FY19 NAWCA Mx Instructions-English-final 19April2018 with OMB infoPOSTED.pdf

NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT:

FY2019 MEXICO STANDARD GRANTS PROGRAM

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.623 Submission Deadline: 27 June 2018 Description of Funding Opportunity: North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Mexico grant program Program Authorizing Statute: North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Public Law 101233, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 4401

OMB Control No.1018‐0100 Expires: 04/30/2018 and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10(e)(2), an agency may continue to conduct or sponsor this collection of information while the submission is pending at OMB). You may also view the Information Collection Request at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: This information collection is authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) of 1989, as amended (16 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.). Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit in the form of a grant. We estimate that it will take approximately 80 hours to prepare an application, including time to review instructions, gather and maintain data, and complete and review the proposal. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number. OMB has reviewed and approved this information collection and assigned OMB Control Number 1018-0100. You may submit comments on any aspect of this information collection, including the accuracy of the estimated burden hours and suggestions to reduce this burden.

Send your comments to: Information Collection Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop BPHC, Washington, D.C. 20240.

https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/NAWCACT.HTML http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY AND AWARD INFORMATION

PROPOSAL FORMAT GUIDELINES

I. Cover Page II. Project Summary III. The Proposal IV. Budget V. Proposal Annexes

a. Impact on Cultural and Historic Sites

b. Evaluation and Monitoring

c. Maps/Spatial Data

d. Photographs

e. List of Previous NAWCA Projects

f. Progress Report on current NAWCA projects

g. Match Letters

h. Support Letters

i. Tract Tables

j. Organizational Capacity (only new applicants)

k. Macondo Oil Spill Requirements

l. Overlap/duplication of efforts

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I. Suggested Formats II. Reference Material

Application checklist NAWCA Purpose North American Waterfowl Conservation Regions (Map and list) List of Priority Shorebirds List of Priority Waterbirds List of Wetland-Dependent Landbirds Key Wetlands: Map of Ramsar sites) Key Wetlands for Waterfowl (Map) Key Wetlands for Shorebirds (Map) Key Wetlands for Waterbirds (Map)

DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY AND AWARD

INFORMATION

The NAWCA grant program supports the DOI Priorities of “Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt” (fostering relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands and “Restoring trust with local communities” (being a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands; expanding the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities). NAWCA partnerships can also address the priorities of “Striking a regulatory balance” and “generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests” by confronting conservation needs and concerns voluntarily and locally, potentially negating the need for more burdensome administrative rules and regulations, and leveraging extensive non-federal match that extends the scope and worth of federal grant funds.

Important changes in these instructions for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19)

• We revised the scoring criteria in section D, by assigning two points that were previously unassigned.

• We revised maps and bird lists.

• We added a bilingual glossary.

• You are now required to provide a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates statement and

Conflict of Interest Disclosures.

• We added information about impact on cultural and historic sites, evaluating the success of your activities, ineligible costs, vehicles, Program Income, match cost reporting, and tract tables.

• We ask for more detail about the success of previous phases (Annex D).

• We ask for more detail about the biological and socioeconomic values of wetlands.

• Annual budgets are no longer required.

• There are other changes, including changes to several tables; please read the full document carefully!

• The English version of these instructions is the official version. The Spanish translation is provided as a courtesy.

Reminders

• The proposal must be submitted in English; in addition, you may also submit a

Spanish version, but the English document is the official version. The cost of translation can be included in the budget as an administrative cost.

• You may apply for funds from the Macondo Oil Spill Fund for projects that are conducted in the Gulf of Mexico states. The format and presentation requirements are the same for these proposals as they are for the other proposals, but additional information is required. See Annex K (Macondo Oil Spill Settlement Fund).

• There is additional information required from applicants who have never applied to NAWCA for funding. See Annex J.

• Important change made last year (FY18): The scoring criteria used initially to rank proposals are now shown in this document.

• Important change made last year (FY18): Applicants must provide a statement that describes any overlaps between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects. See Annex L (Required Overlap/Duplication Statement).

• Important change made last year (FY18): Applicants must discuss the impact of changing environmental conditions in a different section than in prior years.

• Important change made last year (FY18): The scoring criteria used initially to rank all proposals are now shown in this document.

Applying both through Grants.gov and email Grants.gov is the grant (“Federal assistance”) portal of the U.S. government. You must use grants.gov to submit your application (“proposal package”), which includes the forms SF424 and SF424D, and your proposal and attachments. (You may omit the SF424C form.) When your submission of SF424s is complete on grants.gov, you will receive an email confirmation. You must send a copy of this confirmation message as part of your application by emailing both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Bird Habitat Conservation (FWS/DBHC) at dbhc@fws.gov and SEMARNAT/DGVS at lurbano@semarnat.gob.mx, with cc: miguel.flores@semarnat.gob.mx. In addition to the SF424 and attachments that you submit through grants.gov, you must also send the proposal along with all annexes to the same three emails. Follow the steps below to submit your application:

1. Register in Grants.gov. You should start this very early in the process! Registering in Grants.gov requires several preliminary steps. First, your organization must have a current Dun and Bradstreet number (DUNS). Organizations that do not have a DUNS number will need to go to the Dun & Bradstreet website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to obtain the number. This generally takes 12 business days. After acquiring a DUNS number, you will then need to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) or update your previous registration. You must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration to apply through Grants.gov, to receive an award, and to be able to receive funds. (We recommend that you read the steps to register an organization in Grants.gov.) We strongly encourage applicants to initiate this process at least 6 weeks before our deadline, because it can be a complex process. If your organization is registered with SAM.gov but your status is not listed as “active,” you must update your registration prior to submitting an application through Grants.gov. You must renew and revalidate the SAM registration at least every 12 months and ensure that all information is up to date. Additional information in Spanish is at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guia-introductoria-para-inscripcion-en-duns-ncage-y-sam.pdf.

2. If your organization is based outside the USA, you will need to go through additional steps in SAM, which could take additional weeks. Only then mailto:lurbano@semarnat.gob.mx mailto:miguel.flores@semarnat.gob.mx http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html;jsessionid=h6FNSGjcGLR7HJwThgM0K0M40J5c8F32kJD1LWzPswck1M6ppQJ6 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html;jsessionid=h6FNSGjcGLR7HJwThgM0K0M40J5c8F32kJD1LWzPswck1M6ppQJ6 http://grants.gov/ http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guia-introductoria-para-inscripcion-en-duns-ncage-y-sam.pdf http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/guia-introductoria-para-inscripcion-en-duns-ncage-y-sam.pdf can you register in Grants.gov. For organizations outside the USA, NCAGE Codes are required prior to starting a SAM registration. The organization’s name, address, and email information used to request your NCAGE Code must match exactly what you used to request your DUNS Number. Otherwise, you will receive error messages when applying for the NCAGE code. You can submit your request for an NCAGE Code using the NCAGE Request Tool at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx. Detailed instructions are posted at that site. For additional information, call 1.269.961- 4623 or send an email message to NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil. If you are not based in USA and wish to be paid directly to a United States bank account you must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM. (Click here to see a more detailed overview of the Grants.gov application process and SAM.)

Applicants 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.

3. If you encounter problems with SAM, DUNS or Grants.gov, go to http://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act/how-to-apply.php and click on the link to “Troubleshooting DUNS, SAM, and Grants.gov issues.” If that does not help, contact the SAM or DUNS help desks directly.

4. After you registered in Grants.gov, start your online application in grants.gov and fill out all required fields. Go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html. In the “Search by CFDA Number”, insert “15.623”. This is the CFDA number for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program. Your Grants.gov Grant Opportunity Package is the equivalent of Standard Form (SF) 424 and will include the SF424D and your Proposal that must be added on the “Project Narrative Attachment Form”. To successfully submit your application in Grants.gov, you must add your Proposal as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file on the “Project Narrative Attachment Form” of your Grant Opportunity Package from Grants.gov. Go to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and select “Add Mandatory Project Narrative File,” then browse for the .pdf of your Proposal and Open it to add it to your Grant Opportunity Package. You can then check for errors, save the package and submit it. If there is a Grants.gov system outage on the application deadline, you must submit your complete application, including a SF424 with assurances (SF424D), proposal, and attachments, to U.S. via an email to dbhc@fws.gov before the deadline.

5. If you are unable to complete the Assurances via Grants.gov, fill out the SF424D

Assurances separately by going to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf- 424-family.html#sortby=1 and downloading the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF424D)”.

6. In box 15 of your Grants.gov application package, use the “Add Attachments” https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html file://ifw-hqskyfs1/dbhc_share/Grants/MX%20NAWCA/--%20NOFA%20fy18/Grants.gov http://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act/how-to-apply.php http://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act/how-to-apply.php http://grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/NAWCACT.HTML https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 button to upload your proposal, your signed Partner Contribution Statements, your SF424D Assurances if not digitally signed, and your project area shapefile or .kmz files.

Keys to developing a successful proposal These are some elements of a good proposal that facilitate evaluation and selection.

1. Proposals that do not comply with requirements and formats will not be eligible for consideration.

2. Do not include numbers, hectares, acres, or other measurements in the title.

However, if the proposal is for a new phase of a project, please give the proposal the same name as in the previous phase adding the Roman numeral that pertains to the phase, at the end of the title (e.g., I or II).

3. Carefully consider the proposal’s goals and objectives. In NAWCA, goals are understood to be “where you expect to be at the end this project,” while the objectives are the intermediate steps necessary to reach that end. The activities are the actions necessary to complete those objectives: activities > objectives > goals. There should be fewer goals in comparison to objectives and a lot less in comparison to the number of activities. These concepts are the key for the evaluators to understand the intent of the proposal. Include a single table that presents the goals, objectives, activities and their programming. See the suggested work plan format below.

4. Carefully review the scoring criteria (see “Scoring Criteria” below) used to initially rank proposals, and consider each criterion as you develop the various sections of your proposal.

Other information

1. If the proposal is approved, all the information and materials presented with the proposal will become part of the official contract between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/DBHC and the applicant and as such will be available in public files.

2. In the process of evaluating the proposals there are cases when a new version of the proposal or a new version of the budget may be required. Each new version of the proposal and of the budget tables must be renamed as V1, or V2, etc. and the date of resubmission must be clearly indicated on each document.

3. After receipt of each proposal, a four-digit “project number” will be assigned.

Please use this number in all correspondence regarding this proposal and include it in all the budget tables if they are subsequently revised.

4. If your project sites are in states located in the Sonoran Desert, we suggest that you submit a copy of your proposal as a courtesy to the Sonoran Joint Venture. See website: http://www.sonoranjv.org/

5. If your project sites are in states that border the southern frontier of the Rio Grande (Chihuahuan Desert and Tamaulipas Brushlands Bird Conservation Regions; part of the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Guanajuato or Querétaro), it is suggested that you send a courtesy copy to the Rio Grande Joint Venture.

http://www.sonoranjv.org/

See website: http://www.rgjv.org/about.html.

6. In the NAWCA Mexico program, we use the following definitions.

Bilingual glossary for NAWCA Mexico:

English Spanish Notes Landbirds Aves terrestres These are mostly passerines.

Waterbirds Aves acuáticas que no son ni anátidos ni playeros

There is no single word that translates “waterbirds” into Spanish. The term “aves acuáticas”, as used by most professionals in Latin America, is not synonymous with “waterbirds” as used in the USA (where it includes rails, marshbirds, wading birds, and marine birds, but excludes waterfowl and shorebirds). Rather, that Spanish term includes all birds dependent on wetlands or marine habitats, i.e., it does not exclude waterfowl or shorebirds. According to the 2012 “Desarrollo de la Base Metodológica para el Inventario Nacional de Humedales de México (citing CONANP), an “ave acuatica” is any bird that depends ecologically from a wetland area.

Colonial waterbirds

Aves coloniales que migran desde los

EE.UU.

These include, for example, egrets and herons. Note that the species normally described by this term in the USA are not identical to the species described by this term in Mexico. This is because “colonial” refers to breeding colonies. Neotropical migrants that nest colonially in the USA do not congregate during their non-reproductive season, i.e., during their stay in Mexico (and therefore are not called “colonial” by Mexican professionals). Conversely, resident species that do congregate and breed in Mexico (and therefore are called “colonial” by Mexican professionals) are generally not neotropical migrants.

Waterfowl Anátidos (patos, cisnes, gansos)

Unlike in the USA, “anátidos” is a subset of “aves acuáticas ”. Some Mexican publications use the term “aves acuaticas” to indicate “waterfowl”, but this is not common practice in Latin America.

Wading birds Aves vadeadoras

Shorebirds Aves Playeras Unlike in the USA, “aves playeras”, in Latin America, is considered to be a subset of “aves acuáticas ”.

Marine birds Aves marinas Wetlands Humedales Uplands Tierras altas adyacentes a los humedales

Scoring Criteria In order to provide transparency and understanding of scoring and evaluation, the following four categories are used to assess the proposal’s activities, objectives and goals in relation to the North American Wetland Conservation Act (the Act) and its application in Mexico:

A. Resource Description (30 points) – One of the purposes of the Act is to maintain current or improved distributions of wetland associated migratory bird populations.

This category looks at the bird populations affected to determine to what degree http://www.rgjv.org/about.html and magnitude the activities of the proposal affect this purpose.

Priority Waterfowl (see list below) 10 points Priority Shorebirds (see list below) 5 points Priority Waterbirds (see list below) 5 points Priority Landbirds (see list below) 5 points Other Birds/Wildlife (including Mexican endemic species) 3 points Endangered Species (corresponding to ESA species) 2 points

B. Project Location (25 points) – Another stated purpose in the Act is to protect, enhance, restore, and manage an appropriate distribution and diversity of wetland ecosystems and habitats. This category evaluates the context of how the proposal fits into the landscape efforts, and if work being completed is appropriate and effective for the proposed sites, as well as whether or not the work contributes to meet migratory bird biological needs and contributes to the greater benefit of ecosystem importance.

Geographic Location (landscape context; see text below) 5 points Value of Wetlands (Ramsar Map) 5 points Mexico regional/local impact 3 points Key wetlands for waterfowl (see two Waterfowl maps ) 3 points Key wetlands for shorebirds (see Map) 3 points Key wetlands for waterbirds (see Map) 3 points Key wetlands for landbirds (We have not included a map, but you may include one in your proposal, e.g., IBA/AICA map. You may also describe abundance, occurrence, seasonality, percent of total population of species, and relative importance of site in the region or country.)

3 points

C. Project Description (30 points) – This category evaluates the types, benefits, longevity and goals of the proposed activities to illustrate comprehensive and complete implementation. It also considers how the activities address the current and potential future conditions for habitat and migratory birds.

Goals/Tracts Work Plan -project explanation and benefits -quantification of deliverables (e.g., number of acres) -longevity/duration of work/benefits (e.g., years that project is anticipated to function effectively) -goals for each component of the proposal (e.g., enhance habitat for species X, or promote working lands and grazing to prevent habitat loss, etc.)

-budget/tract (i.e., what is the cost for each project as described)

20 points

Threats (i.e., reasons that the project is needed) 5 points Changing environmental conditions 3 points Special Considerations (e.g., unique aspects of the project) 2 points

D. Partnerships (15 points) – The Act encourages partnerships in delivering conservation, recognizing the importance of leveraging funds and gaining broad acceptance and participation in conservation efforts.

Community Participation 3 points Number and Degree of Participation of Partners 5 points Match Ratio 3 points Unique Social Aspects of the Project 4 points

PROPOSAL FORMAT GUIDELINES

Format requirements

1. All elements of the proposal should be combined into a single file in PDF format that is not password protected. The filename should be unique and include the year and acronym of the applicant.

2. Set the paper size to 8.5×11 inches. Single space and left-justify the text. Do not use headers, footers, or borders. The font should be no smaller than 11 points and in “Arial” (not “Arial narrow”). Page margins should be half an inch (side, top and bottom).

3. Each page of the proposal must be numbered consecutively, locating the number on the bottom right.

4. All proposal sections must be numbered and organized according to the numbering and organization indicated in the instructions

5. Do not include text from the instructions, other than the title of sections.

6. The cover page should not be in tabular format; do not include any type of borders or other design.

7. The location information on the cover page under 7.A. must be given as latitude and longitude (degrees, minutes and seconds). These coordinates must be precise (at a minimum, provide a central point).

8. The cover page must include two tables: 7.B. Priority location and 10. Table of Resources. Do not add other priority lists in table 7.B.

9. All measurements should be in metric units and their equivalents in the United States (hectares/acres, kilometers/miles, meters/feet, etc.).

10. Budget tables must show only U.S. dollars and indicate the rate of exchange at the time the proposal was developed.

11. The text in the maps, especially in the legend, should be in English wherever possible.

I. COVER PAGE: FY2019 NAWCA MEXICO PROGRAM PROPOSAL See suggested cover page format below.

II. PROJECT SUMMARY

The proposal summary is the principal part on which points are given to each proposal.

The summary should give the information necessary for evaluation by the reviewer who needs to understand the purpose of the proposal and the most important details. The rest of the proposal should contain more in-depth information to provide answers to whatever questions remain after review of the summary. It is suggested that the summary be developed after the rest of the proposal has been written so that the author can reflect on all details before writing the summary.

The Project Summary should begin on the second page after the Cover Page and should not exceed a maximum of three pages (pages 2 – 4). If you exceed this page limit, the text will be deleted. This summary should describe how you would conduct the activities of the proposal and the explanation for how they would be implemented. See the suggested summary format below. Provide in-depth information in Section III.

Proposal, the last five pages of the proposal.

Throughout the proposal, redundant hectares/acres must be presented in parentheses in order to avoid double counting. For example, if a project will protect 800 hectares/1,976 acres and, among these same acres, restore (400) hectares/(988) acres, presentation of the hectares/acres to be restored using parentheses will indicate that these hectares/acres are already included in the number of hectares/acres that will be protected. If other hectares/acres will be restored or enhanced that are not included in the hectares/acres already indicated for protection, then those are additional hectares/acres and should not be in parentheses.

A. Summary of Objectives

Describe the objectives and activities that are in the work plan in section III.B:

Objective I and the activities, Objective II, etc.

B. Table of Components

This table should present details of the cost of each component with NAWCA funds (in U.S. dollars) and partners\match (in U.S. dollars) as well as the pertinent hectares/acres and responsible party.

COMPONENT/ACTIVITY NAWCA Match Hectares/Acr es Responsible Party

Protection Ranch 1 800/1976 Enhancement Ranch 1 200/494 Management Ranch 1 400/988 Restoration Ranch 2 (200/494) TOTALS $xxx $xxx xxx

C. Wetland Values (briefly describe)

1. What is the importance of the wetland and the project area for migratory birds?

2. What are the expected benefits for priority migratory birds?

3. What are the biological and socioeconomic values of the wetland? For example, you could refer to publications by RAMSAR, such as the one found at https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rpb_values_of_wetl ands_e.pdf.

III. The PROPOSAL This section should begin on the fifth page and should not exceed five pages (pages 5-9). If this number is exceeded it will be reduced. Attachments are considered additional pages, not counting toward the total page number.

A. Description of Migratory Bird Resources and other wildlife

a. Migratory Birds: Indicate up to 10 priority species of waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and landbirds. Please see lists for each species in the Reference Material section below. Include scientific name and English common name.

https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rpb_values_of_wetlands_e.pdf https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rpb_values_of_wetlands_e.pdf

For each species, highlight the cross-border migration where it occurs, the anticipated numbers of the species in the project area, the location within the project area that the species occurs, the period of their life cycle of use, and the benefits the species will receive from completing the proposed project. See attached species lists for waterfowl (anatids), shorebirds, waterbirds, and landbirds.

Priority Species

Numbers/Breeder, Migrant

Benefits of project for priority species

Geographic extent/impact

Waterfowl (anatids)

[Insert species list]

Shorebirds

Waterbirds (not including anatids or shorebirds)

Landbirds

b. Other wetland dependent species: Indicate up to 5 priority species that live in the project area, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Include scientific name and English common name. For each species, highlight the anticipated numbers of the species that will benefit, the location within the project area in which the species occurs, and the benefit the species will receive from completing the proposed project. See the Mexican endangered species list U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species list and the PIF species list:

• http://dof.gob.mx/nota_to_imagen_fs.php?codnota=5173091&fecha=30/12/2010&cod_diario=23 4368

• http://www.fws.gov/endangered/

• http://www.partnersinflight.org/pif-watch-list-species/ .

OTHER

Species

Numbers/Breeder, Migrant

Benefits of project for Mexico & Endangered species

Geographic extent/impact

Mexico Priority Species:

[Insert species list]

Endangered Species:

[Insert species list]

B. Project Location Provide context in the landscape for the project location with respect to the importance of the wetland and the project area and what benefits the project will provide, when completed, to migratory birds. List the priority wetlands and http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ http://www.partnersinflight.org/pif-watch-list-species/ associated uplands for waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds, and landbirds. If any international, regional or local conservation plans have ranked the location as a high priority, please explain. You may refer to additional maps, such as those from WHSRN (https://www.whsrn.org/sites-mex) and IBAs (http://conabioweb.conabio.gob.mx/aicas/doctos/aicasmapa.html), or any others that are relevant to your project.

C. Project Description

a. The goals, objectives, activities, and products should be identified and explained in terms of foreseen benefits.

b. Goals, objectives, activities, products and work plan should be presented in the “Work Plan Format” shown below.

c. Describe the activities that will be completed within a two-year timeframe with the funds provided (both match and grant funds) and in accordance with the budget tables.

d. Indicate the activities that will be conducted and relate them to the planned goals and objectives (e.g., negotiate easements, conduct biological inventories, monitoring activities, environmental education, develop environmental education materials, management activities, protection and restoration activities).

e. Present the activities that you will develop and the approximate timing and when they will be concluded. The accomplishments will be based on the date of the start date of the project (date of FWS award + 90 days, etc.). It is unnecessary to reference specific dates since the start date cannot be determined prior to an award. Circumstances do exist, however, when the start date may be prior to the beginning of the grant agreement. See the section on Pre-agreement Costs.

f. Provide a precise description of the activities, including which partner is responsible for each activity as well as requirements that must be completed by personnel and equipment, products that will be generated, etc., indicating the methods and procedures that will be utilized to each end.

g. The objectives should correspond to the cost categories indicated in the budget tables.

h. If the project includes protection (i.e., implementation of legal mechanisms to protect land), restoration, or enhancement of properties, additional information must be presented utilizing the tables in Annex H. See the “Suggested Tract Table Format”.

i. Long-term protection: NAWCA supports land protection for the long-term, with a minimum period of protection 15 years. Funds may not be utilized for activities of restoration or enhancement if there is no underlying, long-term, legal protection for the tracts (properties) involved. Describe the long-term goal, beyond the period of implementation of this project. You should describe how the project will be continued (sustainable) after the NAWCA project ends. If additional support will be needed in the future, include that information in this section of the proposal. If the present proposal is one of several phases, explain the role of the NAWCA support.

https://www.whsrn.org/sites-mex http://conabioweb.conabio.gob.mx/aicas/doctos/aicasmapa.html

j. Main threats: Describe the threats relevant to the project area and how the project will address these threats. Describe the urgency of the project. This section should also describe the importance of the project in terms of migratory bird habitat conservation for the long-term in the context of changing environmental conditions by providing responses to the following items.

• Explain how threats from changing environmental conditions in the project area were taken into consideration as you developed this proposal.

• Describe the resilience of the project habitat that you intend to protect, restore or enhance, in terms of changing environmental conditions.

• Describe the environmental elements or aspects of the habitat at the project site that will persevere for the long term in spite of changing environmental conditions.

• Classify the vulnerability of the project site proposed in this proposal as High, Medium or Low.

• Explain and provide citations for the basis of the information presented in the previous four responses (academic references, reports or other documentation).

k. Special Considerations (if any) and/or Regional Context: Document any special circumstances that distinguish this project from others. The space should be left empty if there are no special considerations. Do not repeat text that previously presented in other sections of the proposal. The information provided should concentrate on the necessity and immediacy of conducting the project. For example, the information could:

• describe those special circumstances, such as the importance and opportunity to conduct a project (threatened habitat, critical condition, pressure on a particular species in a category of risk, etc.); or,

• provide a description of the existing level of protection and that proposed for this location in which the project will be conducted (without protection, Federal lands, protection category of the area, etc.); or,

• indicate the other actors working in the area and linkages of the project with these actors.

D. Partnerships:

Describe any community participation or lack thereof. Briefly state any particularly significant or unique benefits provided by the proposal partnerships. Highlight the number and degree of participation of the partners. Is there a partner who is providing a large or unusual match amount? What are some unique social aspects of the project (e.g. access to the area, open to schools, socioeconomic benefits)?

IV. BUDGET

The budget should include a global budget (table A), the unit budget costs (table B), and a budget justification.

The rules for the management and use of NAWCA funds are equally applicable to the matching contributions. See also “Lineamientos para la Administración de Subsidios”, at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/grants/Lineamientos.pdf and the DBHC Grants Handbook at https://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/files/GrantHandbook.pdf.

A. General instructions. Budget tables must be organized by objective and activities. This means that all costs should be linked clearly to an activity under one of the objectives of the project.

Table A - Global budget by objective and activities as listed in the proposal detailing what NAWCA and each of the partners will pay for, in cash and in-kind. (See the Table A Suggested Format.)

Table B - Unit budget costs: For each line item, detail what NAWCA and each partner will pay for, in cash and in-kind. (See the Table B Suggested Format.)

Please number each line item to correspond with the same line item across all the budget tables and to the items in the Work Plan.

1. Each budget table should be identified with: Table A or B; the name of the project; the year for which funding is requested; the date of submission (which will be changed with each new version submitted).

2. Express all costs in U.S. dollars.

3. Provide a detailed description of the costs of major activities for each project objective indicated in the work plan indicating what source of funds will pay for each aspect (NAWCA and each partner).

4. The cost estimates should be reasonable and necessary for the adequate and effective accomplishment of the project objectives. Efficient use of funds is advantageous.

5. Indicate the type of funds to be used by each one of the partners for each line item – in cash and in-kind.

6. When a project is part of a larger project or program or a phase of multiple phases, indicate it in the cover letter/email submitted with the proposal. The costs indicated within the proposal should reflect only the cost of this project’s activities (i.e., not combining other phases).

7. Use the best estimates possible for each cost including for per diem, monthly and annual salaries, etc. The formulas used to make these cost estimates should be included in the budget justification.

8. Proposals that request substantial funds for payment of salaries, more than 30% of the budget, will not be considered favorably.

9. Do not include cents. You should round up the number to whole dollars. For large numbers (ten thousand) do not use the format “10.000.” Please use the format “10,000” (i.e., use a comma instead of a period).

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/grants/Lineamientos.pdf https://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/files/GrantHandbook.pdf

10. Ineligible match and grant costs: Miscellaneous and contingency (unforeseen) costs are not allowed. Food costs are not allowed, except the cost of: 1) meals and refreshments when paid by the host of a conference or similar event where the primary purpose is the dissemination of technical information, and 2) per diem, or actual cost of meals, during travel directly related to specific project objectives. Other ineligible costs are listed in the “2 CFR 200” (‘Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards’), found at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200.pdf, particularly under “Subpart E—Cost Principles”.

11. All the budget tables should include grid lines and should not include any highlights or colored text.

12. Subtotals by objective must be included.

13. To the degree possible, budget tables should be contained in one or as few pages as possible.

14. Avoid empty columns or columns that only show zero dollars.

15. Links within budget tables must not be included.

16. To limit the number of columns per budget table, match from partners that provide less than 15% individually must be grouped into a single column. Show partners providing more than 15% in separate columns. When partners have been grouped together, they should be identified in another table that contains just partners and their contributions.

17. The following Mexican entities, among others, can act as partners:

nongovernmental organizations, municipal organizations, private and local entities, universities and research centers and similar international organizations.

State and Federal entities may apply for funds only when they have mechanisms specifically designed to receive funding from the U.S.

government.

18. The costs for typing, transcription or professional translation of the proposal, and subsequent reports must be included as part of the administration costs.

19. Please verify that all sums in the budget tables are correct. Use the adding function of an Excel table. If the amounts in the tables are not correct or do not correspond to the amounts in other tables of the proposal (cover page, components table), the proposal may be rejected.

20. Justification of line items or costs of more than $5,000. This page should detail all the funds provided by both NAWCA and partners. Each line item that is estimated based on a formula and each line item that exceeds $5,000 should be justified with a detailed explanation, indicating how you arrived at this estimate of cost, including quotes for contracts with third parties. You should number each line item with the same corresponding number of line items listed in table A – global. You should justify in detail all of these costs from all sources and not only for the funds requested from NAWCA.

21. Vehicles and other equipment: Requests for equipment that will outlive the project period, such as new vehicles, are discouraged and may lower the competitiveness of your proposal. Used, or leased, vehicles, for example, may be more appropriate. Vehicle purchases must be well justified. When determining https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200.pdf the value of a used vehicle you must apply its value during its use on project-related activities. (If the vehicle is not used 100% of the time on the project, you cannot use 100% of its current value.) The vehicle must be used only for the project as long as it is needed, whether or not the project continues to be supported with US Federal funding in the future. Any vehicle purchased with grant funding is subject to our regulations for the purchase of equipment; for example, equipment with a unit cost above USD5,000 is subject to additional requirements. Please review the guidance in the NAWCA U.S. “Eligibility Criteria and Processes” (found in https://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/north-american-wetland-conservation-act/how-to-apply-for-a-nawca-grant.php ) and in the 2 CFR 200 (‘Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards’, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200.pdf).

22. Administrative and Indirect cost rates: We recognize the importance of administrative costs, but applicants should be aware that a proposal with low administrative costs (10% or less) will be more competitive; anything above 20% is considered high. Administrative costs must be directly attributable to the project.

Exception: If your organization has an officially negotiated indirect cost rate agreement with a US federal agency (your “cognizant” agency), you may use your negotiated indirect rate. You may also use part of your indirect costs as in-kind matching contributions. You should provide a copy of your approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. Indirect costs are allowed only if an official Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) exists with an agency of the U.S.

Government!

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 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.”] https://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/north-american-wetland-conservation-act/how-to-apply-for-a-nawca-grant.php https://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/north-american-wetland-conservation-act/how-to-apply-for-a-nawca-grant.php

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.

23. Program Income: If your project will generate program income (e.g., fees for services, rental of property, sale of fabricated items, royalties for copyrights): (1) describe how the income will be generated, (2) estimate the amount of income during the project period, (3) describe how the funds will be used, (4) create a column to list program income and the budget line items to which you will add the income. Income earned during the project period of an approved award shall be retained by the recipient and used in at least one of the following ways: 1) added to the funds requested from USFWS for the project in addition to those committed by the recipient/other partners, and later used to conduct additional activities that will further the project objectives; or, 2) used to finance the non-Federal share of the project

24. 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 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. .

Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the application.