Foa_Content_of_F25AS00218 Final.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Funding Opportunity

F25AS00218 Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants to the Great Lakes States and Tribes - Fiscal Year 2025 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Funding Opportunity Number

F25AS00218

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: F25AS00218

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.662

Estimated Total Program Funding: $923,809

Expected Number of Awards: 6

Award Ceiling: $923,809

Award Floor: $50,000

Proposals should not exceed the estimated award ceiling. Proposals for larger amounts are difficult to review/rank alongside those within the award ceiling.

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date Explanation

• All pre-proposals (including Project Narrative, Budget Narrative) must be received no later than 23:59 pm Eastern Standard Time 60 days after this NOFO is posted to grants.gov.

• All pre-proposals will be submitted via email to: fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov.

• Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be notified via email of approved funding amounts.

• Full proposals are due within 60 days of email notification of funding level (by 23:59 pm

Eastern Standard Time). If grant request will be combined with Interjurisdictional AIS Grant (solicited under separate NOFO), then full proposal will be due 60 days after notice of both Interjurisdictional AIS Grant opportunity funding level and this NOFO funding level. Applicants must submit full proposal applications, for the approved funding amounts, via GrantSolutions.

Closing Date Explanation

• All pre-proposals (including Project Narrative, Budget Narrative) must be received no later than 23:59 pm Eastern Standard Time 60 days after this NOFO is posted to grants.gov.

• All pre-proposals will be submitted via email to: fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov.

• Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be notified via email of approved funding amounts.

• Full proposals are due within 60 days of email notification of funding level (by 23:59 pm

Eastern Standard Time). If grant request will be combined with Interjurisdictional AIS Grant (solicited under separate NOFO), then full proposal will be due 60 days after notice of both Interjurisdictional AIS Grant opportunity funding level and this NOFO funding level. Applicants must submit full proposal applications, for the approved funding amounts, via GrantSolutions.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100

Have Questions?

Nathan Evans nathan_evans@fws.gov 612-286-4212

Executive Summary Using appropriations to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) anticipates providing grants to support implementation of https://www.fws.gov/media/required-notices-and-burden-statement-omb-control-no-1018-0100 mailto:nathan_evans@fws.gov interjurisdictional projects that cut across state and tribal Great Lakes Interstate Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans (AIS Plans). Grants will be awarded based on a competitive process for which only Great Lakes states and tribes (or their designee) are eligible. Funding will be prioritized towards target action-oriented projects that focus on pathway intervention, detection activities, and active prevention.

Proposed work must either be within the Great Lakes Basin or near enough to the basin that it contributes substantially to the prevention and/or control of AIS in the Great Lakes basin.

Activities such as outreach, boat ramp inspections, and/or law enforcement are often done outside the basin but make substantial contributions when work is done in areas where people are likely to transit (and thereby potentially transfer AIS) into the Great Lakes basin. Early detection, rapid response, and/or control efforts outside the basin must address:

• Species with a substantial potential for interbasin transfer (e.g., hydrilla in a waterbody near the Great Lakes basin that receives heavy boat use).

• Species of significant concern to the Great Lakes community within a Great Lakes state.

• Activities where the primary motivation is the prevent transfer of AIS into the Great Lakes basin.

In the end, we are pursuing and funding whatever actions have the greatest benefit to the Great Lakes Basin.

INVASIVE CARP WORK IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION IF IT HAS BEEN

INITIALLY SUBMITTED AND VETTED THROUGH THE ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT

AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE INVASIVE CARP REGIONAL COORDINATING

COMMITTEE'S (ICRCC) INVASIVE CARP ACTION PLAN. Invasive carp work funded and implemented through the Action Plan is coordinated through the ICRCC. The ICRCC develops an annual work plan that is largely supported through a separate source of GLRI funding and which undergoes a separate review process that includes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approval.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility”

Additional Information on Eligibility We are seeking one application from a state and tribal natural resource agency in the Great Lakes Basin. However, that agency may designate an entity (of any type) to apply for the award on their behalf.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTSOLUTIONS

This program accepts application through GrantSolutions.gov. You must register with GrantSolutions. See Submission Instructions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• Fund action-oriented, pathway intervention, detection activities, and active prevention interjurisdictional AIS projects that reduces threats and/or impacts to the Great Lakes Basin.

Program Description Using appropriations to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) anticipates providing grants to support implementation of interjurisdictional projects that cut across state and tribal Great Lakes Interstate Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans (AIS Plans). Grants will be awarded based on a competitive process for which only Great Lakes states and tribes (or their designee) are eligible. Funding will be prioritized towards target action-oriented projects that focus on pathway intervention, detection activities, and active prevention.

Proposed work must either be within the Great Lakes Basin or near enough to the basin that it contributes substantially to the prevention and/or control of AIS in the Great Lakes basin.

Activities such as outreach, boat ramp inspections, and/or law enforcement are often done outside the basin but make substantial contributions when work is done in areas where people https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help are likely to transit (and thereby potentially transfer AIS) into the Great Lakes basin. Early detection, rapid response, and/or control efforts outside the basin must address:

• Species with a substantial potential for interbasin transfer (e.g., hydrilla in a waterbody near the Great Lakes basin that receives heavy boat use).

• Species of significant concern to the Great Lakes community within a Great Lakes state.

• Activities where the primary motivation is the prevent transfer of AIS into the Great Lakes basin.

In the end, we are pursuing and funding whatever actions have the greatest benefit to the Great Lakes Basin.

INVASIVE CARP WORK IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION IF IT HAS BEEN

INITIALLY SUBMITTED AND VETTED THROUGH THE ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT

AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE INVASIVE CARP REGIONAL COORDINATING

COMMITTEE'S (ICRCC) INVASIVE CARP ACTION PLAN. Invasive carp work funded and implemented through the Action Plan is coordinated through the ICRCC. The ICRCC develops an annual work plan that is largely supported through a separate source of GLRI funding and which undergoes a separate review process that includes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approval.

Not applicable.

Legislative Authority Federal Water Pollution Control Act—Great Lakes (33 U.S.C. §1268)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through:

Funding Instrument CA (Cooperative Agreement) G (Grant) Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

For cooperative agreements, the substantial involvement by the Service will be unique to the project proposed, given the potential breadth of possible AIS projects that could be proposed.

Anyone applying for a cooperative agreement must have worked directly with the Service office/entity that will be cooperating on the project to ensure substantial involvement by the Service has been clearly identified and is acceptable to the providing office/entity

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format Pre-Application Requirements

• Pre-proposal: Pre-proposals are acceptable application submissions for the project ranking phase and must contain the information described in the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative below. Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be contacted via email and required to submit full proposals described below. Pre-proposals should be submitted via email to fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov.

Full Proposals: Once funding levels are established, applicants will be notified of approved funding amounts via email and must then submit each of the application materials listed below via GrantSolutions. Entities involved have the option to include their components of an interjurisdictional project(s) as tasks included in individual state or tribal proposals for GLRI AIS grants (under separate NOFO). Any interjurisdictional tasks that are added must be clearly and distinctly separate from tasks under the individual state/tribal proposal so the task and cost can be easily tracked back to the interjurisdictional NOFO for accountability purposes and to help address any appearance of overlap/duplication. Alternatively, a state, tribe, or their designee could submit a single full proposal on behalf of the group of states and tribes involved to cover all project tasks. In either case, a full proposal will include all of the following:

o Project title o Description of entity undertaking project o Project justification that addresses: the specific concern, problem, or issue to be addressed or opportunity to be leveraged; the consequences of not addressing the need; and how the proposed project aligns with the Service program’s goals;

o Goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound, and any milestones that must be reached to achieve objectives;

o Activities, including estimated cost for each major project activity and details for each who is carrying out the activity, what is involved, how will it be carried out (method), and when and where the activity will be carried out;

o Timetable that breaks out each work activity on a quarterly (or monthly) basis so that it is clear when activities/sub-activities will be completed throughout the life of the grant. This timetable breakdown will also aid in identifying any potential overlap with existing grants of a similar nature;

o Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. This includes sufficient project detail to assess potential effects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act, potential environmental effects under NEPA, and to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Additional documentation to complete these requirements is very helpful and varies some across USFWS regions, so reach out to the grant contact who will receive your final application package to determine the most useful documentation to provide [these additional documents do not count toward the 25 page limit for Project Narrative];

o Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, or other means to assess project success;

o Qualifications of key agencies and/or project personnel; and o Details on the project location.

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects

SF-424C: Budget Information – Construction Programs Required for construction projects

SF-429 (Cover Page & Attachment B), Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Note: The SF-429 forms are only available in the Grants.gov Forms Repository. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required if requesting to acquire, improve, or furnish real property.

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

Project Narrative

Project Applications are rated using the criteria in the Application Review Information section later in this document. Be sure Project Narrative or other application materials include information that allows for an accurate assessment using all of those criteria (Applicants are https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html encouraged to include, but not required to include, a self-rating as part of Project Narrative).

Project Narratives may be NO MORE THAN 25 pages and based on past submissions are often far less. They include:

• Project title;

• Description of entity undertaking project

• Project justification that addresses: the specific concern, problem, or issue to be addressed or opportunity to be leveraged; the consequences of not addressing the need;

and how the proposed project aligns with the Service program’s goals of pathway intervention, detection activities, and active prevention.

• Goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound, and any milestones that must be reached to achieve objectives;

• Activities, including estimated cost for each major project activity and details for each who is carrying out the activity, what is involved, how will it be carried out (method), and when and where the activity will be carried out;

• Timetable that breaks out each work activity on a quarterly (or monthly) basis so that it is clear when activities/sub-activities will be completed throughout the life of the grant.

This timetable breakdown will also aid in identifying any potential overlap with existing grants of a similar nature;

• Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. This includes sufficient project detail to assess potential effects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act, potential environmental effects under NEPA, and to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Additional documentation to complete these requirements is very helpful and varies some across USFWS regions, so reach out to the grant contact who will receive your final application package to determine the most useful documentation to provide [these additional documents do not count toward the 25 page limit for Project Narrative];

• Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, or other means to assess project success;

• Qualifications of key agencies and/or project personnel; and

• Details on the project location.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Other Required Information

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112.

Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package All pre-proposals will be submitted via email to: fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov

Following notification of funding amount: Full proposals will be submitted via GrantSolutions

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 12/31/2025

Closing Date Explanation

• All pre-proposals (including Project Narrative, Budget Narrative) must be received no later than 23:59 pm Eastern Standard Time 60 days after this NOFO is posted to grants.gov.

• All pre-proposals will be submitted via email to: fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov.

• Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be notified via email of approved funding amounts.

• Full proposals are due within 60 days of email notification of funding level (by 23:59 pm

Eastern Standard Time). If grant request will be combined with Interjurisdictional AIS Grant (solicited under separate NOFO), then full proposal will be due 60 days after notice https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 mailto:fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov of both Interjurisdictional AIS Grant opportunity funding level and this NOFO funding level. Applicants must submit full proposal applications, for the approved funding amounts, via GrantSolutions.

Submission Instructions Apply Through GrantSolutions To apply through GrantSolutions, follow these steps:

1. Register your organization. Send an e-mail to help@grantsolutions.gov with:

• Subject: New Organization Request

• Entity name (organization or individual applying as a natural person)

• Entity type

• SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (not required for individuals)

• Employer Identification Number (individuals, do not include your SSN)

• Address

• Contact details (First and last name, e-mail, phone)

This information should be the same as entered on the entity’s SAM.gov profile.

2. Assign system user roles. Follow the GrantSolutions “Recipient user” registration instructions. Submit a separate Recipient User Account Request form for each official to be assigned a system role. At minimum, the Authorizing Official (ADO) and Principal Investigator/Program Director (PI/PD) must be assigned.

3. Log in. GrantSolutions requires users to log in through Login.gov. Each user must create a Login.gov account. For instructions, see the GrantSolutions Training Resources web page.

4. Find and apply to this Funding Opportunity. After logging in, click on either the “Begin an application” link (first time applicants) or the “Funding Opportunity” link to go to the “Competing Announcements-Application Kits” list screen. Search the list for this Funding Opportunity’s title and number. Click on the associated “Apply” link.

Follow the prompts from there. Required applications forms are provided with the Funding Opportunity in GrantSolutions unless otherwise indicated on the Required Forms table above.

5. For detailed instructions, see the GrantSolutions Training Resources web page.

6. Need help? Find help topics and contact information on the GrantSolutions Contact Us page.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

For funding eligibility, pre-proposals must be received no later than 23:59 Eastern Standard Time 60 days after this NOFO is posted to grants.gov by email. Late pre-proposals will not be accepted. Following review and ranking of the pre-proposal, by a merit review panel consisting https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://login.gov/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/contact-us/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/contact-us/ of USFWS AIS biologists, applicants will be notified via email of funding eligibility and provided a deadline for submission of full applications within GrantSolutions. Late applications will not be accepted. Timing of applicant notification is dependent on GLRI funding.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review

a. What is the level of project support among Great Lakes states and tribes? [Note: this criterion will be used as a primary factor in determining which projects will be funded.]

i. Low: supported by multiple states and/or tribes, but at lower than a medium rating, as evidenced by letters of support.

ii. Medium: supported by 4-5 states and 1 or more tribes as evidenced by letters of support.

iii. High: supported by 6-8 states and 2 or more tribes as evidenced by letters of support.

iv. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) address vectors for AIS infiltration (i.e., prevention) into the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress or vector of minor importance.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a vector of moderate importance.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a vector of major importance.

v. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve early detection efforts in key areas in the Great Lakes (key areas in Great Lakes proper in Appendix A; key areas in Great Lakes watershed based on a scientifically defensible state/tribal prioritization scheme as described in your proposal)?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

vi. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve rapid response efforts (i.e., in the water actions to eliminate https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 an AIS that IS NOT widely established in the Great Lakes, from a new location) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

vii. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve containment efforts (e.g., blocking movement with barrier or commercial harvest; DOES NOT INCLUDE other activities that are more appropriately captured under prevention, rapid response, or control criteria) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

viii. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) reduce the abundance of established AIS (i.e., in the water actions to eliminate an AIS that IS widely established in the Great Lakes, from a new location) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

ix. To what degree does the proposal promote long-term societal, economic, and environmental sustainability goals?

i. Low: project benefits are likely to be short lived and are not necessary steps that will lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

ii. Medium: project benefits are likely to last for 5-10 years or may lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

iii. High: project benefits are likely to persist for decades or are necessary steps that will lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

x. To what degree is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, based on a sound rationale, and based on sound science?

i. Low: steps in the proposed activities are disjointed or don’t appear entirely likely to achieve the desired results.

ii. Medium: generally sound approach but with some reservation.

iii. High: steps in the proposed activities are very well reasoned, sequenced well, and are based on solid principles of science.

xi. To what degree does the project incorporate a mechanism to assess success?

i. Low: none identified other than possibly quantifying numbers of actions completed.

ii. Medium: moderate level of assessment with perhaps some elements done reasonably well and others with low level of assessment.

iii. High: thorough, well-designed assessment procedures identified that measure the beneficial “outcome” of the activities and not just reporting the “output” of the activities.

xii. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?

i. Low: difficult to ascertain or little indication of relevant qualifications.

ii. Medium: generally appears to have basic qualifications (e.g., work to be completed by state/tribal natural resource agency), but no specific qualifications provided.

iii. High: qualifications of key staff included in proposal and generally indicates skilled individuals with substantial relevant expertise either thru education, experience, or both.

xiii. What is the applicant’s rate of expenditure for similar FY 2020 grant awards? [Review Team Lead will provide expenditure rate and rating based on FBMS review around time when NOFO is posted.]

i. NA

ii. Low: <30%.

iii. Medium: 30-50%.

iv. High: >50%.

xiv. How quickly will major elements of the project be substantially underway (does not include hiring staff, purchasing equipment, writing contracts/agreements)?

i. Low: after next fiscal year.

ii. Medium: within second half of next fiscal year.

iii. High: in first half of next fiscal year.

Appendix A

State Location Fish Plant Invert IL Chicago/Chicago River Mouth 1 1 4 IL Chicago-Calumet Port 9

IL Evanston/North Shore Channel Mouth 11 15 23

IN Buffington and Indiana Harbor Ports 24

IN Calumet River Mouth/Lake Michigan 8 11 16

IN East Chicago/Indiana Harbor Canal 10 14 22

IN Portage/Portage-Burns Waterway 4 6 7

MI Alpena/Thunder Bay River Mouth 13

MI Benton Harbor/St. Joseph River Mouth 9 9

MI Detroit River/Rouge River Mouth 18

MI Detroit/Detroit River 6 MI Detroit/Detroit River 20

MI Grand Haven/Grand River Mouth 14 19

MI Grosse Pointe Shores/Lake St.

Claire 21 10 20

MI Lake St. Clair/Clinton River Mouth 23 12

MI Lakeside/Lake St. Clair 18 16 MI Marquette/Dead River Mouth 25 5 MI Rogers City/Calcite 17

MI Saginaw Bay/Saginaw River Mouth 6 5 14

MN Duluth/St. Louis River Mouth 15 1 MN Two Harbors 18 NY Buffalo/Niagara River 5 8 11 NY Oswego/Oswego River Mouth 3 4 10

NY Rochester/Genesee River Mouth 12 17 25

OH Ashtabula/Ashtabula River Mouth 19

OH Cleveland/Cuyahoga River Mouth 7 13 3

OH Fairport Harbor/Grand River Mouth 22 21

OH Lorain/Black River Mouth 24 25 OH Sandusky/Sandusky Bay 17 7 8 OH Toledo/Maumee River Mouth 2 2 2 OH Toussaint River Mouth 24

OH West Harbor/Marblehead/Lake Erie 16 3 15

PA Erie/Presque Isle Bay 23 WI Green Bay/Fox River Mouth 13 20 21

WI Milwaukee/Kinnickinnic River Mouth 9 22 12

Review and Selection Process This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

If funding requests are less than available funding, then all projects will be funded as requested (up to the award ceiling) after each proposal is reviewed by the review team lead only to identify/address any technical concerns. In this case, the review team lead will keep the merit review criteria in mind while reviewing the proposal to ensure it is in line with merit review criteria, but proposals will not be formally rated any further.

If funding requests exceed available funding, the review team lead will use only the first merit review criterion (i.e., level of state and tribal support) to determine initial rankings for proposals. All high-ranking projects based on that criterion will be recommended for funding, followed by medium rated projects, and then low rated projects, until funding is fully allocated.

The remaining merit review criteria will be kept in mind by the review team lead while reviewing all proposals to ensure they are in line with merit review criteria, but proposals will not be formally rated any further.

If the review using the first criterion only is not sufficient to rank proposals (e.g., the ranking results in more “high” rated proposals then available funding can support), then the full review team will utilize all criteria to break ties as needed within high, medium, and low-ranking groups to identify which projects to recommend for funding.

If during the merit review process, duplicate or otherwise unnecessary work is identified in a proposal, we will request that such a proposal be scaled back to address the situation.

The highest-ranking project will be fully funded, as will all other lower scoring projects (in descending order), until all project funds are allocated. If insufficient funds are available to fund the next highest-ranking project, an offer will be made to the applicants of that project to reduce the scope of work to fit the available funding. If that is not possible, then a similar offer will be made to the next highest-ranking project. If after two offers the review team lead determines there is little likelihood of funding any other interjurisdictional projects, a recommendation will be made to the Midwest Fisheries Program ARD that any remaining funds be utilized to fund shortfalls in individual state and tribal AIS grant applications for GLRI funds that will be offered under a separate NOFO.

Risk Review Prior to making an award, the program assesses the risk posed by the applicant per 2 CFR

200.206. If an award will be made, the program may apply special conditions corresponding to the risk assessed. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the program reviews eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant’s SAM.gov records per 2 CFR 200.206(a). The program also assesses financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. If the program allows pre-award costs per 2 CFR 200.458, beginning performance before receiving a Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Anticipated Project Start Date: 10/01/2025

Anticipated Project End Date: 09/30/2027

We anticipate making all awards under this opportunity by the end of the Current Calendar Year.

Notice of awards will be made electronically.

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI General Terms and Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

See the FWS General Award Terms and Conditions for national policy requirements for FWS awards. Special terms and conditions will be detailed in award notices.

Reporting The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.206(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.211 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.458 https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/financial-assistance-general-award-terms-and-conditions https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2 CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).

Semi-Annual and Final PPRs and FFRs will be completed in GrantSolutions

“EAGL2” reporting is required no more than semi-annually, generally at the end of April and October, upon 30 days written notice. This is a brief reporting of accomplishments toward the most recent GLRI Performance Measures. A suggested format to capture results will be provided to help with consistency, interpretation of the measures, and ease in reporting. Measures reporting must follow the detailed reporting guidance contained in the “Measures Reporting Plan” under the GLRI Guidance and Implementation section at https://www.glri.us/documents.

Specifically see “Focus Area 2 – Invasive Species” measures.

Other Information 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-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.330 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://www.glri.us/documents