Foa_Content_of_F24AS00158_Marine Turtles.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - International Conservation https://www.fws.gov/marine-turtle-conservation-fund

Marine Turtle Conservation Fund Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00158

Due Date for Applications: 03/18/2024

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 Marine Turtle Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §6601 et seq.), as amended by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-9, section 7001)

A2. Assistance Listing Number 15.645 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 on this mission through its financial and technical assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

In response to the alarming decline of marine turtle populations worldwide and serious threats to their long-term survival, the U.S. Government enacted the Marine Turtle Conservation Act (MTCA) of 2004, and subsequently amended. The purpose of the MTCA is to assist in the conservation of marine turtles and their nesting habitats in foreign countries and U.S. territories by supporting projects that conserve marine turtles in their habitats, conserve their nesting habitats, and address other threats to the survival of marine turtles.

The goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Marine Turtle Conservation Program is to recover and sustain viable populations of marine turtles in the wild by reducing threats to these marine turtles in their natural habitat. We do this through financial and technical assistance to support evidence-based, quantifiable interventions with regular evaluations that shape our conservation strategy to carry out the purpose of the MTCA.

Our strategy encompasses the following key objectives to meet our goal:

• Marine Turtle Conservation on Nesting Beaches: Conserving marine turtles in their nesting habitats (including undisturbed nesting turtles, in-situ nests and hatchlings reaching the surf unobstructed) through collaborative, measurable actions to reduce threats from coastal development including artificial lighting and other human-induced disturbances, while promoting responsible beach use and coastal resiliency.

• Reducing Exploitation: Supporting community-driven initiatives to curb poaching by developing alternative livelihoods, co-developed with local stakeholders, and launching behavior change outreach programs based on social science concepts.

• Combating Trafficking: Strengthening legal protections for marine turtles by collaborating with governmental and regional entities and building partnerships that focus on sharing intelligence in a timely and coordinated manner to identify and address gaps in law enforcement capacity and judicial processes. Additionally, implementing outreach programs to reduce the demand for marine turtles.

• Implementing Marine Turtle Bycatch Reduction: Building collaborative, implementable solutions with stakeholders to reduce marine turtle bycatch in fisheries (both interaction and mortality), through modifying fishing gear and practices guided by bycatch reduction assessments, local ecological knowledge, and active engagement with fishing communities.

Competitive projects will work to support the Service's key objectives and enhance long-term conservation capacity for marine turtle populations. We broadly define capacity to include: 1) the capacity of habitat to sustain marine turtle populations through threat reduction, nesting beach protection and coastal resilience strategies, and 2) the capacity of individuals and institutions at local and national levels to champion the conservation of marine turtles in those countries and regions.

We prioritize the following actions to bolster long-term marine turtle conservation capacity within the broader Service program goal:

• Cultivate enduring conservation capacity and engagement among local and indigenous communities, local and national non-governmental organizations, government bodies, and other pertinent stakeholders.

• Support the growth of local conservation initiatives that promotes opportunities to build skills of interdisciplinary practitioners relevant to marine turtle conservation.

• Implement structured knowledge exchange programs between communities, governments, regional and international entities that include effective techniques to reduce critical threats to the survival of marine turtles in their habitats and promote nesting beach resiliency.

• Develop and implement community-led action plans that prioritize sustained threat reduction, with consistent monitoring to identify and alert relevant entities for more urgent or expanded attention if increased threats are identified.

Proposals should demonstrate how project activities directly address one or more of the key objectives and actions, including specific monitoring and evaluation plans with identified metrics.

For this Notice of Funding Opportunity, while all projects that work to implement the Service's goal is eligible for funding, marine turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean including Southeast Asia (as listed below) will be prioritized.

Loggerhead turtles: North Pacific and South Pacific populations

Green turtles: Central South Pacific and Central West Pacific populations

Hawksbill turtles: Populations in the Pacific including Southeast Asia

Leatherback turtles: Populations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia

Olive Ridley turtles: Populations in Southeast Asia

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals The goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Marine Turtle Conservation Program is to recover and sustain viable populations of marine turtles in the wild by reducing threats to these marine turtles in their natural habitat. We do this through financial and technical assistance to support evidence-based interventions and regular evaluations that shape our conservation strategy to carry out the purpose of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act (MCTA).

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $2,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $500,000 Minimum Award $150,000 Projects should have a period of performance of three years (36 months) and should not exceed $500,000 over a three-year period.

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding Expected Award Date July 01, 2024

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards A total of ten awards are anticipated depending on availability of funds. Awards should be three years (36 months) in duration. The minimum for any single award is $150,000 and the maximum is $500,000 over a three-year period.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant CA - Cooperative Agreement Under cooperative agreements, the Service will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following:

The Service’s Marine Turtle Conservation Program has built a portfolio of projects and partners that are developing new and innovative tools to respond to emerging pressures. The Service’s technical experts may work with the project staff to implement a tailored program to align the project with our objectives to increase community engagement within the project and to sustainably reduce marine turtle threats in their habitats. This may include consultation and connecting with the Service’s partners experienced in the focused threat reduction field and facilitated information exchanges to share proven threat reduction.

As part of its role in a cooperative agreement, the Service may coordinate specific technical input, tools and expertise being developed in interrelated projects receiving Service support to maximize conservation impact across the region, contingent on available financial and staff resources. This may include, but is not limited to, implementing methods addressing coastal development including artificial lighting, predation, bycatch, poaching, and marine turtle trafficking. In addition, the Service will engage, as appropriate, the governments, as well as the donor community, to advance marine turtle conservation. The Service will foster partnerships and identify areas of collaboration to connect Service grantees with technical experts in behavior change, bycatch reduction strategies, ecosystem-sound predation control, responsible beach use initiatives, and artificial lighting reduction within the Service and our partners. Substantial involvement does NOT include routine monitoring or approval of workplans.

To submit a proposal for consideration as a cooperative agreement, provide a justification statement in the project proposal as to the type and duration of assistance requested by the Service and a rationale for why substantial involvement of the Service is needed to fulfill the project objectives.

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 individuals, multinational secretariats, foreign national and local government agencies, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, for-profit organizations, community and Indigenous organizations, U.S. and foreign public and private institutions of higher education, and U.S. territorial governments.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Cost sharing is the portion of program costs not borne by the Service. Under this program, cost share is not required but may be committed voluntarily. Voluntary Committed Cost Share (See 2 CFR 200.1) is not an eligibility factor, and contributions will not result in a more favorable https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_11 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_11 competitive ranking. Cost share should be necessary and reasonable to accomplish project objectives, and allowable in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E—Cost Principles.

Applicants may consider all types of cost sharing, including in-kind and public-private partnerships. Examples include the use of office space owned by other entities; donated or borrowed supplies and equipment; (non-federal) sponsored travel costs; waived indirect costs;

and program activities, translations, or consultations conducted by qualified volunteers. Assign a monetary value in U.S. dollars to each in-kind contribution. The values of offered cost-share should be included in the detailed budget and explanations of contributions should be included in the Budget Narrative whether cash or in-kind.

If the proposed project is a component of a larger program, identify other funding sources and the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources. In addition, it is recommended that the Budget Narrative address the overall cost-effectiveness of the proposal, including leveraging institutional or other resources.

Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as cost share, but contributions should be noted and explained in detail in the Budget Narrative.

If cost share is included in the budget, written records must be maintained to support all allowable costs that are claimed as its contribution to cost share, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit.

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.

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.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#sp2.1.200.e 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

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_marineturtle@fws.gov.

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/marine-turtle-conservation-fund

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.

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 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 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 Please note: Project narratives should be fifteen pages or less. Pages should be numbered. Project summary, figures, tables, maps, curriculum vitae, and required standard forms do not count toward the fifteen-page limit, and applicants are encouraged to utilize appendices as appropriate.

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 marine turtle population, habitat, or ecosystem targeted for conservation (including any existing estimates of population size or nesting trends, and if available, known areas of nesting, foraging, migration for that population);

• a description of the direct threats that affect the targeted population 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 marine turtles in their 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 specific examples of reducing threats to marine turtles in their habitats. The evidence base may 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, list the award number and provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, products, outcomes, and associated measurable conservation results. Please note how the proposal will progress the Service's objectives and actions building from previously funded actions. 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 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:

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

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

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

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

5. 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.

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?” Identify specific indicators for each objective and action and include a detailed 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 or metrics for measuring (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 the identified threat and status or response of the target species, local capacity engagement in marine turtle conservation, and human behavior to directly influence threat reduction. 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:

Objective/Action Indicator

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

Monitoring Method (metrics)

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

Current Status

(if known) Desired Status

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 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 International Marine Turtle Conservation Program.

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).

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.

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

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 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 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 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 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 or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register 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 as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 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. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). Entities already registered in SAM.gov should review their registration to confirm that they are registered as a financial assistance recipient, which requires completion of the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations”. See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

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 03/18/2024 Application Due Date Explanation Applications must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions by 11:59 PM ET on March 18, 2024. Applications must be submitted in English. Late applications will not be accepted. A confirmation email containing an assigned application number beginning with “FWS-” will be sent to applicants upon submission. If you do not receive this email within five days of the opportunity closing date, contact mscf_marineturtle@fws.gov. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION MORE THAN ONCE. Duplicate applications will be discarded.

Please see more information about submission requirements in section D7. Other Submission Requirements. Applicants must have an active registration in SAM to apply.

D5. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. The State Single Point of Contact list is available on the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website.

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://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/

D6. Funding Restrictions Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior (DOI) is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the IBC by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted by Organization:

U.S. state or local government entities receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding must include the following statement in their application and attach a copy of their most recently negotiated rate agreement:

• We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. Attached is a copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement/certification.

U.S. state or local government entities receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding must include the applicable statement from this list:

• We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award].

• We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We have not prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR §200, Appendix VII and elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until we choose to establish a rate per 2 CFR §200.