l15as00068 blm-ak youth opportunity soil scientist eifo-fdo.doc

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for

Federal Financial Assistance

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

BLM-AK, Youth Opportunity Soil Scientist - Eastern Interior Field Office (EIFO)/Fairbanks District Office (FDO)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L15AS00068

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications

Issued: April 1, 2015

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.236 - Environmental Quality and Protection Resource Management

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

Public Lands Corps Act, 1993 (Amended 2005); PL 109-154; Title 16 U.S.C. Chapter 37, Subchapter II Sec 1721-1729, excluding Sec 1725 – Resource Assistant

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

June 10, 2015, 12:00 a.m. Alaska Daylight Savings Time

A.

PROGRAM Description

1.

Authority

This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: Public Lands Corps Act, 1993 (Amended 2005); PL 109-154; Title 16 U.S.C., Chapter 37, Subchapter II Sec 1721-1729, excluding Sec 1725 – Resource Assistant 2.

Description of Program and/or Project a.

Background: Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has pledged that the Department of the Interior (DOI) will provide 100,000 work & training opportunities to young people within our bureaus and through public-private partnerships over the next four years. As a high-priority goal the BLM – Alaska will continue in their efforts to provide work and training opportunities to youth and young adult to gain land management experience by working with land managers on various projects. BLM Alaska has been very successful in providing opportunities throughout the State of Alaska, which educate and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.

The proposed project is to partner with an organization that can provide youths to assist BLM staff in the development of a GIS database of general travel and transportation for the Eastern Interior Field Office (EIFO) and the Fairbanks District Office (FDO), assist with the inventory and monitoring of soil erosion and compaction along travel routes and conduct soil surveys, and assist with collection of hydrological data on water courses. Benefits to be achieved through collaboration are resource inventory of soil types and composition/characteristics and assessing impacts to soil resources of travel routes and other facility development, development of GIS data bases, and collection of hydrological information from disturbed and non-disturbed streams. Additional benefits for the partner organization are hands on field experience under the guidance of an experienced land manager, technical and safety training; expertise in conservation and natural resources, experience in developing public stewardship and satisfaction from accomplishing important work for the conservation of public lands. A Mentor will be assigned to each intern, if needed. This will help ease the transition into a new remote location and workplace, promote the interns’ professional growth and assist them in gathering the skills necessary for their future job placements. This project will also provide training activities to improve the expertise of all partners. The BLM and the recipient will seek to work collaboratively to identify and implement projects which would appropriately serve the best interests of the people of the United States. The knowledge and experience received from this program will provide the participant with some insight in determining a career path as well as providing much needed experience for future positions.

b.

Objectives: To provide youth a safe, educational job experience to better prepare them for entering the workforce and by exposing them to a variety of work experiences, basic skills training and a structured work environment about public land resources. Develop a partnership to supply temporary young adult entry level workforce experience, and to assist BLM staff in the development of a GIS database of general travel and transportation for the Eastern Interior Field Office and the Fairbanks District Office, assist with the inventory and monitoring of soil erosion and compaction along travel routes and conduct soil surveys, and assist with collection of hydrological data on water courses.

c.

Qualified Participants and Eligibility: The primary focus of this opportunity will be Public Lands Corps participants who have already enrolled as a member between the ages of 16 and 25. These participants will qualify under Section 1726 (c) Hiring, which states that the Secretary may (1) grant a member of the Public Lands Corps credit for time served with the Public Lands Corps, which may be used toward future Federal hiring; and (2) provide to a former member of the Public Lands Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a period of not more than 120 days after the date on which the member’s service with the Public Lands Corps is complete.

In order for the participant to be eligible for the special PLC non-competitive hiring status, the participant must be a former member of the PLC and meet the following criteria:

Serve as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC, and

Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in the vacancy announcement for the position for which they are applying.

The participant’s eligibility for non-competitive hiring status under this authority shall not exceed 120 days after completion of his/her last PLC Project which provides him/her a total of 640 hours of which 120 hours were performed as a PLC member. The 120 day timeframe cannot be extended. The appointment must be in effect within this 120 day timeframe.

In order for BLM to contribute to Secretary Jewell’s goal of providing 100,000 work and training opportunities to young people and returning veterans, the BLM will provide work and training opportunities for individuals who are also between the ages of 26 to 35 years, the millennial generation. However, these individuals will not qualify for the non-competitive hiring status eligibility in Section 1726 (c) unless they were enrolled as a PLC member by the age of 25.

**Please note that none of these projects or participants will qualify under Section 1725 Resource Assistant (c) Direct Hire Authority.

e.

Public Benefit: The recipient and BLM will stimulate resource conservation and productive public partnerships with the use of best recreation and resource management practices. The project will identify the efficient use of resources of both partners for the best possible work to maintain and improve recreation and public stewardship of public lands. The public and partners will benefit, experience and enjoy the public lands being maintained through this project. The proposed agreement also helps to support BLM’s mission which is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

3.

Program/Project Performance Goals a.

Expose young men and women to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Nation’s natural and cultural resources, and gain experience. BLM- Alaska is available to work with youth organizations and conservation corps for the purposes of introducing youth to careers in the BLM and accomplishing work throughout Alaska on public lands.

b.

Stimulate interest among the youth and young adults in conservation careers by exposing them to conservation professionals in land managing agencies, by providing conservation project that qualify for the noncompetitive hiring status for period of not more than 120 days.

c.

Promote and stimulate public purposes such as enhance classroom learning by providing education, job training, and development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement of youth and young adults in care and enhancement of natural and cultural, and generate interest in natural resource careers. Such resource internships and conservation projects support the Secretary of the Interior’s four pillars of youth: play, learn, serve, work.

d. Assist qualified Youth Conservation Corps an experience in conserving or developing natural and cultural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters through the use of the Nation’s young men and women.

In addition to the youth goals, this project will be working with Wild and Scenic Rivers: Cumulative percent of miles of designated wild and scenic rivers achieving wild and scenic river condition objectives. (DOI)

3.1.01, Intermediate Outcome Measure: Percentage of visitors satisfied with the quality of their experience. (Strategic Plan Measure(SP)/Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART))

DOI – Number of DOI riparian (stream/shoreline) miles managed or protected to maintain desired conditions as specified in management plans.

DOI – Number of DOI upland acres managed or protected to maintain desired conditions as specified in management plans.

DOI – Percentage of acres of Special Management Areas under DOI management meeting their heritage [natural] resource objectives under authorizing legislation.

DOI – Number of volunteer hours per year supporting DOI mission activities.

B.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1.

Award Instrument a.

Successful applicants may be awarded either a Financial Assistance Grant or Cooperative Agreement.

b.

If a cooperative agreement is used, substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement will consist of the following. There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by providing a BLM conservation professional to either lead/mentor the youth and young adults by working daily side by side with participant throughout the projects and will also be providing project orientation and hands-on training. However, BLM staff members will not directly supervise PLC participants. Recipients and BLM will share responsibility for project management, control, and direction although BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then make a decision about what direction to take in finalizing the project or move to the next phase.

2.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1(one) or none

3.

Total Funding Expected to be Awarded through this Announcement: $45,000 4.

Anticipated Individual Award Amounts: $8,000 (FY15 only – make your SF-424 for this amount) 5.

Anticipated Start Date: June 2015 6.

Anticipated Period of Performance

From: Up on Award

To: September 30, 2019 7.

No Obligation to Award: The BLM is under no obligation to award funds for this project. Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) may obligate funds for financial assistance.

C.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1.

Eligible Applicants

The following types of entities are eligible to apply for award under this announcement. Failure to meet eligibility requirements will result in precluding the BLM from making an award. Eligible applicant types are:

16 USC Section 1722 (10) Qualified youth or conservation corps. The term “qualified youth or conservation corps” means any program established by a State or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit organization subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) of the tax code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) and (A) is capable of offering meaningful, full-time, productive work for individuals between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, in a natural or cultural resource setting; (B) gives participants a mix of work experience, basic and life skills, education, training, and support services; and (C) provides participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States.

Cost Sharing or Matching

The cost sharing or matching required from the recipient under this agreement will be 25% of the total project funding. The BLM shall not pay more than 75% of the cost of any appropriate conservation project carried out on public lands by a qualified youth or conservation corps under the Public Lands Corps authority.

The matching 25% of costs may be provided from non-federal sources in the form of funds, donations, services, facilities, materials, equipment, and/or any combination of the above.

D.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.

Application Package This announcement includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

DUNS Number and SAM Registration

Each applicant (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)) is required to:

a.

Provide a valid DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System) on its application. DUNS numbers are nine-digit numbers established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. DUNS numbers may be obtained free of charge from Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling them at (877) 930-5228.

b.

Be registered in SAM (System for Award Management, www.SAM.gov) before submitting its application. SAM is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register at this site. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at: http://www.sam.gov.

c.

Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

3.

The Application Package

Applications must include all required Standard Forms (SF) shown below, a Proposal (Attachment A), a Budget Detail with narrative (mandatory) (Attachment B), and a copy the applicant's approved federal agency Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. Non-governmental organizations that have not previously received award funds or have not had an active award within 3 (three) years must complete a Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

a.

Project Proposal (Attachment A) 1) Attachment B is a suggested project proposal template and may be used when submitting your proposal. The proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a type-face no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15 page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

2) All proposals are confidential.

b.

Budget Detail (Attachment B) 1) Use the Budget Detail form (Attachment B) to present the breakdown of your estimated costs by category needed to accomplish project activities. Estimated costs should be described in sufficient detail so that they may be checked for reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed. Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detail breakdown of how the costs were arrived out. No profit or fees are allowable.

2) Budget details should be broken down into the following categories:

(a) Salaries and Wages. Indicate program manager and other key personnel by name and title. Other personnel may be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries and wages, estimated hours or percent of time, and rate of compensation proposed. All labor estimates, including any proposed subcontractors, shall be allocated to specific tasks as outlined in the recipient’s technical proposal description. Labor rates and proposed hours shall be displayed for each task.

Clearly identify any proposed salary increases and the effective date.

Generally, salaries of administrative and/or clerical personnel should be included as a portion of the stated indirect costs. If these salaries can be adequately documented as direct costs, they may be included in this section; however, a justification should be included in the budget narrative.

(b) Fringe Benefit Costs. The costs of fringe benefits are for employees working directly on this agreement project. Indicate rates/amounts, what costs are included in this category, and the basis of the rate computations. Federally approved rate agreements are acceptable for compliance with this item.

(c) Travel Costs. The estimated costs for travel related to agreement activities. Include the purpose of trip, destination, number of persons traveling, length of stay; and all travel costs including airfare, per diem, lodging, and miscellaneous travel-related expenses. For local travel, include mileage and rate of compensation. If applicable, indicate that the costs are per your organization's written travel policy. Current Federal per diem rates (the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel) may be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.

(d) Equipment Costs. Equipment is defined as expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one (1) year and an acquisition cost of more than $5,000.00, or a value which reaches the capitalization threshold level established by the organization for financial statement purposes.

(e) Supply Costs. The costs of consumable supplies and materials to be used for agreement activities. List each item and quantity individually.

(f) Contractual Costs. Include estimated costs of proposed professional and technical consultants and contractors participating on the project. Identify all work that will be accomplished, including a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate of time, rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. Any changes or additions will require a request for approval. Procurement procedures must comply with 2 CFR Parts 200.317 through 200.326.

(g) Construction Costs. The cost of any construction directly related to the project activities.

(h) Other Costs. The cost of items not listed above and which do not fit in any other category, such as the cost of duplicating and printing, equipment rental, postage, etc. No profit or fee will be allowed.

(i) Total Direct Costs. The sum of categories (a) through (h).

(j) Indirect Costs.

(1) If indirect costs will be charged to the project, complete this section and show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for allowable indirect costs. It is not acceptable to simply incorporate indirect rates within other direct cost line items.

(2) Include a copy of any federally approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

(3) If your organization has never had a NICRA, the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO) may allow an indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your base modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC includes all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subgrants and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each. Include the computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation base for your rate.

(4) Information on obtaining a NICRA, "Preparing and Submitting Indirect Cost Proposals," is available from the Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Indirect Cost Section, at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/services/ICS.aspx.

(k) Total Costs. The total of both direct and indirect costs estimated to be expended on this agreement's activities.

4.

Submission Dates and Times See announcement cover sheet for the deadline (date and time) for submission of applications. Applications must be received by the BLM prior to the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline for submission may not be considered for award unless it can be determined the delay was caused by Federal government mishandling.

5.

Application Submission via www.Grants.gov

The Bureau of Land Management participates in the Grants.gov initiative which provides the Grant Community with a single website, www.Grants.gov, to search for and apply for all federal grant opportunities.

a.

All applicants should register at www.Grants.gov and all applications should be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov unless other arrangements are made and approved of in advance of the submission deadline. If you have any questions or problems with the registration or application submission process, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726, or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/troubleshooting.html for online help.

b.

Applications submitted through www.Grants.gov are considered to be electronically signed applications.

E.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Total of 100 points will be used to evaluate each proposal received. The relative importance to be placed on the merit review evaluation stated in the second level evaluation with corresponding weights assigned to each criteria. Proposals will be evaluated and weights assigned by appropriate BLM Program Officer’s in the specific field office where project resign.

The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals which do not meet the requirements of this solicitation and which are determined to be outside the scope of the Public Lands Corps Act, 1993 (Amended 2005); PL 109-154; Title 16 U.S.C. Chapter 37, Subchapter II Sec 1721-1729, excluding Sec 1725 – Resource Assistant and the BLM AK - Youth Opportunity Soil Scientist EIFO/FDO.

Award will be made to responsive, responsible applicants submitting proposals which conform to the funding opportunity announcement and are most advantageous to the Government.

Application Selection Process a.

Applications eligible for merit review will be evaluated by an ad hoc evaluation team assembled to review, rate, rank, and recommend applications for award using the above evaluation criteria. Evaluation teams are made up of two or more qualified personnel familiar with the program and who have been certified to have no conflict of interest with any persons or organizations applying for award.

b.

Reviews are treated as confidential documents. Once award decisions are made, applicants may request in writing a written summary of the evaluation of their application/proposal.

F.

FEDERAL Award Administration Information 1.

Uniform Guidance (Effective December 26, 2014) On December 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published its Final Rule for the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards with guidance for agency implementation (see 2 CFR Part 200 and Federal Register Volume 78, No. 248). The Uniform Guidance streamlines the Federal Government's administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards including grants and cooperative agreements. The Uniform Guidance supersedes OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122; Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-133; and the guidance in Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up.) The Uniform Guidance provides a government-wide framework for Federal awards management, and is a key component of a larger Federal effort to more effectively focus Federal resources on improving Federal awards performance and outcomes while ensuring the financial integrity of taxpayer dollars in partnership with non-Federal stakeholders. This OMB guidance reform will reduce the administrative burden for non-Federal financial assistance recipients while reducing the risk of waste, fraud and mismanagement.

2.

Federal Award Notices a.

Any award made from this announcement will be based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and will be regulated by OMB's Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

b.

Acceptance. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down of funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Costs may not be incurred before the effective date listed on the award. Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, carries with it the responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, the administrative and national policy requirements and terms and conditions of award.

3.

Reporting Periodic submission of Federal Financial reports (SF-425), Performance/Progress reports, and Youth Employment reports (if applicable) will be required under this financial assistance agreement. Submission of financial and performance/progress reports may be required either quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

4.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements a.

Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. By accepting additional Federal funding under the current Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreement in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. OMB guidance is available at the following web site: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl b.

Administrative Requirements.

1) 2 CFR Part 200 Subparts A through D - Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles.

2) 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F - Audit Requirements. Non-Federal entities that expend $750,000.00, or more, in federal awards in a single year shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default.

3) Indirect Facilities and Administration (F&A) Costs.

(a) 2 CFR Part 200.414 - Indirect (F&A) Costs (b) 2 CFR, Appendix III to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) (c) Appendix IV to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Nonprofit Organizations (d) Appendix V to Part 200 - State/Local Government-wide Central Service Cost Allocation Plans (1) The provisions of 2 CFR 200.414(c) require Federal agencies to accept federally negotiated indirect cost rates. The BLM has applied the following policies, procedures and general decision-making criteria for deviations from negotiated Indirect Cost Rates for financial assistance programs and agreements.

(2) Distribution Basis. For all deviations to the Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, including statutory, regulatory, programmatic, and voluntary, the basis of direct costs against which the indirect cost rate is applied must be:

(i) The same base identified in the recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, if the recipient has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement; or

(ii) The Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, with prior approval of the Awarding Agency, when the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages) and the use of the MTDC still results in an overall reduction in the total indirect cost recovered. MTDC is the base defined by 2 CFR 200.68, "Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)."

(iii) In cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, under no circumstances will the Department use a modified rate based upon Total Direct Cost or other base not identified in the federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or defined within 2 CFR 200.68. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that the reduced rate is applied against a base that does not include any potentially distorting items (such as pass-through funds, subcontracts in excess of $25,000, and participant support costs) and is based on the requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.68; 2 CFR 200.414(f); 2 CFR 200 Appendix III, Section C.2.; 2 CFR 200 Appendix IV, Section B.3.f.; and Appendix VII, Section C.2.c.

(3) Indirect Cost Rate Reductions Used as Cost-Share. Instances where the recipient elects to use a rate lower than the federally negotiated indirect cost rate, and uses the balance of the unrecovered indirect costs to meet a cost-share or matching requirement required by the program and/or statute, are not considered a deviation from 2 CFR 200.414(c) as the federally negotiated indirect cost rate is being applied under the agreement in order to meet the terms and conditions of the award.

c.

Program Legislation and/or Regulations.

5.

Standard Award Terms and Conditions a.

Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact your program officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following):

1) 2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and System of Award Management 2) 2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation

3) 2 CFR Part 175, Award Term for Trafficking in Persons

4) 2 CFR Part 1400, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) 5) 2 CFR Part 1401, Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance) 6) 43 CFR 18, New Restrictions on Lobbying: Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A, Certification Regarding Lobbying.

7) 41 USC §4712, Pilot Program for Enhancement of Recipient and Sub-recipient Employee Whistleblower Protection: This requirement applies to all awards issued after July 1, 2013 and shall be in effect until January 1, 2017.

8) 41 USC §6306, Prohibition on Members of Congress Making Contracts with Federal Government: No member of or delegate to the United States Congress or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of this award, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom; this provision shall not be construed to extend to an award made to a corporation for the public’s general benefit.

9) Executive Order 13513, Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging while Driving: Recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving, including conducting initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the order.

b.

Funding.

1) Awards shall be funded subject to availability of BLM funding. Initial funding does not guarantee additional funding in subsequent years.

2) Once the grant or cooperative agreement is signed by a BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO), funding is obligated and the recipient may incur approved costs beginning on the effective date of the award and as specified in their submitted and approved budget.

c.

Payment Mechanism. BLM requires the use of the United States Department of the Treasury, Financial Management System, Automated Standard Application for Payment system (ASAP). The ASAP system (https://www.asap.gov) is a recipient-initiated, on-line payment and information system. The timing and amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for direct program or project reimbursable costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.

d.

Conflicts of Interest. The Recipient must establish safeguards to prohibit its employees and sub-recipients from using their positions for purposes that constitute or present the appearance of a personal or organizational conflict of interest. The Recipient is responsible for notifying the Grants Management Officer (GMO) in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the recipient and/or recipient's employees and sub-recipients in the matter.

6.

Special Award Terms and Conditions:

a.

Liability, Insurance, and Indemnification. Recipients of awards arising from this announcement will be required to agree to the following:

1) Liability. The BLM assumes no liability for any actions or activities conducted under this agreement except to the extent that recourse or remedies are provided by Congress under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2671.

2) Insurance. The recipient will be required to (1) obtain liability insurance or (2) demonstrate present financial resources in an amount determined sufficient by the Government to cover claims brought by third parties for death, bodily injury, property damage, or other loss resulting from one or more identified activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement.

3) Insured. The federal government shall be named as an additional insured under the recipient's insurance policy.

4) Indemnification. The recipient hereby agrees:

(a) To indemnify the federal government, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), from any act or omission of the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, as appropriate) (1) against third party claims for damages arising from one or more activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement and (2) for damage or loss to government property resulting from such an activity, to the extent the laws of the State where the recipient is located permit. This obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement.

(b) To purchase public and employee liability insurance at its own expense from a responsible company or companies with a minimum limitation of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per person for any one claim, and an aggregate limitation of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for any number of claims arising from any one incident. The policies shall name the United States as an additional insured, shall specify that the insured shall have no right of subrogation against the United States for payments of any premiums or deductibles due thereunder, and shall specify that the insurance shall be assumed by, be for the account of, and be at the insured's sole risk. Prior to beginning the activities authorized herein, the recipient shall provide the BLM with confirmation of such insurance coverage. Each policy shall have a certificate evidencing the insurance coverage and identifying the assistance agreement number.

(c) To pay the United States the full value for all damage to the lands or other property of the United States caused by the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, agents as appropriate).

(d) To provide workers' compensation protection to the recipient’s officers, employees, and representatives.

(e) To cooperate with the BLM in the investigation and defense of any claims that may be filed with the BLM arising out of the activities of the recipient, its agents, and employees.

(f) In the event of damage to or destruction of the buildings and facilities assigned for the use of the recipient in whole or in part by any cause whatsoever, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the BLM to replace or repair the buildings or facilities. If the BLM determines in writing, after consultation with the recipient that damage to the buildings or portions thereof renders such buildings unsuitable for continued use by the recipient, the BLM shall assume sole control over such buildings or portions thereof. If the buildings or facilities rendered unsuitable for use are essential for conducting operations authorized under this agreement, then failure to substitute and assign other facilities acceptable to the recipient will constitute termination of this agreement by the BLM.

(e) Flow-down. For the purposes of this clause, "recipient" includes such sub-recipients, contractors, or subcontractors as, in the judgment of the recipient and subject to the Government's determination of sufficiency, have sufficient resources and/or maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to achieve the purposes of this clause.

(f) Identified Activities. All activities carried out in connection with financial assistance arising from this funding opportunity announcement.

b.

Recipients must successfully complete an appropriate Defensive Driving Course before operating a Government-owned vehicle (GOV).

c.

Recipients must successfully complete appropriate safety and training requirements before operating Government-owned equipment, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or other Government-furnished property (GFP).

d.

Recipient/Sub-recipient Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements.

1) Performance of this grant/cooperative agreement requires recipient/sub-recipient personnel to have a Federal government-issued personal identification card before being allowed unsupervised access to a DOI [facility and/or information system]. The Program Officer will be the sponsoring official, and will make the arrangements for personal identity verification and card issuance.

2) At least two weeks before start of grant/cooperative agreement performance, the recipient will identify all recipient and sub-recipient personnel who will require [physical and/or logical] access for performance of work under this grant/cooperative agreement. The recipient and sub-recipient must make their personnel available at the place and time specified by the Program Officer in order to initiate screening and background investigations. The following forms, or their equivalent, may be used to initiate the credentialing process:

(a) OPM Standard Form 85 or 85P (b)

OF 306

(c) Fingerprint card (local procedures may require the fingerprinting to be done at a police station; in this case, any charges are to be borne by the recipient or sub-recipient, as applicable)

(d) Release to Obtain Credit Information

(e) PIV card application (web-based)

3) Recipient and sub-recipient employees are required to give, and to authorize others to give, full, frank, and truthful answers to relevant and material questions needed to reach a suitability determination. Refusal or failure to furnish or authorize provision of information may constitute grounds for denial or revocation of credentials. Government personnel may contact the recipient or sub-recipient personnel being screened or investigated in person, by telephone or in writing, and the recipient agrees to make them available for such contact.

4) Alternatively, if an individual has already been credentialed by another agency through OPM, and that credential has not yet expired, further clearance may not be necessary. Provide the sponsoring office with documentation that supports the individual’s status.

5) During performance of the grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will keep the Program Officer apprised of changes in personnel to ensure that performance is not delayed by compliance with credentialing processes. Cards that have been lost, damaged, or stolen must be reported to the Program Officer, Grants Management Officer, and Issuing Office within 24 hours. Replacement will be at the recipient’s expense. If reissuance of expired credentials is needed, it will be coordinated through the Program Officer.

6) At the end of grant/cooperative agreement’s performance, or when a recipient/sub-recipient employee is no longer working under this grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will ensure that all identification cards are returned to the Program Officer. Before starting work under this agreement, a National Agency Check (NAC) will be conducted to verify the identity of the individual applying for clearance. Upon successful completion of the NAC process, an identification card will be issued and access granted.

7) Simultaneously, a NAC with Inquiries (NACI) will be initiated to determine the individual’s suitability for the position. If the NACI adjudication is favorable, nothing more needs to be done. If the adjudication is unfavorable, the credentials will be revoked. In the event of a disagreement between the recipient and the Government concerning the suitability of an individual to perform work under this grant/cooperative agreement, DOI shall have the right of final determination.

8) This requirement must be incorporated into any sub-grants/cooperative agreements that require sub-recipient personnel to have unsupervised access to a Federally controlled facility for more than 180 calendar days or unsupervised access to a Federally controlled Level 3 or 4 information system.

9) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Training. Before the recipient or any of its employees or sub-recipients, are granted access to the BLM Federal computer system they must first successfully complete the U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Online Course. This course was designed specifically for users of Federal computer systems. The course is a Web-based training product that explains the importance of Information Systems Security and takes approximately one hour to complete. This course is mandatory for all Department of the Interior employees, contractors, recipients, and all other users of DOI computer resources. Topics covered in the course include: threats and vulnerabilities, malicious code, user responsibilities, and new developments affecting Information Systems Security.

G.

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

For questions, contact one of the individuals listed on the front cover of this announcement.

For administrative questions contact:

Betty Lockard, Grants Management Officer, (907) 271-2816 or via email: blockard@blm.gov

END

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Alaska State Office

Grants & Cooperative Agreements

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Financial Assistance for all Financial Assistance Agreements. A new proposal must be included with any request for modification which involves a revision to funding, project scope, period of performance, or key personnel.

Project Title:

Name & Title of Person Submitting Proposal:

* If a specific start work date is needed, contact your BLM Program Officer. Do not start work without prior approval from the Grants Management Officer.

1.

Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance:

(Describe why the project is needed, the applicant's objectives, how the applicant's objectives support their mission, and how this project benefits the general public.)

2.

Technical Approach:

Describe how the project will be conducted. The project design must contain enough detail to show the development of the project, including the relationship between the partners, and objectives. Clearly describe the techniques, procedures, and methodologies to be used; the data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation; the expected program/project goals and/or outcomes; and the procedures for evaluating project effectiveness, including appropriate performance goals and the probabilities of obtaining them.)

The proposal must include the detailed project plan/schedule. The project plan must be supported by a narrative description of each of the activities to be undertaken. The schedule should include proposed work, reporting, major tasks, and project milestones including the identification of the anticipated start and ending dates of all major stages/tasks of the project proposal. The following table may be used to summarize the project schedule.

Start Date Planned Completion Date

3.

Qualifications, Experience, and Past Performance:

(Describe who will carry out the project activities. List all project personnel, including consultants, contractors, sub-recipients, etc., and their contact information. Describe your recruiting techniques in recruiting a diverse pool of candidates. Describe their responsibilities and the amount of time each will dedicate to the project. Briefly describe how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to successfully achieve the stated objectives and performance goals. Describe past completed natural and cultural youth conservation projects on public lands with accomplishments. Describe successful of your program placing qualified youth interns in conservation careers.)

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Alaska State Office Grants & Cooperative Agreements

BUDGET DETAIL

Instructions: Starting with the same budget amounts as listed on the SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to show details of the estimated costs. Provide enough information that costs may be analyzed for reasonableness as compared to costs or work of similar size and scope. Use the Narrative boxes as necessary to explain each cost.

Organization Name:

A) PERSONNEL (SF-424A Object Class Category 6a.)

The cost of salaries & wages, not including fringe benefits, paid to Recipient employees working directly on this agreement. Indicate Key Personnel with an asterisk (*). Provide more detail in the Narrative Box if needed.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

A)

TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6a. Personnel)

Narrative:

B) FRINGE BENEFITS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6b.)

The cost of fringe benefits, such as health insurance, vacation, FICA, etc., paid to Recipient employees working on this agreement. List employees or positions below, and their fringe benefit rates as percentages of their salaries. List what are included as fringe benefits in the Narrative Box.

(BLM Amounts budgeted in Section A above)

(if applicable)

BLM

B)

TOTAL FRINGE BENEFIT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6b. Fringe Benefits)

Narrative:

C) TRAVEL (SF-424A Object Class Category 6c.)

LODGING & PER DIEM - The cost of lodging & meals while travelling for agreement activities. Give details and purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal rates may be found online at: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287.

Proposed Travel

Lodging & Per Diem

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

From:

To:

To:

To:

Example:

Portland, OR

Eugene, OR

Day

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - The cost of reimbursement for estimated mileage traveled for agreement activities. Give details and the purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal mileage reimbursement rates may be found online at: www.GSA.gov.

Proposed Travel

Mileage Reimbursement

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

To:

Example:

Portland, OR

Eugene, OR

Mile

OTHER TRAVEL COSTS - The costs of airfare, bus fare, car rental, etc., required for agreement activities. Explain the details and the purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box.

Proposed Other

Travel Reimbursement

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

C)

TOTAL TRAVEL COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6c. Travel)

Narrative:

D) EQUIPMENT (SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment)

The cost of equipment (items with a useful life of more than one (1) year and a cost of $5,000+ per unit). Explain the need and purpose of the equipment in the Narrative box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

D)

TOTAL EQUIPMENT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment)

Narrative:

E) SUPPLIES (SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies) The cost of materials and supplies used directly on this project, such as safety glasses, work gloves, office supplies, etc. Explain the details and purpose in the Narrative box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

E)

SUPPLIES COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies)

Narrative:

F) CONTRACTUAL (SF-424A Object Class Category 6f. Contractual) The cost of contracted services and/or sub-recipient agreements. Provide names and explain the details and purpose of the costs in the Narrative box below. NOTE: Contracts must be competed per the Uniform Administrative Rules.

(if applicable)

BLM

F)

CONTRACTUAL COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6f. Contractual)

Narrative:

G) CONSTRUCTION COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6g. Construction) The cost of construction.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

*** NOT APPLICABLE ***

G)

CONTRUCTION COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class…