FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.docx

Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

I. Funding Opportunity Description The US Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in the following research area: the immunology of insects with a focus on imperiled bumble bees. The research is to develop tools for the recovery of endangered or imperiled bumble bees such as Bombus affinis (rusty patched bumble bee) and Bombus occidentalis (western bumble bee). Each of these species were once widespread and dominant throughout parts of North America but have declined rapidly in the past 20 years. The leading hypothesis for the cause of this decline has been the proliferation of a pathogen, Variomorpha bombi, in wild bumble bees. Strategies to decrease the negative effects of this pathogen are therefore of great interest to the recovery of these bumble bee species.

Bumble bees are important wildlife throughout the world and provide considerable economic benefit to cropping systems that require insect (and particularly buzz) pollination. Several previously-common bumble bee species in North America have declined markedly over the past two decades, prompting the listing of rusty patched bumble bee (RPBB) on the Endangered Species Act and petitions to list several other bumble bees as endangered. Many knowledge gaps have been identified that hamper the conservation of these species. A major knowledge gap is how pathogens affect bumble bee populations. Bumble bee species appear to vary considerably in their susceptibility to pathogens, suggesting a role variable immunity. Insect immune systems differ considerably from those of vertebrates, in that they lack an acquired immune system. However, recently priming responses of both cellular and non-cellular insect immune systems have been observed. Factors, such as nutrition, previous exposure to pathogens, and stressors, that could modulate the immune systems of insects might be leveraged to improve the health of pollinator populations by boosting immunity.

This CESU will guide work to better understand the immune responses of bumble bees to work toward the long-term goal of developing actionable methods to improve the health of pollinators that face threats from pathogens. Pollinator conservation is among the top priorities for many land managers, and additional information is required to support management decisions under the Endangered Species Act.

This opportunity to being offered to CESU Partners having capability to conduct research related to the immunology of bumble bees, with a focus on imperiled species. Welcome work in surrogate insect species that develops techniques that may be applicable to improving bumble bee health. Are looking to leverage collaborations to incorporate expertise in insect immunology into a large existing project supporting the recovery of endangered and imperiled bumble bees.

Current research interests include (1) understanding factors that prime the immune systems of bumble bees, (2) studies that explore novel technologies to prime bumble bee immunity to pathogens, (3) studies that develop surrogate systems to explore insect immunity in ways that may benefit bumble bee conservation, and (4) studies on genetic and molecular mechanisms of insect immunity. The outcome of a successful agreement will be research products that help DOI and other land-management partners better understand and implement recovery strategies for imperiled bumble bees. Through this CESU agreement, the federal and state university partners will cooperate fully in development of a research program that will produce final products to be used in support of management decisions pertaining to bumble bees. The cooperation of the USGS and its CESU partner brings a combination of expertise to address this objective that is greater than that possessed by either partner on its own.

Research Objectives:

The overarching objectives of this opportunity are to better understand the immunology of bumble bees faced with pathogen attack and to develop tools to improve the health of native bumble bees. Specific research objectives that are a priority for support are listed below:

1. Understand factors that prime the immune systems of bumble bees.

2. Explore novel technologies to prime bumble bee immunity to pathogens.

3. Develop surrogate systems to explore insect immunity in ways that may benefit bumble bee conservation.

4. Better understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of insect immunity.

II. Award information

It is anticipated that one award will be made with one base year and four renewal years. The total estimated funding for this project is $399,000. Funding in the amount of $30,000 is estimated to be available for FY 2025.

III. Eligibility Information

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

IV. Application and Submission Information

Apply electronically through grants.gov. Questions are to be directed to Faith Graves: fgraves@usgs.gov

a) Content and Form of Application:

1. Recipient’s Name

2. Principal Investigator (individual who will oversee the cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number, and email address

3. Technical contact (Staff member(s) who will administer the cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number, and email address

4. List laboratories, field equipment, and facilities available for project work.

5. Experience of staff to conduct the stated work objectives of the project.

b) Proposal Text - Please include the following:

a. Introduction and Statement of Problem. Give a brief introduction to the research problem. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work that has been completed or is ongoing in this area

c) Budget Sheets - This information will provide more details than what is required under the SF 424A form. Please include the following:

n. Provide copy of recipient’s rate agreement.

d) USGS Data Management Plan Requirements

Proposals submitted to USGS must include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan" (DMP). This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to USGS policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results and associated data. A valid DMP may include only the statement that no detailed plan is needed (e.g. “No data are expected to be produced from this project”), as long as the statement is accompanied by a clear justification. This supplementary document may include:

· the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;

· the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);

· policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;

· provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and

· plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of free public access to them.

Additional guidance on data management plans is available from the USGS Data Management web site here: http://www.usgs.gov/datamanagement/plan/dmplans.php

Simultaneously submitted collaborative proposals and proposals that include subawards are a single unified project and should include only one supplemental combined DMP by the lead PI that also addresses all subaward data management needs, regardless of the number of non-lead collaborative proposals or subawards included.

Prohibition on Issuing Financial Assistance Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements

Section 743 of Division E, Title VII of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available under that or any other Act for grants or cooperative agreements to an entity that requires employees or contractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must not require their employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must notify their employees or contractors that existing internal confidentiality agreements covered by this condition are no longer in effect.

e) Project Abstract Summary – ATTACHMENT C

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memoranda M-21-20 and M-22-02, Federal agencies are now required to provide complete and accurate financial assistance award descriptions within USAspending.gov. As such, the Department of the Interior is requiring its bureaus and offices to provide a Project Abstract Summary for all financial assistance awards to include the following information:

FORMAT AS FOLLOWS ADDRESS EACH BULLET:

• Include a plain language description Award purpose (avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology);

• Activities to be performed;

• Deliverables and Expected Outcomes;

• Intended beneficiary(ies) as well as

• Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award

Project Abstract Summary character limitation as 1 page or less (no more than ~4000 characters) and use of 12 pt. font and Times New Roman is recommended.

Upon issuance of the cooperative agreement, this Project Abstract Summary will be publicly available at USAspending.gov.

f) BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH COMMON FORMAT - ATTACHMENT A

This Biographical Sketch Common Form provides instructions for submission of a biographical sketch by each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded research project. The biographical sketch used to assess how well qualified the individual, team, or organization is to conduct the proposed activities.

Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support1 has been created to provide helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The table includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final column identifies activities that are not required to be reported.

Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the biographical sketch. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the biographical sketch and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. The Federal research funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.

The format of the Biographical Sketch Common Form is provided in ATTACHMENT A.

g. CURRENT AND PENDING (OTHER) SUPPORT COMMON FORMAT (ATTACHMENT B) The individual agrees to update this disclosure at the request of the Federal research funding agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award. (Refer to the Federal research funding agency’s policy on updating award support).

Instructions for Submission of the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form

Current and pending (other) support information is used to assess the capacity or any conflicts of commitment that may impact the ability of the individual to carry out the research effort as proposed. The information also helps assess any potential scientific and budgetary overlap/duplication with the project being proposed.

This document provides instructions on submission of current and pending (other) support information for each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded research project.1 A separate submission must be provided for each proposal and active project, as well as in-kind contributions using the instructions and format specified below. Note that there is no page limitation for this section of the application, though some fields have character limitations for consistency and equity.

Consulting activities must be disclosed under the proposals and active projects section of the form when any of the following scenarios apply:

· The consulting activity will require the senior/key person to perform research as part of the consulting activity;

· The consulting activity does not involve performing research, but is related to the senior/key person’s research portfolio and may have the ability to impact funding, alter time or effort commitments, or otherwise impact scientific integrity; or

· The consulting entity has provided a contract that requires the senior/key person to conceal or withhold confidential financial or other ties between the senior/key person and the entity, irrespective of the duration of the engagement.

Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

1In accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance, senior/key persons typically do not include graduate students.

A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support2 has been created to provide helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The table includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final column identifies activities that are not required to be reported.

Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the current and pending (other) support. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the current and pending (other) support template and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. The Federal research funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.

The format for submission of the two types of support: (a) proposals and active projects; and (b) in-kind contributions are provided in ATTACHMENT B.

V. Application review information

The successful applicant(s) must have a strong working knowledge of ecological science, bumble bee biology, entomology, plant biology, and insect immunology. In addition, the applicant(s) should have strong demonstrated skills and abilities that include communicating projects to a diverse group of resource managers.

Review and Selection Process: Applications are considered based on the completeness of documentation, meeting of stated basic eligibility, and other category requirements. Specific evaluation factors are identified in the proposal narrative. Budget information is evaluated for reasonableness and appropriateness to applicant project goals.

Proposals are reviewed by the U.S. Geological Survey technical personnel. Individual proposals are evaluated and scored. The evaluations and scores will be submitted to the contracting officer for final award determination.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

2. Experience of Researcher (30 points)

(a) What is the experience level of the applicant(s) as applicable to conducting studies that pertain to insect immunology?

(b) What is the experience of the applicant with insect ecology and pollination biology?

(c) Do the researchers have the capacity to work with other stakeholders such as the USFWS, USDA-ARS, and regional land managers?

3. Work Plan (30 points)

(a) How clear and appropriate are the proposed methods to address the stated objectives?

(b) How appropriate are the scientific objectives and methods for the proposed time frame and budget?

VI. Award Administration Information

Award recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the grant/cooperative agreements and sub-award supported activities to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements, and that performance goals are being achieved. Recipient monitoring must cover each program, function or activity.

Progress Reports

a) The recipient must submit annual progress reports electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/) or via e-mail to the USGS Program Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the USGS Grants Management Official within 90 calendar days after the agreement year (i.e., 12 months after the approved effective date of the agreement and every 12 months thereafter until the expiration date of the agreement.). For agreements with a total anticipated performance period of twelve months (12) months or less, only a final technical report will be required. A progress report is not required in the final budget year, unless the recipient requests an extension to the project period.

b) The progress reports shall include the following information:

(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the agreement established for the budget period and overall progress in response to the performance metrics.

(ii) The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.

(iii) Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.

(iv) An outline of anticipated activities and adjustments to the program during the next budget period.

c) Between the required reporting dates, events may occur which have significant impact upon the project or program. In such cases, the recipient shall inform the USGS as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

(i) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the agreement. This disclosure must include a statement of the action taken, or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

(ii) Favorable developments which enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

Final Technical Report

a) The Recipient must submit the final technical report electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/) or via e-mail to the USGS Program Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the USGS Grants Management Official. The final performance report will be due 120 calendar days after the period of performance end date.

b) The final technical report shall document and summarize the results of Recipient’s work. The report shall include a quantitative description of activities and overall progress in response to the performance metrics which documents and summarizes the results of the entire agreement. The final report shall include tables, graphs, diagrams, sketches, etc., as required to explain the results achieved under the agreement. The report shall also include recommendations and conclusions based upon both the experience and the results obtained.

Annual Financial Reports

a) The Recipient must submit an annual SF 425, Federal Financial Report, for each individual USGS award. The SF 425 is available at grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms. The SF 425 will be due within 90 days following the end of the annual period or within 90 days following the end of each annual period coinciding with the award start date.

b) The SF 425 must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/) or by e-mail to SF425@usgs.gov with a cc to the USGS Grants Management Official. Recipient must include the USGS award number (see page 1, block 4 titled: Grant No.) in the subject line of all e-mail correspondence. If, after 90 days, recipient has not submitted a report, the recipient’s account in Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) will be placed in a manual review status until the report is submitted.

Final Financial Report

Publications

a) Acknowledgment of Support Recipient is responsible for assuring that an acknowledgment of USGS support:

1) is made in any publication (including World Wide Web pages) of any material based on or developed under this agreement, in the following terms:

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. (see page 1, block 4 titled: Grant No.).

2) is orally acknowledged during all news media interviews, including popular media such as radio, television and news magazines.

b) Disclaimer Recipient is responsible for assuring that every publication of material (including World Wide Web pages) based on or developed under this agreement, contains the following disclaimer:

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

c) USGS Logo Use of the USGS logo (also known as "visual identity" or "identifier") constitutes the recipient’s agreement to and acceptance of the following terms:

· The USGS identifier is trademarked and not in the public domain.

· Use of the trademarked USGS identifier is authorized by USGS for use only by recipients of USGS funding.

· Use is authorized on information products that result from research funded by the financial assistance award.

· Use the USGS identifier for any other purpose without written permission from USGS is prohibited; doing so constitutes trademark infringement.

· Recipient will adhere to the design requirements, which are as follows:

· The USGS identifier must appear in black, white, or green only.

· The USGS identifier cannot be modified in any way except for proportional sizing.

· The USGS identifier should appear at the same size as logos of other agencies, if any.

· If used on a digital product, the USGS identifier should link to www.usgs.gov

d) Publication

Publication of the results of any project carried out under this assistance award is authorized in professional journals, trade magazines, or may be made by the USGS. Such manuscripts or publications submitted to journals or professional publications for publication shall be accompanied by the following notation:

This manuscript is submitted for publication with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes.

e) Copies for USGS

Recipient is responsible for assuring that the USGS Project Office is provided a digital version, preferably as a MS Word DOCx file, of every accepted manuscript upon acceptance for publication by the journal.

f) Department of the Interior Requirements

Two copies of each publication produced under a grant or cooperative agreement shall be sent to the Natural Resources Library with a transmittal that identifies the sender and the publication. The address of the library is:

U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resources Library Division of Information and Library Services Gifts and Exchange Section 18th and C Streets, NW Washington, DC 20240

Payment

Payments under financial assistance awards must be made using the Department of the Treasury Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system (www.asap.gov).

a) The recipient agrees that it has established or will establish an account with ASAP. USGS will initiate enrollment in ASAP. If the recipient does not currently have an ASAP account, they must designate an individual (name, title, address, phone and e-mail) who will serve as the Point of Contact (POC).

b) With the award of each grant/cooperative agreement, a sub-account will be set up from which the recipient can draw down funds. After recipient’s complete enrollment in ASAP and link their banking information to the USGS ALC (14080001), it may take up to 10 days for sub-accounts to be activated and for funds to be authorized for drawdown in ASAP.

c) Inquiries regarding payment should be directed to ASAP at 855-868-0151.

d) Payments may be drawn in advance only as needed to meet immediate cash disbursement needs.

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System FAPIIS Checks (PPIRS)

Funding Opportunity (2 CFR 200 Appendix I) For awards expected to exceed SAT ($150K), This is to inform applicants that, prior to award, agency is required to review and consider any information in FAPIIS about the applicant.

Pre-Award Review of FAPIIS (2 CFR 200.205) Where Federal share is expected to exceed SAT ($150,000) during Period of Performance, Information must demonstrate satisfactory record of executing programs under Federal grants, agreements, or procurements; and integrity and business ethics.

Terms and Conditions applicable to the Award:

The Award will contain the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Terms and Conditions, which incorporates the DOI General Terms and Conditions, available on the internet at: https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions. Full text is available upon request.

Agency Contacts Contractual Point of Contact:

Faith D. Graves CESU Contract Specialist U.S. Geological Survey Mail Stop 205G 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192 Phone: (703) 648-7356 Fax: (703) 648-7901 Email: fgraves@usgs.gov