Foa_Content_of_L25AS00299.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Funding Opportunity

FY25 Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management- Bureau wide

Funding Opportunity Number

L25AS00299

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

General Information

Summary

Award Information

Key Dates

Eligibility Information

Additional Information

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: L25AS00299

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.245

Estimated Total Program Funding: $14,000,000

Expected Number of Awards: 50

Award Ceiling: $3,000,000

Award Floor: $10,000

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected via merit review committee.

Open from June 23, 2025 through July 23, 2025.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

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.

Have Questions?

Applicants are also encouraged to contact the Grants Management Officer or the HQ Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Lead Fred Edwards at fsedwards@blm.gov with questions.

BLM Idaho will not be accepting applications.

Executive Summary The BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) advances the Department of the Interior's priorities to protect human health and safety, unleashing American energy, and delivering price relief for American families by increasing the quantity of native seed that is available to stabilize soils and protect human health and safety following wildfire, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, meet permitting requirements for energy development, and improving market availability of native seed through partnerships with farmers and small producers. A primary purpose of the program is to increase the national native seed supply chain by working with private industry, federal, state, tribal and other partners. BLM uses the native seed supply to maintain and restore multiple use and sustained yield on public lands including livestock grazing, timber production, wildlife habitat, recreational use, and orphaned well and abandoned mine land 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/ reclamation. Improving native seed availability and stability in the market will lead to lower seed costs, lower risk incurred by producers, and more American jobs related to the native seed production pipeline. Improving the native seed pipeline will also result in increasing project success, with reclamation projects meeting standards with long-term vegetative establishment and reduced noxious weed occurrence and grazing lands meeting land health standards, ultimately improving the health and benefits public lands provide for multiple use and sustainable yield. In 2025 the PCRP is focused on meeting the priorities of the National Seed Strategy (www.blm.gov/seedstrategy) in ways that directly support department and administration priorities including: public safety following catastrophic wildfire, economic development in rural communities, and empowering state resource stewardship partnerships on public lands.

The BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Program is especially focused on projects that:

1. Work with partners to make local seed collections that will be used to increase the diversity of native species available on the native seed market while at the same time fostering employment opportunities.

2. Support local farmers and non-profit organizations who wish to enter the native seed market and establish native seed production fields that will help support rural economies and foster shared environmental stewardship.

3. Support local nursery production of species that cannot be directly seeded to help support post natural disaster recovery and create jobs that will help support rural economies.

4. Generate the applied science needed to lower seed production costs, lower farmer risk, improve post fire stabilization project success and support sound agency decisions about the native seed supply chain.

The BLM has opportunities to work with partner organizations to do activities such as:

• Work with state agency agriculture departments, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and other organizations to make it easier for small farmers to enter the commercial seed market.

• Work with state wildlife agencies, and other organizations to implement post fire stabilization and recovery projects; restore big game migration corridors; habitat for sage grouse, other priority species, wetlands, and riparian habitat.

• Develop the technology, expertise and capacity needed to collect, clean, grow and bank native species that industry has difficulty producing.

• Collect native seed from species and genotypes that are challenging to locate and harvest.

• Implement applied science and actions to maintain populations of special status plant species and prevent state and federal listing actions which could adversely affect mineral and energy development.

• Develop strategies to improve the use of native seed and plant materials for restoration and reclamation across all BLM associated programs such as Wildlife, Oil & Gas,

• Minerals, Fuels, Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation, Range, and Renewable Energy.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II- Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than

17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicant’s should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so which CESU Network should be considered as host.

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.

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• The production of genetically appropriate native plant materials for use in post fire stabilization and other vegetation management activities that support rural economies.

• Development and application of best available science, technology and other knowledge needed to support the native seed supply chain and sound agency decision making.

• Support permitting and other land use actions, including minerals, energy development.

Program Description The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) was created by Congress in response to large-scale wildfires in the Western U.S. between 1999 and 2000 because of a lack of commercially available native seed for post-fire rehabilitation. The reasons for establishing the program remain valid today because natural recovery cannot keep pace with the increasing frequency of wildfires, spread of non-native species and drought. Native seed is essential to stabilizing soils and preventing erosion following wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters but it is also critical for maintaining and restoring multiple use and sustained yield on BLM managed rangelands, forests, wildlife habitat, recreation areas and temporary impacts from energy and minerals development.

To help build a sustainable, low-cost native seed supply chain that includes a variety of native species, the PCRP implements the 2015 National Seed Strategy. Because native seed crops are different from traditional food crops, BLM and partners use the native plant materials development process to bring more native species to the commercial market. The PCRP has improved the availability and use of locally adapted, genetically appropriate native seed. The PCRP-led Seeds of Success project has made more than 27,000 native seed collections across 44 states and 93 ecoregions. Since PCRP created the Native Forb and Grass Seed Production IDIQ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Contract in 2018, BLM staff have ordered more than 100,000 pounds of seed from 55 native species across 62 seed transfer zones. The proportion of native seed purchased through the BLM National Seed Warehouse System increased from roughly 50% native seed in 2001 (the year PCRP was established) to 80% native seed in 2019.

In addition to helping to increase the national native seed supply, the PCRP program and PCRP staff bring botanical support to other BLM programs including the Threatened and Endangered species program by funding, supporting and implementing special status plant management projects with the objective to downlist or delist species. An important aspect of the program is to improve the effectiveness of BLM seeding projects and the technology needed to maintain multiple use and sustainable yield of public lands.

Funding Opportunity Priority Areas and Anticipated Public Benefits:

Priority Area: Implementing the National Native Seed Strategy to improve BLM and DOI access to native seed on the commercial market improves how BLM responds to wildfire to protect public and private resources and improve recovery. Anticipated public purpose: Engage recipients, partners, communities, and industry to create shared native seed stewardship and promoted by the National Seed Strategy; Implementation of National Seed Strategy Goals 1, 2 ,3, and 4.

Priority Area: Develop the knowledge and technology to more effectively use native seed and plant materials for post fire stabilization and mineral reclamation across all BLM associated programs such as Wildlife, Oil & Gas, Minerals, Fuels, Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation, Range, and Renewable Energy. Anticipated public purpose: Increase public knowledge through studies and related results that improve public lands resource management and improve the effectiveness of projects; Implementation of National Seed Strategy Goal 2.

Priority Area: Collect, process and store native seed from BLM managed public lands to support post wildfire stabilization and disaster recovery. Anticipated public purpose: Increase the diversity of species available as part of the national native seed supply post disaster response;

Foster education, job training for young adults and others interested in careers in botany and land management; Implement National Seed Strategy Goal 1.

Priority Area: Implement propagation, grow native seed seedlings and establish seed increase fields to increase the quantity of seed available to BLM for post fire stabilization and other projects. Work with partners to make it easier for new grower to enter the commercial seed market. Anticipated public purpose: Support rural economies and create jobs by supporting local growers, farmers and others who wish to enter the native seed market; Increase the number of growers and supply of native seed and plants available for all landowners implementing vegetation management projects that restore sustainable use and yield.

Priority Area: Develop the knowledge, technology, and infrastructure for native seed production so native plant species needed by BLM can be commercially produced in higher quantities at a lower cost. Anticipated public purpose: Build the national seed supply chain, generate the applied science needed to lower seed production costs and build the national seed supply chain;

Provide the knowledge and technology growers need to produce species and seed sources that are not currently available or has difficulty producing; Implement National Seed Strategy Goal 2 to conduct applied research to provide genetically appropriate seed and to improve technology for native seed production.

Priority Area: Develop the knowledge, technology and implement projects to better manage native plant communities, special status plant species, their seed, and habitat to prevent negative impacts to minerals and energy development projects. Anticipated public purpose: Develop the applied science and implement management actions to maintain native plant communities and populations of rare plant species; Foster education, job training for young adults and others interested in careers in botany and land management.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States.

Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Legislative Authority Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b) Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements, 16 USC § 1011 (b)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through CA (Cooperative Agreement).

Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

The recipient should expect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have substantial involvement in the project.

• Joint collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work.

• Training of recipient personnel.

• Review and approval by the BLM of one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage.

• Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or sub-awards prior to their award.

• Participation in selecting recipient project staff.

• Directing or redirecting of recipient work by the BLM because of relationships to other projects.

• Ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and

• Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in the proposed work.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format 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.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 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-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

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Current and Pending (Other) Support Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Biographical Sketch Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

Project Narrative Project Title: Must name the State where project is located.

(Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template may be used when submitting your proposal.) The project proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

Application narrative requirements may include:

• Project title 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.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance https://www.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance

• Statement of need

• Goals and objectives

• Public benefit and program interest of the BLM

• Technical approach

• Timetable or milestones

• Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. (NOTE: Projects under aquatic and wildlife management, the native plant program, threatened and endangered species habitat conservation - the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973)

• Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement

• Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including how you will measure project performance and assessment tools to be used

• Information on key project personnel

• Anticipated future funding needs

• Details and supporting documentation on the project location

• Other program or project-specific narrative requirements

All proposals are confidential.

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.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than 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

17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicant’s should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so which CESU Network should be considered as host.

Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR 200.455.

Refer to Budget Detail and Narrative, Attachment B as a suggested format.

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 Other documentation may include curriculum vitae or other biographical information for key personnel, project location maps, any documentation to support an eligibility determination (e.g., proof of certain tax status, authorizing tribal resolution), third-party references, letters of support, or letters of cost sharing or other commitments to the project, independent audit report, or negotiated indirect cost rate letter.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Contact Yesenia Diaz at ydiaz@blm.gov for any additional questions.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 07/23/2025 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 mailto:ydiaz@blm.gov

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected via merit review committee.

Open from June 23, 2025 through July 23, 2025.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

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.

https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Depending on the specifics of the funding opportunity, screening may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Submission is timely;

• Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; and

• Complete and properly executed required application package documents are included.

Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.

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 Proposals will be evaluated on strengths or weaknesses for each merit review criterion and rated “Exceeds” “Meets” or “Does not meet” expectations with highest importance on Technical Approach.

Each of these ratings is defined as follows:

Exceeds – The proposal exceeds the criteria factors without any deficiencies.

Meets – The proposal meets criteria factors with few, or only minor, deficiencies.

Does not meet – The proposal does not meet the criteria factors, or there are significant deficiencies identified.

Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria:

APPLICANT STATEMENT OF NEED

• Mission and objectives, including achievable project goals and how they relate to plant conservation and native plant materials development

• Objectives of the project

• DOI priorities met

APPLICANT TECHNICAL APPROACH AND MONITORING

• Development and management plans 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

• Techniques, processes, and methodologies

• Data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation

• Significant anticipated accomplishments

• Clear milestones and measurement criteria

• Tasks to be performed by other partner organizations, subrecipients, contractors, and/or consultants

• Environmental compliance plan

• Project monitoring and evaluation plan including monitoring of subrecipients, contractors, consultants, volunteers, etc.

• How project performance will be measured and assessment tools to be used

• Measurable expected outcomes

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND PROGRAM INTEREST OF THE BLM

• Direct Public Benefit

• Projects in which the BLM receive the indirect benefit of conservation activities

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/PAST PERFORMANCE

• Key project personnel experience and qualifications

• Stakeholder coordination and/or involvement

• Experience with plant conservation, pollinator, or restoration projects.

• Qualifications of any contractors, subrecipients and/or consultants

• Experience with federally funded assistance agreements within the last three to five years

• Similar successfully completed projects

• Unique qualifications

LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES

(Will be considered in the review process as a tiebreaker among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors)

A proposal that demonstrates effective partnerships to share resources and expertise.

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.

Budget review is based on the following:

• · Budget line items must be allowable, allocable, reasonable in price, and appropriate for the level of effort needed to accomplish the project.

• · Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost.

• · Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project.

• · Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from Federal sources.

Final Review of Selected Applicants:

Final review will be made by management to determine if the selected proposed project(s) are in line with DOI and BLM current priorities. This process may take a few months to finalize.

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.

Prior to award, the BLM will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.206.

BLM programs document applicant risk evaluations using the DOI “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards, the BLM is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The BLM will consider this information when completing the risk review. The BLM uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized. If the BLM determines that a Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award.

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: 09/01/2025

Anticipated Project End Date: 08/30/2030

Proposals will have a start date in FY2025 and a maximum end date of 09/30/2030.

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

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.

BLM Standard Terms and Conditions

See the Award Term - Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials:

Geospatial Data

If you receive financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata. Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

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.

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.blm.gov/services/financial-assistance-and-grants https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/blm-wo-800/blmfa/PREAWARD%20(Req%20Templates_FA%20New%20Award_Mod%20checklist/Pre-Award%20Templates/03%20NOFO%20IIJA%20BABA%20Terms%20Conditions.pdf https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/blm-wo-800/blmfa/PREAWARD%20(Req%20Templates_FA%20New%20Award_Mod%20checklist/Pre-Award%20Templates/03%20NOFO%20IIJA%20BABA%20Terms%20Conditions.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=2019&path=%2Fprelim%40title43%2Fchapter46&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2019-title43-chapter46&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTQzL2NoYXB0ZXI0Ng%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0My1jaGFwdGVyNDY%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim 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/subpart-B/section-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).

Other Information 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/

Synopsis Page 17 of 20

Synopsis

L25AS00299

FY25 Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation and Restoration Management- Bureau wide

General Information

Summary Bureau or Office Bureau of Land Management Announcement Type Initial Fiscal Year Opportunity Category D (Discretionary) Opportunity Category Explanation Assistance Listing Number(s) 15.245 Funding Instrument Type CA (Cooperative Agreement) Funding Activity Category NR (Natural Resources) Funding Category Explanation

Award Information

Cost Sharing Requirement No Expected Number of Awards Estimated Total Program Funding $14,000,000 Award Ceiling $3,000,000 Award Floor $10,000 Award Floor/Ceiling Explanation

Key Dates

Estimated Post Date 06/23/2025

Synopsis Page 18 of 20

Closing Date for Applications 07/23/2025 Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected via merit review committee.

Open from June 23, 2025 through July 23, 2025.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

Project Period | Expected Duration in Months Estimated Project Start Date September 01, 2025 Estimated Project End Date August 30, 2030 Archive Date 08/22/2025

Eligibility Information

Eligibility Category State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility (Grants.gov 4,000/GMM 2,500 character limit) Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II- Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative

Synopsis Page 19 of 20 agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than

17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicant’s should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so which CESU Network should be considered as host.

Additional Information

Executive Summary The BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Program (PCRP) advances the Department of the Interior's priorities to protect human health and safety, unleashing American energy, and delivering price relief for American families by increasing the quantity of native seed that is available to stabilize soils and protect human health and safety following wildfire, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, meet permitting requirements for energy development, and improving market availability of native seed through partnerships with farmers and small producers. A primary purpose of the program is to increase the national native seed supply chain by working with private industry, federal, state, tribal and other partners. BLM uses the native seed supply to maintain and restore multiple use and sustained yield on public lands including livestock grazing, timber production, wildlife habitat, recreational use, and orphaned well and abandoned mine land reclamation. Improving native seed availability and stability in the market will lead to lower seed costs, lower risk incurred by producers, and more American jobs related to the native seed production pipeline. Improving the native seed pipeline will also result in increasing project success, with reclamation projects meeting standards with long-term vegetative establishment and reduced noxious weed occurrence and grazing lands meeting land health standards, ultimately improving the health and benefits public lands provide for multiple use and sustainable yield. In 2025 the PCRP is focused on meeting the priorities of the National Seed Strategy (www.blm.gov/seedstrategy) in ways that directly support department and administration priorities including: public safety following catastrophic wildfire, economic development in rural communities, and empowering state resource stewardship partnerships on public lands.

The BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Program is especially focused on projects that:

1. Work with partners to make local seed collections that will be used to increase the diversity of native species available on the native seed market while at the same time fostering employment opportunities.

2. Support local farmers and non-profit organizations who wish to enter the native seed market and establish native seed production fields that will help support rural economies and foster shared environmental stewardship.

3. Support local nursery production of species that cannot be directly seeded to help support post natural disaster recovery and create jobs that will help support rural economies.

4. Generate the applied science needed to lower seed production costs, lower farmer risk, improve post fire stabilization project success and support sound agency decisions about the native seed supply chain.

The BLM has opportunities to work with partner organizations to do activities such as:

Synopsis Page 20 of 20

• Work with state agency agriculture departments, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and other organizations to make it easier for small farmers to enter the commercial seed market.

• Work with state wildlife agencies, and other organizations to implement post fire stabilization and recovery projects; restore big game migration corridors; habitat for sage grouse, other priority species, wetlands, and riparian habitat.

• Develop the technology, expertise and capacity needed to collect, clean, grow and bank native species that industry has difficulty producing.

• Collect native seed from species and genotypes that are challenging to locate and harvest.

• Implement applied science and actions to maintain populations of special status plant species and prevent state and federal listing actions which could adversely affect mineral and energy development.

• Develop strategies to improve the use of native seed and plant materials for restoration and reclamation across all BLM associated programs such as Wildlife, Oil & Gas,

• Minerals, Fuels, Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation, Range, and Renewable Energy.

Awarding Officer Contact Name Yesenia Diaz Awarding Officer Contact Phone

(303) 236-1449 Awarding Officer Email Address ydiaz@blm.gov Awarding Officer Email Description ydiaz@blm.gov Link to Additional Information