FY22 WS Tribal CWD FOA_Final 4-13-2022.docx

USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2022 Cooperative Agreements

Fiscal Year 2022 CWD Funding Opportunity Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0014

Publication Date: April 14, 2022

Application Due Date: June 14, 2022, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Funding Opportunity: USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities 2022 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) is announcing the availability of around $400,000 in cooperative agreement funding to further develop and implement wild cervid chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including further development and evaluation of techniques and strategies to prevent or control CWD in wild cervids on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities.

Synopsis Funding Opportunity Title: FY22 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0014 Funding Type: Cooperative Agreement CFDA Number: 10.028 Wildlife Services Application Due Date: Proposals must be received through ezFedGrants by June 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Proposals received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted.

Funding Opportunity Description: In this 2022 opportunity, APHIS WS will make available around $400,000 in funds to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervids, including the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities.

Eligible Applicants: This opportunity is open to the following entities, provided they have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for wild cervids: Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior; Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs website.]

Eligible applicants can also apply for funding under the competitive Funding Opportunity Announcements below, as applicable:

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0011 Funding Opportunity Title: Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-22-0001 Funding Opportunity Title: Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022 Funding will not be provided for the same projects, as determined by APHIS, submitted through the competitive cooperative agreement process.

Cost Sharing: Although cost sharing is not required, APHIS WS may take an eligible entity’s ability to contribute non-Federal funds for proposed activities into consideration.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description Awarding Agency Name: USDA APHIS WS Funding Opportunity Title: USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities 2022 Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0014 CFDA Number: 10.028 Wildlife Services Key Dates: Proposals must be received through ezFedGrants by June 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Proposals received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted.

The performance period will begin on or before September 30, 2022 and should end no later than twelve months after the start date. There is an allowance of a one-time extension request of the performance period up to twelve months to complete the project, assuming there is no increase in funding requested. This request must be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions for APHIS awards in order to be considered.

Applicants can find the funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching the CFDA Number 10.028 or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0014.

A.1 Funding Opportunity Description This funding opportunity is provided to control and prevent CWD in wild cervids, including the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, prevention, and response activities on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities.

APHIS WS anticipates awarding around $400,000 in funds for the following entities, provided they have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for wild cervids: Federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $75,000 per proposal for activities to control and prevent CWD in wild cervids on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities.

If all funds are not awarded through this funding opportunity, the unawarded funds will be used to fund projects submitted to the Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022 submitted by Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations representing Federally recognize Native American tribal governments.

The overall objective of the funding opportunity is to control and prevent CWD in wild cervids. Through this funding opportunity, APHIS WS is soliciting collaborators who will further develop and implement wild cervid CWD surveillance, testing, management, prevention, and response activities, including the use of funds for providing the information or tools needed to control and prevent CWD. Funds may also be provided to further develop and evaluate techniques and strategies for controlling CWD in wild cervids.

Eligible applicants can also apply for funding under the competitive Funding Opportunity Announcements below, as applicable:

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0011 Funding Opportunity Title: Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022 Applicants can find the funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants website by searching either the CFDA number 10.028 or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-22-0011.

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-22-0001 Funding Opportunity Title: Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022 Applicants can find the funding opportunity information on the ezFedGrants website by searching either the CFDA number 10.025 or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-22-0001.

Funding will not be provided for the same projects, as determined by APHIS, submitted through the competitive cooperative agreement process.

A.2 Funding Priorities Eligible applicants are encouraged to develop project proposals that directly support at least one of the five funding priorities described below:

1. Improve the management of CWD-affected wild cervid populations. For the purpose of this priority, management means effectively controlling CWD in affected cervid populations or preventing the spread of CWD from affected or endemic populations to non-affected wild cervid populations by implementing or improving upon current guidance, such as the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Best Management Practices.

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority are: the detection and prevention of CWD in wild cervids in populations not currently affected with CWD and increasing capacity and reporting for CWD testing in wild cervids, increased testing capacity for CWD in wild cervids, disease detection, investigation, and response; the development and use of novel CWD tests in wild cervids, epidemiology and risk analysis; wild cervid movement monitoring and control (traceability); identification and investigation of treatment options for CWD; wild cervid population management; sample collection training programs for sample collectors; surveillance of CWD in wild cervids; prevention of CWD in wild cervids; or test result reporting to APHIS.

2. Improve the management of wild cervid CWD-affected areas. For the purpose of this priority, management means managing the environment to effectively control CWD in wild cervid affected areas (CWD endemic areas) to control or prevent the spread of CWD by implementing or improving upon current guidance, such as the AFWA Best Management Practices.

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority are: the development and use of novel CWD tests for environmental testing; environmental decontamination; environmental testing; wild cervid carcass and waste management; identification and investigation of treatment options for CWD; or, investigating the role of scavengers or predators in CWD transmission to or within wild cervid populations or managing these risks.

3. Conduct research on amplification assays in wild cervids and other new test methods. Amplification assays are test methods that identify CWD by amplifying small amount of prion protein to levels that are detectable [e.g., Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (PMCA), real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC)]. Specifically, this funding opportunity is interested in novel proposals which further the use of amplification assays as diagnostic or environmental tests.

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority: are the development of new amplification assays or the expanded use of amplification assays for novel sample types and applications.

4. Development and/or application of predictive genetics for wild cervids. Research to support the use of genetics to determine and understand the susceptibility of wild cervids to CWD on the landscape. Current and ongoing research supports the use of whole genome predictive genetics to determine the susceptibility of cervids to CWD, which may provide the foundation for a genomics based CWD control or eradication program in the future.

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority are: the evaluation of predictive genetics in wild cervids affected with CWD or located in CWD endemic areas to prevent or reduce the incidence of CWD.

5. Develop and/or deliver educational outreach materials or programs to wild cervid stakeholders or Tribal entities. For purposes of this priority, educational outreach means the methods, processes, or actions that provide education and facilitate learning of critical knowledge necessary to control and/or prevent CWD and it’s spread in wild cervids, including the study of human dimensions on CWD prevention and control. Behavioral messaging research may also be included as part of an outreach program.

Note: Any other proposed projects or activities that would further develop and implement wild cervid CWD control, prevention, surveillance, testing, management, and response fall within the scope of activities for this funding opportunity. While proposals within this scope that do not fall under the priorities above would receive a lower score than a proposal of equal quality that do, they will be reviewed and may score sufficiently for funding.

A.3 Other Funding Considerations Each proposal should describe how the project will leverage existing resources through partnerships with local, State, and/or Federal government agencies, Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations representing Native American tribal governments, industry organizations, professional associations, producer groups, and/or non-profit organizations with direct and significant interest in the control or prevention of CWD in wild cervids. Successful projects will meet the criteria described in Section E.1.

While all proposals meeting the administrative eligibility criteria listed in Section C.4 will be considered for funding, APHIS WS may give priority to proposals submitted by an eligible entity (1) in Tribal lands that has either experienced recent incidents of CWD in wild cervids or that have wild cervid populations bordering a CWD endemic area; and, (2) has a Tribal CWD control program that includes, but is not limited to, monitoring and surveillance, or that proposes to create a control program. Eligible applicants not meeting these criteria are encouraged to apply and their proposals may still be considered for funding.

Applicants should describe the anticipated involvement by APHIS personnel needed to complete the proposed activities in the Work Plan and Financial Plan (excluding personnel to administer or oversee the cooperative agreement). APHIS WS intends to collaborate with recipients when requested to successfully complete activities funded via this opportunity; however, due to the limited availability of personnel, APHIS encourages proposals that are not contingent on APHIS participation where possible, unless participation was agreed upon during the development of the proposal.

A.4 Alignment with USDA APHIS Goals The mission of APHIS is to protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. APHIS works in a variety of ways to protect and improve the health and quality of our nation’s animals by taking steps to prevent, control, and eliminate those diseases and conditions facing animals today.

This funding opportunity supports the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues, and USDA Strategic Goal 2 – Maximize the ability of American agricultural producers to prosper by feeding and clothing the world. Specifically, this funding opportunity supports the following USDA APHIS Strategic Goals:

USDA APHIS Strategic Goal 2: Safeguard American agriculture.

Objective 2.2: Manage plant and animal pests and diseases once established in the United States to promote plant and animal health.

Tactic: Collaborate with industry, Tribes, and States to develop approaches that take advantage of best management and husbandry practices to minimize the damage and spread of plant and animal diseases.

Objective 2.4: Manage conflicts caused by wildlife, detect, and control wildlife disease, and protect agriculture and natural resources.

Tactic: Develop and implement science-based, effective, and practical methods and new technology for eliminating and managing wildlife damage and threats posed by diseases to agricultural resources, livestock, property, human health and safety, and natural resources. Emphasize the development of methods that present a low environmental burden and a high degree of species-specificity.

Objective 2.6: Provide and coordinate timely diagnostic laboratory support and services.

Tactic: Provide leadership and coordinate with other partners on diagnostic techniques, assays, and new technologies including scientific computing to support greater use of genomics and bioinformatics.

A.5 Legislative Authority Under the Act of March 2, 1931, (46 Stat. 1468-69; 7 USC Parts 8351-8352, as amended), and the Act of December 22, 1987 (Public Law No. 100-202, Part101(k), 101 Stat. 1329-331, 7 USC Part 8353), the Secretary of Agriculture may conduct a program of wildlife services with respect to injurious animal species and take any action the Secretary considers necessary in conducting the program. Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture, except for urban rodent control, is authorized to conduct activities to control nuisance mammals and birds and those mammal and bird species that are reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. In carrying out a program of wildlife services involving injurious and/or nuisance animal species or involving mammal and bird species that are reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, the Secretary is authorized to cooperate with States, local jurisdictions, individuals, public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions.

Under the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA), as amended, (7 USC § 8301 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to issue regulations and orders and to carry out operations and measures to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate diseases and pests of livestock and to cooperate with other Federal agencies, States or political subdivisions of States, national governments of foreign countries, local governments of foreign countries, domestic or international organizations, domestic or international associations, Indian Tribes, and other persons to carry out the purposes of the AHPA.

Pursuant to 7 USC Part 2279 (g) and, notwithstanding Chapter 63 of Title 31, APHIS is authorized to use cooperative agreements or grants to reflect a relationship with a state or other recipient to carry out programs to protect the nation's animal and plant resources or to carry out educational programs or special studies to improve the safety of the nation's food supply.

B. Federal Award Information Total Amount to be Awarded: APHIS WS anticipates awarding around $400,000 in funds to support projects that address the funding priorities described in Section A.2.

Type of Assistance Instrument: Awards will be funded via cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement by APHIS WS to assist in the completion of the goals and objectives of the work. Grants are used when a recipient will be performing all of the work without the substantial involvement of APHIS WS.

Anticipated Awards: APHIS WS anticipates awarding around six cooperative agreements and the amount awarded will range from $10,000 to $75,000 each. The average wild cervid award for the USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities 2021 was around $43,000 across seven proposals. [footnoteRef:2] Based on reviewer recommendations, APHIS WS may adjust the amount of funds awarded to a project. In these cases, applicants may accept or decline the offered award. If accepted, applicants must submit a revised application package that addresses reviewer concerns and aligns with the amount awarded. APHIS WS will provide additional guidance to applicants in these situations. There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. [2: Recipients wishing to continue work on projects funded in prior years that are either complete or will be complete by the proposed period of performance may submit proposals to this opportunity. Recipients wishing to continue work on projects funded in prior years which are not complete, and have not been extended previously, should submit a no-cost extension per the Terms and Conditions for APHIS awards or by contacting the APHIS WS Program Manager rather than submitting a proposal to this opportunity.]

Anticipated Award Start Date: The performance period will begin on or before September 30, 2022.

Period of Performance: Projects must be completed no later than twelve months after the start date. Funding will not be allowed, nor activities approved to occur, outside of the period of performance. There is an allowance of a one-time extension request of the performance period up to twelve months to complete the project, assuming there is no increase in funding requested. This request must be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions for APHIS awards in order to be considered.

Competitive Process: This is a competitive funding opportunity. Proposals will be evaluated by a team of reviewers who will recommend proposals for funding based on the merits of the proposal as outlined in Section E.2. Recipients are not pre-determined. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of APHIS WS.

Cost Sharing: Although cost sharing is not required, APHIS WS may take into consideration an eligible entity’s ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out a cooperative agreement. Additional information on cost sharing is outlined in Section C.2.

B.1 Cost Guidance Each applicant must submit a detailed Financial Plan that provides sufficient information to determine the costs for each of the proposed project activities and objectives.

Allowable costs must be reasonable, allocable, and necessary to the project. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles (2 CFR Subpart E) must be used to determine whether a cost can be charged to the project and, if so, the extent to which it can be charged. Funds are intended to complement and build upon activities associated with other APHIS cooperative programs or grants geared toward controlling or preventing CWD in wild cervids.

Allowable uses of cooperative agreement funds include, but are not limited to, activities, equipment, supplies, and services needed to complete approved program activities that support the priorities and considerations described in Section A.2. This may include:

· Equipment. The Federal definition of equipment is tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per unit value of $5,000 or more, unless the applicant’s definition of equipment is more restrictive.

· Information technology systems. The term “information technology,” defined in 2 CFR Part 200.1 includes, but is not limited to, computers, network, and ancillary equipment, software, firmware, and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources. This also includes any equipment, interconnected system(s), or subsystem(s) of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information.

· Outreach materials. Whenever possible, existing publications or audiovisuals, referred to as outreach materials, should be used. A draft of any publications or audiovisuals produced with cooperative agreement funds for public use must be reviewed and approved by APHIS WS, the Office of the Deputy Administrator, and the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. A determination will be made if the USDA logo may be used and APHIS’ participation in the project may be acknowledged. Please allow a minimum of four weeks for review and approval of materials (pamphlets, flyers, posters, etc.). Note: Approval must be obtained prior to printing.

· Personnel. APHIS will allow costs for salaries and wages provided the total compensation to individual employees is reasonable for the work performed, conforms to the established policy of the organization, and is consistently applied to Government and nongovernmental activities.

· Travel. Funds may be requested for field work, trainings, attendance at meetings and conferences, and other travel costs associated with the proposed work. Recipients should follow their State’s written travel policies when calculating travel costs. If there is no travel policy, Federal per diem rates should be used in the calculation of travel costs.

Project funds must be obligated by the recipient during the performance period identified in the Award Face Sheet. Reimbursement of costs outside of the performance period identified in the Award Face Sheet will not be reimbursed.

Funds may NOT be used for the following:

· Land acquisition

· Compensation for Federal Employees

· Travel of Federal Employees

· Federal subawards

· Construction and/or major rehabilitation of buildings

· Bonuses or commissions

· Fundraising

· Meeting, conference, symposia, or workshop honoraria, which is payment to individuals or guests other than for documented professional services

· Vehicle purchases or leases

· Positions funded by other Federal cooperative agreements or grants

· International travel

· Projects or activities associated with APHIS-State-Industry cooperative program activities already funded via USDA APHIS annual cooperative agreements

· Promotional, outreach, or giveaway items such as calendars, rulers, pens, pencils, squishy balls, cups, refreshments, etc.

Nothing in this section prevents an eligible entity from using funds received to enter into sub-agreements with another eligible entity, University, or nonprofit entity or to reimburse a Tribe, state, or local agency for services rendered, such as animal depopulation or testing.

C. Eligibility Information C.1 Eligible Applicants The following entities are eligible for funding through this opportunity, provided they have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for wild cervids:

1. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments. [footnoteRef:3] [3: Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior; Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs website.]

Note: This list does not preclude award recipients from collaborating with other entities who may have direct and significant interest in the control or prevention of CWD in wild cervids, such as land grant or other universities, State or national livestock, wildlife, sporting groups, conservation organizations, or a Federal Agency. Any application with a proposed subaward over $10,000 should complete an individual Financial Plan template as part of the proposal package.

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing and matching is defined in 2 CFR Part 200.1 as a “portion of the project costs not paid by Federal funds or contributions (unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute).” For additional information on cost share please reference 2 CFR Part 200.306.

Although cost sharing is not required, APHIS WS may take an eligible entity’s ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out such a cooperative agreement into consideration but shall not require an eligible applicant to make a contribution as a condition to enter into a cooperative agreement.

If applicable, applicants should describe cost-share or in-kind funding for the project. Once the cooperative agreement is accepted and finalized, the cost share becomes legally binding, and the recipient will be required to meet the cost share ratio.

C.3 Other Criteria for Eligibility All applicant organizations must have at least two users registered in ezFedGrants, a Grants Administrative Officer and a Signatory Official, in order to successfully submit a proposal package. This system will be used for all stages of the funding opportunity process, including submitting the proposal package, signing the cooperative agreement, and submitting reports.

Applicants will be checked against the System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure they have not been disbarred or suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency. See Section D.3.

C.4 Administrative Eligibility Criteria Proposal packages must meet these initial screening criteria to be considered for further review. Proposals that do not meet these criteria will not be considered. Applicants should refer to Appendix 1: Tribal Wild Cervid Funding Opportunity Criteria for a full list of both the Administrative Eligibility Criteria and the Evaluation Criteria for this opportunity.

1. Proposals must be received by the deadline. Proposals received after the established deadline will not be reviewed or considered.

2. Proposals must be submitted by an eligible applicant.

3. Proposals should address at least one of the funding priorities or fall under the scope of activities described in Section A.2.

4. All required documents and forms listed in Section D.2 must be included in the proposal package and comply with the submission instructions described in Section D. Any proposal package with missing or significantly incomplete documents or forms may not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

5. Proposals must be consistent with allowed use of funds guidance. Proposals that do not align with the cost guidance described in Section B.1 of this announcement may not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

D. Proposal and Submission Information An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $75,000 per proposal for activities to control or prevent CWD in wild cervids. Applicants who wish to submit multiple proposals must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package.

Multiple proposals from a single eligible entity may be selected for funding with the applicant receiving a total award greater than $75,000, provided the additional awarded proposal(s) is significantly superior in reviewer scoring when ranked against other proposal packages.

Applicants should refer to Appendix 2: Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Checklist and Tips for initial steps to take when developing a proposal.

D.1 Obtaining a Proposal Package All application materials are available through this announcement and ezFedGrants.

If assistance is needed with locating application materials, please reach out to APHIS-WS.CWD_Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the application deadline.

D.2 Content and Form of the Proposal Package The proposal package must include the following:

· SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” – Completed when applying to the Opportunity in ezFedGrants

· SF-424A, “Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs” that matches the submitted Financial Plan – Completed when applying to the Opportunity in ezFedGrants

· Certification Regarding Lobbying (for Federal Assistance greater than $100,000)

· SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” (for Federal Assistance greater than $100,000 when there are activities to disclose)

· Waiver or approval response letter from the State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) if the applicant is in a state that is required to comply with Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs (See Section D.5 for additional information)

· Copy of the current, signed Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if indirect costs are claimed

· Tribal Wild Cervid Project Proposal Work Plan (See Appendix 3 Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template below)

· Tribal Wild Cervid Project Proposal Financial Plan (See Appendix 4 Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template below) Applicants should refer to the Appendix 2: Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Checklist and Tips when preparing a proposal package for submission. Any proposal package with missing or significantly incomplete documents or forms will not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

Letters of support are not required but may be included in the proposal package. Applicants should not request letters of support from APHIS employees; however, informal discussions are encouraged.

Project Proposal Work Plan Applicants must submit a Work Plan and include all of the information outlined in the Wild Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template available in Appendix 3: Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to use the Wild Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template. Work Plans using this template may not exceed twenty pages in 12-point font. Work Plans that do not use the template may not exceed ten pages in 12-point font. The use of diagrams, visuals, and reference sheets, as well as any letters of collaboration from contributors, will not count toward the page limitations.

Work Plans should address at least one of the funding priorities or the scope of activities described in Section A.2 with individual objectives directed toward wild cervid management or research. Applicants are encouraged to submit separate proposals for each priority provided the objectives or activities are not dependent on all proposals being selected for funding. Submitting separate projects in a single proposal may result in an activity that would have scored high enough to be funded individually not scoring well due to another activity in the proposal scoring poorly or being unacceptable. If multiple priorities are addressed within a single Work Plan, applicants should specify which funding priority is addressed for each objective.

Project Proposal Financial Plan Applicants must submit a Financial Plan that clearly identifies the costs associated with the proposed activities for each objective listed in the Work Plan and include all of the information outlined in the Tribal Wild Cervid CWD Proposal Financial Plan Template available in Appendix 4: Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to use the Wild Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template. Financial Plans must match and provide additional details on the information provided in the required SF-424A submitted through ezFedGrants. When preparing a Financial Plan, applicants must comply with the cost guidance and funding restrictions described in Section B.1.

D.3 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) All applicants are required to register in SAM prior to submitting a proposal for this funding opportunity, provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application, and maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during the application process and award period of performance (2 CFR Part 200.206).[footnoteRef:4] To register, go to the SAM website. Please allow a minimum of 5 days to complete the SAM registration. Registration is free. Frequently Asked Questions, User Guides, Demonstration Videos, etc. can be found at the SAM website, under the “Help” tab. [4: Unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d).]

During the SAM registration process, be sure to complete the Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) and Electronic Business Primary Point of Contact fields during the registration process. In addition, complete the Representations and Certifications section of the registration process and answer yes to the Financial Assistance Response question. These are mandatory requirements in order to receive Federal financial assistance.

During the application package review process, APHIS will conduct a risk assessment. All applicants will be verified in SAM to ensure they have not been disbarred or suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency. APHIS may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements, APHIS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

When the anticipated total Federal share exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, APHIS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM before issuing the award. An applicant, if desired, may review and comment on any information about their organization that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM. APHIS will consider any comments provided by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the risk assessment.

D.4 Submission Dates and Times All proposals must be completed and received electronically through ezFedGrants no later than June 14, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The electronic date and time stamp ezFedGrants will be used to determine whether proposals were received before the deadline. Submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted.

We understand unanticipated issues can arise; therefore, we urge applicants to submit their application package early to allow time to address any complications. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please reach out to APHIS-WS.CWD_Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the deadline for assistance. Any proposal package with missing or significantly incomplete documents or forms may not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

Applicants should refer to Appendix 2: Tribal Wild Cervid Proposal Checklist and Tips to ensure that all documents are included prior to submission of the proposal package.

D.5 Intergovernmental Review The Intergovernmental Review Process (CFDA 10.028) is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs”. Awards will not be made until this process has been completed in the applicable states.

Names and addresses of States’ Single Point of Contact (SPOC) are listed at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/downloads/spoc_list.pdf. Please reach out to your State’s SPOC for additional information on your specific State requirements.

For those applicants that have this process in their State, submit your application to the SPOC simultaneously to submitting to APHIS WS. A copy of the SPOC waiver or approval letter will be required at the time the award is made. Upload the waiver or approval response letter from the SPOC to your proposal package in ezFedGrants to fulfill this requirement. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a rejection of your application.

D.6 Funding Restrictions Project funds are only available during the period of performance and must be obligated by the recipient within twelve months from the date the funds are made available by APHIS WS (the beginning date of the period of performance on the Award Face Sheet) unless otherwise stated in the Award Face Sheet. Any expenses prior to the beginning date or after the end date of the period of performance will not be reimbursed. Construction is not authorized and see Section B.1 for a list of unauthorized uses of funds.

Applicants must submit a copy of their fully executed current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, negotiated with their recognized Federal Agency, when indirect costs are assessed in the budget. Indirect costs for any sub-award must be disclosed.

Higher education institutions and non-profit organizations’ assessment of indirect costs is limited to not more than ten percent of total direct costs or the application of their approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, whichever is less.

Please refer to the cost guidance in Section B.1 for additional information on funding restrictions and limitations.

D.7 Other Submission Requirements Only electronic submissions of proposals through ezFedGrants will be accepted. Hard copy proposals and submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted. APHIS complies with the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties should reach out to APHIS-WS.CWD_Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the application deadline of June 14, 2022, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time for assistance. Proposals received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered.

E. Application Review Information E.1 EVALUATION Criteria APHIS WS will use the following criteria to evaluate proposals during the review process. Applicants should consider the criteria when preparing the proposal package. Applicants should refer to Appendix 1: Tribal Wild Cervid Funding Opportunity Criteria for a full list of both the Administrative Eligibility Criteria and the Evaluation Criteria for this opportunity. NOTE: Proposed activities must align with current Federal, State, and Tribal regulations.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Addresses the Priorities and Requirements in the Announcement. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal strongly supports and clearly addresses one or more of the priorities identified in Section A.

a. Strong and direct support for at least one of the funding priorities. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposed activities directly address a concern identified in at least one of the funding priorities, as well as the extent to which the expected outcomes and deliverables will strongly support the funding priority area of concern.

b. Strong and direct support for the overarching goal of the funding priority. This criterion assesses the extent to which the expected outcomes and deliverables will support the overarching goal of the funding opportunity, which is to control or prevent CWD in wild cervids, including the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities.

c. The degree to which a proposal complements and builds upon existing activities. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal demonstrates an awareness of current concerns, knowledge gaps, and activities conducted by other entities, avoids research redundancy, and considers the regulations related to the funding priority topic, if applicable.

NOTE: For management proposals, effective strategies that have been successfully implemented by other entities are not considered redundant when being repeated in or expanded to new areas.

2. Feasibility of success. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal is likely to successfully produce the expected outcomes and deliverables based on key factors, such as a well-organized and sound approach, a reasonable schedule, effective partnerships and collaborations, and the applicant’s skills, knowledge, and experiences.

a. Plan of action. This criterion assesses the extent to which the Work Plan and Financial Plan lay out a plan of action that is logical, well organized, complete, and likely to successfully produce the expected outcomes and deliverables. It considers whether the approach is explained in sufficient detail for the reader to understand what activities will be performed, how they will be conducted, and what will be produced.

b. Proposed work and methods. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposed work is technically sound. The proposed methods should be supported by current scientific knowledge and, in the case of management proposals, relevant experience supporting the proposed activities. References, including unpublished data from previous actions, should be included to support the proposed methods or approach.

c. Adequate budget. This criterion assesses the extent to which the budget is realistic, adequate, and sufficient to successfully produce the outcomes and deliverables described in the proposal.

d. Reasonable schedule. This criterion assesses whether the project schedule allows an appropriate amount of time for completing all proposed activities in a one-year performance period, including but not limited to considering a reasonable amount of time to complete each activity, the competing time commitments of stakeholders who are critical to project completion, and other risks that may cause schedule delays.

e. Partnerships and collaboration. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal identifies and describes the partnerships and collaborations necessary to successfully produce the expected outcomes and deliverables. It also considers the likelihood the project will develop and strengthen relationships that are likely to foster progress in the funding priority area or related areas.

f. Skills, knowledge, and experience. This criterion considers the extent to which the key persons who will carry out the project have the qualifications, skills, ability, experience, and infrastructure (facilities and equipment) to successfully conduct the proposed activities and produce successful outcomes and deliverables.

3. Impact and value of outcomes. This criterion assesses the extent to which the expected outcomes and deliverables are likely to have measurable and significant impact and value in the funding priority area.

a. Scope of impact. This criterion assesses scope of impact on controlling or preventing CWD, including whether the project will create an impact at:

i. State, regional, national, or other geographic levels; or

ii. For one Tribal or stakeholder interest group or many.

b. Value of outcomes. This criterion assesses the likelihood the project will produce outcomes and deliverables that are high value with respect to positively impacting the funding priority area.

c. Knowledge transfer. This criterion assesses the extent to which the outcomes and deliverables are likely to be used by other groups and stakeholders, either by replicating the activity in other regions or by using the information to support policies and decisions. Proposals should indicate how the applicant will share the project outcomes and deliverables so other entities can make use of them.

4. Cost Effectiveness. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal identifies a cost-effective approach to produce the desired outcomes and deliverables as compared to alternatives.

a. All costs are reasonable and necessary. This criterion assesses the extent to which the Financial Plan is clear, logical, and includes only reasonable and necessary costs to produce the expected outcomes and deliverables. It also assesses the extent to which the Financial Plan provides sufficient detail for reviewers to fully understand how each budget item specifically supports the activities outlined in the Work Plan, without including budget items that are not allowed or appear superfluous or tangential to producing the outcomes and deliverables.

b. Use of existing resources. This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposal includes cost-saving measures by leveraging existing resources or partnerships where possible. For example, the proposal describes practical use of existing personnel, vehicles, computers, venues, supplies, and other items to complete the project. Cost share will be evaluated in this criterion and will make up less than five percent of the total score.

E.2 REVIEW and SELECTION Process APHIS WS has final authority in determining which projects are funded for this initiative. A project may be selected for partial funding of specific objectives or activities within a proposed Work Plan, based on reviewer recommendations.

Proposals that meet the eligibility criteria in Section C will be subject to an administrative review by an APHIS WS Grants Specialist and evaluated by reviewers based on the merit of the proposal. APHIS WS is responsible for reviewing proposals against the evaluation criteria and the review panel will consist of internal and external subject-matter experts from various departments, agencies, and academia as appropriate. High quality proposals are those that strongly support the priorities and address the needs, considerations, and evaluation criteria described in this funding opportunity.

Reviewers will have no association with projects they are reviewing to avoid potential conflicts of interest. In the event of a real or perceived conflict of interest, a reviewer shall recuse themselves as appropriate.

A risk assessment will be conducted as part of the selection and review process. See Section D.3 for additional information on the components of this risk assessment.

E.3 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates There is a single application deadline followed by the simultaneous review of all applications. APHIS WS will review proposals within 60 days of the application deadline. All applicants will be notified by email of award status.

F. Federal Award Administration Information APHIS WS will administer awarded cooperative agreements, collaborating with project recipients to provide advice, receive and review project documents, offer comments and suggestions, track project performance, and communicate as necessary to ensure progress in accomplishing the project, identifying obstacles, and resolving concerns.

Recipients will track performance and expenditures, provide progress reports and project deliverables in accordance with the project Work Plan, and communicate with APHIS WS staff to assess and evaluate progress.

NOTE: Recipients may be asked to provide a brief presentation outlining their work and anticipated outcomes with wild cervid stakeholders during an APHIS Cervid Tribal and Stakeholder meeting.

F.1 Federal Award Notices Applicants selected for funding will receive a notification stating that their application has been selected for award. This notification is not an authorization to begin performance on the project or to expend the funds.