FY23 VS CWD Farmed Cervid FOA.docx

Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2023 Cooperative Agreements

Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-23-0058

Publication Date: April 11, 2023

Application Due Date: June 12, 2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time

Funding Opportunity: Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2023 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is announcing the availability of around $6,100,000[footnoteRef:2] in cooperative agreement funding to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed cervids through the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2.[footnoteRef:3] VS intends to make at least 50 percent of the funding available for management proposals. The remaining funds may be awarded to applied research or management proposals. [2: While USDA APHIS VS plans to provide around $6,100,000 to support cooperative agreements with eligible applicants to prevent or control CWD, this amount may increase or decrease based on changes to the Fiscal Year 2023 Congressional appropriations language and directions.] [3: USDA APHIS VS may increase the funding available through this opportunity by adding unused funds allocated for indemnity payments or other uses within the budget line.]

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services is announcing two separate funding opportunities for the control and prevention of CWD in wild cervids under the titles “FY23 Wild Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities” and “FY23 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities”. Applicants can find information for these funding opportunities on ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching this title, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 10.028, or the Funding Opportunity Numbers USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-23-0018 and USDA-APHIS-10028-WSNWRC00-23-0019 respectively.

Synopsis Funding Opportunity Title: FY23 Farmed Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-23-0058 Funding Type: Cooperative Agreement Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance/Assistance Listing Number and Title: 10.025, Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control and Animal Care Application Due Date: Proposals must be received through ezFedGrants by June 12, 2023 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 2023 announcement, APHIS VS will make available around $6,100,000 in funds to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed cervids through the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2.

Eligible Applicants: This competitive opportunity is open to the following entities: State departments of agriculture; State animal health agencies; State departments of wildlife or natural resources; Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments[footnoteRef:4] and Native American Tribal organizations or universities[footnoteRef:5] representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments; and research institutions[footnoteRef:6] and universities. State agencies and Tribes or in the case of Native American Tribal organizations the Native American Tribal governments they are representing, must have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for farmed cervids to be eligible. [4: 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.] [5: Universities includes the 1994 Tribal colleges and universities, the 1890 land-grant institutions, land-grant colleges and universities, and other accredited universities.] [6: Research institute is an establishment founded for conducting research that has published peer reviewed articles in the field and that currently employs one or more investigators who will work on the project with relevant experience in applied research on the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.]

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

Table of Contents

A. Program Description Awarding Agency Name: USDA APHIS VS Funding Opportunity Title: FY23 Farmed Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-23-0058 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance/Assistance Listing Number: 10.025 Key Dates: Proposals must be received through ezFedGrants by June 12, 2023 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, 2023 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 ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching the CFDA number 10.025 or the Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSPRS00-23-0058.

For general information on the farmed CWD Program and previous funding opportunities visit: USDA APHIS | Cervids: Chronic Wasting Disease A.1 Funding Opportunity Description This funding opportunity is provided to control and prevent CWD in farmed cervids through the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2.

APHIS VS anticipates awarding around $6,100,000 in funds for the following entities; State departments of agriculture; State animal health agencies; State departments of wildlife or natural resources; Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments; and research institutions and universities.

An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $250,000 per proposal for activities to control or prevent CWD in farmed cervids.[footnoteRef:7] Applicants who wish to submit multiple proposals must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package. [7: An eligible applicant may submit a proposal requesting up to $250,000 for management activities and request additional funds in excess of $250,000 for the indemnification of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and/or CWD-exposed animals as part of an overall management plan (including the implementation of proposals based on genetic prediction and live animal testing), provided the application includes documentation supporting the appraisal of the farmed cervids in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.3 and the owner has agreed to accept either the amount allowed by APHIS or a lower amount proposed by the owner or the state.]

The overall objectives of the funding opportunity are to control, manage, and/or prevent CWD in farmed cervids. Through this funding opportunity, APHIS VS is soliciting collaborators who will further develop and implement farmed cervid CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities, including the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2. Funds may also be provided for applied research[footnoteRef:8] to further develop and evaluate: tools, techniques, and strategies for identifying, preventing, and controlling CWD in farmed cervids. [8: Applied CWD research attempts to find practical solutions to a specific problem(s) such as the ability to detect, prevent, or manage CWD.]

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 farmed cervid herds. For the purpose of this priority, management means effectively controlling CWD in affected farmed cervid herds or preventing the introduction or spread of CWD from affected farmed cervid herds or from CWD endemic free-ranging populations to farmed cervid herds by implementing or improving the implementation of the Federal CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP) as described in the USDA APHIS VS CWD Program Standards. These projects may include the use of funds for the indemnification and removal of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and CWD-exposed cervids purchased as part of an overall CWD management plan in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.2 or the use of predictive genetics and antemortem testing with the indemnification/purchase and removal of CWD positive and poor scoring exposed or potentially exposed white-tailed deer (see predictive genetics work plan template).

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority are: disease detection, investigation, and response activities; the development and use of novel CWD tests in animals; epidemiology and risk analysis; farmed cervid movement monitoring and control (traceability); Federal HCP implementation or improvement, including enhanced compliance, monitoring, and enforcement activities; identification and investigation of treatment options for CWD; sample collection training programs for HCP sample collectors and regulatory personnel; surveillance in herds not subject to mandatory sample submission; or, test result reporting to APHIS.

2. Improve the management of CWD-affected farmed cervid premises. For the purpose of this priority, management means effectively controlling or preventing the spread of CWD from a CWD-affected farmed cervid premises and/or surrounding area by implementing or improving upon current guidance and methods, such as the USDA APHIS VS CWD Program Standards, and may include cleaning and disinfection strategies, scavenger management, biosecurity measures, or applied research to address these areas.

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

3. Conduct novel research on amplification assays and other new test methods in farmed cervids. Amplification assays are test methods that identify CWD by amplifying small amounts 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 proposals which will develop new test methods or further the use of amplification assays as diagnostic or environmental tests, and/or efforts to make these tests commercially available for use.

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

4. Conduct additional research on, or implement, whole genome predictive genetics in farmed cervids. Current and ongoing research supports the use of whole genome predictive genetics to determine the susceptibility of farmed cervids to CWD, remove deer that are highly susceptible to CWD, and breed away from highly susceptible deer which provides the foundation for a genomics-based CWD eradication program in the future.

Examples of activities that may be included under this priority are: encouraging farmed white-tailed deer owners to obtain predictive genetic scores for their deer, remove deer that are highly susceptible to CWD, and encourage the breeding of less susceptible deer; conducting field trials to evaluate the use of a whole genome predictive genetics strategy in farmed white-tailed deer herds to prevent CWD; or, validating a whole genome predictive genetics strategy in mule deer.

5. Develop and/or deliver educational outreach materials or programs to farmed cervid stakeholders. 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 its spread in farmed cervids, including the study of human dimensions on CWD prevention and control, and educational opportunities for accredited veterinarians and state staff. 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 farmed 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 funding priorities above would receive a lower review score than proposals 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[footnoteRef:9], industry organizations, professional associations, producer groups, and/or non-profit organizations with direct and significant interest in the control or prevention of CWD in farmed cervids. Successful projects will meet the evaluation criteria described in Section E.1. [9: Due to strict requirements around the distribution of funds to Federal agencies across fiscal years, subawarding this funding (any payment) to Federal agencies may not be included in the APHIS share of the Financial Plan. Recipients may use funds from other sources to pay for services from Federal agencies; if applicable, such expenses should be listed in the recipient share in the Financial Plan.]

While all proposals meeting the administrative eligibility criteria listed in Section C.4 will be considered for funding, APHIS VS may give priority to management proposals submitted by an eligible applicant: (1) in a State that has either experienced recent incidents of CWD in farmed cervids or that has farmed cervid herds bordering a CWD endemic area; and, (2) either has a CWD Federal HCP or a State CWD control program that includes, but is not limited to, monitoring and surveillance, or proposes to create a Federal or State CWD control program. Eligible applicants not meeting these criteria are encouraged to apply and their proposals will 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 intends to collaborate with recipients 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 that 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 serve all Americans by providing effective, innovative, science-based public policy leadership in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource protection and management, rural development, and related issues with a commitment to deliverable equitable and climate-smart opportunities that inspire and help America thrive”, and USDA Strategic Goal 2: Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous. 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 2.6: 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 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 § 2379 (g) and, notwithstanding Chapter 63 of Title 31, APHIS is authorized to use cooperative agreements 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 VS anticipates awarding around $6,100,000 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 VS 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 VS.

Anticipated Awards: APHIS VS anticipates awarding around thirty cooperative agreements and typically range from $50,000 to $250,000 each. The average farmed cervid award in 2022 was $170,877 across seventeen proposals excluding indemnity funds.[footnoteRef:10] Based on reviewer recommendations, APHIS VS 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 proposal package that aligns with the amount awarded and addresses reviewer concerns, as applicable. APHIS VS will provide additional guidance to applicants in this situation. There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. [10: Recipients wishing to continue work or build 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 VS Program Manager rather than submitting a proposal to this opportunity.]

Anticipated Award Start Date: The performance period will begin on or before September 30, 2023.

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 VS.

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

Collaboration with Federal Agencies: Due to strict requirements around the distribution of funds to Federal agencies across fiscal years, subawarding this funding (any payment) to Federal agencies may not be included in the APHIS share of the Financial Plan. Recipients may use funds from other sources to pay for services from Federal agencies; if applicable, such expenses should be listed in the recipient share in the Financial Plan.

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 activities and objectives.

Allowable costs must be reasonable, allocable, and necessary to the project. Office of Management and Budget cost principles (2 CFR Part 200 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 farmed 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 funding 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 VS, 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 if APHIS’ participation in the project may be acknowledged. Please allow a minimum of four weeks for review and approval of materials (brochures, 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 nongovernment 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 (any payment to Federal entities) unless paid from the recipient share

· 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 applicant from using funds received to enter into sub-agreements with another eligible applicant, University, or nonprofit entity or to reimburse a 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:

1. State departments of agriculture

2. State animal health agencies

3. State departments of wildlife or natural resources

4. Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments[footnoteRef:11] and Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments [11: 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.]

5. Research institutes[footnoteRef:12] and universities[footnoteRef:13] [12: Research institute is an establishment founded for conducting research that has published peer reviewed articles in the field and that currently employs one or more investigators who will work on the project with relevant experience in applied research on the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.] [13: Universities includes the 1994 Tribal colleges and universities, the 1890 land-grant institutions, land-grant colleges and universities, and other accredited universities.]

NOTES:

State agencies and Tribes or in the case of Native American Tribal organizations or universities the Native American Tribal governments they are representing, must have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for farmed cervids to be eligible.

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 farmed cervids, State or national livestock, wildlife, sportsmen, or conservation organizations; or, a Federal Agency[footnoteRef:14]. Any application with a proposed subaward over $10,000 should complete an additional Financial Plan for the subawarded portion as a part of the proposal package. [14: Due to strict requirements around the distribution of funds to Federal agencies across fiscal years, subawarding this funding (any payment) to Federal agencies may not be included in the APHIS share of the Financial Plan. Recipients may use funds from other sources to pay for services from Federal agencies; if applicable, such expenses should be listed in the recipient share in the Financial Plan.]

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 VS may take an eligible applicant’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.

An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $250,000 per proposal for activities to control or prevent CWD in farmed cervids.[footnoteRef:15] Applicants who wish to submit multiple proposals must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package. [15: An eligible applicant may submit a proposal requesting up to $250,000 for management activities and request additional funds in excess of $250,000 for the indemnification of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and/or CWD-exposed animals as part of an overall management plan (including the implementation of proposals based on genetic prediction and live animal testing), provided the application includes documentation supporting the appraisal of the farmed cervids in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.3 and the owner has agreed to accept either the amount allowed by APHIS or a lower amount proposed by the owner or the state.]

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 may not be considered. Applicants should refer to Appendix 1: Farmed 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 will 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 will not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

6. Timeline must be reasonable to complete objectives within 12 months. If the proposal is designed to run more than 12 months, it will be rejected.

7. Research proposals only:

a. Project must focus on applied1 research. Proposals without a clearly defined application will be rejected.

b. Timeline must be reasonable to complete objectives within 12 months. If the proposal is designed to run more than 12 months, it will be rejected.

c. The principal investigator must clearly demonstrate evidence of necessary technical background and facilities to conduct the proposed project. Demonstrated evidence of technical background may include relevant peer reviewed publications and/or technical reports.

d. If the project involves working with the CWD agent (i.e., infectious CWD prions) and/or known positive tissues or other biological samples from known CWD positive animals, the investigator must submit a copy of their current CWD Controlled Materials, Organisms, and Vectors permit issued by APHIS VS to work with CWD in their facility with the proposal package.

e. If the work involves live animals, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval of the project must be included in the proposal package.

D. Application/Proposal and Submission Information An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $250,000 per proposal for activities to control or prevent CWD in farmed cervids.[footnoteRef:16] Applicants who wish to submit multiple proposals must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package. [16: An eligible applicant may submit a proposal requesting up to $250,000 for management activities and request additional funds in excess of $250,000 for the indemnification of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds and/or CWD-exposed animals as part of an overall management plan (including the implementation of proposals based on genetic prediction and live animal testing), provided the application includes documentation supporting the appraisal of the farmed cervids in accordance with 9 CFR Part 55.3 and the owner has agreed to accept either the amount allowed by APHIS or a lower amount proposed by the owner or the state.]

Multiple proposals from a single eligible applicant may be selected for funding with the applicant receiving a total award greater than $250,000, provided the additional awarded proposal(s) is significantly superior in reviewer scoring when ranked against other proposal packages.

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

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

If assistance is needed with locating application materials, please reach out to VS.FiOps.ASC.Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the application deadline.

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

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

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

· Farmed Cervid Proposal Work Plan (See Appendix 3: Farmed Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template or Appendix 4: Farmed Cervid Predictive Genetics Management Proposal Work Plan Template)

· Farmed Cervid Proposal Financial Plan (See Appendix 5: Farmed Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template)

· For research proposals working with the CWD agent (i.e., infectious CWD prions) and/or known positive tissues or other biological samples from known CWD positive animals, copy of a current APHIS Controlled Materials, Organisms and Vectors permit for the possession and handling of known CWD positive samples or tissues from known CWD positive animals

· For research proposals involving interactions with live animals, documentation of IACUC approval

· Research institutes or universities submitting a study that includes field work with regulated cervids must submit a letter indicating support, cooperation, or no objection from the appropriate cervid regulatory authorities for the state(s) involved to be considered for funding

· Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal Governments must attach letter(s) indicating intent to participate from the represented Federally recognized Native American Tribal government(s) Applicants should refer to Appendix 2: Farmed 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 Farmed Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template available in Appendix 3: Farmed Cervid Proposal Work Plan Template or Farmed Cervid Predictive Genetics Management Proposal Work Plan Template available in Appendix 4: Farmed Cervid Predictive Genetics Management Proposal Work Plan Template. Applicants are encouraged to use one of these Work Plan Templates. 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. If a work plan exceeds the page limit the extra pages may not be evaluated. The use of diagrams, visuals, and reference sheets, as well as any letters of collaboration from contributors, will not count toward these limitations.

Work Plans should address at least one of the funding priorities or fall under the scope of activities described in Section A.2 with individual objectives directed toward farmed cervid management or research. Applicants are encouraged to submit separate proposals for each funding 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 funding 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 Farmed Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template available in Appendix 5: Farmed Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to use the Farmed Cervid Proposal Financial Plan Template. Financial Plans must match the required SF-424A submitted through ezFedGrants, and provide additional details as necessary. 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 (UEI) 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 (UEI) 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:17] To register, go to the SAM website. During the SAM registration process, it is mandatory to complete the Financial Assistance Certification Report in order to receive federal financial assistance. 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. [17: 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).]

Your organization will need a UEI which is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by SAM.

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 UEI and SAM requirements.

If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time APHIS is ready to make a Federal award, 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 12, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The electronic date and time stamp from 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 VS.FiOps.ASC.Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the deadline for assistance. Any proposal package with missing or significantly incomplete documents or forms will not be considered for review, resulting in a rejected proposal.

Applicants should refer to Appendix 2: Farmed 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 10.025) 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. If possible, please upload a waiver or approval response letter from the SPOC with your proposal package in ezFedGrants to fulfill this requirement. Awards will not be made until this process has been completed in applicable states. 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 VS (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.

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.

Due to strict requirements around the distribution of funds to Federal agencies across fiscal years, subawarding this funding (any payment) to Federal agencies may not be included in the APHIS share of the Financial Plan. Recipients may use funds from other sources to pay for services from Federal agencies; if applicable, such expenses should be listed in the recipient share in the Financial Plan.

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. The ezFedGrants system requires registration, during the registration process you will select a password that will be required to log in to the system. Hard copy proposals and submissions through Grants.gov will not be accepted. APHIS complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties should reach out to VS.FiOps.ASC.Agreements@usda.gov at least 72 hours prior to the application deadline of June 12, 2023, 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 VS will use the following criteria to evaluate proposals during the review process. Applicants should consider these criteria when preparing the proposal package. Applicants should refer to Appendix 1: Farmed 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 priority areas described in Section A.2.

a. Strong and direct support for at least one of the funding priorities.