Foa_Content_of_OIA-TAP-2025.pdf

Office of Insular Affairs

Notice of Funding Opportunity

OIA Technical Assistance Program 2025

Funding Opportunity Number

OIA-TAP-2025

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: OIA-TAP-2025

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.875

Estimated Total Program Funding: $22,300,000

Expected Number of Awards: 70

Award Ceiling: $400,000

Award Floor: $0

TAP funds are limited. Applying for amounts in excess of the ceiling may cause your application to be denied.

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date for Applications: 03/12/2025

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?

For technical assistance with grants.gov, you can reach out to Tanya Joshua at Tanya_Joshua@ios.doi.gov, or Hailey McCoy at Hailey_McCoy@ios.doi.gov.

Please note 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 help desk 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.

Executive Summary The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is requesting proposals for its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) which provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet the immediate needs of the insular areas.

The top priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: Disaster planning and response, energy production, natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems, public safety/emergencies, data improvements, and climate change (including water, energy, invasives species, food security and coral reef management).

Other priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: accountability, financial management, economic development, education, management control initiatives, capacity building, and information technology.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) 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/

Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including utilities) in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; and hospitals/health centers, institutions of higher education and any non-profit organizations whose projects directly benefit the seven insular areas in accordance with Federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Part 200 "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards" or 2

CFR 200.

Per 2 CFR 200.444, OIA cannot provide funding to the Judicial or Legislative branches of local governments.

Please see the Application Package Checklist.

Restrictions and Requirements for Non-U.S. Entities or Projects

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

foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

• Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S.

Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

• In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Recipients, subrecipients, and contractors working outside the U.S. must coordinate with the appropriate authorities to get all necessary licenses, permits, or approvals before starting projects. The DOI is not responsible for ensuring recipients working outside the U.S. comply with in-country laws, rules, or policies.

• Foreign Projects Over $500,000: If the estimated value of the activities to be performed outside of the United States exceeds $500,000, the anticipated recipient must comply with the compliance plan and certification requirements in 2 CFR 175.105(b) prior to receiving an award.

Cost Sharing Requirement 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.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-175

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

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

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

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

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

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

GRANTS.GOV

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

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• To build capacity and support the insular areas in the following program areas: climate change (including food and water security), energy, natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems, public safety/emergencies, invasive species management, accountability, financial management, economic development, education, management control initiatives, disaster planning, information technology, and data improvements.

Program Description The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is requesting proposals for its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) which provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet the immediate needs of the insular areas.

The top priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: Disaster planning and response, energy production, natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems, public safety/emergencies, data improvements, and climate change (including water, energy, invasives species, food security and coral reef management).

Other priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: accountability, financial management, economic development, education, management control initiatives, capacity building, and information technology.

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

TAP grants are not intended to supplant local funding of routine operating expenses of an insular government or organization or to be used for construction projects. “Routine operating expenses” include the purchase of office supplies and equipment upgrades, such as new computers, that are not necessitated as part of a broader project, such as the installation of new financial management software. TAP grants are not intended to fund the salaries of local, existing, employees (see Section D. Application Restrictions) though they may be utilized to provide temporary short-term expertise if approved in the proposal budget.

TAP funding is not intended for purchase of standard or routine vehicles though specialized vehicles, such as ambulance or fire trucks, may be considered. Costs associated with providing training should be limited to permanent career staff.

OIA’s limited grant funding should not, in general, be used to fund the training costs, including travel costs, of insular area political officials with limited terms or appointments.

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.

TAP funds are rarely awarded for infrastructure, however, if your application contains components for which Build America, Buy America (BABA) applies, please review and follow BABA regulations as applicable.

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

Type of Award Projects will be funded through:

G (Grant)

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications 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.

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

Required from all applicants 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 certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs; PLEASE FILL OUT ALL PAGES OF

THIS FORM

Required for non-construction projects

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

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.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE SECOND PAGE OF THE SF-424 A/C, WITH THE OBJECT

CLASS CATEGORIES

Project Narrative Signed and Dated Cover Letter (should be included with grants.gov attachments, should not be mailed): 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:

Carmen 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 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

Project Narrative - In this section provide the description of the program-specific requirements for project narrative statements. Indicate any restrictions on length, as applicable.

Application narrative requirements may include:

Cover Letter – be sure to include who (ASIIA) and where (OIA address) it should be addressed to;

• Project title;

• Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project;

• Statement of need;

• Goals and objectives;

• Timetable;

• Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement;

• Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including description of assessment tools to be used;

• Other program- or project-specific narrative requirements;

• Priority listing for multiple projects;

• Grant Recipient and Grant Manager with address, phone number and email;

• Financial Capability questions.

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 to receive full consideration:

1. Detailed Project Description(s): Describe the project(s) and activities being proposed, in detail.

2. Detailed Project Timeline(s): Provide a detailed project timeline for the completion of the projects or activities proposed.

3. Statement of Need: Describe, in detail, why this project is necessary and include supporting information. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts (of your organization as well as outside organizations) relevant to the proposed work. For example, if the proposed project assists with resolving a government’s audit findings; detailed information about the audit, the resulting finding, and how this project will assist in resolving that finding, should be included in the project narrative.

4. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term goals of what you want to achieve.

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).

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 the Executive Summary section.

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

Please note that the performance measures need to be reported on in every Performance Progress Report submitted. If performance goals are not being met, a detailed explanation of why they are not being met should be included in the report.

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 Technical Assistance Request for Fiscal Year 2025 $

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.

If awarded, this information will be input into USA spending to inform the public.

• Award Purpose

• Activities to be performed

• Expected deliverables or outcomes

• Intended Beneficiaries

• Subrecipient activities

Application Package Checklist

A complete application package should include:

• Core SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form

• SF-424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (Or SF-424C) (Please fill out all pages of this form)

• SF-424B Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (Or SF-424D)

• Signed and Dated Cover Letter

• Project abstract (must include award purpose, activities to be performed, expected deliverable, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities)

• 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.

• Performance Measures - at least one performance measure (output & outcome) that corresponds to the proposed project objective

• Letters of Support - Letters of support should be addressed to Charlene Starr, Associate 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.

• 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.

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

• Copy of your entity's audit summary page with findings. (Please see Financial

Capabilities section below for further information)

• 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 language in the “Other Documentation” section of this announcement for further guidance, if needed.

• Conflict of Interest statement, if applicable.

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.

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).

Detailed Project Budget(s): OIA does not require a cost share. 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. 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

Other Required Information Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E 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.

Financial Capabilities - OIA will check SAM.gov for active exclusions for each applicant. If you’d like to submit any additional information regarding exclusions or financial capabilities, please include it in your narrative proposal.

All non-profit applicants must answer the following questions:

Does your organization undergo an annual single audit or independent financial audit (Yes/No)?

If yes, answer questions 1 and 2. If no, answer questions 3, 4 and 5.

1. Was the audit uploaded on the single audit clearinghouse? If so, please provide the EIN number for the audit and also include with your proposal a copy of the audit summary page with findings, and specify the last audit year that was completed.

2. 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.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

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

Address to Request Application Package All proposals must be submitted via grants.gov. OIA will only allow for alternative submissions for extenuating circumstances, with prior approval from OIA. Individual extensions may also be approved for extenuating circumstances, with prior OIA approval.

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO LOG

IN TO GRANTS.GOV. PLEASE BE SURE YOU CAN LOG IN AND HAVE ACCESS TO

SUBMIT FOR YOUR ENTITY BEFORE THAT DATE. NOT BEING ABLE TO LOG IN TO

GRANTS.GOV OR REALIZING YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT ACCESS FOR YOUR

ENTITY ON THE DAY OF THE DEADLINE IS NOT AN EXTENUATING

CIRCUMSTANCE. Give yourself plenty of time to upload your application.

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

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 03/12/2025

Closing Date Explanation

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.

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

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.

Eligible applicants are non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including utilities) in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; and hospitals/health centers, institutions of higher education and any non-profit organizations whose projects directly benefit the seven insular areas in accordance with Federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Part 200 "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards" or 2

CFR 200.

Per 2 CFR 200.444, OIA cannot provide funding to the Judicial or Legislative branches of local governments.

Please see the Application Package Checklist.

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

1. The narrative is clear and detailed, and the desired outcome is identified, and the performance measures are identified and measurable. Maximum Points: 20

20 The project description is clear and detailed, and the desired outcome is clearly identified, the performance measures are identified and measurable.

15 The project description somewhat detailed, and the desired outcome is identified, the performance measures are somewhat identified.

1 The project description is not clear or there are no performance measures identified.

2. The project aligns with one or more of the Office of Insular Affairs’ TAP priorities listed in the announcement and/or aligns with Congressional and/or Administration priorities.

Maximum Points: 20 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

The proposed project aligns with one or more of the current Administration’s top priorities (listed below):

Disaster planning and response, energy production, natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems, public safety/emergencies, data improvements, and climate change (including water, energy, invasives species, food security and coral reef management).

The proposed project aligns with one or more of the current Administration’s other priorities (listed below):

Accountability, financial management, economic development, education, management control initiatives, capacity building, and information technology.

1 The proposed project minimally aligns with one of the TAP priorities.

3. The Project budget is reasonable. Maximum Points: 10

The Grant application budget is comprehensive and well detailed. All budget items are allowable reasonable, and directly relevant to the project. The budget reflects competitive sourcing and reasonable cost comparisons. Indirect Cost Rate agreement was included, along with the calculations.

The grant application budget presents basic information, although there are some questions and possible inadequacies in terms of appropriateness, technical soundness, and application. Indirect Cost Rate agreement was included, along with the calculations.

The grant application budget minimally presents basic information. Some budget items may not be appropriate and there are major questions regarding technical soundness and applicability.

4. The project timeline in reasonable. Maximum Points: 10

10 The grant application timeline is reasonable, comprehensive, and well detailed. It maintains the three year or less grant period for TAP grants.

The grant application presents a timeline with general appropriateness, although it is less detailed and there are some questions or concerns regarding the proposed project length.

1 The grant application presents a timeline that minimally presents basic information.

5. If the applicant is a previous OIA grantee, their prior performance was acceptable.

Maximum Points: 10

Recipient has met all objectives in previous award(s) and reported on outcomes and performance measures; on schedule to meet all objectives in current award(s) or Recipient met most objectives in previous award(s) and the reason(s) for delay or non-performance was(were) unavoidable or recipient has no past or current award with the bureau.

Recipient has no previous awards or recipient may have had issues with meeting objectives in current or past award(s) or in reporting on outcomes and performance measures, but was responsive to bureau communications or request for information or action related to the issue(s). Issue(s) was(were) resolved.

Recipient failed to deliver proposed outcomes/outputs on previous award(s);

significantly behind schedule or failing to meet maintenance of effort required on current award(s) due to failures within recipient’s control to correct. Recipient significantly failed to comply with award terms and conditions. Recipient was not responsive to communications or requests for information or action related to the issues. Issues were never resolved.

6. Reporting Compliance. Maximum Points: 10 10 Recipient has a history of submitting timely performance and financial reports.

Recipient has no previous reporting requirement; or Recipient has asked for reporting extensions for performance and financial reports or has been periodically late in submitting these reports.

1 Recipient has been consistently late in submitting performance and financial reports.

7. Active Exclusions. Maximum Points: 5

5 The recipient has no Active or Inactive Exclusions in SAM.gov

3 The recipient has Inactive Exclusions on SAM.gov, but program has positive prior experience with recipient.

1 The recipient has Active Exclusions in SAM.gov but bureau/office can mitigate risk by adding conditions to the award.

8. The project has support and/or participation from major stakeholders and local government officials. Maximum Points: 15

In order to obtain a score of 15, the application must include one of the following:

- The proposal is in the top third of the Governor, President or designee’s list of priority projects. (A priority ranking will affect score more than a letter of support from the ranker; e.g. if you only have one letter of support from the Governor but your proposal is ranked low by the Governor, the score we assign will be based on Governor’s priority listing.)

- The proposal includes at least three letters of support from key partners and supporters outside of its own organization or agency and/or has known Congressional or Administration support (including such things as historical support by Congress and/or Administration).

In order to obtain a score of 7, the proposal must contain one of the following:

The proposal is in the middle third of the Governor or President’s list of priority projects.

At least one letter of support has been submitted, and the proposal demonstrates that there will be local government involvement in the project.

The project will have little, if any, support.

The proposal is in the bottom third of the Governor or President’s list of priority projects.

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

• figures are correct

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

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

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

The Technical Assistance Review Committee will review, score and evaluate all eligible applications. The Technical Assistance 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:

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.

Decision Timeframe: Decisions on funding of project proposals will be made by September 30, 2025. 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) 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

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, http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl%22%20/t%20%22_blank http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl%22%20/t%20%22_blank 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) project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges.

AWARD NOTICES

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

Anticipated Project Start Date: 10/01/2025

Anticipated Project End Date: 09/30/2029

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.

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.

• All projects must receive an Authorization to Proceed (ATP) before beginning any work except work related to compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

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.

Award Notices

• After an applicant’s proposal is selected for award, the applicant will receive a letter from the Office of Insular Affairs.

• The Office of Insular Affairs anticipates that the grant recipients and projects will be chosen during the summer.

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.

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 Standard Terms and Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

OIA specific terms and conditions will be provided with grant documents for all new grants.

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.

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per

Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

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://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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-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).

The standard grant reporting requirements are listed below:

• A narrative and financial 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.

• Reports are due within 30 days of the end of the period (i.e. January 30 and July 30).

Final reports are due 120 days after the expiration or termination of the award.

• Please note that the performance measures need to be reported on in every Performance Progress Report submitted. If performance goals are not being met, a detailed explanation of why they are not being met should be included in the report.

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.

Other Information H1. Payments

Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by OIA.

Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System.

Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Bureau will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.

H2. Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit…