L18AS00030 Ecological Monitoring and Adaptive Management FOA.docx

[Attachment B] Budget Detail Page 8

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

BLM-AZ, Ecological Monitoring and Adaptive Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L18AS00030

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications Issued (Date):

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(b)

OTHER PROGRAM LEGISLATION AND/OR REGULATIONS APPLICABLE:

LAS CIENEGAS NATIONAL CONSERVATION

AREA ESTABLISHMENT ACT OF 1999 –

PUBLIC LAW 106-538

ARIZONA-IDAHO CONSERVATION ACT PUBLIC LAW 100-696

designating legislation for each National Conservation Area

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

July 27, 2018, 5:00 p.m. Local Time

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Liza Love, Grants Management Officer (GMO) Telephone: (602) 417-9268, Email: elove@blm.gov David Murray, Program Officer (PO) Telephone: (520) 258-7256, Email: drmurray@blm.gov

Version 5 9 2018

2. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background:

BLM Arizona manages the largest number of National Conservation Lands of any BLM State. This includes five National Monuments, three National Conservation Areas, two National Historic Trails, one National Scenic Trail, forty-seven Wilderness areas, and two Wilderness Study Areas.

The Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA) offers a signature example of important emerging themes in NLCS conservation management. The LCNCA’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) was developed through a collaborative process, and the RMP is being implemented using adaptive management principles that provide for continued input and active participation from stakeholders. The LCNCA is recognized nationally for its successes in these areas, and has become a well-documented and widely studied example, both within Arizona and nationally.

More recently, the LCNCA has provided ongoing support to the Agua Fria National Monument (AFNM), as its leadership seeks to replicate these key elements of collaboration and adaptive management. The Agua Fria National Monument offers a premiere working landscape for science research. This Monument is in the process of implementing a 2010 Resource Management Plan. Previously, facilitated cross visits between the sites, and ongoing learning and exchange among LCNCA and AFNM staff and stakeholder partners have helped strengthen capacity in both units. The lessons from this experience are important in the ongoing development of the two sites; they also provide a model for wider sharing and capacity building for other National Conservation Lands in Arizona, including the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

Any proposed programs and projects are also encouraged to support at least one of the BLM Department of Interior Priorities, including:

Creating a Conservation Stewardship Legacy Second only to Teddy Roosevelt:

This project will support broad based collaboration, large landscape conservation, and science-based adaptive management for land and water resources on public lands. It will accomplish this by promoting the collection and use of relevant and reliable scientific information. A major part of this involves comparing the information coming out of existing science and monitoring efforts with the information needed by BLM and stakeholders to evaluate land health and effectiveness of management actions in moving the system towards shared goals and objectives for a multiple-use landscape. Promoting best use of available science in this way also involves broader forms of shared learning including symposia, cross-site visits, and other formal and informal learning opportunities, that strengthen capacity of BLM and its partners to improve program development and management on specific National Conservation Lands and provide multiple use activities coupled with high quality protection of public lands.

Utilizing our Natural Resources:

This project will inform the public, livestock operators, and BLM management on the status of rangeland health and best management practices. Data gathered from the project will inform grazing lessees on necessary livestock rotation and management, allowing for efficient use of natural resources, while still maintaining watershed health and recreation opportunities.

Restoring Trust with Local Communities:

A key component of this project will be to improve dialogue with neighbors through public outreach and engagement. Mutually collected and shared data allows for a transparency in decision-making that increases trust with local communities and stakeholders.

b. Objectives: BLM has an opportunity to work with a partner organization to assist BLM with and support the use of the best available science, combined with engaging broad public partners, to inform the public, stakeholders, and the BLM on best management practices (BMPs) for implementing adaptive management techniques on public lands. Focus areas of the project include collecting and analyzing rangeland health and upland vegetation treatments data and providing outreach stakeholders on status and trends of resources and effectiveness of restoration efforts and BMPs on the management of working landscapes. Data collected from this cooperative agreement will be available to the public.

c. All awards under this funding opportunity benefit the general public: The public will benefit from this program through the ability to participate in and through the development of strong examples of collaborative, landscape-scale conservation, and adaptive management that incorporate processes for public involvement and science education. These examples will provide insights and guidance to not only federal, state, and local agencies but also local non-profits organizations and the general public. The BLM will benefit from recommendations made on how to best implement adaptive management on working landscapes. Improved land management will benefit the public through enhancements to the long-term sustainability, protection, and contributions of public lands and lands managed by States, local agencies or private landowners. The program will also have the public benefits of improving the science, practice, policy, and performance of natural resource management programs through the lessons learned from these on-the-ground initiatives in public lands management

3. Program Expected Outcomes:

Expected Program Goals:

· Development of monitoring protocol for rangeland health including restoration/BMP effectiveness, utilizing stakeholder engagement in the process Milestones/Timeframe: Initial evaluation and implementation of protocols with suggested updates by the end of first year of award. Continuation of monitoring for the entire life of the award, with adaptations depending on results.

· Development of recommended BMPs for managing working landscapes that could be implemented by livestock operators, the BLM, and/or the public/stakeholders Milestones/Timeframe: Initial recommendations by the end of the first year, with continued monitoring of resources highlighting areas where applicable BMPs are implemented in future years.

· At least annual presentation in public meetings to disseminate information about the project to the public and collect public input Milestones/Timeframe: End of first year of award and at least once every following year.

· Depending on applicant proposals, potential Performance Measures could be related acres of rangeland and restoration treatments monitored, number of BMPs recommended, and/or number of public meetings presented.

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.

The project will be guided by the applicable BLM Resource Management Plan, relevant implementation plans, NCA legislation, or Monument proclamations.

Through the Program Officer and Technical Advisor, the BLM will have the following involvement in the project:

Provide access to inventory survey locations, data and coordination with BLM resource specialists as appropriate.

· Provide staff time to assist with collection of monitoring data and

· provide existing geo-spatial data, monitoring data and protocols, and

· other information and materials, as needed, related to ecological

· monitoring program development or revision

· Provide staff time to assist with development and implementation of

· adaptive management BMPs and strategies

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

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

Describe how these objectives support your mission.

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 20 /100 Points) Describe how this project benefits the general public.

4. QUALIFICATIONS and PAST PERFORMANCE (Maximum score 40 /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.

List contractors, if known, and their qualifications.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…