L17AS00157 BLM CA Seed Strategy Action Item 2.4.2.docx

[Attachment B] Budget Detail Page 7

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

BLM CA Seed Strategy Action Item 2.4.2, California State Office

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L17AS00157

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications: Issued: June 12, 2017

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.231 - Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

Federal Land Policy And Management Act Of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC §1737, Public Law 94-579, as amended.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

August 11, 2017, 6:00am Pacific Daylight Time

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

Rev 6-2016

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Authority This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: Federal Land Policy And Management Act Of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC §1737, Public Law 94-579, as amended. Section 1737. Implementation provisions. (b) Contracts and cooperative agreements. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements involving the management, protection, development, and sale of public lands. This agreement would allow BLM to implement this strategy in California, to further improve ecosystem health, provide adaptation to climate change, and native plant communities and wildlife habitat restoration and management objectives.

2. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background: California, BLM has worked with stakeholders to share information and technical expertise, which assists managing native plant communities and native plant species on public lands and implementation of National Seed Strategy Action Items. BLM has reviewed models and research products and plans as they are developed, facilitated access to public lands and staff that further research investigations and studies.

The National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration provides goals and objectives for the development of genetically appropriate native seed for the rehabilitation and restoration of public lands.

There is a need to implement this strategy in California, to further improve ecosystem health, provide adaptation to climate change, and native plant communities and wildlife habitat restoration and management objectives.

b. Objectives: BLM will partner with a recipient to implement goals and objectives of the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration in California and, in particular, implement Action Item 2.4.2: quantify ecological and economic costs/benefits of planting native and non-native plants on public lands using the InVEST data and software platform developed by the Natural Capital Project and its network.

The recipient will work with BLM to develop appropriate studies, education, and outreach projects that meet the goals and objectives of Seed Strategy Action Item 2.4.2 using the approach outlined in the Natural Capital Project.

The recipient must be a Natural Capital Project partner and familiar with the InVEST software. The InVEST software platform contains open source data and modeling tools that allow transparency, repeatability, and adaptability to novel local conditions. InVEST applications are designed to become part of the public record, and with training, BLM or others can continue to apply the tools for future assessment and implementation guidance.

The resulting materials from of these projects will be made available to the public and used by the BLM and other public and private land decision makers to make management decisions on California’s lands.

c. Public Benefit: With the increased information that BLM will use in rehabilitation and restoration of public lands. The information and outreach resulting from this project will be used to better understand and manage native plant communities, improve rehabilitation and restoration practices, and improve staff technical capacity to implement rehabilitation and restoration projects on public lands. Procuring genetically appropriate native seed will improve the effectiveness of BLM projects as well as conserve and maintain ecosystem function and land health. Technical resources that are scientifically developed and reviewed increase the effectiveness, reliability, acceptance, and credibility of BLM decisions.

The resulting research may ultimately be used in other applications and assist the BLM in developing better, more transparent, scientifically credible and repeatable decision making tools. This type of information will improve public land management. The BLM will be able to more effectively target their activities to gain the most benefit, making more efficient use of funds, which is clearly in the public interest.

The public will benefit by the increased scientific knowledge regarding California Ecoregions and better management of these lands.

3. Program/Project Performance Goals Field inspections, monitoring, and data collection to determine public land health focused on native plants.

Program Goals:

The National Seed Strategy Goal 2 is to Identify Research Needs and Conduct Research to Provide Genetically Appropriate Seed and to Improve Technology for Ecosystem Restoration. Within Goal 2, Investigating Long-term Restoration Impacts and Outcomes are priorities. Understanding the economic value of the ecosystem services native plant communities provide which are managed by BLM is important for allocating BLM resources and decision making.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Instrument

In accordance with the Legislative Authority, a cooperative agreement will be used and substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement will consist of the following: The BLM Program Officer (PO) will collaborate with the recipient's Project Manager/Principal Investigator (RPM/PI) to manage all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. Responsibility for project management, control, and direction will be shared by the recipient and the BLM, however the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule and/or technical issues arise.

2. Expected Number of Awards: One (1) Cooperative Agreement or None

3. Expected Individual Award Amounts: $95,000.00 (PR 0020126759)

5. Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2017

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

3. Other Eligibility Restrictions This financial assistance opportunity is also open to all partners under any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no more than 17.5% of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

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.

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.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

Form Name and Number

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-424B Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Project Proposal (Attachment A to this document)

Budget Detail (Attachment B to this document)

Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable

Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable)

a. Project Proposal (Attachment A)

1) Attachment A 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 cost were arrived out. No profit or fees are allowable.

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

(a) Personnel Costs. Salaries or wages of employees working directly on this agreement project, indicate program manager and other key personnel by name and title. Other personnel may be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries or wages and estimated hours or percent of time to be spent on the agreement.

(b) Fringe Benefit Costs. The costs of fringe benefits of 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).

(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.

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

A total of 100 points will be used to score each proposal received. The scores assigned to each criteria in the second level evaluation correspond to their relative importance. Proposals will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by appropriate BLM Staff expert in the program's field of study.

The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals which do not meet the requirements of this funding opportunity announcement and which are determined to be outside the scope of the authority under which this announcement is posted

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

The evaluation process will be comprised of the following three screening levels:

1. First Level Screening --Basic Eligibility

b. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.

2. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation

a. Merit Review Evaluation. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria using numerical scoring based on a 100 point maximum score.

1. OBJECTIVE (Maximum score 20 /100 Points) Describe your mission and objectives.

Describe how these objectives support your mission.

Describe how your mission supports implementation of the National Seed Strategy; particularly Action 2.4.2

2. TECHNICAL APPROACH (Maximum score 20 /100 Points) Describe the techniques, processes, methodologies to be used.

Describe how data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation will be accomplished.

Describe how the proposed objectives will be achieved within the proposed period of performance (POP).

Describe significant goals or milestones and how they will be measured.

Describe tasks and relationships of partners, if applicable.

3. PUBLIC BENEFIT (Maximum score 10/100 Points)

Describe how this project benefits the general public.

Describe how this project will benefit students studying botanical sciences

4. QUALIFICATIONS and PAST PERFORMANCE (Maximum score 50/100 Points) List key project personnel and their contact information.

Describe key personnel responsibilities, time to be dedicated to the project, and how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to success of the project.

Describe experience working with native plant communities Describe experience providing science-based assessments that provide ongoing public benefit (e.g., through decision support tools, data, or capacity building) Describe your experience in working with the Natural Capital Project and its InVEST software suite of tools. Provide examples of collaboration and application.

Describe any unique qualifications, which support being awarded assistance for this project, such as continuation of the proposed project, technical expertise, cost-sharing ability, etc.

5. OFFERED COST SHARE or MATCH (Cost is not normally not evaluated. However, is reviewed during the merit review, if you want to use cost as a tie breaker, please indicate).

The Authority under which this opportunity is being announced requires a recipient cost share or match of N/A.

Indicate the type and amount of any offered cost share or match (any offered match must be from non-Federal sources).

3. Third Level Review Pre-award Clearance and Approvals

Following the described review process, BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as:

a. Risk Management. The BLM uses a risk-based approach to evaluate the risk posed by the supporting applicants’ projects before it awards Federal funds.

2) Budget review is based on the following:

If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized. If the BLM determines that a Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award

If the results of pre-award reviews and clearances are unsatisfactory, consideration of funding for the project may be withdrawn.

4. 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. 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.

2. 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. Submission of youth employment reports (if applicable) is required quarterly.

3. 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.

4. 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):

Recipients must not require their employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must notify their employees or contractors that existing internal confidentiality agreements covered by this condition are no longer in effect

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. Payment will be made by draw-down reimbursement through the Department of the Treasury, Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap Treasury Circular 1075 (31 CFR 205) requires that draw-downs to a recipient organization shall be limited to the minimum amounts needed and shall be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the recipient organization in carrying out the purposes of the approved program or project. 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 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.

5. 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) If 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.

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.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Leona B. Parker, Grants Management Officer Telephone: 530-252-5338 Email: lparker@blm.gov Karen Law, Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 916-978-4322 Email: kjlaw@blm.gov Christina Lund, Program Officer/CA Botanist Telephone: 916-978-4638, Email: clund@blm.gov

END

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

Rev 4-2016

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreements)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

(Suggested Format)

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance for all BLM Assistance Agreements. Complete each section below. Use additional sheets as needed.

Person Submitting Proposal:

Date:

Organization Name:

Estimated Period of Performance:

Proposed Project Location:

This work will occur on: ☐ Public Lands ☐ Private Lands ☐ Both Public & Private Lands

YOUR MISSION:

(Describe your mission. Describe why this support is being requested.)

OBJECTIVE:

(Describe your objectives and how these objectives support your mission.)

TECHNICAL APPROACH:

(Describe the details of the project, the procedures to be used, how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, etc. Discuss expected goals and outcomes and how project effectiveness will be measured and evaluated. Include a detailed project work plan narrative and a table such as below to summarize the project schedule.)

PUBLIC BENEFIT:

(Describe how this project benefits the general public.)

QUALIFICATIONS & PAST PERFORMANCE:

(List key personnel and their responsibilities. Describe similar successful projects completed in the past and any unique qualifications your organization may possess.)

[Attachment B] [Attachment A]

Rev 4-2016

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreements)

BUDGET DETAIL

(Suggested Format)

Instructions: Using the estimated amounts listed on your SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to provide details of those estimated costs. In the Narrative Boxes, explain the purpose of each cost and provide sufficient detail so costs may be analyzed for reasonableness.

Organization Name:

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

Estimated costs 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

Narrative:

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

Estimated costs of fringe benefits (e.g. health insurance, vacation, FICA, etc.) paid to Recipient employees working on this agreement. List employees/positions below, and their fringe benefit rates as a percentage (%) of their salaries. List what are considered fringe benefits in the Narrative Box.

(BLM Amounts budgeted in Section A above)

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

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

SUB-TOTAL, LODGING & PER DIEM - The cost of lodging & meals while traveling 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:

Day

SUB-TOTAL, MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - The cost of reimbursement for estimated mileage traveled in recipient vehicles 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. NOTE: Mileage reimbursement rates include all vehicle costs, i.e. fuel, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Proposed Travel (Mileage Reimbursement)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

To:

Mile

SUB-TOTAL, 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:

Narrative:

D) EQUIPMENT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment) The cost of equipment purchased for use on this agreement. Equipment is defined as items with a useful life of more than one (1) year and a cost of $5,000+ per unit. If your organization has a written policy for purchasing equipment, please submit a copy with your application. Explain the need and purpose of the equipment in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Narrative:

E) SUPPLY COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies) Estimated costs of materials and supplies used directly on this agreement, e.g. safety glasses, work gloves, office supplies, etc.