funding opportunity.docx

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The US Geological Survey, GAP Analysis Program, is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research and data collection to evaluate GAP data systems and other national data and determine highest priority analyses to understand major changes occurring in the patterns of biodiversity in the US, and opportunities for conservation.

Objectives:

1. Participate in the development of the national protected areas partnership contributing to PAD-US.

The primary use of PAD-US is to facilitate landscape (e.g. state, watershed, regional and national) assessments of the conservation status of native vertebrate species and natural land cover types and to facilitate the application of this information to land management activities. The PAD-US geodatabase is required to organize and assess the status (i.e. land ownership and ‘protection status codes’) of protected areas for biodiversity protection. The PAD-US geodatabase is built to support landscape analyses by describing all protected areas to illustrate patterns and possible relationships with other factors (e.g. urban areas, migration corridors) across the landscape. Characteristics of protected areas such as land owner, name, location, size, GAP Status Code (a conservation measure of biodiversity management intent) and IUCN Category (an internationally relevant conservation measure) are compiled and standardized. The current objective is to refine the PAD-US data management structure and review protocols to facilitate more efficient aggregation and applications of authoritative protected areas data between agencies and organizations.

The primary tasks within this objective are:

· Assist with outreach related to PAD-US publications and associated products.

· Research the conversion of state, local government and private data from PAD-US 1.4 into the proposed PAD-US 2.0 multiple feature class structure and convert data, assuming the transition improves data management capacity.

· Assist with the publication of the PAD-US Data Standard.

· Research alternative methods for partners to assign GAP Status Code to simplify Standard Methods yet retain quality.

· Assist with revisions to the PAD-US website.

· Include federal land, select state, and other updates in the next PAD-US update.

· Continue coordination of protected area attribute review with federal agencies (e.g. Name, Access, Date of Establishment, GAP Status Code, IUCN Category) to improve their use in data and analysis.

· Coordinate and conduct PAD-US related analyses as requested by USGS.

· Continue to assist with coordination of the FGDC Federal Lands Working Group to improve the efficiency of updates, and accuracy of lands data in PAD-US.

· Continue to assist with coordination, outreach and technical assistance for the PAD-US State Data Stewards Network.

· Continue to coordinate with continental (i.e. CEC) and global (i.e. WCMC) data partners to ensure US protected area submissions from PAD-US are delivered according to agreements.

· Continue to assist on the North American Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation for Wilderness and Protected Area Conservation (NAWPA Committee) with updates to the North American Protected Areas database and /or maps.

2. Participate in a partnership with USGS GAP and LANDFIRE to improve the understanding and mapping of the ecological systems of the US.

This dataset is widely used for a variety of fire, wildlife and ecological projects that need spatially explicit land cover data with consistent classifications, including vegetative species components, for large landscapes. Partnerships should participate in strategic advancements of the dataset, improving regional or thematic accuracy, or developing modifications essential for species or groups of species which might be interesting for the better understanding of trends in biodiversity.

The primary tasks within this objective are:

· Interior Wetland Mapping: Test and evaluate a preponderance of evidence approach to mapping wetland potential in the interior regions of the U.S.

· Map Legend: Continue refinement of the existing vegetation map legend by reviewing and editing the detailed descriptions and developing range maps for each map unit.

· Plot Labelling: Evaluate the results of newly developed autokeys for labeling training data to the ecological systems and the USNVC Macrogroups and Groups.

· Continuous Variables: Evaluate methods for incorporating continuous variable data (i.e. % shrub, % bare ground within map units) being developed by the National Land Cover Database into the mapping of natural vegetation.

· Vegetation Classification Crosswalk: Develop crosswalks between the GAP/LANDFIRE existing vegetation map legend (ecological systems and USNVC types) and commonly used vegetation and land use classification systems (i.e. NLCD map units).

3. Participate in a partnership with the USGS GAP and other university institutions to create a better understanding of the status and major trends in the biodiversity of the US.

Assessments of biodiversity commonly use characterizations of land cover, information on protected areas, along with information on the range or distribution of species or groups of species. Assessments commonly look at species richness, locations of rare habitat or species, and locations of range limited or endemic species. However, this has never been done in the US using the most recent updates to the national ecological systems data created by GAP/LANDFIRE, the most recent PAD-US, and the most recent, comprehensive array of vertebrate species information created by the National Gap Analysis Program. The objective is to do such an assessment, combining existing data with a strategy to go beyond the common approaches and include assessments for:

· Groups of species with population declines that have common habitat uses or common behavior characteristics

· Species of interest due to climate change

· Species that are more limited in knowledge because they are hard to detect or for other reasons

· Unique or rare habitat types

· Highly fragmented ecosystems or landscapes

· Areas rich in endemism

· Areas at risk due to urban growth

· Species and habitats at risk from other change agents

The primary tasks within this objective include:

· Developing a one-year project plan that states which analyses will be conducted, by whom, with explicit statements about why the individual projects were chosen (significance).

· Developing the GIS raster dataset for the analysis that builds attributes at the level of 12-digit hydrological units

· Conducting GIS analyses, assessing findings, and further refining analyses to explore major considerations related to the future status of biodiversity. This does not require explicit spatial models or future predictive scenarios, but instead looks at critical habitats or groups of species and determining which may be at greatest risk of decline.

· Developing a report that portrays national and regional trends, grouping HUCs to consistently report, as best possible, at the same scale as the EPA EnviroAtlas.

· Including within the analysis, in addition to evaluating threats, spatial evaluations of conservation opportunities, based on ecological and/or economic and political criteria.

This project will be conducted in partnership with the USGS National Gap Analysis Program. Full information on that program is available at http://gapanalysis.usgs.gov.

II. Award Information

It is anticipated that one award will be made with one base year and three renewal years. The total estimated funding for this project is $2.9 million. Funding in the amount of $725,000 is available for FY 2015. Additional funding will be based upon satisfactory progress and the availability of funding. Multiple year project proposals are acceptable for a total not to exceed $2.9 million. Project work should start by about Sept. 1, 2015.

III. Applicant Eligibility

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 Great Basin (CESU) Program.

IV. Application and Submission Information

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.

Proposal Text - The text should be no longer than 15 pages, with 1-inch margins and a font size no smaller than 12. Please include the following:

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 rate agreement.

V. Application Review

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

Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance: (25 points) How well does the proposal clearly the scope, methods, data collection, and analysis steps, including data structure and information management, and relate these to the purpose of the project which is to develop and maintain a national database capable of supporting multiple types of biodiversity assessment?

Technical Capability: (25 points)

Budget Justification and Clarity: (25 points)

Past Performance: (25 points) Does the proposal cite past projects clearly related to the opportunity?

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 shall submit two copies of each Progress Report to the USGS Project Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the USGS Contracting Officer. Unless otherwise specified in the grant, annual progress reports should be submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the current budget period to allow adequate time for the designated office to review the report. In the case of multi-year awards, failure to submit timely reports may delay processing of funding increments. For awards with a total anticipated performance period of twelve months (12) months or less, only a Final Technical Report will be required.

b. The progress reports shall include the following information:

(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the Federal award 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 Federal award. 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 shall submit two copies of the final technical report to the USGS Project Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the USGS Contracting Officer. The final performance report will be due 90 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 will submit an annual SF 425, Federal Financial Report, for each individual USGS award. The SF 425 is available at - http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms. The SF 425 will be due ninety (90) calendar days after the grant 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). USGS acknowledges that this annual reporting schedule may not always correspond with a specific budget period.

b. The SF 425 must be submitted electronically through the FedConnect Message Center (www.fedconnect.net) or by e-mail to SF425@usgs.gov. Recipient must include the USGS award number in the subject line of all correspondence. If, after 90 days, Recipient has not submitted a report, the Recipient’s account in ASAP will be placed in a manual review status until the report is submitted.

Final Financial Report

(ii) When the revision represents additional reimbursable costs claimed by the Recipient, a revised final SF 425 may be submitted to the USGS Contracting Officer with an explanation. If approved, the USGS will either request and pay a final invoice or reestablish the ASAP subaccount to permit the Recipient to make a revised final draw. Any revised final report representing additional reimbursable amounts must be submitted no later than 1 year from the due date of the original report, i.e., 15 months following the Agreement completion date. USGS will not accept any revised SF 425 covering additional expenditures after that date and will return any late request for additional payment to the Recipient.

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).

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).

a. With the award of each grant/cooperative agreement, a sub-account will be set up from which the Recipient can draw down funds. After Recipients 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.

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

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

VII. Agency Contacts

A. Grants.gov

Technical questions concerning the application process at Grants.gov:

Grants.gov Help Desk at:

Phone: 1-800-518-GRANTS E-mail: support@grants.gov

B. Program Announcement

Applicants are strongly urged to submit questions via e-mail to:

Ms. Faith Graves, Contract Specialist U.S. Geological Survey Acquisitions and Grants Branch 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 205 Reston, VA 20192 Phone: (703) 648-7356 E-mail: fgraves@usgs.gov