L18AS00014 Sportsman Access FOA.docx

[Attachment B] Budget Detail Page 10

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

MT/DAK Sportsman Access and Habitat Restoration

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L18AS00014

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications Issued (Date): July 16, 2018 Modification No. 00 Issued (Date)

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.231 – Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Resource Management

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

August 16, 2018, 4:30 p.m. Local Time

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Brittney Linford, Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 406-896-5188, Email: blinford@blm.gov Ernie McKenzie, Program Officer Telephone: 406-896-5244, Email: emckenzi@blm.gov

Version 5 9 2018

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background: This project is a multi-year effort to restore previously disturbed public lands back into productive rangeland and wildlife habitat, and to help facilitate upland game bird hunting opportunities for nearby communities.

The partnership has two primary components:

One component of the project is focused on restoring formerly farmed lands at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. This project has successfully restored over 300 acres in the past 10 years. Increased pheasant production and enhanced habitat, along with access development, has resulted in increased recreational activity by hunters, fisherman and other outdoors enthusiasts. This project is closely coordinated with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, who are doing similar work on the other side of the river, which further supports increased hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The other project focuses on restoring Bankhead Jones lands located in Yellowstone and Musselshell counties back to native plant communities in priority habitat for Greater Sage Grouse. These lands, which were abandoned homesteads that reverted back to public ownership, were planted with non-native, crested wheat grass in the 1930’s, which doesn’t provide suitable habitat or forage for wildlife and domestic livestock. This project benefits upland game birds, including greater sage-grouse, and provides habitat for myriad of native wildlife species, and also provides long-term forage production that benefits livestock permittees. Similar to the work at Pompey’s Pillar, this work in Musselshell County will generate interest by recreationists who find value in native habitats with healthy populations of upland game birds.

b. Objectives:

Convert historic agricultural fields into self-sustaining vegetative communities focusing on upland game bird habitat.

Designate several small areas as “food plots” and cultivate beneficial forage crops to increase pheasant production.

Convert crested wheat grass stands into native shrubland/grassland vegetative communities to restore wildlife habitat, particularly focusing on greater sage-grouse management objectives.

Increase and manage public recreational opportunities for hunting and wildlife viewing.

c. All awards under this funding opportunity must benefit the general public:

2. Program Expected Outcomes:

(1) a. Pompey’s Pillar ACEC Restoration and Habitat Enhancement Approximately 156 acres of farmland that has been converted to native habitat for upland game birds will be monitored for invasive plant species infestations and treated accordingly to reduce weed spread.

Performance Measure: Keep weeds minimized: 156 Acres.

b. Thirty-five acres that were seeded to native habitat in 2017 will be monitored and treated to ensure that the nesting cover thrives, while minimizing the encroachment of non-native, invasive species that may outcompete the desired species. These treatments may include mowing fast growing weed species and spot spraying herbicide in areas where mowing is not an effective management tool.

Performance Measure: Keep weeds minimized: 35 Acres.

c. Forty-six acres of existing farmland needs to be converted to native habitat or other desirable vegetative communities, which may include shelter belts consisting of shrubs and trees. Currently, these fields are being planted with food crops like corn, soy bean, sunflower, in order to create a weed free soil bed to eventually plant Dense Nesting Cover. This effort is slow and laborious, as weed seed spreads quickly through the areas. The goal is to convert these fields to desirable habitat in 3-5 years.

Performance Measure: Creating and maintaining clean soil bed: 46 Acres; Planting Dense Nesting Cover within 5 years: 46 Acres.

d. Currently 35 Acres are established as perpetual “Food Plots” for upland bird forage, to enhance pheasant and other game bird numbers. There are 4 food plots.

Performance Measure: Planting and propagating 4 food plots of 24-35 total acres.

e. Three “Brood Plots” exist and require water and maintenance.

Performance Measure: Maintain 3 productive brood plots June-August.

(2) Musselshell County Crested Wheat Conversion

a. Convert, as conditions allow, approximately 80 Acres of crested wheat grass per year to native grassland/shrubland vegetation.

Performance Measure: Spray and seed 80 Acres of crested wheat grass per year.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Instrument

In accordance with the Legislative Authority, awards made under this FOA will be through a cooperative agreement. The recipient should expect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement may include:

· 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 has the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule and/or technical issues arise.

4. Total Expected Funding to be Awarded through this Announcement: $162,000

5. Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date: September 1, 2018

7. Additional Funding Information Funding for this project(s) is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds and evaluation of proposals is based on the criterion in this announcement. In appropriate circumstances, BLM reserves the right to partially fund proposals in discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If BLM chooses to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. Funded proposals through this competition is not a guarantee of future funding.

BLM reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement if additional funding becomes available after the original award selections are made, Any additional selections for award will be made no later than September 30, 2018.

Any additional selections must be made in accordance with the terms of this announcement and BLM policy.

Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) are authorized to obligate funds for financial assistance.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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.

b. Entity Registration in SAM: Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Register in SAM online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information.

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 (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:

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 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 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 and Justification of costs (Attachment B- Suggested Format)

5. Required Indirect Cost Statement and Documentation:

All applicants must include in their budget justification narrative one of the following indirect cost rate statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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.

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. Proposals must include the following information. Applicant

1) Objectives: (Maximum score 25/100 Points):

2) Technical Approach (Maximum score 25/100 Points):

3) Direct Benefit to the General Public (Maximum score 25/100 Points):

4) Qualifications and Past Performance (Maximum score 25?100 Points):

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. Award cannot be finalized until awardee finalizes their enrollment in the Department of the Treasury, Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap. If your organization is not enrolled in ASAP contact the POC on the cover-sheet of this funding opportunity.

c. 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. 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

c. Conflicts of Interest. Applicants must notify the BLM in writing of any actual or potential conflict of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this awards, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award an any other outside interest. Conflicts of interest may also 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. Applicants must notify the BLM in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the applicant. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award.

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.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

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

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:

Agreement or Announcement No.:

Agreement or Announcement Title:

Estimated Period of Performance:

Proposed Project Location:

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

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES:

Describe your project objectives, goals, and how your mission relates to this announcement.

Describe why this support is being requested.

Describe how your objectives of the project 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.

Describe 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.)

DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:

(Describe how this project will impact the general public.)

QUALIFICATIONS/PAST PERFORMANCE:

List key project personnel and responsibilities, along with their contact information.

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

List contractors, sub awards, consultants, if known, and their qualifications A list of federally funded assistance agreements (not contracts) that your organization performed within the last three years (no more than 5, and preferably BLM agreements), and describe how you documented and/or reported on whether you were making progress toward achieving the expected results (e.g., outputs and outcomes) under those agreements. Describe similar successful projects completed in the past and any unique qualifications your organization may possess.

LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES (Cost is not normally evaluated. However, is reviewed during the merit review and will be used as a tie breaker).

Demonstrate how you leverage funds or resources with other federal and/or non-federal sources of funds or resources to carry out the proposed project.

[Attachment B] [Attachment A]

Rev 3-2018

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreements)

BUDGET DETAIL and NARRATIVE (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 Justification Boxes, explain the purpose of each cost and provide sufficient detail so costs may be analyzed for reasonableness.

A cost share/non-federal match of 25% is required for this NOFO. This budget must demonstrate it meets the matching requirements. Provide sources of the match and provide adequate documentation for in-kind match. The match should provide the same level of detail as the federal share outlined in this guidance; therefore, it should be broken down by object class category (personnel, fringe, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, other, indirect costs, etc.) The non-federal share is subject to the same regulations as the federal share. (See reference under “D. 3. b. 5. Required Indirect Cost Statement and Documentation” regarding cost sharing and indirect cost reate computation).

Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:

Date:

Organization Name:

Project Title:

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

Provide the name of the person in each position (if known), and provide both the annual (for Multiyear awards) and total: salary/amount each position is paid; the percent of time position contributes to this award; and the number of months the employee is paid. State if any positions are vacant at the time, and if so, anticipated hire date. Also, provide a justification and description of each position (including vacant positions). Relate each position specifically to program objectives. Personnel cannot exceed 100% of their time on all active projects. Recipient should ensure the cost of living increase is built into the budget and justified.

The salaries of administrative and clerical staff should normally be treated as indirect (F&A) costs (2 CFR §200.413c). Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) Administrative or clerical services are integral to a project or activity; (2) Individuals involved can be specifically identified with the project or activity; (3) Such costs are explicitly included in the approved budget or have the prior written approval of the Grants Officer; and (4) The costs are not also recovered as indirect costs.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

Justification: EXAMPLE - Project Coordinator - [Name]: This position directs the overall operation of the project; responsible for overseeing the implementation of project activities, coordination with other agencies, development of materials, provision of in-service and training, conducting meetings and coordinating with agencies, designs and directs the gathering, tabulating and interpreting of required data, responsible for overall program evaluation and for staff performance evaluation; and is the responsible authority for ensuring necessary reports/documentation are submitted to NOFO. This position relates to all program objectives. John Doe will provide 10 months effort for a total of $xx each year for three years (total $xx).

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

Fringe benefits are usually applicable to direct salaries and wages. Provide the fringe benefit rate used and a clear description of how the computation of fringe benefits was done. Provide both the annual (for multiyear awards) and total. If a fringe benefit rate is not used, show how the fringe benefits were computed for each position. The budget justification should be reflected in the budget description. Elements that comprise fringe benefits should be indicated. The fringe rate should be proportional among the federal and non-federal share categories. If a fringe rate is greater than 35%, a description and breakdown of the benefits must be provided unless a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) has been provided. If fringe benefits are not computed by using a percent of salaries, provide a breakdown of how the computation is done. The applicant should not combine the fringe benefit costs with direct salaries and wages in the personnel category.

(BLM Amounts budgeted in Section A above)

(if applicable)

BLM

Justification: EXAMPLE: The fringe benefit rate for full-time employees for years one and two is calculated at 33%. The fringe rate for the student is calculated at 7%. For years three and four, the fringe rate is anticipated to increase to 34% for employees and remain at 7% for graduate students.

If fringe rate is greater than 35%:

Project Coordinator - Salary [amount] Retirement 5% of $35,000 = [amount] FICA 7.65% of $35,000 = [amount] Insurance = [amount] Workman’s Compensation, etc. = [amount] Total [amount]

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

Domestic travel includes travel within and between the U.S., the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Island, and the territories and possessions of the United States. Provide a narrative justification describing the travel staff will perform. List origin and destination, number of trips planned, who will be making the trip, purpose of travel and how it relates to the scope of work, and approximate dates. If mileage is to be paid, provide number of miles and the cost per mile. If travel is by air, show cost of airfare and proposed airline (if known). If per diem/lodging is to be paid, indicate number of days and the amount for each day’s per diem and the number of nights and the amount for each night’s lodging. Include any ground transportation when applicable. Total each trip planned.

Dollars requested in the travel category should be for staff travel only. Travel for consultants should be shown in the consultant category along with the consultant’s fee. Travel for training participants, advisory committees, review panels and etc., should be itemized the same way as indicated above and placed in the “other” category. Travel should include: origin and destination, estimated costs and type of transportation, number of travelers, related lodging and per diem costs, brief description of the travel involved, its purpose, and explanation of how the proposed travel is necessary for successful completion of the project.

If travel details are unknown, then the basis for proposed costs should be explained (i.e., historical information). Travel costs can be charged on an actual basis, on a per diem or mileage basis in lieu of actual costs incurred, or a combination of the two if applied consistently and results in reasonable charges. Travel support for dependents of key project personnel may be requested only when the travel is for a duration of six months or more either by inclusion in the approved budget or with the prior written approval of the Grants Officer (2 CFR §200.474(c)(2)).http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.

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:

Justification: EXAMPLE - The Project Coordinator and the Education Specialist will travel to [event location] to provide training at the “Sage Grouse Workshop” being held [date]. They will both travel from [orgin] to [destination], and take ground transportation from the airport to the even/hotel.

D) EQUIPMENT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment) Provide justification for the use of each item and relate them to specific program objectives. Provide both the annual (for multiyear awards) and total for equipment. Equipment is defined as an article of tangible personal property that has a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes, or $5,000. A recipient organization may classify equipment at a lower dollar value but cannot classify it higher than $5,000. For example, a state may classify their equipment at $1,000 with a useful life of a year. It is recommended that internal policies for equipment are provided in this section in order to avoid requests by BLM for closeout documents and delays during the closeout period.

General use of equipment (i.e., computers, faxes, etc.) must be used 100% for the proposed project if charged directly to the agreement. Maintenance fees for equipment should be shown in the “other” category.

Provide a lease versus purchase analysis. This must accompany every equipment request over $5,000 even if a lease vs purchase analysis cannot be completed, a statement is required to that effect. General purpose equipment such as office equipment and furnishings, and information technology equipment and systems are typically not eligible for direct cost support (2 CFR §200.439).

Provide objective-related justification for all equipment items after the detailed budget. The source for determining the budget price for each unit of equipment should be included in the justification. Explain the need and purpose of the equipment in the Justification Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

Justification: EXAMPLE - Equipment costs of [$ amount] is requested for modified gill nets (1x$20,000), anchors (2x$6,000), floating and acoustic transmitters and receivers (4x$10,000). The gill nets will be used for [description]. The anchors are needed for [description]. The transmitters and receivers will be used for [description].

E) SUPPLY COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies) List by supply item. An explanation is necessary for supplies costing more than $5,000, or five percent of the award, whichever is greater. Show unit cost of each item, number needed, and total amount. Provide both the annual (for multiyear awards) and total for supplies. Provide justification of the supply items and relate them to specific program objectives. It is recommended that when training materials are kept on hand as a supply item, that it be included in the “supplies” category. When training materials (pamphlets, notebooks, videos, and other various handouts) are ordered for specific training activities, these items should be itemized and shown in the “other” category. If appropriate, general office supplies may be shown by an estimated amount per month multiplied by the number of months in the budget period.

Requirements for supplies which exceed the thresholds: explain the type of supplies to be purchased, or nature of the expense in the budget narrative; provide a breakdown of supplies by quantity and cost per unit if known; and indicate basis for estimate of supplies, i.e., historical use on similar projects.

If your organization has a written policy for purchasing supplies, please submit a copy with your application.