elephant population strongholds will be approximately $2,500,000, with awards ranging from

$200,000 to $750,000. The standard period of performance for projects is two to five years.

Applicants may submit budget tables for up to five years. If the applicant wishes to request a shorter period of performance, it should be noted and the proposal, budget, and timetable should describe activities for the entire proposed period of performance. For multi-year projects, budgets and activities should be clearly articulated by year. Support for subsequent years will be contingent upon satisfactory project performance, reporting, financial management, and availability of program funds. The Service reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award.

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type

G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants

25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

Applicants may be multi-national secretariats, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and Indigenous organizations, and U.S. and foreign public and private institutions of higher education.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

No

Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

C3. Other

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.

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

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

D1. Address to Request Application Package

This funding opportunity contains everything needed to apply. To request paper copies of materials, please contact mscf_africanelephant@fws.gov.

Program Website Link

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 individuals and commercial entities, 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.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

mailto:mscf_africanelephant@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/service/african-elephant-conservation-grant-fund 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

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 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.”

Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity

Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1".

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

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

1. Project title: Provide a basic description of the project, including the location and country, in the title. If this is a continuation of an earlier funded proposal, use the same title and include the appropriate number to denote that this is a subsequent proposal.

Please note: This title will be the reference archived and communicated in all future documents.

2. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” Clearly identify the wildlife, habitat, or biodiversity targeted for conservation (including any existing estimates of population size, geographic range, or extent); a description of the direct threats that affect the targeted species at the project site; and the specific threats that the project will address. This section should describe how the proposed activities are expected to lead to desired conservation outcomes, such as the reduction of direct threats or improvement of the status of species and habitats.

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

It is important for applicants to show that conservation project proposals are based on the best available evidence. Applicants are encouraged to describe and cite the evidence base for the most important conservation activities within a proposal. For example, applicants should describe the existing evidence that suggests proposed activities will be effective, with a focus on activities that may have substantial or sensitive consequences or activities that are considered high risk by the project. To identify evidence for conservation activities, applicants are encouraged to search and cite the Conservation Evidence database (https://www.conservationevidence.com/). The evidence base may also include published or grey literature, previous personal experience, Indigenous and/or traditional knowledge, evidence review and synthesis libraries (e.g., CEEDER, Evidence for Nature and People Data Portal), or species assessments published under the Endangered Species

Act and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. If a proposed activity is considered sensitive or high risk but has little to no existing evidence base among these information sources, applicants are encouraged to discuss where new evidence is needed to understand effectiveness. Further guidance and examples are available in Parks et al.

(2022) Funding Evidence-Based Conservation and its supplementary materials.

If you have received funding previously from the Service for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, products, outcomes, and associated measurable conservation results. A table may be the most efficient way to convey this information: including columns for donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points of major activities, outcomes, products, and associated measurable conservation results. Projects with funding from any other government source or eligible for any other government source should add a section describing the activities supported and the added value of Service support. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other major donors. Former recipients of

Service support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

3. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities and Methods: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” State the long-term goals of what your project aims to achieve. Objectives are the specific steps that https://www.conservationevidence.com/ you will take to reach your stated goals. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) used to carry out each activity.

The following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1

Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1

Activity 3.2

Activity 3.3

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Project Timetable: This section should answer the question, “Over what period will project activities be implemented? Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period. For projects with a proposed period of performance >2 years, subsequent year activities

(e.g., years 3-5 for a 5-year project), can be grouped in the timetable by quarter.

5. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who is impacted by this project and how will they be incorporated into the project

(e.g., consultation mechanism, inclusion in governance system, outreach etc.)?” As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Please describe any previous work with these stakeholders and how working with them relates to the specific threats and target audiences. Where multiple groups are working in the same site or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will strengthen your proposal and may be requested by reviewers. If the project impacts changes in access to resources by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, letters of support or documentation of consultation may be requested by the reviewers.

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

The following table format is recommended:

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

7. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who will carry out the project, and what are their specific qualifications?”

Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities

Objective Indicator

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

Monitoring

Method

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

Current Status

(if known)

Desired Status and/or individuals. Where relevant, refer to any institutional codes of conduct or safeguarding policies the institution organization has in place to demonstrate capacity to implement the proposed project in accordance with relevant laws and best practices.

Based on the activities involved, reviewers may request additional information regarding institutional policies and codes of conduct that demonstrate such measures are in place. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. On the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Provide brief (1-page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, DO NOT include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics in the description of key personnel qualifications.

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

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

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

11. Government Letter of Endorsement: For projects implemented outside of the

United States, non-governmental applicants must include a recent letter of support (no older than two years) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. A current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the applicant and the government authority may be accepted as long as the

MOU references the proposed work. Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should be in English and make specific reference to the Service and the proposed work. If a support or endorsement letter is not in English, applicants must also provide an

English translation of the letter. Letters must be addressed to the US Fish and Wildlife

Service International Affairs or the Africa Branch. If the applicant itself is a government agency, the letter must be endorsed by someone other than those listed as key personnel.

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). In the SF-424A

“Contractual” category total, do not combine estimated subawards and contractual costs. Use the

“Contractual” category to reflect estimated contractual costs only. Enter estimated subaward costs in the SF-424A “Other” category. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Program

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424C Budget Information form for Construction

Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on

Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. 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. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

Budget Table

Applicants must include an itemized Budget Table following the table format below. If your

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

If the proposed project is a component of a larger program, identify leveraged funds and other resources available and/or needed to accomplish the desired objectives (leveraged funds are funds that run parallel to or outside of the proposed SERVICE project budget). Include the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources and the relevant activities they will contribute to. In addition, it is recommended that the Budget Narrative address the overall cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the proposal, including leveraging institutional or other resources.

The itemized budget should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 charge for lodging should include the formula for how the cost was calculated (e.g., Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x

$15/night = $3,300). For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time (e.g., 50% time on project).

For any salaries, staff time, or contractors for which Service funds are requested, the person should be identified, and their qualifications described in the Project Narrative (Description of

Entities Undertaking the Project). For any training, a description of the training should be included in the Methods section. For any meetings, a description of participants, a draft agenda, and desired outputs should be provided.

Expenses listed as “Miscellaneous” or “etc.” are unallowable. Unless conditions listed under 200.433 Contingency provisions are applicable, “contingencies” are unallowable.

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Expenses listed as “Other” must be clearly identified and described in the Budget

Narrative.

Applicants should be aware of and comply with the requirements of 200.216 Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.

Equipment: Equipment is defined as an item with a per-unit cost of $5,000 or more and a service life of more than one year. If the item meets these criteria, all federal procurement policies and procedures must be followed. If an item does not meet these criteria, it should be considered a supply and listed under cost category E. Justify any equipment purchase/rental in the budget narrative. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro forma invoice.

Supplies: List items separately using unit costs and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the award for photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies

(e.g., Telephone: $50/month x 50% = $25/month x 12 months).

Contractual:

1. Subawards: For each subaward, provide a detailed line-item breakdown explaining specific services in a separate tab in the Budget Table and Narrative. Subaward budgets should include the same level of detail for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs, and indirect costs required of the direct applicant. If indirect costs are charged on a subaward budget, include the subrecipient’s NICRA.

2. Consultant Fees: For example, lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for outside speakers or independent evaluators: list number of people and rates per day (e.g., 2 x $150/day x

2 days). Consultant/outside expert fees/honoraria should be consistent with the level of experience and based on a fair market value.

Go to https://www.fws.gov/media/budget-table-example-usfws-ia-notice-funding-opportunity to view a sample project budget table.

Every budget line included in the Budget Table should be explained in the Budget Narrative

Category/Budget Item Units Cost per

Unit

No. of

Units

Total USFWS Recipient

Personnel

Trainer month $xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $XXX

Project Director month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx

Project Coordinator month $ xxx xx $ xxx $ xxx

Personnel Subtotal $xxx $ xxx

Fringe Benefits https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1216 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1216 https://www.fws.gov/media/budget-table-example-usfws-ia-notice-funding-opportunity

% rate lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx $XXX

Fringe Benefits Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx

Travel

Vehicle day-use (with driver)

Day $ xxx xx $ xxx

Vehicle maintenance and repair lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Domestic Flights

(Coordination at Transit

Points)

Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Meals (4 day Training 30 ppl)

Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Accommodation (4 day

Training 20ppl)

Day $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Travel Subtotal

Equipment xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Equipment Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx

Supplies xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx Each $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Supplies Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx

Contractual xxx lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx month $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Contractual Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx

Other xxx lump $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx xxx month $ xxx xx $ xxx $xxx

Other Subtotal $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

TOTAL DIRECT

CHARGES

$ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

INDIRECT CHARGES $ xxx $ xxx $ xxx

GRAND TOTAL $xxx $xxx

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. Provide a separate description and total estimated costs for both contractual and subaward costs. 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. Please note the prohibitions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment in 2 CFR 200.216. The

Department of the Interior’s Unmanned Aircraft web page provides a list of approved unmanned aircraft and related equipment and software.

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 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.doi.gov/aviation/uas/fleet 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-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 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 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.

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 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

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 or…