FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity_F26AS00005.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Funding Opportunity

F26AS00005_FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number

F26AS00005

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: F26AS00005

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.614

Estimated Total Program Funding: $20,000,000

Expected Number of Awards: 24

Award Ceiling: $1,000,000

Award Floor: $50,000

Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100

Have Questions?

National Coastal Program Contact:

Chris Darnell 703-358-2236 chris_darnell@fws.gov

National Office of Conservation Investment Contact:

Paul Van Ryzin 720-498-0335 paul_vanryzin@fws.gov

Regional Contacts:

Service Region

Eligible States / Territories

Coastal Program / Ecological Services / Migratory Birds Contacts

Office of Conservation Investment Contacts

R1 - Pacific

American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai'i, Oregon, Washington

Kaitlyn_Landfield@fws.gov Teal_Waterstrat@fws.gov Tyler_Porter@fws.gov

Chris_Swenson@fws.gov https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.fws.gov/media/required-notices-and-burden-statement-omb-control-no-1018-0100 mailto:chris_darnell@fws.gov mailto:paul_vanryzin@fws.gov mailto:Kaitlyn_Landfield@fws.gov mailto:Teal_Waterstrat@fws.gov mailto:Tyler_Porter@fws.gov mailto:Chris_Swenson@fws.gov

R2 - Southwest Texas

Woody_Woodrow@fws.gov Scott_Williams@fws.gov Adriana_Leiva@fws.gov

Brian_Hobbs@fws.gov

R3 - Midwest

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Jessica_Collier@fws.gov Amanda_Kamps@fws.gov

R4 - Southeast

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Jason_Ayers@fws.gov Matthew_E_Thomas@fws.gov

R5 - Northeast

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia

Mark_Cookson@fws.gov Jason_Rasku@fws.gov

R7 - Alaska Alaska Mike_Daigneault@fws.gov Jonathan_Snyder@fws.gov

R8 - Pacific Southwest

California Colleen_Grant@fws.gov

Julie_Hana@fws.gov (Northern California Coast and Northern San Francisco Bay) Justin_Cutler@fws.gov (Central California Coast and Southern San Francisco Bay) Shawn_Milar@fws.gov (Southern California)

Executive Summary The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program supports the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the recreating public. The Program provides eligible State and Territory agencies mailto:Woody_Woodrow@fws.gov mailto:Scott_Williams@fws.gov mailto:Adriana_Leiva@fws.gov mailto:Brian_Hobbs@fws.gov mailto:Jessica_Collier@fws.gov mailto:Amanda_Kamps@fws.gov mailto:Jason_Ayers@fws.gov mailto:Matthew_E_Thomas@fws.gov mailto:Mark_Cookson@fws.gov mailto:Jay_Rasku@fws.gov mailto:Mike_Daigneault@fws.gov mailto:Jonathan_Snyder@fws.gov mailto:Colleen_Grant@fws.gov mailto:Julie_Hana@fws.gov mailto:Justin_Cutler@fws.gov mailto:Shawn_Milar@fws.gov with cost sharing awards for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources.

Projects may include acquisition of a real property interest in a coastal wetland ecosystem and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands.

Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitats for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism.

The Program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Home Page.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible Recipients

Participation is limited to State and Territory agencies designated as eligible by the Governor.

The eligible agency is usually a natural resource or fish and wildlife agency. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment. For contact information, see Basic Information in this announcement above.

Eligible States and Territories are those bordering the Great Lakes, and those bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts. Louisiana is not eligible because it receives separate funding through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3955 (b)(1)).

The complete list of eligible States and Territories is: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Eligible Activities

Eligible and ineligible activities are described in 50 CFR 84.20.

Activities to create wetlands where they did not previously exist are ineligible (50 CFR 84.20(b)(3)). For each project site, evidence verifying the current or historic presence of a wetland is required. This may include information from the Service’s National Wetlands Inventory, earlier Geographic Information System data, or historic information.

Activities to acquire and/or restore upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetland ecosystem are not significant and direct are also ineligible (50 CFR 84.20(b)(8)). A proposal must include sufficient information demonstrating that targeted lands or waters meet the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem (50 CFR 84.11).

https://www.fws.gov/service/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-84.20 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5b1da650306fe3f8f293004eb9a866f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.84&rgn=div5#se50.9.84_120 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5b1da650306fe3f8f293004eb9a866f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.84&rgn=div5#se50.9.84_120 https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/ https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5b1da650306fe3f8f293004eb9a866f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.84&rgn=div5#se50.9.84_120 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_111

In accepting Federal funds, you must comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. If your application is selected for an award, you must provide evidence of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other applicable Federal laws or regulations.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Additional Information on Cost Sharing

Exceptions for Certain Territories: In accordance with an October 12, 2022, Policy Advisory Notice from the Department of the Interior (Reference No. 2023-001) and 48 U.S.C. 1469(a), Amendment of Subsection (d), the Service's Regional Directors shall waive cost sharing requirements described in this announcement in any grant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Qualifying Funds and Participation Rates: If your jurisdiction has a fund for acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas, or open space, you may be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the total project cost. You must provide a description of the fund in sufficient detail for us to make an eligibility determination, or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved and there has been no change in the fund. If your State or Territory has not established such a fund or you do not include information on the fund in your application, the Federal share of your award may not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. Other resources that are related to the project but not designated as cost sharing in your budget are not included in the total project cost when calculating the maximum Federal participation rate.

Cost Sharing from Third Parties: You may meet your minimum required cost share or match through contributions from one or more third parties. A third party is any individual or organization other than the applicant / recipient, such as a partner or subrecipient. Cost sharing must meet the criteria in 2 CFR 200.306(b). As the primary award recipient, you are responsible for the full amount of cost sharing that you commit to a project, including any amount provided by one or more third parties.

Indirect Costs as Cost Sharing: You may attribute some or all of your allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost sharing or match; however, you may only charge to the Federal award the indirect costs calculated against the allowable direct costs charged to the Federal award.

Cost Sharing and Project Scoring: To receive points under Criterion 11 (50 CFR 84.32 (a)(11)), at least some of your non-federal cost sharing or match must be provided in cash. Cash match is provided in the form of U.S. currency. Some examples include a cash contribution for the purchase of real property, a direct payment to a contractor, or funds allocated for employee salaries and benefits.

Real Property as Cost Sharing: If you propose to use the value of donated real property as all or a portion of your non-federal cost sharing, you must justify in the Project Narrative why the property is necessary for accomplishing the project objectives. Include information on all parcels proposed for acquisition or restoration regardless of whether these activities are supported with requested Program funding or cost sharing.

https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Director%27s+Orders-Rules-Policy-Interim+Guidance?preview=/5931146/244514836/DOI-PGM-PAN-2023-0001%20Insular%20Area%20Matching%20Funds%20Waiver%20-%20FINAL%20-%2010-12-2022.pdf https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Director%27s+Orders-Rules-Policy-Interim+Guidance?preview=/5931146/244514836/DOI-PGM-PAN-2023-0001%20Insular%20Area%20Matching%20Funds%20Waiver%20-%20FINAL%20-%2010-12-2022.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1306&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8

Letters of Commitment: You must document cost sharing provided by any third party with a signed letter of financial commitment from an authorized representative. The letter must detail the dollar value of donated cash, real property, equipment, and/or in-kind services.

Valuing Volunteer Services: When assigning a value to volunteer services, you must explain in your Project Narrative and/or budget narrative why the volunteer activity is necessary and reasonable, and reference the compensation rate(s) for an equivalent agency position or justify typical costs in the labor marketplace for similar work in your area.

Non-Federal Sources with Exception: Contributions from Federal sources are not eligible for use as cost sharing unless authorized by Federal statute (such as the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program or REPI funds).

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

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

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

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

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

GRANTS.GOV

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

GRANTSOLUTIONS

This program accepts applications through GrantSolutions.gov. You must register with GrantSolutions. See Submission Instructions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Program Goals

• The primary goal of the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is the long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems.

The Program accomplishes this goal by helping eligible States and U.S. Territories protect, restore, and enhance their coastal wetlands and expand or improve opportunities for public recreation and education. Results are measured in acres protected, restored, and enhanced.

Program Description The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program supports the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the recreating public.

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NCWC) Grant Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive cost sharing awards to coastal State and U.S. Territory agencies. Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding and help maintain water quality for millions of people in the United States while providing habitats for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism.

Supported projects must ensure conservation activities endure and provide benefits for at least 20 years. Eligible activities include any combination of real property acquisition and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems or their components.

The NCWC Grant Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, and a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines. Revenues are deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.

The Final Rule establishing the requirements for participation in the NCWC Grant Program was published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2002 (67 Federal Register (FR) 49264). The Program regulations are in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 84.

Applications are scored and ranked based on criteria in 50 CFR 84.32.

The NCWC Grant Program is co-administered by the Service’s Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment. Additional information about the Program is available here.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in a project must meet Buy America requirements unless waived. For an extensive list of Q&As on these requirements, see the FWS Financial Assistance Wiki. If you need further guidance specific to products or https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/07/30/02-19065/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grant-program https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=4d19e9d148de08350c185a13a6332849&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://fawiki.fws.gov/spaces/WSFR/pages/245497949/Build+America+Buy+America+BABA+Act#BuildAmerica,BuyAmerica(BABA)Act-Infrastructure materials you will use in your project, contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment (see Basic Information above).

Legislative Authority Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through G (Grant).

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants.

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects. You may also submit the same or more detailed information in a customized budget table.

SF-424C: Budget Information – Construction Programs

Required for construction and real property acquisition projects.

You may also submit the same or more detailed information in a customized budget table.

SF-429 (Cover Page & Attachment B), Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Note: The SF-429 forms are only available in the Grants.gov Forms Repository. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required if requesting to acquire, improve, or furnish real property.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and you have used or plan to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries

• Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants.

Project Narrative Submit a Project Narrative of no more than seven pages addressing the elements listed below (see also 50 CFR 84.22(c)). You may combine your responses as necessary; separate headings or sections for responses to each element are not required. Only your responses to the following requirements in this Project Narrative subsection are included within the page limit, unless otherwise indicated. Your Project Narrative must be formatted to fit on an 8.5” x 11” document, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and sides and page numbers at the bottom of the page (starting with the Project Narrative). Font size should be no less than 12 point.

Need: The need for the proposed project within the purpose of the NCWC Grant Program.

Objectives: The Service created TRACS Standard Objectives for collecting performance information to report accomplishments. Your Project Narrative must use one or more of the Standard Objectives in the TRACS Performance Matrix. Contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment if you have questions about the use of Standard Objectives in your Project Narrative. Refer to the Training Portal for example project statements that utilize Standard Objectives.

Expected Results: Expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives.

Approach: Clearly describe the approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators. Please include (if applicable):

1. Any organization that will act as a subrecipient and their role(s) in meeting the project objectives. For any key personnel, briefly describe the education, experience, and skills that qualify them to carry out the proposed project (do not include resumes or curriculum vitae);

2. What organization will hold title to real property being acquired or restored?

3. What type of ownership interest is involved (e.g., fee simple, easement, combination, etc.), and what are the parcel sizes in acres?

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=sp50.9.84.b&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_122 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/pluginfile.php/406/mod_page/content/280/TRACS%20Performance%20Matrix_V21%2007032024.pdf https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104

4. What organization or individual will manage the real property interest?

5. How will you ensure the long-term conservation (20 years or longer) of acquired or restored areas (e.g., through long-term support provided by an endowment)?

6. What will be involved in the restoration? Why did you choose that approach? How likely is the proposed restoration technique to succeed? How much maintenance is involved, who will conduct it, and who will support it? Provide examples of your success in implementing the proposed restoration approach in similar, nearby areas, if available.

7. Is the project ready to implement? For example, for real property acquisition have the landowners supplied willing seller letters? For restoration projects, are the landowners willing to allow and maintain the proposed restoration, and have required permits been obtained or initiated? Are restoration designs completed or underway? Attach any relevant documents that address these elements. Copies of seller letters, permits, and designs should be referenced but in provided separately from the Project Narrative and are not included in the page limit.

8. If your objectives include management of lands for recreational as well as conservation purposes, you must demonstrate that any anticipated recreational activities will not degrade habitat values of targeted real property.

Project Location: Provide GPS coordinates in decimal degrees. Justify the eligibility of your project by demonstrating that targeted real property meets the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem (50 CFR 84.11). Reference to a coastal Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) alone does not establish eligibility. In addition to this justification in the Project Narrative, you should attach separate maps, drawings, diagrams, and/or photos as applicable, which are not included in the page limit. See Other Required Information below.

Timeline: Describe significant milestones within the performance period of your project, including dates you expect to begin and complete all compliance-related activities. Describe any accomplishments to date.

Compliance: For projects conducted in the United States, describe the anticipated Federal compliance requirements, including those involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and all other requirements in applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Describe any compliance activities for your project that have already been completed or are currently underway.

Trust Fund: Include either a description of the trust fund that supports or justifies your request for a 75 percent Federal share in sufficient detail for eligibility determination, or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved, and no change has occurred in the fund. If you do not support or justify eligibility of the fund, you may be deemed ineligible for the 75 percent Federal share.

Relationship to Other Projects and/or Other Federal Grants: If applicable, list other current, interrelated coastal conservation efforts, the agencies or other partners involved, the relationship to the proposed project, and how your project fits into comprehensive natural resource plans for the area. Identify any relationship between the proposed project and other work funded by State or Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway. Please note that you must also provide an Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement regardless of whether you describe other current, interrelated conservation actions in your Project https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_111

Narrative. The Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement is not included within the seven-page limit for your Project Narrative and should be included in your application separately.

For more information, see below in this Section under the heading “Required Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement.”

Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination: Provide a description of public involvement and any interagency coordination on coastal wetland conservation projects that has occurred or is planned that relates to your project. Specify the organizations or agencies involved and dates of involvement.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

See Cost Limits and Restrictions below for special requirements and limits applicable to data and evaluation costs.

If applicable, include information in your Budget Narrative on:

1. Program Income, if any – Include the source, estimated amount, and the requested method of crediting the program income (e.g. deductive, additive, cost sharing).

2. Equipment, including any tangible personal property (includes information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by you or your subrecipient(s) for financial statement purposes, or $5,000. You and your subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.326, and 200.439.

3. Useful Life – Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install, and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1313&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1317 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1326 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad20236ec5ab44b8fe155679a71935d&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1439

4. Contingency Costs – Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are allowable but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with the Federal Cost Principles, they must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of your project objectives, and they must be verifiable from your financial records (2 CFR 200.433). Explain how any contingency costs were calculated and why they are necessary to improve the precision of your budget estimates.

Pre-Award Costs

Preliminary or “pre-award” costs may be allowable, but only with the approval of your Regional Office of Conservation Investment. Pre-award costs may include costs necessary for preparing the grant proposal, such as feasibility surveys, engineering design, biological reconnaissance, appraisals, or preparation of compliance documents such as environmental assessments (50 CFR 84.47(c)).

Cost Limits and Restrictions

The primary purpose of the NCWC Grant Program is to help eligible agencies acquire, restore, enhance, and/or manage coastal wetland ecosystems. A detailed list of eligible and ineligible activities is provided in the program regulations (50 CFR 84.20).

Recreational, educational, and public outreach activities necessary for meeting these purposes are eligible but limited to a combined maximum of 10 percent of the total project cost. Such activities must be site-specific and substantive (50 CFR 84.32(a)(12)(i)). Any such activities must be described in detail and justified in your application.

Planning and related activities are ineligible as a primary focus but may be allowable as a minor component of a project (50 CFR 84.20(b)(6)). Monitoring and related data collection that is necessary for meeting Program purposes are eligible activities, such as evaluating results of project activities and measuring impacts on targeted resources (50 CFR 84.12(b)). The combined costs for planning, engineering, design, permitting, and monitoring may not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. Any such activities must be described and justified in your application.

Costs for research are not eligible (50 CFR 84.20(b)).

Contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment for more detailed guidance on these limits and requirements.

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1433&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-84.47 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-84.47 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-84.20 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_120&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_112&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-84.20 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Other Required Information

Responses to Ranking Criteria (20-Page Limit): Provide a description with appropriate documentation that justifies how the proposed project addresses each of the 13 numeric ranking criteria in 50 CFR 84.32. Address each criterion individually with a brief statement in table format. If a real property interest is proposed as match, include information on both the parcel(s) proposed for acquisition or restoration with Program funds and the match parcel(s) in adequate detail for each ranking criterion, so reviewers can make informed scoring decisions. Activities provided as cost sharing including real property acquisition are part of the project and must be eligible.

Drawings/Maps/Photographs (No Page Limit): Please include and identify drawings or photographs of the proposed project that provide the following information. Maps and other diagrams should be provided separately from the Project Narrative and are not included in the page limit.

a. Existing state or conditions of the project area;

b. Proposed project area and project site(s) in one or more maps, photographs, or images:

i. Detail which areas will be part of the grant funded activities, delineating the project boundaries;

ii. Detail which areas are valued and used as cost sharing, if applicable;

iii. Detail what restoration activities will take place and where, if applicable;

iv. Detail which areas, if any, are part of a larger effort that will be funded outside this project;

v. Detail wetland types (include National Wetlands Inventory, State wetlands map, or other wetland delineations, if available); and

vi. Provide any other information that will assist reviewers to identify project components or factors used in project scoring and ranking.

c. Two maps of the project location: a map of the State or Territory showing the general location of the project and a map of the project site(s).

Letters of Commitment: You must document cost sharing provided by any third party with a signed letter of financial commitment from an authorized representative. The letter must detail the dollar value of donated cash, real property, equipment, and/or in-kind services.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package To request a copy of the application package in another format, contact:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-84/subpart-C/section-84.32

Paul Van Ryzin 720-498-0335 paul_vanryzin@fws.gov

If you need immediate assistance, please call our customer service center at 1-800-344-9453. If you have a hearing impairment or a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submitting your application early will help you address any unforeseen technical complications.

All letters of financial commitment must be included with the complete application by the due date. To ensure submission of your application, email a copy of your entire application in PDF format to your Regional Office of Conservation Investment point of contact (see Basic Information above). Applications or letters received after the due date will not be considered.

Early and frequent communication with your Regional Office of Conservation Investment and/or Coastal Program staff can help you avoid potentially disqualifying errors or omissions in your application.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 07/18/2025

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not mailto:paul_vanryzin@fws.gov https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

Apply Through GrantSolutions To apply through GrantSolutions, follow these steps:

1. Register your organization. Send an e-mail to help@grantsolutions.gov with:

• Subject: New Organization Request

• Entity name (organization or individual applying as a natural person)

• Entity type

• SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (not required for individuals)

• Employer Identification Number (individuals, do not include your SSN)

• Address

• Contact details (First and last name, e-mail, phone)

This information should be the same as entered on the entity’s SAM.gov profile.

2. Assign system user roles. Follow the GrantSolutions “Recipient user” registration instructions. Submit a separate Recipient User Account Request form for each official to be assigned a system role. At minimum, the Authorizing Official (ADO) and Principal Investigator/Program Director (PI/PD) must be assigned.

3. Log in. GrantSolutions requires users to log in through Login.gov. Each user must create a Login.gov account. For instructions, see the GrantSolutions Training Resources web page.

4. Find and apply to this Funding Opportunity. After logging in, click on either the “Begin an application” link (first time applicants) or the “Funding Opportunity” link to go to the “Competing Announcements-Application Kits” list screen. Search the list for this Funding Opportunity’s title and number. Click on the associated “Apply” link.

Follow the prompts from there. Required applications forms are provided with the Funding Opportunity in GrantSolutions unless otherwise indicated on the Required Forms table above.

5. For detailed instructions, see the GrantSolutions Training Resources web page.

6. Need help? Find help topics and contact information on the GrantSolutions Contact Us page.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://login.gov/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/?_sf_s=login&_sft_resource_cat=login-and-navigation https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/contact-us/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/contact-us/

Use the following list to ensure your application is complete. Some of the items may not apply to your application or agency. If you are unsure whether you need to submit any item, contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Project Abstract Summary Form (OMB Form Number: 4040-0019)

• Project Narrative (7-page limit)

• Responses to Ranking Criteria (20-page limit)

• Drawings/Maps/Photographs (no page limit)

• SF-424A or SF-424C budget information form (you may provide additional detail in a customized budget table)

• If applicable, a completed Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish form (SF-429B) for real property acquisition activities, including those acquired with Program funds and any proposed as cost sharing

• Budget Narrative, including how you will charge any indirect costs and your indirect cost rate

• If applicable, a Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• Any required third party letter(s) of commitment identifying the dollar value of financial or other cost sharing commitments with signature by an authorized entity with budgetary authority

• If applicable, a completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form

• Required Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

• If applicable, any other attachments or appendices

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review Applications are scored and ranked based on criteria published in 50 CFR 84.32. Brief descriptions of each of the 13 criteria are provided below.

Criterion 1: Wetlands conservation Maximum Points: 7 How will the project reverse coastal wetland loss or habitat degradation in decreasing or stable coastal wetland types? Reference project location information provided in your Project Narrative. Include a citation for your wetland type determinations and reference https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 any maps, diagrams, or other information demonstrating that targeted lands or waters meet the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem (50 CFR 84.11).

Criterion 2: Maritime forests on coastal barriers Maximum Points: 7 How will the project significantly benefit maritime forests on coastal barriers?

Criterion 3: Long‐term conservation Maximum Points: 7 How will the project ensure long‐term conservation of coastal wetland functions? The project must provide at least 20 years of conservation benefits to be eligible. Reference any published data, modeling, design features, and/or similar information supporting the expected longevity of natural resource benefits resulting from project activities.

Criterion 4: Coastal watershed management Maximum Points: 3 How will the completed project help accomplish the natural resources goals and objectives of one or more formal, ongoing coastal watershed management plan or effort?

Criterion 5: Conservation of threatened and endangered species Maximum Points: 5

How will the project benefit any federally listed endangered or threatened species, species proposed for Federal listing, recently delisted species, or designated or proposed critical habitat in coastal wetlands? Describe any expected benefits to your State listed species.

Criterion 6: Benefits to fish Maximum Points: 5 How will the project provide, restore, or enhance important fisheries habitat?

Criterion 7: Benefits to coastal‐dependent or migratory birds Maximum Points: 5 How will the project provide, restore, or enhance important habitat for coastal‐dependent or migratory birds?

Criterion 8: Prevent or reduce contamination Maximum Points: 5 How will the project prevent or reduce input of contaminants, or remove existing contaminants from the coastal wetlands and associated coastal waters?

Criterion 9: Catalyst for future conservation Maximum Points: 4 How will the project leverage other ongoing coastal wetland conservation efforts in an area or provide additional impetus for conservation?

Criterion 10: Partners in conservation Maximum Points: 4 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_111

Will the project receive financial support, including in‐kind cost sharing or match, from private, local, or other Federal partners?

Criterion 11: Federal share reduced Maximum Points: 5 Does the application add to the non-federal share of the project by contributing additional cash? See 50 CFR 84.32 (a)(11).

Criterion 12: Education/outreach program or wildlife‐oriented recreation Maximum Points: 3

Does the proposed project include a site-specific, substantive outreach/education program? Does it provide recreational opportunities that are consistent with the conservation goals of the site?

Criterion 13: Other factors Maximum Points: 4 Please summarize how any other factors not covered in the previous criteria make your proposed project or site particularly unique and valuable. Other factors may include but are not limited to the following examples (see 50 CFR 84.32(a)(13)). You must provide evidence supporting the expected benefits.

1. Projects providing significant benefits to rare or threatened habitat types, biodiverse habitats, rare or declining species, and/or the local community;

2. Projects that are particularly cost-effective;

3. Projects that assist in the prevention or control of…