Foa_Content_of_OIA-BTS2024 FINAL.pdf

Signature Date

Office of Insular Affairs

OIA-TAP-OIA Technical Assistance Division

OIA-BTS2024

03/15/2024

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration Contact

H. Other Information

A. Program Description Authority:

48 U.S. Code § 1469d.General technical assistance.

Assistance Listing:

15.875 Program Background, Objectives, and Goals:

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is requesting fiscal year 2024 funding proposals for its Brown Tree Snake (BTS) Control Program.

The invasive Brown Tree Snake (BTS) is believed to have been introduced to the island of Guam following World War II. Due to an abundant prey base and an absence of natural predators, the BTS population on Guam grew, quickly reaching unprecedented numbers. It was not until the 1980s when researchers began to study the sudden and sharp decline in Guam’s bird populations that the environmental and socioeconomic damage caused by the BTS began to be understood.

The BTS is directly responsible for the extinction or local extirpation of 9 of 13 native forest birds and 3 of 12 native lizards on Guam. In addition, the BTS has had significant, negative impacts on Guam’s economy. The risk of accidental transport and establishment of the BTS in other locations has impacted regional shipping and transportation through increased biosecurity needs.

The BTS climb powerlines and cause power outages on the island. A single island-wide outage is estimated to cost over $3 million in lost productivity, not including repair costs, damage to electrical equipment and lost revenues. Prior to BTS control measures being taken, costs of snake-caused outages on Guam were approximately $4.5 million annually, not including personal equipment failures, shorter equipment life span, or increased costs due to purchasing personal power generators.

Since Guam is a major transportation hub in the Pacific, numerous opportunities exist for this invasive species to be inadvertently introduced to other areas in the Pacific. The BTS has already been accidentally transported from Guam to other sites worldwide through infested civilian and military vessels and cargo. Documented sites include: Hawaii, the CNMI, Corpus Christi, Texas; McAlester, Oklahoma; Japan; Anchorage, Alaska; Wake Island; Taiwan; Kwajalein;

Diego Garcia; Darwin, Australia; and Rota, Spain. There is appropriate concern that the introduction of the BTS to other vulnerable sites, such as Hawaii and the CNMI, will have similarly catastrophic ecological and economic impacts as on Guam. The potential cost of a BTS introduction on Hawaii alone has been estimated between $593 million to $2.14 billion annually.

OIA’s Brown Tree Snake Control Program funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2024 will be:

• Interdiction o Civilian sector operational snake interdiction at air and seaports on Guam, CNMI, Hawaii and sites where outbound/inbound cargo and vehicles are being staged o Rapid response in the CNMI, Hawaii, and Freely Associated States o Research that leads to the development of new tools that increase capture probability in prey rich environments like CNMI and Hawaii or greatly reduces interdiction operational costs

• Landscape Scale Suppression o Research, operational planning, and small-scale demonstration projects that will ultimately lead to implementation of landscape-scale snake control for native avian species restoration on DOI and Government of Guam properties in the immediate future o Collaborative use of the Aerial Delivery System (ADS) for large-scale demonstration projects showing the feasibility of controlling snakes at landscape-scale o Purchase of existing ADS systems to ensure use by territorial, federal and non-governmental partners

Funding Goals Funding Opportunity Goals To prevent the migration of the BTS from Guam to other United States jurisdictions; to suppress and control the BTS on Guam to support the restoration of the island's native ecosystems; and to ultimately develop to capability to eradicate the BTS from Guam.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $3,500,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $0 Minimum Award $0

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $3,500,000 Expected Award Date September 30, 2024

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) 99 – Unrestricted (i.e. open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are limited to members of the Brown Treesnake Technical Working Group which includes, but is not limited to, representatives of the governments of Guam, the Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands, the State of Hawaii, and Federal Agencies, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

C3. Other Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program may provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. OIA does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Excluded Parties:

OIA conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. OIA cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package All grant proposals from non-federal entities must be submitted via grants.gov. OIA will only allow email for alternative submissions for extenuating circumstances, with prior approval from OIA. Individual extensions may also be approved for extenuating circumstances, with prior OIA approval.

Non-federal entities should submit via email to OIA grant manager Hailey McCoy.

Program Website Link https://www.doi.gov/oia/financial-assistance

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

For non-federal applicants: On your SF-424, you must include the UEI for the office that the funding flows through. For example, if your office is part of a larger local government, and the funding flows through the Department of Treasury/Administration/Finance/etc., you must use that office's UEI, not your office's UEI. The same applies for the reverse; if your past grant funding previously flowed through your office, but a different office is submitting your application for you, be sure they use your office's UEI. This may mean you have to submit your proposal from your own office moving forward.

All applicants must submit the signed and dated SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs form. The SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Project Summary Signed and Dated Cover Letter: The cover letter should briefly summarize the application and be signed by an Authorized Representative of the applicant organization. Cover letters should be addressed to:

Carment G. Cantor Assistant Secretary Insular and International Affairs U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W.

Mailstop 3119 Washington, D.C. 20240

Project Narrative Application Preparation: Applications should be prepared and submitted by the entity who would receive the grant award. Applications submitted and prepared by a third party, such as an existing contractor or a potential contractor who may benefit from the grant, are not considered allowable. Please note that grant recipients must follow the applicable procurement procedures contained in 2 CFR 200 when procuring services and goods under OIA grants.

Application Format: OIA does not require a standard narrative format; however, your proposal should include all the following elements in order to receive full consideration:

1. Detailed Project Description(s): Describe, in detail, the projects, activities, and/or positions being proposed for funding. Please make sure to describe how these projects, activities, and/or positions directly relate to OIA's BTS priorities.

2. Detailed Project Timeline(s): Provide a detailed project timeline for completion of each proposed project and/or activity.

3. Statement of Need: Describe why the projects, activities, and/or positions are considered key to the success of the BTS control effort. Please make sure to summarize any previous or ongoing efforts relevant to your proposal. This includes projects, activities and/or positions not funded by OIA grants. Please detail other funds received for your BTS efforts.

4. Project Goals, Objectives and Past Accomplishments:

1. State the short and long-term goals that will be advanced or achieved if your proposal is funded.

2. Objectives are the specific steps you will take to reach your stated goals. State your objectives, which must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s period of performance).

3. Finally, list any accomplishments resulting from previously received BTS funding from

OIA.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Performance Goals All applications must include at least one performance measure (output & outcome) that corresponds to the proposed project objective. If the grant is chosen for award, the applicant will need to report on the performance measure in narrative project reports that are submitted. The narrative portion of the application must:

• Describe the expected outputs and the potential outcomes to communities, the economy, and the environment.

• Describe how the project supports the Agency’s priorities described in Section A2.

• Describe how progress toward achieving the expected outputs and social, economic, and environmental outcomes will be tracked and measured.

• Describe how progress toward achieving the expected outputs and social, economic, and environmental outcomes will be tracked and measured.

5. Priority Listing for Multiple Projects: If multiple projects are being proposed, please provide a listing of the proposed projects in order of priority. An example is provided below Summary PRIORITY PROJECTS Priority Project (list in priority order) Requested Amount

1. Priority 1 - Project [Name] $

2. Priority 2 - Project [Name] $

3. Priority 3 - Project [Name] $

Total Request $

6. Grant Recipient: Please provide the name, title, and address of person to who the grant award, if made, should be addressed. This is normally, the head of the local government or organization.

7. Recipient Grant Manager: Please provide the name, title, and contact information for the person who will be the day-to-day grant manager if the proposal is funded. Contact information should include the mailing address, phone number, fax number and email address (as applicable).

8. Project Abstract: This should only be one page and should include the following information.

• Award Purpose

• Activities to be performed

• Expected deliverable or outcomes

• Intended Beneficiaries

• Subrecipient activities

Application Package Checklist A complete application package should include (please note the SF-424s, Audits, Indirect Cost agreements/calculations, and financial capability questions are for non-federal applicants only):

o Core SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form o SF-424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (Or SF-424C) o SF-424B Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (Or SF-424D) o Signed and Dated Cover Letter o Complete Project Narrative: detailed project description, detailed budget, detailed timeline, statement of need, project goals and objectives, priority listing (if applicable), grant recipient, and grant manager.

o Letters of Support - Letters of support should be addressed to Charlene Leizear, Director of Technical Assistance Programs, and they should be transmitted electronically on grants.gov with the other proposal documents;

Letters of support are not mandatory but do contribute to the scoring of the proposal.

o Performance Measures - at least one performance measure (output & outcome) that corresponds to the proposed project objectiv o Negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, and detailed calculations spreadsheet showing how final indirect costs were calculated including notations of any variations from the established rates and showing itemized list of costs excluded from the calculations.

o Responses to Financial capability questions in section D.6.

o Copy of your entity's most recent audit, if not available on the single audit clearinghouse website.

o Statement indicating if there is any overlap between this federal application and any other federal application, or funded project. If no such overlap exists, please state in the proposal: “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel.” Please see the Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement section of this announcement on page 10 for further guidance, if needed.

o Conflict of Interest Statement, if applicable.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles per the OIA’s Terms and Conditions.

Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form.

The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

SF-429 Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property

Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property

Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. These forms may be found on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html.

Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

Detailed Project Budget(s): Provide detailed budget information for the proposed project(s) and activities. A budget breakout chart, by category, is suggested. Please make sure to explain categories that are not self-explanatory, such as “OTHER”, in full. If your project exceeds $500,000, please provide tier options with detailed descriptions, to make selection of individual tiers possible when TAP funds are limited. For non-federal applicants, if charging indirect cost, please include or attach a copy of the negotiated indirect cost rate agreement and detailed calculations spreadsheet showing how final indirect costs were calculated including notations of any variations from the established rates and showing itemized list of costs excluded from the calculations Please note that all activities and costs to be charged to the grant must be in full compliance with the applicable cost principles:

Entity incurring costs Applicable directive

State, local, or Federally recognized Indian Tribe

2 CFR 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles; 200.416-200.417 - Special Considerations for States, Local Government, and Indian Tribes

Non-profit organization 2 CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles

Institution of Higher Education

2 CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles; 200.418 - 200.419 – Special Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR §200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §18 and 31 USC §1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1318 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1112 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title31/subtitle2/chapter13&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1339 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr180_main_02.tpl https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities”https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.htmlform if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non- appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the Office of Insular Affairs in this application, we will immediately notify the Office of Insular Affairs point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: (DOI Standard Template Language) This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. There is no cost to register with SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov;

please be aware you can register and request help for free.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 03/15/2024 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

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

D6. Funding Restrictions The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Websitehttps://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-servicesfor more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the OIA to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html) https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

• A U.S. state, territorial or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

• A U.S. state, territorial or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

• A [insert your organization type; U.S. states, territories and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either:

“Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the OIA in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify the OIA in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by OIA https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&%3Bmc=true&%3Bnode=pt2.1.200&%3Brgn=div5&%3Bse2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&%3Bmc=true&%3Bnode=pt2.1.200&%3Brgn=div5&%3Bse2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&%3Bmc=true&%3Bnode=pt2.1.200&%3Brgn=div5&%3Bse2.1.200_168

• A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

Application Restrictions

Applications should not include requests to fund force accounts:

Force Accounts: A force account refers to a grantee’s own (existing) personnel being charged to the grant. In general, OIA is opposed to funding force accounts with its grants, however, outside expertise and consultant services will be considered if detailed in the project narrative and budget.

OIA Technical Assistance Program personnel cannot review proposals before they are submitted for any reason. We can provide technical assistance with grants.gov, or other helpdesk issues, but cannot provide any other assistance with writing or reviewing your proposal before submission due to the competitive nature of the process and prohibitions on providing unfair advantage to one applicant over another.

Financial Capabilities All non-federal applicants must answer the following questions:

1. Does your organization have a FAPIIS record, or any adverse performance information (yes/no)?

2. Does your organization undergo an annual single audit or independent financial audit (Yes/No)? Was the audit uploaded on the single audit clearinghouse? If so, please provide the EIN number for the audit. If it was not uploaded, please specify the last audit year that was completed and include a copy of this audit. Did your organization receive an unqualified opinion on this audit (Yes/No)? If no, did your organization receive a qualified, adverse, or disclaimer of opinion on the audit (yes/no)? If you do not have a recent audit, please answer the remaining questions.

3. Does your organization have independent financial capabilities that can comply with the financial management and accounting requirements detailed in 2 CFR 200, including, but not limited to, policies and procedures in place that meet the financial management standards in 2 CFR §200.302 (yes/no)?

4. Does your organization have a financial unit? If so, please describe the staffing and structure (such as the number of CPAs, utilization of accounting software etc.)

5. Has your organization received and managed federal grant funding before (Yes/No)? If yes, please provide information from the last three years on the federal awarding agency you received funding from, a point of contact at the agency, and the amount of grant funding received. ?

D7. Other Submission Requirements Submission Deadline: The submission deadline is March 15, 2024.

Decision Timeframe: Decisions on funding of project proposals will be made by September 30, 2024. Please note that once all final decisions have been made, applications that have not been selected for funding will received automated denial notifications, transmitted via email to the applicant from Grant Solutions. Please be sure to note the application number generated by grants.gov for your proposals, and for any inquiries, please inform OIA of the grant program, grant applicant, amount and application number.

All applicants, but especially first time applicants, are strongly encouraged to review Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Part 200 (2 CFR 200) in order to familiarize themselves with the Department of the Interior’s administrative requirements, particularly the financial management requirements, associated with managing federal grant funding. 2 CFR 200 can be viewed using the following link: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

E. Application Review Information E1. Criteria Maximum Points: 0

E2. Review and Selection Process Prior to award, the program will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the program may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Bureau may choose not to fund the selected project.

The program may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Bureau is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

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

200.205. Programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Bureau’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Bureau is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Bureau will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Bureau 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.

The Review Committee will review and evaluate all eligible applications. The Review Committee will provide recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs for final project selection. The Assistant Secretary will select the successful proposals.

The Assistant Secretary and/or designated official will consider the merit review, as well as the amount of funds available and the following program policy factors when making recommendations for funding:

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-

1. Geographic distribution of funding

2. Emergency Situations

All applications for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above. In order to comply with financial assistance regulations, 2 CFR 200 "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards," past performance information will be recognized during the selection process. Scores will be provided to the applicant if requested.

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information See the Office of Insular Affairs’s Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. OIA will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

1. Award Instrument Information

• Projects will be funded, subject to availability of funds, by issuance of a grant agreement.

• Agreements will include a cover letter signed by an Office of Insular Affairs Official and a grant award document issued by the grant manager.

• The recipient shall obtain prior approval for any budget or program revisions

2. Term of the Agreement

• Agreement terms are typically from 18 months to 3 years.

• Prior to the expiration of the grant agreement, modifications may be proposed by either party and will become effective upon written approval.

3. Funding Restrictions

• All funding is contingent upon the availability and appropriation of funds by the United States Congress.

• Costs must be allowable in accordance with the applicable Federal cost principles referenced in 2 CFR 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles.

4. Submission from Successful Applicants

• If selected for possible award, the Office of Insular Affairs reserves the right the request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary.

• OIA will notify the applicant if only a portion of the application is selected for funding and if any special terms and conditions are required for their grant.

5. Award Notices

• After an applicant’s proposal is selected for award, the applicant will receive a letter from the Office of Insular Affairs. This letter will detail the next steps in the awarding process.

• The Office of Insular Affairs anticipates that the grant recipients and projects will be chosen during the spring and summer of 2024 once full year appropriations are received by the Office of Insular Affairs.

6. Administration and National Policy Requirements

• Code of Federal Regulations – By accepting financial assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable Federal regulations in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program: 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Code of Federal Regulations – By accepting financial assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable Federal regulations in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program: 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

Data Availability Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315:

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

Uninterrupted Service Delivery Provision 2 CFR Part 200 does not prohibit recipients of Federal financial assistance from imposing uninterrupted service delivery requirements on subrecipients. Under 2 CFR §200.319(b)(1) it is reasonable for a recipient or subrecipient, acting in accordance with its own sound business judgment, to include uninterrupted service delivery requirements in its contracts under Federal https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.315 financial assistance awards, as necessary, and when otherwise consistent with Federal law. This is a case-by-case determination made by the recipient or subrecipient based on the particular project or services in question.

F3. Reporting Financial Reports All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report. Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. The only exception to the interim financial reporting requirement is if the recipient is required to use the SF 270/271 to request payment and requests payment at least once annually through the entire award period of performance. We will describe all financial reporting requirements in the Notice of Award.

The standard grant reporting requirements are listed below:

• An SF-425 Federal Financial Report will be due semi-annually for the periods beginning January 1 and ending June 30, and beginning July 1 and ending December 31 (only required by state and territory agencies). These reports should be submitted in Grant Solutions.

• Reports are due within 30 days of the end of the period. Final reports are due 120 days after the expiration or termination of the award.

These standard reporting requirements will apply to all awards unless otherwise indicated in the Terms and Conditions section of the award. Additional requirements are assigned on a case-by-case basis and may also be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the award.

Performance Reports 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. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

The standard grant reporting requirements are listed below:

• An narrative project status report will be due semi-annually for the periods beginning January 1 and ending June 30, and beginning July 1 and ending December 31 (only required by state and territory agencies).