FY20 NFPP NOFO sal.pdf

National Fish Passage Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F20AS00019

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service

(Service), Fish and Aquatic Conservation

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.608 Fish and Wildlife

Management Assistance

Authorizing Legislation: The Service is authorized to provide this funding as described in the

Service’s policy manual chapter on the National Fish Passage Program (717 FW 1). The following statutes authorize the Service to issue financial assistance awards under this program:

the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 757a-757g), Endangered Species Act (16

U.S.C. 1531-1544), Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 742a-742j), and Fish and Wildlife

Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667e).

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information

Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100 (Expiration Date: 7/31/2021)

I. Program Description

The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary program that provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners. The program works in partnership to provide fish (and other aquatic organisms) passage and restore aquatic connectivity for the benefit of federal trust resources. In doing so, the program aims to maintain or increase fish populations in order to improve ecosystem resiliency and to provide quality fishing experiences for the American people. Activities that restore fish passage also support the modernization of country’s infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges and water diversions. Example project types include dam removals, culvert replacements, and the installation of fishways. The NFPP is delivered through 51 Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Field Offices across all States and territories. FAC staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify and collaboratively implement projects within Regional priority areas. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from FAC staff. Projects must advance the Service mission, promote biological diversity, and be based upon sound scientific biological principles. FAC and Service strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the program strategic plan and also contact the regional NFPP Coordinator that corresponds to the location of the project for additional regional priorities prior to submitting an application for funding. Contacts are listed at end of announcement.

This funding opportunity directly addresses the Department of the Interior financial assistance priorities in the following ways:

Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second to only Teddy Roosevelt – This funding opportunity will be used to support actions that advance habitat conservation for the benefit of fish and other aquatic resources nationwide by providing fish passage and aquatic connectivity.

Utilizing our natural resources – This funding opportunity will be used to support actions that aim to increase fishing opportunities for the American people.

Modernizing our infrastructure – This funding opportunity will be used to modernize our country’s infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges, and water diversions.

II. Federal Award Information

Pending appropriations, the NFPP is estimated to be funded at $13.998 million for federal fiscal year 2020. Individual project funding can range from $500 up to $2 million. The program typically provides financial assistance to over 100 projects each year. The period of performance for the majority of projects funded under this program is two years, starting on the date the award is signed by the Service. Projects must be designed accordingly. This program uses cooperative agreements as the primary assistance instrument but staff may also use grants, procurement instruments, inter or intra-agency agreements, or Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units in accordance with Federal regulations. Projects are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement of FAC staff.

In the case of cooperative agreements, the Service participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work including:

Training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort;

Reviewing and approving one stage of work before the next stage can begin;

Reviewing and approving, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards;

Helping select project staff or trainees;

Directing or redirecting the work because of interrelationships with other projects;

Immediately halting an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and

Limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations, and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

To receive funding, NFPP projects must be implemented in coordination with FAC staff.

Applicants may be, but are not limited to: state and federal agencies, private lands, tribes, local municipalities, and non-governmental organizations. The NFPP actively identifies potential projects throughout the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). FAC

Program staff work collaboratively with potential applicants to identify common conservation priorities. We strongly suggest that all potential applicants work with the local

FAC Program staff to ensure that their project meets conservation needs of the Service.

Projects are considered for funding throughout the year, depending on the availability of funds.

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Central Contractor Registry and Data Universal Numbering

System) 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 Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR functionality was consolidated into the System for Award Management (SAM) in September 2012.

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.

Applicants must ensure that activities occurring outside the United States are coordinated as necessary with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities and that any necessary licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained prior to undertaking proposed activities. The

Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws and regulations of the country in which the work is to be conducted.

Cost Sharing or Matching

The National Fish Passage Program requires a 1:1 match on a regional basis not necessarily project basis. Contact the appropriate Service NFPP Regional Coordinator for additional information.

Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost- share/match, however recipients may only charge to the Federal award the indirect costs calculated against the allowable direct costs charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to the Federal award indirect costs calculated against: 1) any portion of the recipient’s direct costs which are proposed as voluntary committed cost-share/match; or 2) any portion of the direct costs charged to any other Federal or non-Federal partner.

Other Eligibility Criteria

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration:

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from

Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the

“Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5

SAM.gov registration. The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality

Agreements: Domestic (U.S.) non-Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See

Pub. L. 113-235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

Excluded Parties: The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Service cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

IV. Application Requirements

Contact local FAC Program or Regional staff prior to applying. To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must be submitted to region where the project is located.

Requesting Paper Application Package

Contact the local Service office should you need to request paper copies of materials, such as a U.S. Postal Service mailing address, telephone number, Telephone Device for the Deaf

(TDD), Text Telephone (TTY) number, and/or Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) number.

Application Form and Content Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal

Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-

424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on

Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other

Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ235/PLAW-113publ235.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget

Narrative” section below).

2. SF 424, Assurances

Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on

Grants.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

Signing the required SF-424 Assurances 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.

3. Project Narrative

A. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes.

B. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) of the program/project. State the objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period).

C. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. Activities are the specific actions that will be carried out to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. For projects being conducted within the United States, the narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental

Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National

Historic Preservation Act. For projects being conducted on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of Endangered Species Act. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

D. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

E. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable (i.e., process indicators) and budget information (i.e., input indicators).

Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered

(i.e., output indicators). Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on beneficiaries

(i.e., outcome indicators). Include any available questionnaires, surveys, curricula, exams/tests, or other assessment tools to be used for project evaluation. Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities. Describe how findings will be fed back into decision making and project activities throughout the project period.

F. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis.

G. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

H. Literature Cited I. Map of Project Area: A map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative.

4. SF-424, Budget Information

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding

Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to

Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award

Terms and Conditions”. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Narrative

Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget

Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

6. Indirect Costs: Individuals

Individuals applying for and receiving 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 and skip the next section.

7. Indirect Costs: Organizations

The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the

White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the

Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-

3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement

All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

□ 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. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

□ 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 have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

□ 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: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9557df1830f0558e853e91c94dd8a3ff&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1407&rgn=div8 https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or

“Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

□ 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]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

□ 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, if we receive an award 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%] against [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 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

□ 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, if we receive an award 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% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated 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 that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

□ 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 we must charge indirect costs against 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 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168

(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.

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

8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and subrecipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests; close personal relationships; positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision-making authority related to the proposed project. Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or subrecipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project. Applicants may not solicit, obtain, or use non-public information that may be of competitive interest to the entity, including information regarding the funding opportunity, evaluation, award, or administration of an award to the entity. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term employee means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Applicants may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role for the proposed project, whose participation puts them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethic’s website at https://oge.gov/ for more information on these restrictions. The Service will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed project and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

9. Single Audit Reporting Statement

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 the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal

Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

10. Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S.

Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

12. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this

Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

□ SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal

Assistance-Individual

□ SF-424B or D, Assurances https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx 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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5

□ Project Narrative

□ SF-424A or C, Budget Information

□ Budget Narrative

□ Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

□ Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

□ Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

□ SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

□ Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

V. Submission Requirements

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration

These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR

25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System

(DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application;

complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. There is NO COST to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from

SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal

Assistance form.

2. Register with SAM

Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov.

The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their

SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered.

Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/ directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

Submission Dates and Times

Continuous from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020.

Intergovernmental Review

Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the

OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact

(SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a

SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

Funding Restrictions

Pre-Federal award costs are not allowed.

Submission Instructions

Contact local FAC Program or Service Regional staff prior to applying. To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must be submitted to the Service region where the project is located. Please select ONE of the submission options:

To submit an application by mail:

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one copy of your complete application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

To submit an application by e-mail:

Format all of your documents to print on Letter size (8 ½” x 11”) paper. Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Where possible, save scanned documents in .pdf format. E-mail your application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

Applications may also be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov

Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

2. Grants.gov Workspace Application

Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission. When attaching files to the

Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete.

Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

3. Proof of Timely Submission

Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria

Conservation activities and projects are selected on a regional basis based upon regional focus areas that stem from basic criteria set forth in the NFPP Policy and meet one of the Secretarial priorities. All eight regions follow these criteria:

i. Federal trust or other priority species. Proposed conservation activities and projects must improve passage for interjurisdictional fish; endangered, threatened, or candidate species or species proposed for listing; other species of special concern (e.g., focal or surrogate species) and/or other declining species, as identified by the Service and/or in other strategic plans.

ii. FAC and Regional strategic plans and priorities. Fish passage projects that meet region-specific priorities will receive higher priority. However, FAC staff is not prohibited from implementing high-value habitat improvement projects outside of these geographic focus areas.

iii. Self-sustaining projects. Priority will be given to habitat improvement projects that establish a self-sustaining system and are not dependent on artificial structures. If artificial structures are necessary for project success, they must be designed to blend with the natural landscape and minimize future operational and maintenance costs.

iv. Projects for mitigation purposes. Projects that are directly for mandatory migration purposes, such as ones completed under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

(FERC), are not eligible for NFPP funding. Projects funded under NFPP are voluntary.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

In addition to the above criteria, Service Northeast Region has the following criteria:

Projects in the Northeast Region will be considered for funding if they meet a minimum of

85 points on the following elements:

i. Merit of Proposal, 25 points: considers likelihood of success and method for monitoring or assessing success, benefit to and meeting objectives of the Service, demonstrated understanding of project in proposal

ii. Resources to execute the Project, 25 points: considers whether applicant and team has appropriate personnel and adequate resources to complete project

iii. Ability to execute the project, 30 points: considers whether applicant’s past projects stayed within budget, had measurable outcomes, and were of high quality (based on information and references for similar recent projects) and whether applicant has appropriate technical skills to complete project

iv. Presentation of Proposal/Budget, 20 points: considers organization of proposal and budget, reasonableness and justification of costs

Review and Selection Process

All potential applicants should contact the local FAC Program staff prior to developing an application. Most FAC Program projects are developed collaboratively with other conservation partners. FAC Program staff is able to provide technical information and are knowledgeable about state-of-the-art techniques to restore, enhance, and protect fish and wildlife habitats for the benefit of federal trust species. If an applicant chooses to prepare an application independently, the application will be reviewed by the Region to determine if the potential project is consistent with the goals of the FAC and the Regions.

FAC Program field staff are responsible for identifying and selecting habitat conservation projects, with concurrence from the field station Project Leader, or other appropriate authority. At a minimum, our conservation activities and projects must advance the mission of the Service and be based on sound ecological principles.

Cost sharing is encouraged but not required on a single project basis. Cost sharing is the

NFPP’s strategy to leverage program funds with funds from other federal and non-federal partners to deliver habitat conservation cost effectively. All proposals should strive to secure a cost share ratio of one partner dollar for each NFPP dollar.

If other considerations are equal, priority for funding will be given to projects that have agreements longer in duration, involve greater partnership support and cost sharing, and have the greatest cost effectiveness.

Please also see the NFPP Policy for further information, at:

http://www.fws.gov/policy/710fw1.html

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.

http://www.fws.gov/policy/710fw1.html

Prior to award, the Service will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the Service may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the

Service may choose not to fund the selected project.

The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the

SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prior to award, the Service will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. Service programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Service’s

“Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for

Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the

Service is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Service will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Service uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

VII. Federal Award Administration

Federal Award Notices

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. 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.

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. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

Award Terms and Conditions

See the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards.