Foa_Content_of_F24AS00445.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act

F24AS00445 Highlands Conservation Act - Competitive Grant Round Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00445

Due Date for Applications: 12/31/2024

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 Highlands Conservation Act, Pub. L. 108-421, 118 STAT. 2375, §2(2); and Emergency Wetlands Resources Act - National Wetlands Inventory, 16 U.S.C. §3901 and §§3931-3932

A2. Assistance Listing Number Assistance Listing Number 15.667 A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Highlands Conservation Act Program (HCA) is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the permanent protection of land and natural resources in the Highlands Region. HCA grants support land conservation projects in which a State, County, or Municipal entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to conserve resources of high conservation value.

Subject to availability of funds through Federal appropriation, Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region. Highland States may also request that the Service add Municipalities from within the identified Expanded Opportunity Area for the Highlands Landscape to the Highlands Region. For more information, contact the Lead State Agency listed in section C.1 below.

Funding appropriated under the HCA is typically divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for the Competitive Funding Round in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. A separate Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted for Base Funds. This year, a third Notice of Funding Opportunity is being piloted for land protection projects in under-resourced and under-served communities within the Highlands Region. A project may not be proposed for funding in multiple funding opportunities.

An online overview of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is scheduled for Friday, September 27 at 11:00 AM EST. Email the Service contact (Section G.1) to receive an invitation for the overview.

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

• The HCA program supports the goals set forth in the Biden Harris Administration's

America the Beautiful Initiative, including the conservation of 30 percent of America's lands and waters by the year 2030. Land conservation in the Highlands Region is increasing the climate change resiliency of the landscape and is protecting drinking water resources used by millions of people. The HCA grant program is connecting people with nature and the outdoors by creating new recreation areas in a region where one in nine Americans live or are within a two-hour drive. The HCA grant program is protecting strategically important natural areas that sustain a diversity of fish and wildlife species, including the Service's priority at-risk species.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $4,316,457

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $4,316,457 Minimum Award $25,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $1,000,000 Expected Award Date January 31, 2025

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments Additional Information on Eligibility

Only the Lead State Agency (or Agencies), as determined by the Governor of each Highlands State, may be the applicant for funding under the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program. If the Governor assigns multiple Lead Agencies, those Agencies must coordinate on funding requests prior to submission. All or part of the funds received by the Lead State Agency may be subawarded to a County or Municipality within the Highlands Region, or to another State Conservation Agency.

The current Lead State Agencies are:

• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Contact Matt Starr:

matthew.starr@ct.gov

• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Contact Lynn Kovach: lynn.kovach@parks.ny.gov

• New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. Contact Liz Ward:

elizabeth.ward@highlands.nj.gov

• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Contact Dan Pierce:

danipierce@pa.gov

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement A 50% non-Federal cost share is required

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, 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 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 Notice of Funding Opportunity contains all the information necessary to complete the application requirements. For questions contact the Program Technical Contact listed below in section G.1.

Program Website Link https://fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act

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 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 individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1". For instructions on completing the SF-424, please reference the Instructional Video: Completing the SF424.

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 In addition to the information requested in this section, applicants must also provide information in response to section E1 - Criteria.

The Project Statement, which is a narrative description of your project proposal, should specifically address eligibility of the project proposed for acquisition. To be eligible for Highlands Conservation Act Grant funding, the project must be either 1) in the Highlands Region as defined in the NY-NJ Highlands Regional Study: 2002 Update or the Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update, or 2) in a Municipality within the Highlands Expansion Opportunity Area that has been submitted by the Lead State Agency - with Municipal concurrence - and approved by the Service. A map showing this information can be accessed here: https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/c6fc33bde7d049728d47f67925c2ea5a

Areas eligible for funding will be within the black outlined “Current Eligibility Boundary for Federal Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program” boundary. The Applicants may request the GIS datalayer of the eligible area from the Service contact listed at the end of this document (Section G.1).

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZb5DyVcCk973cI_AVHushgcEmEMS6aUH https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/c6fc33bde7d049728d47f67925c2ea5a

The total Federal funding request cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.

The HCA Grant Program funds only land acquisition projects and associated administrative costs. The Lead State Conservation Agency (see section C.1) is the only entity eligible to apply for this grant. A State Conservation Agency, or a County or Municipality through a subaward agreement, may hold the interest in the land acquired. For conservation easements (CE), a State Agency may co-hold the CE with a County, Municipality, or a non-profit land conservation organization.

Use the following format for the Project Statement:

Need: Describe why the proposed land acquisition project is needed. Describe how the proposed land acquisition fulfills the purposes of the Highlands Conservation Act and meets the Department of the Interior priorities (see information in Section I: Description of Funding Opportunity).

Purpose: Explain what is to be accomplished during the period of the project pursuant to the stated need. The purpose should state the desired outcome of the proposed project in general terms.

Objective: Specify the type of interest and acres to be acquired. Specify the target acquisition date.

Expected Results or Benefits: As applicable, describe how the project will provide benefits in the following areas: wildlife habitat conservation, at-risk species protection, public recreation opportunities, forest and agricultural resource conservation, waterways and drinking water sources protection, and the conservation of other natural, recreational, and cultural resources.

Provide quantifiable or verifiable resource benefits when possible. If the property will be open to the public, list the allowed activities and describe how the property can be accessed. (Note:

public access is encouraged but not required).

Approach: Explain how the objective(s) will be attained. Include specific procedures, schedules, key cooperators, and respective roles. Describe any subaward relationships with Counties or Municipalities.

Location: Describe and show the project proposed for acquisition. Proposals must include at minimum an aerial map of the proposed properties and a map showing the location of proposed properties in relation to the Highlands Region boundary. Include the name of the Municipality and County, and the name of the Congressional District in which the property is located. If data layers or assistance with mapping is needed, the Service contact listed at the end of this document can provide additional assistance (Section G.1).

Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if and how they will be involved in conducting project activities.

Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and individuals. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee and manage the project activities.

In addition, please submit project information as it relates to the Project Criteria section E.1. 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).

SF-429 Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)” for each parcel of real property to be acquired, improved or furnished. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. The SF-429 forms are not available with this announcement on Grants.gov; they are available on the Grants.gov Post-Award Reporting Forms page. Please submit these completed forms as attachments to your application.

Alternatively, you may wait to submit the SF-429 form until the event you receive notification of a grant award and are provided more instructions from the Service at that time.

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. Include a complete description of each cost category. 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 proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If known at the time of application, include an estimated number of subawards and the dollar amount anticipated for each subaward. 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. Recipients may not earn, make, or keep any profit resulting from any financial assistance awards. These costs are not allowable and should not be included in any proposed costs.

Provide a breakdown of costs for acquiring the property. The breakdown must show the estimated costs of the acquisition, including itemized list of transaction costs and estimates, as well as the total Federal funding requested and the proposed match contribution.

Eligible costs include the acquisition cost of the fee or conservation easement, and certain typical land transaction costs, including: appraisal to Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition (UASFLA/Yellow Book), UASFLA review appraisal, survey, title report, baseline documentation report, staff time related to activities specific to the individual acquisition, https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms 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 environmental assessment, and closing costs. Appraisal and Appraisal Review must be completed to UASFLA standards.

A State may use up to five percent of a grant award to administer the land conservation partnership project funded by this award.

Pre-award eligible land transaction costs are allowed but are incurred at the applicant’s own risk as there is no guarantee those costs will be approved. Applicants must specify in the Budget Narrative if they are seeking approval for pre-award costs, which are costs incurred before the start date of a grant award.

Appraisals are not required to be submitted with grant proposals, but market value must be determined prior to the expenditure of funds if the project is funded. If a determination of market value that meets UASFLA Standards is not provided with the grant application and the market value is different than estimated, the Federal contribution may be modified in keeping with Federal regulations and requirements.

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 https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf 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.

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 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://www.fac.gov/ https://www.fac.gov/ https://www.fac.gov/ 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/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-mandatory-family https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html 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 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. 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 12/31/2024 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Project Abstract http://www.sam.gov

• Project Narrative

• Project Criteria (section E.1)

• Separate Budget Narrative (including Request for Pre-Agreement Costs if applicable)

• Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• Single Audit Reporting Statement

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

• Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-424C, Budget Information

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

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.

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 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/ https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/indirect-cost 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. We understand we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

All other organizations must include the applicable statement from this list and any related documentation in their application. Please note, an organization with a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may not elect to charge the 10% de minimis rate of Modified Total Direct Costs during the period covered by their current negotiated rate.

• We are an organization with a current negotiated indirect cost rate. In the event we receive an award, we will charge indirect costs per our current negotiated rate agreement.

Attached is a copy of our current rate agreement.

• We are an organization with a negotiated indirect cost rate that has expired. Attached is copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

• We are an organization that has never negotiated an indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our 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]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date. We understand we must provide the Service a copy of our approved rate agreement before charging indirect costs to the Federal award.

• We are an organization that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate. In the event an award is made, we 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 such time as we negotiate a different rate with our cognizant agency. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if during the award period we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs to the award. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

• We are an organization submitting a [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”] project proposal, which has an indirect cost rate cap of [insert rate; CRU is currently 15%; CESU is currently 17.5%]. In the event we receive an award, we understand that if we have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate agreement we must charge the capped indirect cost rate to the same base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand we must request prior approval from the awarding program to use the 2 CFR 200.1 Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) base instead of our approved base and that we must submit such requests with our application, including a calculation showing how use of the MTDC base results in an overall reduction in the total indirect costs recovered. If we do not have current negotiated (including provisional) rate, we understand we must charge the capped indirect cost rate against Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. If we have never negotiated a rate, we understand we must use the de minimis rate of 10% of MTDC.

• We are an organization that will charge all costs directly.

D7. Other Submission Requirements GrantSolutions Application Procedures The Service uses the GrantSolutions system to manage financial assistance applications and awards. Applicants must register in and conduct any subsequent award business with the Service in GrantSolutions. To apply, your organization and organization officials must be established in GrantSolutions. To register your organization in GrantSolutions, send an email to help@grantsolutions.gov. The following information must be included in your email and must match your organization’s SAM.gov entity record:

Subject: New Organization Request

• Organization/Individual Name

• Point of Contact first and last name, email, and phone number

• Organization Type

• SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (not required for individuals or Service-waived entities)

• Organization Employer Identification Number (Applicants that are INDIVIDUALS DO

NOT include your social security number)

• Address https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov

To establish organization official accounts and user role(s), complete a Recipient User Account Request Form for each official and email it to help@grantsolutions.gov. The GrantSolutions entity user roles are: Authorizing Official (ADO); Principal Investigator/Program Director (PI/PD); Support Specialist (GSS); Financial Officer (FO); and Financial Support Staff (FSS).

All roles can do the following: enter applications, amendments, and reports, view awards, and view and create notes. The ADO and the PI/PD roles can also submit applications, amendments, and reports. The FO role can also submit reports. At a minimum, registered organizations must assign someone to the ADO and PI/PD roles. For GrantSolutions registration, submission, and other assistance contact their Customer Support by telephone at 1-866-577-0771 or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov. To access GrantSolutions, users must establish a Login.gov account at https://login.gov/. For assistance, contact their customer support by telephone at (844) 875-6446 or submit a request for assistance online at https://login.gov/contact/.

To apply through GrantSolutions, log in to GrantSolutions. If this is your first application submission, click on the "Begin an application" link that appears on screen. If you have previously applied, click on the "Funding Opportunity" link in the blue header bar at the top of the screen. Either action should take you to the "Competing Announcements-Application Kits" list screen. To find this Funding Opportunity, search the list for the Funding Opportunity Number and Title provided on the first page of this document (also provided on the corresponding Grants.gov Grant Opportunity Synopsis screen). To start an application, click on the “Apply” link associated with the correct Funding Opportunity on the list. For more information on how to complete and submit an application, see the GrantSolutions Training Resources web page.

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria The following criteria will be used by the Merit Review Panel to determine eligibility of all proposed parcels.

Minimum Criteria for all parcels:

1. Parcel is either 1) in the Highlands Region as defined in the NY-NJ Highlands Regional Study: 2002 Update and the Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update, or 2) in a Municipality within the Highlands Expansion Opportunity Area that has been submitted by the Lead State Agency - with Municipal concurrence - and approved by the Service. A map showing this information can be accessed here:

https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/c6fc33bde7d049728d47f67925c2ea5a.

Areas eligible for funding will be within the black outlined “Current Eligibility Boundary for Federal Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program” boundary. If spatial data to determine parcel eligibility are needed, the Service contact provided at the end of this document can provide those data (Section G.1).

2. 1:1 cost share.

The Merit Review Panel will score Competitive Grant proposals based on the criteria listed below. A maximum of 100 points is available.

mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov.

mailto:help@grantsolutions.gov.

https://login.gov/contact/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/

New resource maps for Forest, Water, Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Recreation resource categories are incorporated into the scoring criteria. Those maps can be accessed here:

https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/c6fc33bde7d049728d47f67925c2ea5a.

A narrative section for each of the resource categories also contributes points. For most criteria, a total of 15 points are available, where the map accounts for 10 points and the narrative accounts for 5 points. The Cultural Resource category is scored entirely from a narrative as there is no accompanying maps for that resource category. The Biodiversity Resource category has a total of 15 points.

1. Biodiversity Resource Category

Total 25 points. 15 points from the HCA Biodiversity Resource Map and 10 points from Narrative.

Map Scoring component – maximum 15 points.

Map description: The Biodiversity Resource Map prioritizes areas in the Highlands using Northeast Region Conservation Design Areas of Agreement layer, a combination of four existing biodiversity prioritization tools: 1) Nature’s Network Landscape Conservation Design (developed by USFWS and partners) which depicts an interconnected network of lands and waters that, if protected, will support a diversity of fish, wildlife, and natural resources. It includes terrestrial and wetland habitat cores, imperiled species cores, aquatic habitat cores, and terrestrial core to core connectors, 2) Map of Biodiversity Importance (developed by NatureServe), which includes models for 2,216 at-risk species in the contiguous United States in conjunction with protected areas boundaries and prioritizes areas of high importance for conserving vertebrates, freshwater invertebrates, pollinators, and plants, 3) The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Resilient and Connected Network, which represents co-occurrence between resilient sites, areas high climatic flow, and areas of recognized biodiversity, (i.e., rare species populations, exemplary natural communities, or intact habitats as identified by TNC’s ecoregional portfolios, State Wildlife Plans’ conservation opportunity areas, and Natural Heritage Program’s high-quality occurrences of highly ranked biodiversity elements), and 4) ESRI Green infrastructure, which models Intact Habitat Cores at least 100 acres in size and greater than 200 meters wide.

Projects will receive points based on the maximum value in the parcel on the Biodiversity Resource Map. If the parcel has a maximum Biodiversity Resource value of:

• 4, then the parcel will receive 15 points

• 3, then the parcel will receive 12 points

• 2, then the parcel will receive 9 points

• 1, then the parcel will receive 6 points

• Projects that do not have any mapped areas for this value receive 0 points in the map scoring component of this category.

Narrative Scoring Component – maximum 10 points. Projects will receive points here if:

• The project will benefit Federally Threatened or Endangered Species or Species of Greatest Conservation Need (please list which species and how they will benefit) (up to 3 points).

https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/c6fc33bde7d049728d47f67925c2ea5a https://northeast-sa-fws.hub.arcgis.com/pages/55ce408b5fb9414f877d9c3d022e5db5 https://www.natureserve.org/map-biodiversity-importance https://www.maps.tnc.org/resilientland/ https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=b404b86a079a48049cb50272df23267a#overview

• The habitat is considered a priority in the State Wildlife Action Plan (up to 3 points).

• Beyond the map, describe how this project conserves important biodiversity resources and creates wildlife corridors or interconnected habitats (up to 4 points).

2. Water Resource Category

Total 15 points. 10 points from the HCA Water Resource Map and 5 points from Narrative.

Map Scoring component – maximum 10 points.

Map description: The Water Resource Map identifies areas that are important for drinking water protection. Areas of the landscape that overlay important drinking water aquifers or contain surface water wetlands, rivers, or streams, or 330 ft buffers around surface water are scored as higher priority.

Projects will receive points based on the maximum value in the parcel on the Water Resource Map. If the parcel has a maximum Water Resource value of:

• 6, then the parcel will receive 10 points

• 5, then the parcel will receive 8 points

• 4, then the parcel will receive 6 points

• 3, then the parcel will receive 4 points

• 2, then the parcel will receive 2 points

• 1, then the parcel will receive 1 point

• Projects that do not have any mapped areas for this value receive 0 points in the map scoring component of this category.

Narrative Scoring Component – maximum 5 points.

• Beyond the map, describe how this project conserves important water resources. Note if the water resources on the property designated as important by federal, state, or local authorities. (Up to 2 points).

• Describe if the likely future management of the land will include a buffer zone around the waterway(s) or other edge-of-field/in-field best practices as part of certain agricultural or forestry activities designed to protect water,…