L18AS00042 MT DAK Baseline Study of Rangeland Salinization in NW SD.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for

Federal Financial Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Lori Anderson, Grants Management Officer

Telephone: 406-329-3723 Email: landerso@blm.gov

Program Officer: Rebecca Newton, Telephone: 605-89-7007 Email:

renewton@bm.gov

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: BLM-MT/DAK

Baseline Study of Rangeland Salinization in

NW South Dakota

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L18AS00042

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications

Issued (Date): June 21, 2018

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.237 – Rangeland Resource Management

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

(FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

July 21, 2018, 2:30 p.m. Local Time

BLM Funding Opportunity No. L18AS00042

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Version 4 26 2018

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background:

The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages public lands across the western United States. In South Dakota, over 274,000 acres of these public lands are managed by the BLM South Dakota Field Office (SDFO). The majority of this land lies within Butte and Harding Counties in the northwest part of the state, where it contains some of the last remaining habitats for Greater Sage-Grouse (hereafter ‘sage-grouse’) at the eastern extent of their range. This area is designated as a Priority Habitat

Management Area (PHMA) for sage-grouse. Here, important habitat components such as sagebrush and riparian areas are patchy or otherwise limited within the landscape, and perturbations to or decline in health or function of these features may have disproportionate effects on sage-grouse due to their limited availability. The underlying factors influencing habitat condition and quality for sage-grouse and other endemic species in this area are often poorly understood. To inform the best possible management of public lands, BLM seeks to improve scientific understanding of the ecological functions and processes at work on these lands, especially regarding ecosystem responses to management actions.

One phenomenon of interest to the South Dakota Field Office is rangeland salinization and its impact on vulnerable uplands and riparian areas. Salinization of uplands/soils is recognized as an indicator of degradation of land health across the globe, and salinization can cause degraded riparian condition in both free-flowing streams and impounded water features. In a system where riparian areas can be a limiting landscape feature and in which sagebrush itself is patchy, it is imperative to understand the foundation and drivers of native plant communities and health of riparian systems that support sage-grouse and other wildlife. A number of general explanations exist for accumulation of surface salts in rangeland soils; a more nuanced understanding of the relative roles of natural processes and management impacts would allow BLM to make better decisions to maintain healthy upland and riparian habitats in South Dakota’s

PHMA.

b. Objectives:

The proposed project aligns with the Department of Interior’s Top Ten Priorities, specifically: “1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy

Roosevelt

(1) Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.”

The South Dakota Field Office has been collecting soils and vegetation data through the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocol for two years and would like to expand on what has been collected by engaging in a more specific examination of baseline soil condition. This project would help inform sound management of wildlife and plant resources, may reveal further data gaps, and could serve as a basis for

MT/DAK Baseline Study of Rangeland Salinization in NW South Dakota Page 3 of 31 future work towards a more comprehensive understanding of the systems managed by

BLM in South Dakota.

BLM has an opportunity for an organization to assist BLM in improving BLM’s understanding of the spatial distribution and properties of surface salt accumulation and relationship of this phenomenon with surface hydrology in order to inform better management of habitats for sage-grouse at the eastern edge of their range.

Specific project outcomes may include but would not be limited to:

1. Use of collected soil and water samples to inform geospatial modeling of salt-affected soils in the proposed study area.

2. Measurements of soil chemistry metrics such as electrical conductivity (EC) and pH.

3. Use of terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) data to better understand the relationships between soils and plant communities.

Over-arching relationships of interest include:

• Impacts of management actions such as location and placement of water impoundments on soil salts and the consequent effects on streams and drainages

• Correlations between upland conditions and riparian health

• Feedbacks between plant community and soil characteristics

• Importance of land use and environmental changes to resource condition and potential.

The primary area of interest is in Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 60A which occurs across most of the portion of SDFO’s PHMA in Butte County, part of Harding

County, and which encompasses the majority of BLM’s surface lands in western South

Dakota.

c. Public Benefit:

This project would leverage existing work to increase BLM’s understanding of the conditions and relationships between physical and biological resources managed by

BLM for the public good. The understanding gained through this proposed project would lay the foundation to answer more complex questions about biological and physical relationships in the study area and would contribute to a better management of public resources. Furthermore, insights gained could inform management by private landowners and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on neighboring lands.

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

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

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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.

2. Expected Number of Awards

One (1) Cooperative Agreement

3. Expected Individual Award Amounts $22,000 is available this FY18.

4. Total Expected Funding to be Awarded through this Announcement is $48,000.

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

6. Length of Project. BLM anticipates this project to run for two year.

In general, proposed project completion should be completed within the shortest timeframe need to meet all the expected program outcomes. Application packages for projects requiring more than a three year timeframe will only be considered for funding under limited circumstances.

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.

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C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following types of entities are eligible to apply for award under this announcement. Failure to meet eligibility requirements will result in precluding the

BLM from making an award. Eligible applicant types are:

• Unrestricted, anyone may apply

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

This program has no cost sharing or matching requirements.

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

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.

2. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:

a. Provide a valid DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering

System) on its application. DU Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data

Universal Number System (DUNS) number. Request a DUNS number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government

Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711

Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1) For

Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

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 http://www.grants.gov/

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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.

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b. Budget Detail and Justification of costs (Attachment B- Suggested Format)

1. All applications must have a complete detailed budget narrative explaining and justifying the federal and the non-federal expenditures by object class category as listed on SF-424A - Section B (Budget Category) for non-construction awards (and the SF-424C for construction awards). For clarification and simplicity, it is best to discuss each expense by object class in the order that they appear on the SF424A. Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications (see suggested format attachment B for more detail). Additionally, provide any cost sharing and matching funds in the same level of detail as the federal funds. The budget narrative submitted with the application must match the dollar amounts on all required forms. Please explain each calculation and provide a narrative that supports each budget category (the SF-424 must equal total costs identified on the SF-424A form which must match the budget narrative).

2. Costs proposed to NOFO awards must be reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to the supported activity. Refer to 2 CFR §200, for applicable administrative requirements and cost principles.

3. If your award is for multi-year or multiple year funding, you must provide a budget and budget justification for each year. Show each year in a separate column on the SF-424A and use a separate column for listing any match funds. NOFO expects that applicants will ensure that no

Federal or non-Federal grant funds will be expended for in-kind goods or services, for purposes of providing transportation, travel, and other expenses for any Federal employee.

4. Budget Detail and Narrative form (Attachment B) is an suggested format 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.

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:

a. A state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate].

We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

b. A state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate].

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

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We are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

c. A non-profit organization that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement is attached.

d. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.

e. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. However, in the event an award is made, will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, section 200.68. We understand that the 10% rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

f. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

● Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate (includes accepting the 10% de minimus rate, when eligible) are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award.

● Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs under the award unallowable.

● Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award.

Recipients may not charge to their BLM award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non-Federal alike.

● Recipients must have prior written approval from the BLM to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

● Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

4. Submission Dates and Times

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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 of Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

(FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b) 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

a. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Depending on the specifics of the opportunity, screening may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1) Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met;

2) Submission is timely;

3) Complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents

(see D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION) are included;

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

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1) Objectives: (Maximum score 15/100 Points):

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.

2) Technical Approach (Maximum score 35/100 Points):

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.)

3) Direct Benefit to the General Public (Maximum score 15/100 Points):

Describe how this project will impact the general public.

4) Qualifications and Past Performance (Maximum score 35/100 Points):

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.

5) 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.

3. Third Level Review Pre-award Clearance and Approvals

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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.

1) BLM is required to review information available through OMB-designated eligibility and/or financial integrity databases, such as the

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System

(FAPIIS). The BLM considers factors such as:

(a) Financial stability;

(b) Quality of management systems;

(c) History of performance managing Federal awards, timeliness of compliance with reporting requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, etc.;

(d) Reports and findings from audits performed; and

(e) The applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities.

2) Budget review is based on the following:

(a) Budget line items must be allowable, allocable, reasonable in price, and appropriate for the level of effort needed to accomplish the project

(b) Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost

(c) Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project

(d) Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from 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

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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

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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f575cf74b2713032873150bdb0dc01d4&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1113 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f575cf74b2713032873150bdb0dc01d4&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1113 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f575cf74b2713032873150bdb0dc01d4&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1113 http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap

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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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#sp2.1.200.f http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1414 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.iii http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.iii http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.iii http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.iv http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.iv http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.v http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=704835d27377ef5213a51c149de40cab&node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#ap2.1.200_1521.v

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(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

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):

1) 2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and System of Award Management

2) 2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr25_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl

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

4) 2 CFR Part 180 & 2 CFR Part 1400, Government-wide Debarment and

Suspension (Non-procurement)

4) 2 CFR Part 182 & 2 CFR Part 1401, Requirements for Drug-Free

Workplace (Financial Assistance)

5) 43 CFR 18, New Restrictions on Lobbying: Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR

Part 18, Appendix A, Certification Regarding Lobbying.

6) 41 USC §4712, Pilot Program for Enhancement of Recipient and Sub-recipient Employee Whistleblower Protection: This requirement applies to all awards issued after July 1, 2013 and shall be in effect until January 1, 2017.

7) 41 USC §6306, Prohibition on Members of Congress Making Contracts with Federal Government: No member of or delegate to the United States

Congress or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of this award, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom; this provision shall not be construed to extend to an award made to a corporation for the public’s general benefit.

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

9) Executive Order 13043 , Increase Seat Belt Use in the United States

Recipients of grants/cooperative agreements and/or sub-awards are encouraged to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt use policies and programs for their employees when operating company-owned, rented, or personally owned vehicles. These measures include, but are not limited to, conducting education, awareness, and other appropriate programs for their employees about the importance of wearing seat belts and the consequences of not wearing them.

10) Executive Order 13658, Minimum Wage for Contractors, seeks to increase the efficiency and cost savings in the work performed by parties who contract with the Federal Government by increasing the hourly minimum wage paid by those contractors and any subcontractors. (see 79 CFR

9851).

11) Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used.

Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOI's reputation and ability to uphold the public's trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific

Integrity Policy posted to http://www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr175_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1e0f4f32a5a2f6136b4784be8f96f343&mc=true&node=pt2.1.180&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74f91e8c85c28667e39572636b821d9a&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterXIV.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c5dcdf6111fd65fdf6b38e2d59a93b6a&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b7542f5c74f31abe396769b00c9b6701&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterXIV.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title43/43cfr18_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=3c84a6bc95b634bb2fbe00af8b34d364&rgn=div9&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.18.6.124.3.9&idno=43 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=3c84a6bc95b634bb2fbe00af8b34d364&rgn=div9&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.18.6.124.3.9&idno=43 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=3c84a6bc95b634bb2fbe00af8b34d364&rgn=div9&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.18.6.124.3.9&idno=43 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2012-title41/pdf/USCODE-2012-title41-subtitleI-divsnC-chap47-sec4712.pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title41/html/USCODE-2011-title41-subtitleII-chap63-sec6306.htm http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Federal-Leadership-on-Reducing-Text-Messaging-while-Driving/ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-1997-04-21/pdf/WCPD-1997-04-21-Pg530.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/13658 https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/13658 http://www.doi.gov/

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URL: https://www.doi.gov/scientificintegrity.

12) Prohibition on Issuing Financial Assistance Awards to Entities that

Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements

Section 743 of Division E, Title VII of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available under that or any other Act for grants or cooperative agreements to an entity that requires employees or contractors of such entity 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 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 https://www.doi.gov/scientificintegrity http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap

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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. 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) 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 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).

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

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

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

(a) OPM Standard Form 85 or 85P

(b) OF 306

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

(d) Release to Obtain Credit Information

(e) PIV card application (web-based)

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

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

5) During performance of the grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will keep the Program Officer apprised of changes in personnel to ensure that performance is not delayed by compliance with credentialing processes.

Cards that have been lost, damaged, or stolen must be reported to the

Program Officer, Grants Management Officer, and Issuing Office within

24 hours. Replacement will be at the recipient’s expense. If reissuance of expired credentials is needed, it will be coordinated through the Program

Officer.

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

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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…