Foa_Content_of_F25AS00283.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Funding Opportunity

F25AS00283 2025 State and Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Grant Program

Funding Opportunity Number

F25AS00283

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

Application 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: F25AS00283

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.608

Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,084,000

Expected Number of Awards: 47

Award Ceiling: $150,000

Award Floor: $5,000

Based on a decision of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force approximately 20 years ago, the funding for the State/Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan grant program is split as evenly as possible among the states that successfully apply for the funds. States that do not apply, do not receive funding. The funding to each applicant that successfully applies depends on the total number of successful applications. The minimum amount that a State could request and still implement some useful aspect of their Aquatic Nuisance Species management plan is $5,000, therefore the award floor was set to this amount. Further, the $150,000 award ceiling allows for flexibility should few applications be received while still splitting the funds as equitably as possible among the States that apply.

Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Closing Date Explanation Pre-proposals are due on September 4, 2025, and are submitted outside GrantSolutions.

Important note: The due date for application submission in GrantSolutions is November 3, 2025, however, the final closing date is December 15, 2025 for this funding opportunity. This gives applicants time for the “back and forth” sometimes necessary to fix issues with their applications.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100

Have Questions?

For general information about this funding opportunity, contact:

Donald MacLean

USFWS, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Email: don_maclean@fws.gov

For specific questions about your State’s ANS Management Plan, the pre-proposal, or your GrantSolutions submission, seek out your appropriate “Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator” from the following contact list:

Fish and Aquatic Conservation AIS Contacts

For technical assistance with GrantSolutions, find help topics and contact information on the GrantSolutions Contact Us page.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.fws.gov/media/required-notices-and-burden-statement-omb-control-no-1018-0100 mailto:don_maclean@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation

For technical assistance with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518- 4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

Executive Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity requests pre-proposals, and then later full proposals, for the implementation of State and Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans (SIANSMP) that have been approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF).

These plans identify activities needed to prevent introductions and spread, and eliminate or reduce the risks associated with, aquatic nuisance species, as the part of the broader objective of moving towards a nationally coordinated aquatic invasive species program.

This award is open ONLY to those States, Territories, and Indian tribes involved together with States and/or Territories in an interstate organization, with an ANS Management Plan that has been approved by the ANS Task Force. A list of the eligible entities that may apply for the funding opportunity occurs in the Eligibility section of this funding opportunity. The proposal process includes a pre-proposal review that occurs outside of GrantSolutions and then after receiving approval of their pre-proposal, eligible applicants can complete the full application process withing GrantSolutions. The grant program also includes a 25% cost-share (of total project costs) and a 5% limit on administrative costs.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are ONLY the States, Territories, and Indian tribes involved together with States and/or Territories in an interstate organization, that have an approved ANS Management Plan. For eligibility questions, please contact the appropriate Service Regional AIS Coordinator. Unless the hosting entity of one of the 47 approved plans has an unforeseen change, the currently eligible applicants are:

Approved State or Interstate Plan

State Entity That Applies for Funding

Alabama AL Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Alaska AK Department of Fish and Game Arizona AZ Game and Fish Department Arkansas AR Game and Fish Commission California CA Department of Fish and Game Colorado CO Parks and Wildlife Connecticut CT State Department of Environmental Protection Delaware DE Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Georgia GA Department of Natural Resources Hawaii HI Department of Land and Natural Resources Idaho ID Department of Agriculture file://ifw-hqskyfs1.fws.doi.net/afhc-shared/AIS/2_ANSTF/Coordination/State%20Management%20Plans/2025%20SMP%20Process/NOFO/Support@grants.gov

Illinois IL Department of Natural Resources Indiana IN Department of Natural Resources Iowa IA Department of Natural Resources Kansas KS Department of Wildlife & Parks Kentucky KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Lake Champlain Basin VT Department of Environmental Conservation Lake Tahoe Region NV Department of Wildlife Louisiana LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Maine ME Department of Environmental Protection Maryland MD Department of Natural Resources Massachusetts MA Office of Coastal Zone Management Michigan MI Department of Environmental Quality Minnesota MN Department of Natural Resources Mississippi MS Department of Environmental Quality Missouri MO Department of Conservation Montana MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Nebraska NE Game and Parks Commission New Jersey NJ Department of Environmental Protection Nevada NV Department of Wildlife New Mexico NM Department of Game and Fish New York NY DEC via The State University of New York Ohio OH Department of Natural Resources Oklahoma OK Department of Wildlife Conservation Oregon OR Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Pennsylvania PA Fish and Boat Commission Rhode Island RI Coastal Resources Management Council South Carolina SC Department of Natural Resources South Dakota SD Department of Game, Fish, and Parks St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

MN Department of Natural Resources, or WI Department of Natural Resources

Tennessee TN Wildlife Resources Agency Texas TX Parks and Wildlife Department Utah UT Department of Natural Resources Virginia VA Department of Conservation and Recreation

Washington WA Department of Fish and Wildlife Wisconsin WI Department of Natural Resources Wyoming WY Game and Fish Department

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

Yes

Section 4724 (b)(3)(a) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 as amended (16 U.S.C. 4701-4741), requires those entities applying for funds under this Program to provide a 25% cost share (25% of total project costs). Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share or match.

The other program sideboard is a 5% on admin costs – please see the indirect costs information in the budget narrative section.

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.

This program may allow an applicant to apply while their SAM.gov registration is in progress, with prior approval. For more information, refer to the point of contact identified in the Basic Information section above.

GRANTSOLUTIONS

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

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• The goal of the State and Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan Grant Program is to provide financial support to States to implement their ANS Task Force-approved ANS Management Plans. These plans identify activities needed to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species, and reduce their risks and impacts to public health, property, and the environment as the part of the broader framework of a nationally coordinated aquatic invasive species program.

Program Description The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support for the implementation of State and Interstate ANS Management Plans that have been approved by the ANS Task Force.

The approved plans identify prevention and management activities needed to eliminate or reduce the risks (introduction, impacts and further spread) associated with aquatic nuisance species (also called aquatic invasive species). The funding contributes to program goals and objectives by providing financial support to State AIS/ANS programs thus helping them contribute to the shared goals of the USFWS AIS Program and the ANS Task Force of a nationally coordinated aquatic invasive species program. While not mandatory, States are encouraged to include early detection actions and rapid response planning as part of the broader EDRR Framework. Success is achieved by working towards the components outlined in each State’s approved plan. The grant program includes a 25% cost-share (of total project costs) and a 5% limit on administrative costs (See sections on cost-share requirements and the info on indirect costs in the budget narrative section). Certified Local Governments are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (American250). This may include, but is not limited to, preservation 2 planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

Legislative Authority Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act—State aquatic nuisance species management plans (16 U.S.C. §4724).

Type of Award Projects will be funded through G (Grant).

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at:

https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By applying in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable executive orders and secretary’s orders, including, but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s order titled Restoring Truth and https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title16/pdf/USCODE-2018-title16-chap67-subchapIII.pdf

Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

This Program has a two-stage application process (see “Review and Selection Process” below, for more details).

• Stage One - the “Preliminary National Review” - is managed by the Service Headquarters office. For this stage, each State entity prepares a pre-proposal (see below). The pre-proposal process occurs outside of Grant Solutions as it has done in the past; for 2025, pre-proposals are due September 4, 2025.

• Stage Two - the “Regional Office Review and Grant Processing” - is managed by the Service Regional Offices. This is the standard application submission process that occurs within GrantSolutions.

Stage One Application Requirements - Preliminary National Review For 2025, pre-proposals are due on September 4, 2025.

After the Funding Opportunity is posted within GrantSolutions (and posted on Grants.gov), Stage One, the pre-proposal stage, of the grant process is handled outside of GrantSolutions.

Eligible entities must submit an approximately 3-page pre-proposal that contains:

• Funding opportunity number (F25AS00283);

• Program narrative that outlines the ANS Management Plan activities to be conducted with the requested funding, including:

o Narrative description of each activity pertaining to zebra and/or quagga mussels or other aquatic invasive species and the funding requested;

o A linkage of each activity to its designated action within the SIANSMP implementation table;

o A prioritization of all the proposed activities; and o A timeline for the performance of each activity in the pre-proposal.

• A Budget in tabular form: Budget must show individual entries for each proposed activity as well as Federal and non-Federal cost share (25% of total project costs - see sections on cost-share requirements) and acknowledge that administrative costs will not exceed 5% of the total budget. Note: For Stage 2 – You will be required to provide more detailed information to support our determination that your proposed costs conform to the 5% limit on admin costs (See the information on indirect costs in the budget narrative section as part).

• Budget narrative: Brief narrative describing how the budget numbers were derived.

Pre-proposals are submitted outside the GrantSolutions system to the Program Technical Contacts (see the “Have Questions” section above).

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.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html

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-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

• Overview information:

o Project title, o Location details (including maps of all proposed work areas when appropriate), o Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project, o Information on key project personnel, including details on their expertise, skill, or significance to the project, o Needs statement, 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 o Description of how project meets the State or Interstate ANS Management Plan goals and objectives,

• Summary of proposed actions. Program narrative that outlines the ANS Management Plan activities to be conducted with the requested funding, including:

• Narrative description of each activity pertaining to zebra and/or quagga mussels or other aquatic invasive species and the funding requested;

• A linkage of each activity to its designated action within the SIANSMP implementation table;

• A prioritization of all the proposed activities

• Estimated timeline(s).

• Monitoring and evaluation information:

o Methods for data collection (performance monitoring, evaluation, and other reporting), o Expected outcomes, o Any expected deliverables beyond required financial and performance reporting

• Other:

o Any information needed to support environmental compliance review requirements, including NEPA statement.

If any requirement also requires submission of separate supporting documentation, describe those in the Other Documentation section below and cross-reference them here.

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 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).

This program has a mandated cap on indirect costs or approved rate deviation.

5% Limit on Administrative Costs https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

Per Section 4724 (b)(3)(a) of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 as amended (16 USC 4724 (b)(4)), states that “administrative costs for activities and programs carried out with a grant in any fiscal year shall not exceed 5% of the amount of the grant in that year.” This cap applies to all administrative costs under the award, including the Federal share and any non-Federal shared costs or matching funds (see 2 CFR §200.1 -- Project Costs), and flows down to subawards to subrecipients (see 2 CFR §200.101(b)(2))). As part of the budget narrative in Stage 2, you must provide the following details to support our determination that your proposed costs conform to this restriction:

• Categorize all proposed costs (direct and indirect; Federal and non-Federal) within two categories: “Program or Project” and “Administrative”. “Program or project costs” are costs directly attributable to the funded program or project activities. “Administrative costs” are general award management or administration costs. Administrative costs may be for personnel or non-personnel costs and may be direct or indirect costs. For more information, see 2 CFR §200.414.

• Calculate the percentage of total proposed costs categorized as “Administrative”. Provide your calculation and describe any adjustments made to your budget to reduce your proposed administrative costs to conform to the program’s cap.

Recipients under this program are responsible for ensuring the total allowable administrative costs charged to their award does not exceed this program’s administrative cost cap.

Project pre-proposals must clearly acknowledge that the 25% cost-share (25% of total project costs), and the 5% limit on administrative costs, are both understood and must be shown within the draft budgets. Details on both the 25% cost-share and the 5% limit on admin costs must be provided during Stage 2, the full application process in GrantSolutions.

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.

Other Required Information https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.101 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

An overlap/duplication of effort statement is required of States with approved ANS Management Plans that also have Interstate ANS Management Plans being implemented partially within their borders. In these cases, States must include an Overlap/Duplication of Effort Statement within both their State and Interstate proposals that states that there is no overlap between the implementation of the two plans or, if there is overlap, ex-plains why such overlap is necessary. This statement must include the information listed in the bullets above.

In other words, funding for the New York State ANS Management Plan should not be spent on areas covered by the Lake Champlain Basin ANS plan, and vice versa. Currently, this stipulation pertains only to NY and VT (for the Lake Champlain Basin Plan), MN and WI (for the St. Croix Scenic Waterway Plan), and CA and NV (for the Lake Tahoe Plan). There may, however, be special cases where overlap may occur if an activity is proposed that occurs across the geographic borders of both a State and Interstate plan and where funding from both plans would contribute to the project. In these cases, the overlap will need to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the grant program manager.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package After the pre-application process, 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 with the following information:

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

Organizational details should match those in the organization’s SAM.gov registration. 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 more information, see the GrantSolutions

Recipient Training and FAQs web page. 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.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 12/15/2025

Closing Date Explanation

Pre-proposals are due on September 4, 2025, and are submitted outside GrantSolutions.

Important note: The due date for application submission in GrantSolutions is November 3, 2025, however, the final closing date is December 15, 2025 for this funding opportunity. This gives applicants time for the “back and forth” sometimes necessary to fix issues with their applications.

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.

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/

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.

To be considered for funding, applicants must have previously worked directly with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program and have one of the currently 47 ANS Task Force approved State or Interstate ANS Management Plans. Section 1204 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 restricts the award to States with ANSTF-approved State or Interstate ANS Management Plans. The purpose of the State and Interstate ANS Management Plans is listed in the authorizing legislation and aligns with the priorities of the Department of the Interior’s Invasive Species Task Force. If there is any question about the eligibility for funding, please contact the appropriate Service Regional AIS Coordinator. Eligible applicants compete for the available pot of funding by their having met the pre-award requirements through the intensive, collaborative, multi-stage plan development process with their plan ultimately approval by the ANS Task Force, and also by meeting the 25% cost-share (25% of total project costs) and 5% limitation on administrative costs. See section in this document on cost-share requirements and the information on indirect costs in the budget narrative section.)

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 During Stage One of the Grant Process, the pre-proposals are screened to make sure they meet the application requirements. The pre-proposals are not evaluated through a merit review process because the “merit” of a project (the approved plan) is considered prior to applications being received by the Service during a plan’s rigorous, multi-stage development and review process and their ultimate approval by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force; thus no criteria or scores are used to evaluate the pre-proposals. See the next section for more details on the preliminary national review.

https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us 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

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.

The funding available under this grant program will be distributed based on requested funding amounts and the number of ANS Task Force approved plans. All eligible applicants must meet the pre-award review and application requirements.

Initial Review

Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied; (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination);

and (5) the proposed project is in compliance with all applicable executive and secretary orders, including the President’s executive order on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the executive order and Secretary order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered nonresponsive and eliminated from further review.

Stage One Process – Preliminary National Review

During this stage, the pre-proposals are screened to make sure they meet the application requirements. The pre-proposals are not evaluated through a merit review process because the “merit” of a project is considered prior to applications being received by the Service during a plan’s rigorous, multi-stage development and review process; thus no criteria or scores are used to evaluate the pre-proposals.

To be considered for funding, the pre-proposals must include all the requirements for Stage One, detailed in the earlier section of this funding opportunity called “pre-application requirement.”

In addition, pre-proposals from eligible applicants will be reviewed to determine:

• Do the activities outlined in the pre-proposal align with/support the goals, objectives, strategies, and actions of their respective plans?

• Does the proposal show any progress from the previous year’s proposal (i.e. that the proposal is not an exact copy of the previous year’s proposal).

• Does the pre-proposal acknowledge the 25% cost-share? (25% of total project costs) and have the correct calculations in the estimated budget?

• Does the pre-proposal acknowledge the 5% limitation on administrative costs?

If an eligible applicant is found to be missing any part of the pre-proposal requirements, the Grant Program Manager for Stage One will work with the applicant to acquire any missing information. Ineligible applicants will be contacted and given an explanation on why they are considered ineligible.

Once all pre-proposals have been received and reviewed, those determined acceptable will move to Stage Two of the process. The Service’s Headquarters AIS office will notify each successful applicant by email of the funding amount they are eligible to apply for in the Stage Two of the grant process.

Stage Two Process – Regional Office Review and Grant Processing

In this stage, successful applicants are notified that they are now eligible to submit a complete application for a specified funding amount within GrantSolutions; this notification is not the final award letter but instead indicates that the applicant has successfully passed Stage One. No merit review is conducted at this stage; the merit review for the State ANS Management Plans is incorporated earlier during the rigorous, multi-stage plan development process. The Service’s Regional AIS Coordinators (see the link provided in the “Have Questions” section at the beginning of the document), along with the Regional Contracting staff, will then assist applicants with the remaining part of the grant process before any funding is awarded. Please note that the grant process procedures may vary depending on the Service Region managing your award.

For specific questions about your State’s ANS Management Plan, the pre-proposal, or your GrantSolutions submission, seek out your appropriate Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.

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: 01/01/2026

Anticipated Project End Date: 09/30/2027 https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us 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

Applications are accepted once a year on a specific schedule. Eligible applicants will be notified when the NOFO has been posted, and the pre-proposal submission process begins. After pre-proposal review, funding announcement letters (NOT award letters) will be sent to each applicant. This alerts applicants that they may begin the official GrantSolutions application development and submission process. After applications are processed, formal award notices will be sent after the Grant Solutions application is received and reviewed.

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.

Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive an e-mail from GrantSolutions when their award is issued and should review their Notice of Award Letter. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following:

Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions.

Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

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),

• 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 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 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#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 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).

Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date.

Other Information For general information about this funding opportunity, contact:

Donald MacLean

USFWS, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Email: don_maclean@fws.gov

For specific questions about your State’s ANS Management Plan, the pre-proposal, or your GrantSolutions submission, seek out your appropriate Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/ mailto:don_maclean@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us https://www.fws.gov/program/aquatic-invasive-species/contact-us