L21AS00437 Full Announcement.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

BLMHQ - BLM Headquarters

L21AS00437

05/28/2021

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

B6. Additional Funding Information

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration Contact

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description A1. Authority 16 U.S. Code CHAPTER 30, Section §1336-Cooperative Agreements—WILD HORSES AND

BURROS: PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL

43 U.S. Code § 1737(b) Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.229

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across ten western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for multiple uses. The Wild Horse and Burro Program's goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands. The BLM created the Wild Horse and Burro Program to implement the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, passed by Congress in 1971. Broadly, the law declares wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and stipulates that the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have the responsibility to manage and protect herds in their respective jurisdictions within areas where wild horses and burros were found roaming in 1971.

The Wild Horse and Burro Program consists of two main branches: (1) on-range management of wild horses and burros, and (2) off-range management and care of wild horses and burros. The goal of the on-range program is to manage for viable physically and behaviorally healthy wild horse and burro populations and to maintain a thriving natural ecological balance with other resources and land uses. The off-range management goal is to ensure the health and welfare of wild horses and burros that were removed from public lands while under BLM care, to place animals into private care through adoptions, sales and transfers, and to build partnerships and relationships with external organizations. Communications, outreach, and education are priorities of both branches.

To maintain wild horses and burros in good condition and protect the health of our public lands, the BLM must manage the population growth of wild horse and burro herds. Without natural population controls, such as predation, herds can increase at a rate of 20 percent annually, doubling in size every four to five years, if not appropriately managed. Population control must be implemented to protect scarce and fragile resources in the arid west and ensure healthy animals.

To protect the health of the land and to support healthy horses and burros, the BLM works to achieve in each Herd Management Area (HMA) what is known as the Appropriate Management Level (AML) – the point at which wild horse and burro populations are consistent with the land’s https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/chapter-30 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/chapter-30 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/43/1737#b capacity to support them and other mandated uses of those lands, including protecting ecological processes and habitat for wildlife and livestock.

The AML for each HMA typically ranges from a minimum population level to a maximum population level to allow for population growth. The BLM establishes an AML through the evaluation and analysis of rangeland resource and population data spanning several years, including data relating to vegetation and soil types, weather, and water quality. The AML for each HMA is set in an open, public process through field office planning efforts.

To carry out this mission, the BLM suppresses herd growth through the application of fertility control measures and reduces population sizes through the periodic removals of excess animals.

As part of its efforts to manage the population growth of wild horses on public rangelands, the BLM has supported the development of effective contraceptive agents for wild horses since 1978.

The BLM is providing an opportunity to work with partners and in close collaboration with states, tribes, other federal agencies, and other organizations in the two main categories of management within the Program: On-Range Activities and Off-Range Activities. The On-Range Activities focus on maintaining AMLs in wild horse HMAs and moving towards attaining a thriving natural ecological balance on BLM managed rangelands under a shared conservation stewardship approach, including field application of fertility control, monitoring land health, and/or work related to habitat resiliency. The Off-Range Activities include training, private care events (adoptions/sales), and/or educational/outreach events. Proposals are required to select from one of the two categories and identify under that category at least one activity. NOTE:

This does not include long-term care for wild horses and burros in corrals and pastures. This also does not include research activities related to wild horses and burros.

The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program has an opportunity to work with partner organizations to assist with the following:

Category A: Off-Range Activities

Coordinate wild horse and burro - related environmental education to expand public understanding of the BLM’s role in maintaining and enhancing viable populations of wild horses and burros and their habitat and encouraging private care placement of animals through adoptions and sales.

Coordinate educational and outreach efforts to promote public awareness of the unique qualities, trainability, and pride of owning wild horses or burros.

Establish and conduct programs to care for, train and facilitate the placement of wild horses and burros into private care and, in so doing, promote public understanding and support for the Program’s core mission of managing wild horses and burros on public lands in a balanced and ecologically sustainable way.

Category B: On-Range Activities

Provide support to coordinate, integrate, and focus financial and in-kind investments in the management of wild horse and burro populations and natural resources impacted by these herds in an effort to achieve or maintain a thriving natural ecological balance.

Provide Support for working with partners to promote multiple use on public lands which lead to collaborative efforts to manage wild horse and burro populations on public lands.

Provide Support for implementing authorized gathers and conducting projects in all wild horse and burro herd management areas and striving to be within Appropriate Management Levels.

Provide Support for working with local partners in an effort to meet the wild horse and burro goals identified in resource management plans and other planning and conservation documents.

Through implementation of collaborative efforts with state and local partners and organizations critical to addressing challenges to habitat conservation on sage grouse and other critical habitats. Work to promote habitat resiliency and connectivity, which is often conducted in cooperation with industry stakeholders, states, and other partners, will also be directed to highest priority areas where partners are available to leverage and increase capacity.

Collaborate with state, federal, and non-government organization partners to leverage technical expertise and financial resources (cost share) to effectively obtain a thriving natural ecological balance in wild horse and burro herd management areas.

Increase the percentage of HMAs meeting or exceeding established objectives in Resource Management Plans or other conservation plans.

Develop and share science-based strategies through workshops, meetings, and work groups and conduct essential conservation and restoration actions as it relates to climate change in maintaining sustainable healthy biological communities in herd management areas.

Identify, conserve, and restore priority habitats including riparian areas so that they include native plants and are resilient to environmental stressors, such as drought, wildland fire, other unusual weather events, and insects/disease that impact HMAs

Develop decision support tools and information to enhance wild horse and burro management (in collaboration with all land management entities that need regardless of jurisdictional boundaries).

Coordinate wild horse and burro - related environmental education to expand public understanding of the BLM’s role in maintaining and enhancing viable populations of wild horses and burros and their habitat.

Program Expected Outcomes

Proposals should support one or more of the goals of this program through:

Category A: Off-Range Activities

Coordinated educational and outreach efforts that promotes public awareness of the unique qualities, trainability, and pride of owning wild horses or burros.

Creation and implementation of programs to care for, train and facilitate the placement of wild horses and burros into private care and, in so doing, promote public understanding and support for the Program’s core mission of managing wild horses and burros on public lands in a balanced and ecologically sustainable way.

Monitoring efforts support that ensures compliance with agency requirements in the areas of off-range holding and private care placement.

Category B: On-Range Activities

Assessments of wild horse and burro populations and habitats and verifying the achievement of resource management goals and objectives;

Increased monitoring data through providing complete, current, and accurate information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat of wild horses and burros that depend on BLM-managed public lands to increase professional and public knowledge and understanding of these resources; and/or

A thriving natural ecological balance and stewardship of public lands in wild horse and burro HMAs through:

o Monitoring data and inventories wild horse and burro populations and habitats, including vegetative monitoring that would focus on utilization, ground cover, plant composition and overall rangeland health.

o Data and other information to assess threats to wild horse and burro populations dependent on BLM public lands;

o Improvements to how BLM uses and integrates herd management data and new research into its decision-making processes;

o Fertility control applications to wild horses and other associated requirements for application including coordination with BLM, record keeping, and reductions in herd growth from application of fertility control; and/or o Increased public awareness of the impacts wild horses and burros have on BLM managed public lands habitats.

BLM may be responsible for the following, if applicable to proposed projects:

Supplying fertility control agent (vaccination, drug, etc.).

Fertility control agent conveyance mechanism (i.e., darts, jabsticks, etc.). This may or may not include dart guns.

Identification and marking of treated animals.

Complete required NEPA documents.

Provide law enforcement support to assure safe operations of project.

Provide required training including Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP), fertility control application techniques, compliance, etc.

Transportation of animals for project.

Veterinary care for animals.

Other inputs as required to advance project objectives.

Recipient may be responsible for the following, if applicable to a proposed project:

Temporary facility to care for animals which may include water, pasture and/or supplemental feeding for projects related to fertility control applications, adoption/sale events and training of wild horses and burros.

Labor to construct temporary facility for holding animals.

Transportation to and from project area while performing project duties.

Other inputs as required to advance project objectives.

This program continues to advance the Department of Interior's priorities to address the climate crisis, restore balance on public lands and waters, advance environmental justice, and invest in a clean energy future.

All proposed projects submitted under this funding opportunity must state a benefit to the public.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 500,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 100,000 Minimum Award $ 1,000

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates Projects funded through this NOFO will start once funding is secured and awards issued.

Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO).

Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and three years and are determined based on the period of performance as stated on the project proposal.

B4. Number of Awards Anticipated Number of Awards The actual number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. Awards will be based out of district or field offices where the project occur.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement Award cannot be finalized, until awardee completes their enrollment in the Department of the Treasury, ASAP System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap.

http://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap

If your organization is not enrolled in ASAP, contact the GMO in Section G2. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts of this funding opportunity.

The recipient should expect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement may include, but not be limited to, such things as:

Joint collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work.

Training of recipient personnel.

Review and approval by the BLM of one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage.

Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or sub-awards prior to their award.

Participation in selecting recipient project staff.

Directing or redirecting of recipient work by the BLM because of relationships to other projects.

Ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in the proposed work.

B6. Additional Funding Information Funding for projects is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds. Evaluation of proposals is based on the criterion in this NOFO. 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 competitive NOFO is not a guarantee of future funding.

When or if additional funding becomes available, BLM reserves the right to issue additional awards under this NOFO through the next fiscal year. These awards will not require further competition. Any additional selections will be made in accordance with the terms of this NOFO and BLM policy. Only Grants Management Officers can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 01 – County governments 02 – City or township governments 04 – Special district governments 05 – Independent school districts 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 12 – Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 13 – Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 20 – Private institutions of higher education 11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 08 – Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 21 – Individuals Additional Information on Eligibility For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to “hire” interns. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching

C3. Other The following program legislation authorities, BLM handbooks, and policy manuals that may be applicable to projects awarded for this program:

1. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, Public Law 92-195, as amended

2. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – BLM Handbook 1790-1

3. H-4180-1, Rangeland Health Standards BLM Handbook

4. Wild Free-Roaming Wild Horses and Burros Management BLM Manual 4700

5. Management Considerations Relating to Wild Free-Roaming Wild Horses and Burros

BLM Manual 4710

6. H-4700-1, Wild Horses and Burros Management BLM Handbook

7. H-4740-1, Wild Horse and Burro Program Aviation Management BLM Handbook

8. H-4750-2, Adoption of Wild Horses and Burros BLM Handbook

9. H-4760-1, Conducting Compliance Checks for BLM's Wild Horses and Burro Adoption

Program BLM Handbook

10. Executive Order 14005: Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of

America’s Workers, which calls on federal agencies to ensure that terms and conditions of financial assistance awards maximize the use of goods, products, materials and services produced or offered in the United States.

Excluded Parties: BLM conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting Patricia Glass, pglass@blm.gov, 801-539-4194.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

DO NOT MERGE INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTS INTO A SINGLE PDF FILE

1. Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

2. SF-424(A or C), Budget Information

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. BLM does not normally fund construction projects, so contact the BLM program expert prior to submitting your project. All required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

3. SF 424(B & D), Assurances

NOTE: In accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memo, M-18-24, dated September 5, 2018, these forms are optional through January 1, 2020. At this time, your assurances statements will be maintained in your SAM registrations.

4. Project Proposal http://www.Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

(Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template may be used when submitting your proposal.) The project proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a typeface 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).

Application narrative requirements may include:

Project title Statement of need Goals and objectives Public and program interest of the BLM Activities Methods Timetable or milestones Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. (NOTE:

Projects under wildlife management, the native plant program, threatened and endangered species habitat conservation - the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973)

Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including how you will measure project performance and assessment tools to be used Information on key project personnel Anticipated future funding needs Details and supporting documentation on the project location Other program or project-specific narrative requirements

All proposals are confidential.

5. Budget Detail and Narrative (Attachment B- Suggested Format)

Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications (see BLM’s 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.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9557df1830f0558e853e91c94dd8a3ff&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1407&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

If your proposal period of performance is for multi-year or multiple year funding, you must provide a budget and budget justification for the full amount of the project. Show each year in a separate column on the SF-424A and use a separate column for listing any matching funds. Applicants must 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.

NOTE: Budget Detail and Narrative form (Attachment B) is a suggested format to present the breakdown of your estimated costs, by category, needed to accomplish project activities. If you elect to use a different format, all information requested on Attachment B must be included. Estimated costs must be documented in sufficient detail to determine reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed.

Additionally, for multi-year budgets, please describe in your budget detail justification any items to be purchased or expended that may be specific to a particular year of the proposed project.

Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detailed breakdown of how the cost were determined. Profit or fees are not allowable.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per theFinancial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

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(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities”form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the Bureau of Land Management in this application, we will immediately notify the Bureau of Land Management point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

D4. Submission Dates and Times BLM requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt.

mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com

Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

Due Date for Applications 05/28/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates.

Open from April 13, 2021 through May 28, 2021

Applications must be submitted in English.

Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions Any partners submitting a construction, reconstruction, repair, or restoration of paved or permanent roads or parking area projects under the Good Neighbor Authority - 16 USC §2113a

(b) (1) (A) are not allowed under this program.

Any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners submitting a project is subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap (currently 17.5%).

The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services must have prior written approval from the BLM to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. 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.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted or does not have a current indirect cost rate proposal from our cognizant agency. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify BLM in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by BLM.

A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”, which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of 17.5%. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per 2 CFR §1402.414.

If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from BLM to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that BLM approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=301d2113ecd423372a0181d3002e13a1&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1414&rgn=div8 base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

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

D7. Other Submission Requirements BLM requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt.

Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria Merit Review Criteria Maximum Points: 0 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 below evaluation criteria.

Evaluation teams are made up of two or more qualified personnel familiar with the program and certified to have no conflict of interest with any persons or organizations applying for award.

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

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 NOFO and which are determined to be outside the scope of the authority under which this NOFO is posted.

Project must assist BLM in meeting one or more of the Department of Interior priorities, as well as one of the following priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration:

Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which directs the Department and other federal agencies to prioritize efforts to reduce climate pollution; support climate resilience; support land conservation and biodiversity efforts, including the 30 by 30 initiative; maximize clean energy development and deployment; and leverage partnerships with youth and service corps to create conservation and resilience jobs in support of the Civilian https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities

Climate Corps initiative.

Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, which affirms the Department’s responsibility to advance equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity through its policies and procedures and directs federal agencies to allocate resources in a manner that helps address historic inequities to underserved communities and individuals, as defined by the order.

Executive Order 14002: Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which directs federal agencies to allocate resources in a manner to address the current economic crisis resulting from the pandemic.

Executive Order 14005: Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, which calls on federal agencies to ensure that terms and conditions of financial assistance awards maximize the use of goods, products, materials and services produced or offered in the United States.

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

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

Submission is timely;

Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; and Complete and properly executed required application package documents are included.

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

Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation will be reviewed and ranked by Categories A and B

Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated on strengths or weaknesses for each merit review criterion and rated “Exceeds” “Meets” or “Does not meet” expectations with highest importance on (NOTE:

choose one of the following that your state will rank highest) Statement of Need, Technical Approach, Public Benefit, Qualifications/Past Performance.

Each of these ratings is defined as follows:

Exceeds – The application exceeds the criteria factors without any deficiencies. To justify an “exceeds” rating, identify one or more ways in which the applicant exceeded the criteria.

Meets – The application meets criteria factors with few, or only minor, deficiencies. To justify a “meets” rating, identify that the criteria have been met without out any significant deficiencies Does not meet – The application does not meet the criteria factors, or there are significant deficiencies identified. To justify “does not meet” rating, annotate which criteria were not met, or what significant deficiencies were identified resulting in an unsatisfactory rating.

Reviewers are responsible for providing a copy of their completed and signed merit review document to the GMO. Note: All documents which contain review notes shall also be submitted to the GMO for the official file of record.

APPLICANT STATEMENT OF NEED

The degree to which the applicant adequately demonstrates valuable and preferred:

Proposals contain clear, measurable objectives for the project.

Methodology that is adequately developed and justified to demonstrate a favorable probability of achieving the objectives.

An approach that introduces innovative concepts or methods.

Recognition of significant potential problems, and alternative strategies.

Clearly demonstrates meeting one or more DOI priorities.

APPLICANT TECHNICAL APPROACH

The degree to which the applicant adequately demonstrates:

Describe how your proposal will maintain/improve wild horse or burro habitat.

Describe how your proposal will benefit public land natural resources and wildlife habitat.

Describe how your proposal will meet Herd Management Area Objectives.

Describe your plan to maintain wild horse or burro populations within Appropriate

Management Levels.

Detail the techniques, processes, and methodologies used to maintain wild horse or burro populations.

Describe the tasks that will be performed to meet the population project objectives.

Describe how you will collect and analyze data results of population management projects.

How will you determine the successful accomplishment of population management project goals.

Describe long-term expected outcomes of a population management project, An approach that encourages the development of the general public and enhances their ability to manage resources efficiently.

A proposal that demonstrates effective partnerships to share resources and expertise.

Describe how proposal would improve public education of wild horses and burros.

Describe how proposal would increase placement of wild horses and burros into private care including public outreach, education, training, etc.

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND PROGRAM INTEREST OF THE BLM

The degree to which the applicant adequately demonstrates:

Projects that engage non-Federal entities, partners, communities, and/or visitors in shared environmental stewardship.

Projects that promote greater public and private participation in Wild Horse and Burro programs and activities.

Projects in which the BLM receive the indirect benefit of conservation activities.

Projects that expand knowledge of natural and wild horse and burro resources.

Project activities advance an understanding within its own field or across different fields;

and benefit public or advance desired outcomes (broader impacts) Projects in which the BLM receive the indirect benefit of conservation activities.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/PAST PERFORMANCE

The degree to which the applicant adequately…