Fy17.WLDGP.NOFO.FINAL.pdf

OMB Control Number: 1018-0154

Expiration Date: 2/28/2019

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ecological Services Program

Wolf Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.666

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

This program provides grants to states and tribes to support livestock producers conducting proactive, non-lethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves and to compensate livestock producers, as appropriate, for livestock losses due to such predation.

Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11) (Act) authorized the Wolf Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program (WLDPGP) with two purposes: 1) prevention - grant dollars to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves; and 2) compensation - grant dollars to reimburse livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Included in the authorization language was direction that the program be established as a grant program to provide funding to States and tribes, that the Federal cost-share not exceed 50 percent, and that funds be expended equally between the two purposes.

The Service is initiating a competitive program to States and tribes in accordance with P.L.

111-11. States and tribes may compete for prevention and/or compensation grants. Grant amounts will be contingent upon the quality and number of proposals received.

The Service is soliciting project proposals for financial assistance under the WLDPGP. This document describes how you can apply for funding and how we will select projects to fund.

II. Award Information

States and tribes must submit proposals for the WLDPGP to compete for grant dollars for the use of proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss and/or for grant dollars to compensate livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Proactive preventive measures may include, but are not limited to fencing, livestock guard dogs, and range riders who patrol areas occupied by livestock and are susceptible to predation by wolves.

Qualifying projects must include a 50 percent non-Federal cost share. Qualifying livestock includes cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, livestock guard animals, and other domestic animals.

Funding will be awarded based on national competition. The range of grant awards is expected to vary by program. Following a regional review of WLDPGP prevention and compensation grant proposals, all eligible proposals will be forwarded to the Headquarters Office for final award recommendations to the Director.

The Service will make award selections for the competitive programs based upon the proposals submitted through this announcement. States and tribes should not initiate a project in expectation of WLDPGP funding, nor purchase materials until such time as they receive the final grant award document signed by an authorized Service official.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

WLDPGP funds will be allocated competitively directly to States and tribes through grants.

The selected States and tribes will establish their own procedures for accepting applications from private entities (including individual ranchers, for-profit corporations, and not-for-profit corporations) interested in obtaining WLDPGP funds. Individuals or corporations seeking funds will need to work through the procedures established by their State or tribal wildlife management/animal damage control agency.

To be eligible to receive a grant, a State or tribe must:

(1) designate an appropriate agency of the State or tribal government to administer one or both aspects of the program funded by the grant;

(2) establish one or more accounts to receive grant funds;

(3) maintain files of all claims received under programs funded by the grant, including supporting documentation;

(4) submit to the Service’s Regional Program Coordinator (see Table 2, Section VII)

(A) annual reports that include—

(i) a summary of claims and expenditures under the program during the year; and

(ii) a description of any action taken on the claims; and

(B) such other reports as the Secretary may require to assist in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance under this program (described below under

VI. Award Administration Information); and

(5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program, for:

Depredation Compensation Grants:

Commitment to ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and records of matching funds expended.

Ability to protect the evidence of depredation.

Coordination with local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Wildlife Services field representatives, or other authorized official, who will coordinate an investigation.

Documentation to ensure payments of fair-market value.

Nonlethal Prevention Grants:

Commitment to ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and records of matching funds expended.

Applicant demonstration of good faith effort to avoid conflicts.

Demonstrated effectiveness of nonlethal measures.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid

Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

A. DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government

Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679

(hearing impaired customers only). Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM

Register in SAM at www.sam.gov. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in sync with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a United

States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

Note: The official U.S. government website address for SAM is www.sam.gov. There is NO

COST to register in or access SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who charge a fee in exchange for registering entities in SAM; please be aware that you can register to do business with the U.S. government FOR FREE directly in SAM at www.sam.gov.

C. Excluded Entities

Applicant entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for

Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.

The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Qualifying projects must include at a minimum a 50 percent non-Federal cost share.

The cost share may be cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services.

E. Other

The following additional criteria apply to all WLDPGP grants and must be satisfied for a project to receive WLDPGP funding:

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:govt@dnb.com http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

1. A proposal cannot include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Full-Time Equivalent

(FTE) costs.

2. A proposal cannot seek funding for projects that serve to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) including complying with a biological opinion under section 7 of the ESA or fulfilling commitments of a Habitat

Conservation Plan under section 10 of the ESA, or for projects that serve to satisfy other

Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., mitigation for Federal permits).

3. State or tribal administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or tribe, or included in the proposal in accordance with Federal requirements.

4. WLDPGP funds are not available for land or easement purchase.

5. Environmental effects of projects funded through the WLDPG must be minor or negligible.

6. We cannot reimburse you for time that you expend or costs that you incur in developing a project or preparing the application, or in any discussions or negotiations you may have with us prior to the award. Pre-award costs will not be allowed. We will not accept such expenditures as part of your cost share. The costs proposed to be funded through the WLDPGP may not exceed 50 percent of the total costs. The total costs of a project consist of all allowable costs you incur, including the value of in-kind contributions, in accomplishing project objectives during the life of the project.

IV. Application Requirements

To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A. A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form. This form can be found at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=16.

Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other

Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B. Project Narrative

The narrative description of your project proposal should specifically address each of the review criteria. We recommend the following format for the project narrative:

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15

PROJECT TITLE: State your request for a Depredation Compensation Grant or Prevention

Grant. If requesting funds from both components, provide separate narrative descriptions for each component.

PROJECT SCOPE AND NEED: Characterize the area to be covered and the extent of wolf depredation damage that has occurred in the area to be covered by the requested funds.

Suggestions for presentation of this information include describing the number (or value) and type of livestock that have been lost, or some other description of the average extent of losses in the past 12 months or an average of the past 3 years.

APPROACH:

For Depredation Compensation Grants - Describe how the required non-Federal cost-share will be achieved. Describe the numbers of past depredation events and the anticipated need for future depredation dollars; describe also how the value of reimbursement is determined and the procedures that will be used to verify that available funds will be used to compensate for losses caused by wolves. Describe any key cooperators and their respective roles in the program. Describe the extent of any public involvement in the administration of your compensation program. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records that will support reporting to the Service how the funds were expended.

For Prevention Grants – Describe how the required non-Federal cost-share will be achieved.

Describe what types of activities the requested funds will be used to support (e.g., range riders, guard dogs, fladry). Describe any key cooperators and their respective roles in the program. Describe the extent of any public involvement in the administration of your prevention program and list key cooperators (e.g., wildlife services, non-governmental organizations) and their respective roles. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records that will support reporting to the Service how the funds were expended. Describe any efforts to encourage participation in prevention activities and how grant funds will promote such participation. Describe how the grantee will assess the effectiveness of funded prevention activities and report those results to the Service.

ESTIMATED COST: Identify the total amount of Federal funds requested and the total amount of matching funds provided, through cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services. Estimates should include separate prices for materials and labor.

Your proposal should be prepared with the review criteria described in the “Application Review” section in mind. Project descriptions that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review and scoring.

C. Budget Form

Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget

Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15.

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15

When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal

Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Note on Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program on the budget form separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding. Enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form, and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity.

D. Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Recipients that do not have an approved indirect cost rate cannot charge indirect costs to their Federal award. All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification narrative one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct

Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

2. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct

Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

3. A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “A copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement is attached. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost http://www.ecfr.gov/ rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “A copy of our current, approved rate agreement(s) is attached.”]

4. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%.

Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the

Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher.

Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within

90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR

200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or

“Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the

Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”.

We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the

MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

8. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting a flat de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

Recipients may not charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct project costs paid by any other Federal funding source or non-Federal partner.

Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated

Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA) guidance document on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact the IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services

Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center

U.S. Department of the Interior

650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-400

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-930-3803

Email: Through https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback web form https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback

Internet address: https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services

E. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal

Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized

Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in

Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single

Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website

(https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the Employer Identification Number

(EIN) under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the

Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

F. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) for construction and land acquisition projects. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) for all other projects. The form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization.

Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

G. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Under Title 31 of the United States

Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds

(both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-

Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43

CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

H. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services file:///C:/Users/Jean_Kvasnicka/Documents/POLICY/New%20Award%20Guidance/Round%204%20FY15%20updates/As http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

I. Required Overlap/Duplication Statement: Applicants must provide a statement that addresses if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, applicants must provide a description of the overlap in their application.

Applicants must also state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is/is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal). If such a circumstance exists, applicants must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be duplicative of the funding requested from the Service, applicants must notify the Service point of contact for this funding opportunity immediately.

Application Checklist

□ Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of their Section

501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

□ SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF

424-Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual form.

□ Project narrative

□ Timetable

□ Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, statements regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit reporting requirements.

□ SF 424 budget form: A complete SF 424A or SF 424C Budget Information form.

□ Budget justification

□ Federally-funded equipment list: If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment.

□ Indirect cost statement

□ NICRA: When applicable, a copy of the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost

Rate Agreement.

□ SF 424 Assurances form: Signed and dated SF 424B or SF 424D Assurances form.

□ SF LLL form: If applicable, completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form.

□ Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

□ Overlap/Duplication statement

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 31, 2017.

Intergovernmental Review: Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372

“Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.”

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc

E.O. 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Please select ONE of the submission options described below.

To submit an application by mail:

For hard copy application submissions, your project proposal must: (1) not be bound in any manner (except by a single binder clip); (2) not be submitted by facsimile; (3) include page numbers; (4) not include any paper larger than 8.5 by 11 inches; (5) include one signed original and two signed copies of the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) and supporting information; (6) be received by the appropriate Regional Office listed in Section VIII by August

31, 2017.

To submit an application through Grants.gov:

For electronic application submission through the Grants.gov internet site (www.grants.gov), you must follow all instructions provided by Grants.gov to ensure that your electronic application is received by August 31, 2017. We will ONLY accept electronic applications that are submitted through the Grants.gov internet site. We will not accept any other form of electronic application.

For applicants that intend to apply electronically through Grants.gov, we highly recommend that you begin your application process well in advance of the closing date for submission of https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc http://www.grants.gov/ applications. The application process through Grants.gov requires that applicants complete a registration process and requires that all materials submitted are completely and accurately filled out. Registration can take between three to five business days, or as long as two weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Please do not assign application attachments file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. Assigning file names longer than 20 characters will create issues in the automatic interface between Grants.gov and the

Service’s financial assistance management system.

We encourage you to contact the Regional Program Coordinator listed in Section VIII prior to submitting a project proposal if you have questions regarding what information must be submitted with the project proposal. An incomplete proposal will not be considered for funding

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria: Criteria: Requests for grant funding must be submitted by State or tribal governments.

Each individual State or tribal government will establish procedures for dispersal of funds to qualifying recipients.

State and tribal proposals will initially be reviewed by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional

Ecological Services Office staff for both Depredation Compensation Grants and Prevention

Grants. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. Proposals should be submitted with the review criteria, as described below, in mind. Project descriptions that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review and scoring.

SERVICE REVIEW OF DEPREDATION COMPENSATION GRANT PROPOSAL

Please evaluate each proposal separately. You may attach additional written explanations for the categories in this form if the space provided is inadequate.

WOLF-LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

DEPREDATION COMPENSATION GRANTS

EVALUATION FORM

Project Title___________________________________________________________________

Region _____

State Agency or Tribal Government________________________________________________

Service contact for more information________________________________________________

Estimated total cost of proposal ___________________________________________________

Percent of cost to be borne by non-Federal entities (list by entity and % of cost) _____________

Amount of funding requested (total cost minus the non-Federal match) ___________________

Provide a brief narrative description that will serve as an “Executive Summary” of the grant request to be used for outreach purposes. Review and score (30 points maximum) each proposal’s Extent of Wolf Depredation, Program Evaluation and Record Keeping, and Reporting and Coordination.

EXTENT OF WOLF DEPREDATION

1) The purpose of this section is to assess the anticipated need for compensation funds by reviewing the past numbers and appraised value of livestock depredation by wolves. Estimate events only if investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services (Wildlife Services) field representative, or other authorized State or tribal investigator.

Review the number of confirmed wolf depredation events in past 12 months, or the average number of confirmed events in the past 3 years as an estimate of future depredation events.

Summarize fair market value of losses. Indirect costs (moving animals, etc.) are not covered;

however, veterinary bills for confirmed injuries to livestock caused by wolves may be covered.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 10, rank the total annual anticipated need of depredation compensation with 1 being less than $25,000/year, 5 being approximately $100,000/year, and 10 representing an anticipated need of more than $250,000/year. No compensation points provided for unconfirmed or missing livestock (10 points maximum). _____

PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RECORD KEEPING

2) The purpose of this section is to evaluate how robust the State or tribal wolf-livestock program is in terms of the procedures for investigation management and record keeping.

Rank program efficiencies. Review the rigor of the applicant’s program, including the process for confirming depredation by wolves, the availability of trained investigators, procedures for differentiating confirmed versus probable wolf depredations and the adequacy of record keeping.

Score: One a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) rank the effectiveness of the program, focusing on the depredation investigation and record keeping procedures (10 points maximum). _____

REPORTING AND COORDINATION

3) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the procedures for reporting documenting livestock depredation and the coordination with local USDA Wildlife Services field representatives or other authorized State or tribal investigator, and other partners.

Review the process for reporting depredation investigations, and the transparency of the program with partners and the public.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 10, rank the reliability of the reporting and coordination procedures. A higher ranking should be given to programs with coordinated wolf-livestock interaction prevention programs. A higher ranking should also be given to established programs with a high percentage of livestock producers participating (10 points maximum). _____

DEPREDATION GRANTS Total points: ________

SERVICE REVIEW OF PREVENTION GRANT PROPOSAL

WOLF-LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

PREVENTION GRANTS

(PROACTIVE, NONLETHAL MEASURES)

EVALUATION FORM

Please fill out this form completely. You may attach additional written explanations for the categories in this form if the space provided is inadequate.

Project Title__________________________________________________________

Region _____

State Agency or Tribal Government________________________________________________

Service contact for more information _________________________________________

Percent of cost to be borne by non-Federal entities (list by entity and % of cost) ___________

Amount of funding requested (total cost minus the non-Federal match) ________________

Provide a brief narrative description that will serve as an “Executive Summary” of the grant request to be used for outreach purposes. Review and score (20 points maximum) each proposal’s Proactive Techniques and Outreach and Coordination.

PROACTIVE TECHNIQUES

1) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the extent to which the requested funds would foster increased use of prevention measures or encourage the development of new preventative measures. Prevention tools and incentives should be designed to decrease the risk of wolf-livestock interactions, and reduce the extent of livestock losses caused by wolves.

Consider the percentage of landowners in wolf areas using nonlethal techniques to deter or preclude wolf depredation of livestock. A variety of visual and auditory scare devices may be used, including electric fences, fladry or other flagging, range riders, increased monitoring, Radio‐Activated Guard (RAG) devices, livestock guard dogs, and modification of husbandry practices. State/tribal agencies may purchase and loan prevention supplies, such as radio receivers in accordance with applicable Federal financial assistance regulations. Funds may be used to pay salaries of range riders and for the care and feeding of documented livestock guard dogs. Consideration may also be given for incentives to participate in the program.

Score: Consider the percentage of livestock producers using nonlethal techniques, incentives for implementing nonlethal strategies, and the demonstrated effectiveness of any ongoing prevention measures or the likelihood of success if the proposal is to develop new techniques. Rank from 1

(low) to 10 (high) planned nonlethal techniques used with various number/age/type of livestock and the areas to be protected (10 points maximum). _

OUTREACH AND COORDINATION

2) The purpose of this section is to evaluate coordination strategies of States/tribes with partners regarding livestock depredation management and efforts to reduce wolf-livestock interactions.

Review the program’s demonstrated or planned work with partners including local USDA

Wildlife Services and nongovernmental organizations. A higher score should be provided to

States/tribes with a cooperative or interagency system to approve projects, or programs that use the results of local nonlethal strategies to guide future nonlethal preventative measures and expenditures. The highest ranking will go to programs committed to fostering coexistence between wolves and livestock producers.

Score: Consider the program’s efforts to involve potentially affected livestock producers, the planned coordination with USDA Wildlife Services and other partners, and the contribution of the program to wolf conservation (10 points maximum). ______

PREVENTION GRANTS - Total points: ____________

Review and Selection Process:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Office reviews will be provided to the

Headquarters Office staff for final grant award recommendations. All proposals will compete at a national level for funding. A panel of Service representatives will assess the applications submitted and make funding recommendations to the Service Director. The Director will use the recommendations in selecting projects, although geographic distribution of funds, the amount of funding requested and other factors may also be considered. Partial funding of one or more projects, when practicable, may be considered.

Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer reviewers, evaluators, panel members, and advisors must sign and return to the program office point of contact the

“Department of the Interior Conflict of Interest Certification” form. For a copy of this form, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Prior to award, the Service reviews the selected applicant’s statement regarding potential overlap or duplication in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel and makes a determination regarding Service funding. Depending on the circumstances, modification of the application, other pending applications, or an active award may be necessary, or the Service might choose to not fund the proposed project.

Each fiscal year, for every entity receiving one or more awards in that fiscal year, the Service conducts a risk assessment based on eight risk categories. The result of this risk assessment is used to establish a monitoring plan for all awards to the entity in that fiscal year. For a copy of the Service’s risk assessment form, go to https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Prior to approving an award with a Federal funding amount that exceeds or is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as adjusted (see 2 CFR 200.88), the Service must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS; https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action) to determine if, at a minimum, the information found in the system for the applicant demonstrates a satisfactory record of Federal award performance and integrity and business ethics (see 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2)). The Service must also report to FAPIIS if an applicant subject to this review is found not qualified for a particular award due to its prior record of integrity or performance under Federal awards (see 2 CFR 200.212).

VII. Award Administration

Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail.

If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document.

Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the

Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests.

Domestic Recipient Payments: Prior to award, the Service program office will contact you/your organization to either enroll in the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for

Payments (ASAP) system or, if eligible, obtain approval from the Department of the Interior to be waived from using ASAP.

Domestic applicants subject to the SAM registration requirement (see Section III B.) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP must maintain current banking information in

SAM. Domestic applicants exempt from the SAM registration requirement who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP will be required to submit their banking information directly to the Service program. However, do NOT submit any banking information to the Service until it is requested from you by the Service program!

Transmittal of Sensitive Data: Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the Service is protected during its transmission/delivery. The Service strongly recommends that recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available. The

Service recommends the following digital transmission methods: secure digital faxing; encrypted emails; emailing a password protected zipped/compressed file attachment in one email followed by the password in a second email; or emailing a zipped/compressed file attachment. The https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action

Service strongly encourages recipients sending sensitive data in paper copy to use a courier mail service. Recipients may also contact their Service Project Officer and provide any sensitive data over the telephone.

Award Terms and Conditions: Acceptance of a financial assistance award (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement) from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions applicable to the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the notice of award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Service’s Standard Award Terms and Conditions are available on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a full text copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service point of contact identified in the

Agency Contacts section below.

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports:

Final Reports: Recipients are required to submit final financial and performance reports no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date, whichever comes first. For awards lasting 12 months or less, the final reports will be the only financial and performance reports required, except in unusual circumstances or if waived.

Interim Reports: For awards that last longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial and performance reports no less frequently than annually and no more frequently than quarterly, except in unusual circumstances or if waived. Requiring a higher frequency of reporting than annual reporting will be based on the Service’s assessment of higher or other unusual circumstance. Quarterly and semiannual interim reports are due within 30 calendar days of the reporting period end date. Annual interim reports are due within 90 calendar days of the reporting period end date.

Recipients must use the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report for financial reporting, available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1.

Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results.

Significant Developments Reports: Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates that have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Service in writing as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

Problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award.