FY 2015 SM Program Announcement.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

-- STATEMAP --

The State Component of the

National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Authorized by The National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2009

(Public Law 111-11)

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT No. G15AS00006

For Fiscal Year 2015

ISSUE DATE: September 2, 2014

CLOSING DATE & TIME:

October 29, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m. EST

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY AND NOTE ANY CHANGES

Paperwork Reduction Act Approval – OMB control number 1028-0088, Expiration Date 08/31/2015 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………………..…….. i

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS …………………………………………………………..….. i

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT CHANGES………………………………………….. ii

PART I. Public Law, Program Priorities, and Geologic Map Products …………….…. 1

A. The National Geologic Mapping Act …………………………………….…. 1

B. STATEMAP Component of the NCGMP …………………………………... 1

C. STATEMAP Proposals …………………………………………………..….. 1

D. Geologic Map Products ……………………………………………………

PART II. Timetables, Eligibility, Format Instructions, and Proposal Evaluation ……..… 3

A. Timetables ………………………………………………………………….… 3

B. Eligibility – Who May Submit a Proposal ………………………………

C. Proposal Format Instructions ………………………………………………… 4

D. Proposal Evaluation ………………………………………………………….. 10

PART III. Proposal Delivery and Submission Instructions …………………………….. 11

PART IV. General Provisions ………………………………………………………….. 11

A. General Provisions of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program... 11

B. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars …………………………12

C. Publication …………………………………………………………………….12

D. Funding ………………………………………………………………………..13

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Proposal Submission Forms and their Instructions

A. STATEMAP Proposal Summary Sheet

B. Statement of Outcome

C. Budgets Sheets (for both entire proposal and individual projects)

D. Terms and Conditions

Form required at the end of the project period (form is online only)

E. Standard Form 425 – Federal Financial Report (submitted through

FedConnect); form is available online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/ ii

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT CHANGES

Emphasis on Salary/Wages breakdown

Please review on pages 6 and 7 in Part II, C. Proposal Format Instructions, Section 10b.

Budget Sheets, Salary and Wages that describes and provides an example on how to itemize salary and wages on the budget sheets.

NCGMP Acknowledgement on Deliverables and Publications

Guidance for acknowledgement of the National Cooperative Geologic Map Program on your map deliverables and publications has been updated on page 12, PART III. Proposal

Delivery and Submission Instructions, Section C2. Publication, Program Credit.

Emphasis on submitting a Technical Report as part of StateMap deliverables.

The USGS has recently been provided guidance by the Department of the Interior to submit an annual Risk Assessment of all awardees of USGS Grants, Cooperative

Agreements, and Contracts (Department of the Interior Guidance (DIG) 2013-03

Financial Assistance Monitoring Protocol). As part of the pre- and post-performance review methods for Risk Assessment, a technical report is required to be submitted by all awardees. In order to assist you in providing an acceptable technical report with your deliverables we emphasize that you review the Program Announcement section beginning on page 26 in Special Terms and Conditions, Section 5. Reporting Requirements, D.

Report preparation instructions (1) Technical Report. StateMap deliverables include a transmittal letter, technical report, and the maps proposed.

Many State Geological Surveys submit a Map Pamphlet or Map Technical Report with each of their deliverable maps and is an acceptable substitution for the technical report. If you submit a substantial map pamphlet then you do not have to submit the 3 page technical report explained here.

FY15 – STATEMAP Program Announcement - G15AS00006

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PART I. Public Law, Program Priorities, and Geologic Map Products

A. The National Geologic Mapping Act

The 102 nd

Congress recognized that the USGS and the State Geological Surveys needed a coordinated program to prioritize the geologic mapping requirements of the Nation, and to increase production of these geologic maps. The National Geologic Mapping Act (Public Law 102-285) was signed into law in 1992 and created the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. The Act has been re-authorized three times since then, most recently by the 111 th

Congress in 2009 (Public Law 111-11, sec. 11001). The Act recognizes that geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all applied and basic earth-science investigations. To read copies of the original act and the two reauthorizations, visit: http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/about/

The objectives of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) as outlined in the

Act are to:

1. Determine the Nation’s geologic framework through the systematic development of geologic maps; such maps will contribute to the National Geologic Map Database.

2. Develop complementary national databases (e.g., geophysical and paleontologic databases) that provide value-added information to the National Geologic Map Database.

3. Apply cost-effective mapping techniques that assemble and disseminate geologic-map information, and that render such information of greater application and benefit to the public.

4. Develop public awareness of the role and application of geologic-map information to the resolution of national issues of land use management.

For more information about the future goals of the NCGMP, our NCGMP 5-Year Plan is available at:

http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/about/

B. STATEMAP Component of the NCGMP

The primary objectives of the STATEMAP component of the NCGMP are to establish the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, or scientific welfare of individual

States. The State Geologist shall determine mapping priorities in consultation with a multi-representational State Mapping Advisory Committee. These priorities shall be based on: a) state requirements for geologic-map information in areas of multiple-issue need or areas of compelling single-issue need, and b) State requirements for geologic-map information in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth-science problems. Priorities are not dependent on past agreements with the USGS.

C. STATEMAP Proposals

Only one proposal will be accepted from each State each fiscal year. Proposals may contain a number of geologic mapping projects and may include one compilation or digitization project. Or, all projects may be for new mapping if the State chooses. The emphasis of the program is on new geologic mapping in the field. It is recommended that states submit no more than 4 projects total.

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Projects may contain one or multiple quadrangles in an area. Each project should: (1) be clearly defined and justified, (2) be organized around a credible issue or area to be mapped, and (3) show a 1:1

Federal/State funding match. A graphic or index map showing the project areas should be included in the proposal. While geologic mapping projects may take more than one year to complete, a completely new proposal subject to full review must be submitted each year. The STATEMAP Proposal

Evaluation Panel will recommend a funding level for the entire proposal. If full funding is not granted, an applicant is required to submit to the STATEMAP Program Officer and Grant Specialist a revised form SF 424, revised summary sheet, revised budget sheets, and revised deliverables if they will change, limited to the projects and amount recommended for funding. Alternatively, an applicant can decline to participate in the program.

In fiscal year 2015 the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program may receive funding for hydraulic fracturing and water related studies and mapping. If funds become available, they may be awarded to those STATEMAP and FEDMAP projects that most directly contribute to the goals of

USGS STATEMAP and hydraulic fracturing programs. We welcome a statement on how future or ongoing projects can contribute to these important national priorities. In the Introduction Section of your STATEMAP proposal, please add no more than a one page discussion about how your State could contribute.

D. Geologic Map Products

A geologic map is defined as a map that depicts the geographic distribution at the Earth’s surface of bedrock and/or surficial geologic materials and structures, on a published base map showing topography, hydrography, culture, cadastral, and other base information. Digital geologic maps may also contain a great variety of point data for specific sites, creating a 3-dimensional database. A geologic map should include: (1) a clear and legible base (include base map credit and map projection),

(2) scale and contour interval, (3) north arrow and magnetic declination, (4) title, authorship, publisher, and date, (5) location index map, (6) field data or field data stations, (7) description of map units, (8) explanation of map symbols, and (9) unit symbols on map. A geologic map may also include correlation or sequence of map units, stratigraphic columns, cross sections, and text.

Two types of geologic map products are acceptable to the STATEMAP Program. One is for new geologic mapping and one is digital map compilation. New geologic mapping should be done at a scale of 1:24,000, 1:25,000, or at scales deemed appropriate for the geologic problem being solved. In

States where base maps are available at smaller scales, 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 may be most appropriate.

Map scales should be between 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 scale. The result envisioned for the digital compilation project is a 1:100,000 scale digital geologic map that will eventually become part of the

State database and the National Geologic Map Database. Note: Exceptions will be made where base maps of 1:100,000 scale are generally not available, e.g., Alaska, or where the State Mapping Advisory

Committee authorizes another scale.

All STATEMAP deliverables are to be delivered as a high quality digital Portable Document Format

(PDF or GeoPDF) files. At the end of an awarded cooperative agreement period of performance, a digital version of your STATEMAP deliverable(s) is required to be transmitted either by mail to the

STATEMAP Program Officer at the address on page 24 or electronically. Current options for delivery

Page: 3 are by CD/DVD media via mail, FTP, DropBox, or email for smaller files. Deliverables may be in review and not final products; however, they must include the parts of a geologic map listed above. If the map is not yet published, the final updated published map (as an open-file or formal series) must be available through the means above to the STATEMAP Program Officer as soon as it is released.

Guidelines for Digital STATEMAP Products

The USGS provides a Guideline for Digital STATEMAP Products and to the extent feasible we encourage adherence to these guidelines found at:

http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/dataexch/STATEMAPguidelines.html. Please note that the

Guidelines (formally adopted by the Association of American State Geologists in 2002) address the general format of digital maps submitted to STATEMAP, and are not strict requirements. In addition, the use of the FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Geologic Map Symbolization is strongly encouraged (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/fgdc_gds/).

As you prepare your geologic maps please compare the stratigraphic nomenclature used on your map product to entries in the U.S. Geologic Names Lexicon (GEOLEX) (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/).

We request that in a document or spreadsheet submitted with your deliverable maps to specify all discrepancies, and provide guidance on corrections or additions to be applied to GEOLEX. Please include in this guidance any relevant bibliographic citations to be added.

In order to support the goals of the National Geologic Map Database, you have the opportunity to participate in evaluation of the NCGMP09 database standard

(http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/NCGMP09/). All correspondence concerning NCGMP09 should be directed to Dave Soller (drsoller@usgs.gov). Evaluation of the NCGMP09 standard is not a mandatory requirement to fulfill the contractual obligations of an awarded cooperative agreement.

PART II. Timetables, Eligibility, Format Instructions, and Proposal Evaluation

A. Timetables

Proposal Announcement Date: September 2, 2014

Closing Date and Time for Proposal Submission: October 29, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m. (EST)

B. Eligibility – Who May Submit a Proposal

Only State Geological Surveys are eligible to apply to the STATEMAP component of the National

Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program pursuant to the National Geologic Mapping Act (Public Law

111-11). Since many State Geological Surveys are organized under a State university system, such universities may submit a proposal on behalf of the State Geological Survey. State Geological

Surveys must have a State Mapping Advisory Committee (or equivalent) meet annually to qualify for funding.

This committee shall advise the State Geological Survey on geologic mapping priorities within their http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/dataexch/STATEMAPguidelines.html http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/fgdc_gds/ http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/ http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/NCGMP09/ mailto:drsoller@usgs.gov

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State. A letter of support from the Chair of the State Mapping Advisory Committee must accompany the proposal. This letter should briefly describe the process used to prioritize geologic mapping projects selected for the current proposal.

State Geological Surveys that have been funded previously under STATEMAP must be in compliance with requirements specified in previous STATEMAP awards and must have no outstanding deliverables (transmittal letter, geologic maps, and technical reports) due. Failure to meet previous award requirements will be grounds for ineligibility.

C. Proposal Format Instructions

Proposals must be arranged according to the format provided below. Following this format ensures that every proposal contains all essential information, and is evaluated equitably. All documents should be combined and submitted as one Portable Document Format (PDF) file.

Please organize your documents in the following order and combine them into one PDF file for submission.

All proposals must include the following documents:

1. Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance (mandatory form provided in grants.gov). The person who electronically submits the SF-424 must have the authority to bind the State to the terms of the assistance award.

2. Standard Form 424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

3. Standard Form 424B, Assurances—Non-construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

4. Negotiated Rate Agreement/Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. (Most States and Universities have a rate agreement. They are usually titled “State and Local Rate Agreement” or “Colleges and

Universities Rate Agreement”. The document provides the rates approved for use on grants, contracts and other agreements with the Federal Government. Some may have an individual audit agency review and provide an agreement. It is basically the documentation that is used that determines the indirect cost rate that is listed on your budget). If you request fringe benefits or indirect costs this agreement is required in order to verify rates requested.

5. Letter from the Chair of State Mapping Advisory Committee (SMAC). The letter should discuss the long-range plan, prioritization process, date of the committee meeting, and list of committee members who attended the meeting including their affiliations and expertise.

Voting SMAC members must not be listed on any projects as personnel.

6. STATEMAP Proposal Summary Sheet (Attachment A).

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7. Statement of Outcome. This should be one paragraph with a bibliographic citation showing how one of your state’s recently published STATEMAP products was used by another organization or person. It is beneficial to include a letter from the organization stating that the geologic map was a critical component of their decision-making process (Attachment B).

8. Table of Contents.

9. Proposal Technical Section. The technical section of the proposal is limited to 30 single space pages, with no smaller than 11-point font size, and 1-inch margins. Remember that a graphic is worth a thousand words, and the Proposal Evaluation Panel has many proposals to read.

Exceeding the 30-page limit for this part of the proposal will not be to your benefit. The figures must be labeled, of high quality, and easy to read and clearly explained. There should be no extraneous text beyond this section other than indicated. The technical section of your proposal includes the following:

a. Introduction. The introduction should include the State’s long-range geologic mapping plan, and how the proposed projects fit into this plan. It should give a brief overview of the project objectives and societal and scientific problems to be addressed. A graphic showing how your long-range plan may relate to population growth, transportation corridors, or some other societal need can be very helpful. Keep this section clear and concise.

b. Location and Geologic Setting. A clear, readable map (with scale) showing the location of each project area should accompany the text. Remember that the Proposal Evaluation Panel may not know your State’s geography as well as you. A separate generalized geologic map of your State is also helpful.

c. Purpose and Justification. This section should answer a few simple, but important questions. Why are you doing this mapping? Who are your customers? What benefits will society receive from the mapping? If geologic maps already produced nearby have been used by local or state agencies in making decisions, reporting on these outcomes is encouraged. It is helpful to include basic science benefits as well as the applied science.

d. Strategy for Performing the Geologic Mapping. This section should emphasize aspects of your long-range mapping plan that may influence this work, logistics of how the geologic mapping will be accomplished, and explanation of work that appears expensive, such as drilling or helicopter support. If a project is part of a multiyear effort, explain what will be completed for each year.

e. Preliminary Results and Prior Work. If you have done any work in the area, especially funded by STATEMAP, include a brief summary of findings or outcomes.

f. Deliverable Geologic Maps. You should provide an explicit list of geologic maps that will be delivered at the end of the one-year cooperative agreement period. If a project can not be completed in one year, interim maps are still required at the end of the period of performance that documents significant progress. We recommend that these maps be

Page: 6 labeled according to the year of development for example, Interim Map X (mapping year 1 of 2). When maps are submitted at the end of the period of performance, it is recognized that they may be in review, and not in final form. However, all necessary map components must be included (see Part I, section D). You should also indicate how the deliverables will be transmitted to the NCGMP Program Office and if you foresee any difficulties in providing digital (PDF or GeoPDF) maps and accompanying technical reports.

g. Project Personnel. Provide a table or list that includes information about the Principal

Investigator, staff, and support positions (such as geologist, field assistant, or cartographer).

Briefly discuss each person’s role on the project so that it links to the budget and mapping strategy section. For each person give a brief statement of their background or vita, and indicate whether the person works for your Survey or elsewhere (contractor or volunteer).

Unnamed personnel or unfilled positions should not be listed as a funding match. NCGMP strongly encourages geologic mapping projects to be a team approach to promote safe field practices.

h. Budget explanation and justification. This section should explain and justify in detail your budget. It is important that you itemize your supplies, laboratory and drilling expenses, travel expenses, and any unusual costs in this section for the proposal evaluation panel.

10. Budget sheets. (Attachment C) Your proposal must include one budget sheet for the entire proposal, and one budget sheet for each project. These attachments are only a format guide.

You may create your own budget sheet with the same format which has more lines for needed itemization. For each project the amount of contributions from a State Geological Survey must be equal to or greater than the amount requested from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and must be derived from non-Federal sources. Use common sense when determining how much to itemize. If it is an expensive item, or a significant proportion of your proposal request, the

Proposal Evaluation Panel will want to know some details.

PLEASE READ EACH CATEGORY DESCRIPTION BELOW AND PROVIDE THE DETAILED

BREAKDOWN THAT IS REQUIRED FOR EACH. THIS WILL HELP AVOID POSSIBLE DELAYS IN

PROCESSING A FUNDED PROPOSAL, AS AN AWARD WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL REQUIRED

INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.

The budgets shall contain the following:

a. NOTE: STATEMAP proposal budgets are Not To Exceed $300,000 total requested budget.

b. Salaries and Wages. List names, positions, and the rate-of-compensation for each person. Salaries or wages for student assistants (both undergraduates and graduate students) are an acceptable cost to the program. This should only include personnel actively involved in the mapping projects. Under most circumstances senior management salary/time is covered by the overhead (indirect cost) portion of the budget.

The portion of staff time involved in digitizing, reviewing and map production (to

Page: 7 open-file status) can be charged here. If senior management personnel do some of this actual work, include an explanation of their roles. Non-state survey staff working on the project should also be included, if they are being supported by other state funding (see below under cost share). The budget sheet should include the total time worked on the project(s) (in units of months, weeks, days, hours, or percentage of time), rate-of-compensation (dollars/hour for hourly employees, salary/year, or salary/month), and job title or role for each person. If contract employees are hired under a different category in the budget, their total time, rate-of-compensation, job titles, and roles should also be explained. Unnamed personnel or unfilled positions should not be listed as a funding match.

Example Salary/Wage Budget Section

Employee Job Title/Role Compensation

Rate

Units (mo, wk, hr, %)

Federal

Cost

State

Cost

Employee A Geologist II $50,000/year 2 $8333

Employee B Lead GIS

Technologist

$31.50/hour 240 $7560

c. Fringe Benefits. Propose your rates/amounts. If rates are audit approved, include a copy of the audit agreement and/or the name of the audit agency. If you request fringe benefits and not indirect costs you still have to provide an indirect cost rate agreement or show how the fringe benefit rate(s) is calculated.

d. Field Expenses. Itemize the estimated travel costs (i.e., number of people, number of travel days, per diem rate, mileage rate, airfare, transportation, and any other travel costs). Note: Travel to meetings of professional societies is not an acceptable expense.

Also, travel expenses for state mapping advisory committee meetings are not acceptable expenses.

e. Other Direct Cost Line Items to List.

Supplies. List costs for office, field, and laboratory supplies, including base maps, aerial photographs, petrographic thin sections, and other office and laboratory supplies. Itemize by including the number and cost for each item.

Equipment. List expendable equipment costs. Federal STATEMAP funds are not intended for the purchase of computer hardware, GPS, vehicles, or other nonexpendable property. STATEMAP funds may, if necessary, be used for the purchase of software site licenses that are used specifically for the completion of

STATEMAP products. Requests for software must be accompanied by a copy of an up-to-date cost quote from the software company and prorated for STATEMAP use only.

Drilling. Describe drilling costs and rates.

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Map digitization costs. Provide a breakdown of costs. If map digitization is to be contracted out, then it should be identified here. Explain and justify any extraordinary items.

Contractual services. Identify proposed contractors (individual or corporate) and provide the criteria by which contractors will be, or have been selected. Provide breakdown of all costs.

Data. If utilizing datasets like LiDAR or aeromagnetics, you must show how this information will be used to enhance the mapping or map product. If these datasets are used as a match, make sure no Federal funds were used to collect the data. Also, you must pro-rate the data cost for the area covered by the proposed map.

f. Non-allowable Expenses

Equipment and nonexpendable property. Federal STATEMAP funds are not intended for the purchase of computer hardware, GPS, vehicles, or other nonexpendable property, nor can these expenses be used as matching costs for

Federal funds.

Tuition and course fees. Federal STATEMAP funds are not intended to pay tuition or course fees nor can student tuition or course fees be used as a matching cost for Federal funds.

Computer maintenance. Routine computer maintenance contracts and charges for computer time are not acceptable costs (these should be covered by indirect costs).

Printing. Federal STATEMAP funds are not intended for State printing of multicolored or quality black-and-white versions of geologic maps produced in the program, nor can the cost to a State for such printing be used as a matching cost for Federal funds.

g. Total direct charges. (Items a - e.) Each project and the total of the proposal (all projects combined) MUST show a 1:1 Federal/State match of direct charges.

h. Indirect Charges. Show proposed rate and amount. Proposals must include a copy of the negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Be sure that indirect charges apply only to those direct cost items allowable under the negotiated cost rate agreement. Usually sub-contract direct costs are either excluded from indirect charges, or there is a cap on the amount of subcontract costs eligible for indirect charges.

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i. Important Notes. The 2009 Reauthorization of the National Geologic Mapping Act

(Public Law 111-11) states that the USGS and recipients of STATEMAP grants shall not use more than 15.25% of the Federal funds to pay indirect, servicing, or program management charges (which is equivalent to 18% of total direct costs).

j. Regardless of the State’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate, a State must show a 1:1 match of the total direct costs and no more than 18% on the Federal indirect cost line.

Up to 18% of a State’s total direct costs may be used as a State match on the State’s indirect cost line. If a State chooses (or is required) to show a higher than 18% rate on the State’s indirect cost line it can be listed under “uncollected indirect costs” on the

State’s side, the result will be a higher State budget total than the Federal budget total.

If the State’s approved rate is less than 18%, the approved rate must be used. Please read the statement below carefully to fully understand the matching requirements. This also applies to subcontracts. If you have a subaward issued for a portion of your project the same rules apply in regards to the 18% cap for indirect costs on the federal side.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE COST CATEGORIES MUST BE BROKEN

DOWN AS DESCRIBED ABOVE ON THE BUDGET SHEETS.

NOTE: The following is a summary of what is required in regards to the 1:1 match.

A 1:1 Federal/State match is required for TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES for each individual project

A 1:1 Federal/State match is required for TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES on the entire proposal budget

A 1:1 Federal/State match is required for each individual project TOTAL (this includes direct costs and indirect cost)

A 1:1 Federal/State match is required for the GRAND TOTAL (this includes direct costs and indirect cost)

11. Deliverable Map(s). If your State Geological Survey has received prior STATEMAP support, the NCGMP Program Office will judiciously select a geologic map from your most recent deliverables to best represent the quality of your work as an example for the StateMap Proposal

Evaluation Panel. It is expected that all of your map deliverables reflect what you originally proposed and your budget requested. For example, if you requested funding for GIS work, geochemistry, or geochronology, your map product must include these components. This will enable the Proposal Evaluation Panel to evaluate the quality and scope of products supported by

STATEMAP.

12. Collaborative support for the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB). For all published maps and reports for which STATEMAP funding was received in previous years, provide the specified bibliographic information to the Map Catalog. See http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/partners.html or contact Dave Soller (drsoller@usgs.gov) for details. In your proposal, indicate that this has been or has not been accomplished.

http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/partners.html mailto:drsoller@usgs.gov

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D. Proposal Evaluation

STATEMAP proposals will be reviewed by an eight (8) member peer panel. Five (5) members will be

State Geologists selected by the Association of American State Geologists (one from each region, one at large, and the past president of AASG). Three (3) members will be USGS geologists representing each region, including the STATEMAP Program Coordinator, who will act as Chair and who will choose the other two USGS members. The State Geologists will act as lead reviewers, and the USGS geologists will provide regional expertise about USGS programs and can identify any possible duplication of geologic mapping effort.

Evaluation Criteria. All proposals will be considered in accordance with the criteria listed below. Each reviewer will complete an evaluation form for each proposal reviewed, and the evaluation forms will become part of the official proceedings record at the conclusion of the Proposal Evaluation Panel meeting.

NOTE: To avoid any conflict of interest, no panelist may vote on a proposal from his or her State

Geological Survey or State agency; nor may any panelist take part in any discussion with other panel members about his or her State’s proposal.

1. State Mapping Advisory Committee (10 points).

a. Is the committee broad based and balanced?

b. Is a letter from the committee chair included?

c. Does the letter explain both the State’s mapping priorities and the process by which priorities were reached?

d. Are the names, affiliations, and expertise of each committee member listed?

2. Purpose of geologic mapping (15 points).

a. How well does the proposal relate to the State Geological Survey intermediate to long-range plan?

b. How well does the proposed mapping respond to societal or customer needs?

c. How well does the proposed mapping address the goals of the National Geologic Mapping

Act?

3. Technical Quality of the Proposal (30 points).

a. How well does the proposal demonstrate the scientific and technical viability of the proposed objectives?

b. Do the deliverables for each project adequately relate to the proposed project?

c. Does the proposal stress what is scientifically important and new?

4. Budget Clarity and Justification (15 points)

a. Does each project’s direct cost and overall cost have a 1:1 match of Federal and State funds?

b. Does the budget clearly show each employee by name, salary rate, and length of time employed on each project?

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c. Is the proposed staff sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals?

d. Are all field expenses, supplies, and other expenses reasonable and adequately itemized?

e. Are all items included as direct cost appropriate?

f. Are contract employees clearly distinguished from those already on the State Geological

Survey payroll?

5. Products from previous USGS STATEMAP cooperative agreements (30 points).

a. What is the quality of the map deliverables and do they include the components necessary to convey the geology of the quadrangle or mapped area? (see Part I, section D and Part II, section 9.f.)

b. Have all deliverables been submitted in a timely fashion?

c. Has the state survey updated the National Geologic Map Database?

PART III. Proposal Delivery and Submission Instructions

Hard copies of the proposals are no longer required.

Applicants are held responsible for the proposal to be electronically submitted to GRANTS.GOV

(www.grants.gov) by October 29, 2014 @ 3:00 p.m. (EST). To obtain step by step instructions for

GRANTS.GOV please visit the following website:

http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/grantsgov.html. Please be aware that the electronic submission system is relatively complex for first-time users and involves several preliminary registration steps to be taken before the proposal can be submitted (go to www.grants.gov and click on the “Register” link in the upper right side of the page). Be advised that it is virtually impossible to begin the process of electronic submission for the first time if you start just a few days before the proposal submission due date. If you are affiliated with a university, contact your Office of Sponsored Programs as they may already have completed the registration process and should work with you to submit the application.

Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically and allow time for possible computer delays. It is strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will not be considered for award. If it is determined that a proposal will not be considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.

All grant programs are required to use GRANTS.GOV to advertise program announcements. Any form that is not available online may be submitted as attachments at the end of the proposal through the online application process.

PART IV. General Provisions

A. General Provisions of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

By accepting Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the provisions of the National

Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, namely the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11 (http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/), and OMB Circular A-16 “Coordination of http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/grantsgov.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://ncgmp.usgs.gov/

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Surveying, Mapping and Related Spatial Data Activities http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016_rev.html.

B. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars

By accepting Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Circulars in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. However, a State can propose other circulars in their proposal if these circulars are not applicable. Copies of these Circulars can be obtained from the Internet at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.

1. 2 CFR 225 “Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-

87)

2. OMB Circular A-102 “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants-in-Aid to State and

Local Governments.”

3. OMB Circular A-133 “Audits of States, Local Governments, and on-Profit Organizations.”

C. Publication

1. Publication or open-file release of the results of any project carried out under this assistance award is authorized in map or publication “series” of State Geological Surveys. Publication includes conventional format in paper copy, reproducible mylar or similar material, and electronic format as digital files on computer readable disk, CD-ROM, or similar medium.

Maps submitted to journals, professional organizations, or commercial firms, for publication shall be accompanied by the following notation:

“This map and explanatory information is submitted for publication with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for governmental use.”

2. Program Credit. All geologic maps resulting from any project carried out under this assistance award resulting wholly or in part from the cooperative agreement shall bear a cooperative statement in the map header, on the title page of an accompanying explanatory text, and in the acknowledgments that accompany the map or any resulting report. This credit shall read:

“This geologic map was funded in part by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic

Mapping Program under StateMap award number GXXACXXXXX, 20XX.” [Include award number and year funded]

3. Disclaimer. All maps and explanatory text submitted for publication by professional societies or commercial firms shall carry the following notation:

“The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.”

4. Publication information should be entered into the National Geologic Map Database http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016_rev.html http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html

Page: 13

(http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/partners.html).

D. Funding

1. The STATEMAP program is required by statute (Public Law 111-11) to be carried out on a 1:1 matching basis; each recipient must match each Federal dollar with a non-Federal dollar (direct and indirect costs). The non-Federal share may be contributions of services or cash provided to contractors to perform geologic mapping or other services directly applicable to proposed work on the project. The specific source(s) of the State contribution, such as State legislative appropriation, must be provided in the proposal. The 1:1 ratio, however, does not prevent States from securing additional funds from other tax-supported entities to increase the level of work that is accomplished in a region. The Program encourages multiple partnerships, as they enhance the production of geologic maps. A letter or item of evidence should be included with the proposal to support other non-state-survey funds. Federal regulations prohibit the matching of Federal funds with other

Federal funds. Consequently, third-party funding arrangements, though encouraged, should be viewed as adding additional activities that are accounted for separately from the USGS-State-matching funds agreement.

2. Performance of projects funded by this program will conform to OMB Circular A-16 (revised). As noted in that circular, use of USGS funds for the purchase of equipment will not be authorized.

3. Funds for the FY 2015 National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program and in turn, STATEMAP awards, will not be available until enactment of the Department of the Interior Appropriations.

Since it is anticipated that awards will not be announced until after January 15, 2015, proposed project start dates should not begin prior to April 15, 2015. Also, projects must start no later than September 15, 2015.

NOTE: An award grant issued by the USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants is required for the

State agency to obligate USGS funds. Notification of a successful proposal does not constitute authority to incur costs funded by USGS money. Costs may be incurred only after the receipt of an award signed by the Contracting Officer of the USGS.

4. Requests for no-cost extensions shall be forwarded to the Grant Specialist/Contracting Officer for consideration not later than 30 days prior to the requested end date. After discussion with

STATEMAP Program Officer, the Grant Specialist/Contracting Officer will make a final decision on a case-by-case basis and notify the Recipient in writing. Asking for a no-cost extension in no way jeopardizes the success of a future proposal. However, if a State asks for a no-cost extension, it cannot extend past a date 30 days in advance of the STATEMAP Proposal Evaluation Panel meeting for the next funding cycle.

5. Non-state-survey "appropriate" state cost share requires at least three basic pieces of documentation: (1) a letter or other official piece of paper from the proposed source of the non-state-survey cost share clearly committing to the cost share and, as specifically as possible, identifying the exact nature of the share (i.e., timing, dollars, equipment, services, personnel, etc.);

(2) specific information in the Strategy for Performing the Geologic Mapping section that links the http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/partners.html

Page: 14 non-state-survey cost share directly and convincingly to the proposed geologic mapping activities;

(3) specific information in the budget materials that shows how the non-state-survey cost share will match Federal dollars, category-by-category, and in sufficient detail to corroborate the descriptive material in the Strategy section. Actual or apparent costs caused by the required indirect (overhead) rate (18% total costs) being less than the State Survey’s negotiated cost agreement are NOT a permissible cost share contribution.

-- END OF PROGRAM ANNOUNCMENT--

Page: 15

Attachment A

USE THE FOLLOWING FORMAT

STATEMAP PROPOSAL SUMMARY SHEET

Name of State Geological Survey:

Principal Investigator (person we can call to ask questions if needed):

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Project Titles:

Project 1 Title:

Amount:

Project 2 Title:

Amount:

Project 3 Title:

Amount::

Project 4 Title:

Amount::

Start date: End date:

Project Deliverables (please include list of quadrangles and partial quadrangles):

Project 1 Deliverables:

Project 2

Project 3

Project 4

Total Federal Funds Requested: $_____________________

Page: 16

Attachment B

STATEMAP STATEMENT OF OUTCOME

Include a bibliographic citation and a paragraph showing how a recent published STATEMAP product was used by another organization or person. It is helpful to include a letter from the organization stating that the geologic map was a critical component of their decision-making process.

Bibliographic citation:

Paragraph:

Page: 17

Attachment C

STATEMAP Element

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR ENTIRE PROPOSAL

State: _______________________________________

Proposal Short Title: _________________________________________

Budget Category Federal Funding ”Requested” Matching Funds “Proposed”

SALARIES:

Survey Staff $ $ Contract Staff $ $ (provide salary rate & time for each)

Total Salaries: $ $

FRINGE BENEFITS:

Survey Staff $ $ Contract Staff $ $ Total Fringe Benefits: $ $

Page: 18

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR ENTIRE PROPOSAL

State: _______________________________________

Proposal Short Title: _________________________________________

FIELD EXPENSES:

Per Diem $ $ Lodging Cost $ $ Vehicle Cost $ $ Mileage $ $ (provide number & rate for each) $ $

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:

Office and Laboratory Supplies (itemize)

Drilling $ $ Map Digitizing Costs $ $ (breakdown the above costs) $ $ Total Direct Costs: $ $ Indirect Cost (__ %) * $ $ Uncollected Indirect Cost $ --------------------------------- $

GRAND TOTAL: $ $

* Not to exceed 18%

Page: 19

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR INDIVIDUAL PROJECT BUDGET

State: _________________________________

Proposal Short Title: ______________________________________________

Individual Project Title: ____________________________________________

SALARIES:

Survey Staff $ $ Contract Staff $ $ (provide salary rate & time for each)

Total Salaries: $ $

FRINGE BENEFITS:

Survey Staff $ $ Contract Staff $ $ Total Fringe Benefits: $ $

Page: 20

BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR INDIVIDUAL PROJECT BUDGET

State: _________________________________

Proposal Short Title: ______________________________________________

Individual Project Title: ____________________________________________

FIELD EXPENSES:

Per Diem $ $ Lodging Cost $ $ Vehicle Cost $ $ Mileage $ $ (provide number & rate for each)

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:

Office and Laboratory Supplies (itemize)

Drilling $ $ Map Digitizing Costs $ $ (breakdown the above costs) $ $ Total Direct Costs: $ $ Indirect Cost (__ %) * $ $ Uncollected Indirect Cost $ --------------------------------- $

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT TOTAL: $ $

* Not to exceed 18%

Page: 21

Attachment D

I. SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Cooperative Agreement Administration

This cooperative agreement will be administered by:

U.S. Geological Survey

Office of Acquisition and Grants

Kimberly L. Dove, Grants Specialist

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 211

Reston, VA 20192

Telephone (703) 648-7487

Email: kdove@usgs.gov

Written communication shall make reference to the Cooperative Agreement number and shall be mailed to the address above or email to kdove@usgs.gov.

2. Consideration

(a) The recipient’s proposal as identified on Page 1, Block 10 is incorporated by reference. The total estimated cost of the USGS share for the performance of this cooperative agreement is the total amount indicated in Block 13. Costs hereunder shall in no event exceed that amount without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

(b) Prior approval of the Grant Specialist/Contracting Officer is not required for transfer of funds between direct cost categories when the cumulative amount of the transfers during the performance period does not exceed ten (10) percent of the total USGS cash award. Prior written approval is required from the Grant

Specialist/Contracting Officer for transfers in excess of the ten (10) percent limitation.

3. 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 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.

mailto:kdove@usgs.gov http://www.asap.gov/

Page: 22

c. Inquiries regarding payment should be directed to:

Regional

Finance

Center

Time Zone Phone

Number Business Hours Mailing Address

Philadelphia Eastern (215) 516-8021 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

P.O. Box 51317

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6317

Kansas City Central (816) 414-2100 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

P.O. Box 12599-0599

Kansas City, MO 64116-0599

San Francisco Mountain or Pacific (510) 594-7182 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

P.O. Box 24700

Oakland, CA 94623-1700

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

A waiver has been granted by the Associate Director for Administrative Policy and Services because this award involves payments to a foreign recipient.

a. Payment will be made by Treasury Check upon receipt of a properly prepared SF 270

REQUEST FOR ADVANCE OR REIMBURSEMENT. Submit the SF 270 form to the address specified in E.1. Requests should be submitted on a quarterly basis. Request for the entire award amount will be denied.

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

4. Definitions

A. Grant Agreement

A grant agreement is the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the Federal Government and a state or local government or other recipient whenever:

(1) the principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of money, property, services, or anything of value to the state or local government or other recipient in order to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, rather than acquisition, by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government; and

(2) no substantial involvement is anticipated between the executive agency, acting for the

Federal Government, and the state or local government or other recipient during performance of the contemplated activity.

Page: 23

B. Cooperative Agreement

A cooperative agreement is the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the Federal

Government and a state or local government or other recipient whenever:

(1) the principal purpose of the relationship is the transfer of money, property, services, or anything of value to the state or local government or other recipient to accomplish a public purpose of support, or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, rather than acquisition, by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal

Government; and

(2) substantial involvement is anticipated between the executive agency, acting for the Federal

Government, and state or local government or other recipient during performance of the activity.

C. Grantee/Cooperator

Grantee or cooperator means the nonprofit corporation or other legal entity to which a grant or cooperative agreement is awarded and which is accountable to the Federal Government for the use of the funds provided. The grantee or cooperator is the entire legal entity even if only a particular component of the entity is designated in the award document. For example, a grant or cooperative agreement award document may name as the grantee one school or campus of a university. In this case, the granting agency usually intends, or actually requires, that the named component assume primary or sole responsibility for administering the grant-assisted project or program.

Nevertheless, the naming of a component of a legal entity as the grantee or cooperator in a grant or cooperative agreement award document shall not be construed as relieving the whole legal entity from accountability to the Federal Government for the use of the funds provided.

The term “grantee” or “cooperator” does not include secondary recipients such as sub grantees, contractors,…