Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Funding Opportunity

FY26 Bureau of Land Management Eastern Nevada Conservation, Recreation and Development

- NEVADA BLM

Funding Opportunity Number

L26AS00091

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: L26AS00091

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.017

Estimated Total Program Funding: $750,000

Expected Number of Awards: 5

Award Ceiling: $250,000

Award Floor: $30,000

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov. Applications received after 5:00 p.m., ET on August 14, 2026 will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected via merit review committee.

Open from June 12, 2026 through August 14, 2026.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

Have Questions?

Applicants are also encouraged to contact the Grants Management Officer, Tamera Freeman, at tamera_freeman@ios.doi.gov or Melanie Peterson, Special Legislation Program Manager at m1peters@blm.gov with questions.

All projects must be in Lincoln County, Nevada.

Executive Summary The goal is to find, study, protect, and manage archaeological resources in Lincoln County, Nevada. All work should follow U.S. Department of the Interior priorities and support Eastern Nevada’s conservation and development goals.

Project Objectives

Each project should meet one or more of these objectives:

• Protect archaeological sites where they are found.

• Care for archaeological collections and records.

• Use and share research results in clear ways.

• Increase public outreach and involvement in archeology.

• Balance current land use with future needs by:

o Protecting archaeological resources for the future.

o Restoring damaged watersheds to safeguard sites.

• Support science and culture by managing archaeological resources responsibly.

Lincoln County Archeology Initiative projects must follow the rules in the Lincoln County Land Act, which uses the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (Public Law 96-95) definition of archaeological resources. This means that only proposals about things at least 100 years old can get funding. Anything newer than that will not be funded.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Special district governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. 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 under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• Preserve and Protect Archaeological Sites in Place.

• Conserve Archaeological Collections and Records.

• Utilize, Share, and Interpret Archaeological Research Results

• Increase Outreach and Participation in Public Archeology.

• Support Current Demand for Administrative, Commercial, and Recreational Use of Public Lands, Conserve Public Archeological Resources for Future Use, and Restore Damaged Watersheds for Archeological Protection.

• Support scientific and humanistic use of archaeological resources through inventory, evaluation, protection, and management.

Program Description Certified Local Governments are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (Freedom250). This may include, but is not limited to, preservation planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

Each proposal must identify which Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative priorities it addresses. It is strongly recommended that applicants review the details for each priority. The priorities document is located at Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative - Round 15 Information and Project Eligibility Requirements | Bureau of Land Management.

LCAI Priorities

Priority 1: Developing Science-Based Methods: The Use of Innovative Technology and Techniques in the Preservation and Interpretation of Archaeological Resources

A) Technology, Techniques, and/or Research with the Field of Archaeology

B) Technology, Techniques, and/or Research new to the Field of Archaeology

Priority 2: The Development and Implementation of Public Outreach and Educational Projects for Archaeological Resources within Lincoln County, Nevada

A) Develop Interpretive Materials

B) Distribution of Interpretive or Scientific Information regarding Lincoln County Archaeological Resources

C) Archaeological Resource Protection Through Public Engagement

D) Develop and/or Implement an Interpretive Site Plan

Priority 3: Development and Application of Historic Contexts of Archaeological Resources

Priority 4: Archaeological Identification and Evaluation Research

The following program legislation authority, BLM Manuals, etc. are applicable to this program:

1. Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-298)

2. Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 (Public

Law 108-424)

3. White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006 (Public

Law 109-432)

4. BLM Manual 8270: Guidelines for managing paleontological resources.

5. National Park Service (2017): Standards for treating historic properties set by the

Secretary of the Interior.

6. National Register Bulletin: Guidance on how to apply criteria for evaluating historic places.

7. National Register Bulletins 21 & 22: Instructions for defining boundaries of properties on the National Register.

8. BLM Manual 8140: Guidelines for protecting cultural resources.

9. Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-95): Funds for these projects can only be used for the inventory, evaluation, protection, and management of archaeological resources, which are defined as material remains of past human activity that are at least 100 years old. The program aims to balance projects focused on inventory, evaluation, protection, and management.

10. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665): A law to protect historic properties.

11. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (Public Law 91-90): Guidelines for environmental assessments as per BLM Handbook 1790-1.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Legislative Authority Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through CA (Cooperative Agreement).

Recipient should expect the Federal agency 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.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at:

https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order.

By applying in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable Executive Orders and Secretary’s Orders, including but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s Order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs Required for non-construction projects

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Current and Pending (Other) Support Note: This form is available on the DOI website. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Biographical Sketch Note: This form is available on the DOI website. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

Project Narrative Project Title: Must name the State where project is located in the Grant.gov title.

(Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template, in the “related documents” tab on grants.gov, 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) or DOI Research and Development related attachments.

Application narrative requirements may include:

• Project title

• Statement of need

• Goals and objectives

• Public benefit and program interest of the BLM

• Technical approach

• Timetable or milestones

• Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. (NOTE: Projects under aquatic and 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.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

This program has a mandated cap on indirect costs or approved rate deviation.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated CESU Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicants should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so, which CESU Network should be considered as host.

Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

Refer to Budget Detail and Narrative, Attachment B in the “related documents” tab on grants.gov as a suggested format.

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Other Required Information Other documentation may include curriculum vitae or other biographical information for key personnel, project location maps, any documentation to support an eligibility determination (e.g., proof of certain tax status, authorizing tribal resolution), third-party references, letters of support, or letters of cost sharing or other commitments to the project, independent audit report, or negotiated indirect cost rate letter.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Contact Tamera Freeman at tamera_freeman@ios.doi.gov for any additional questions.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 08/14/2026

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov. Applications received after 5:00 p.m., ET on August 14, 2026 will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected via merit review committee.

Open from June 12, 2026 through August 14, 2026.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether:

(1) the applicant is eligible for an award;

(2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted;

(3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied;

(4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination); and

(5) the proposed project is in compliance with all applicable executive and secretary orders, including the President's executive order on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the executive order and Secretary order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.

If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered nonresponsive and eliminated from further review.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review 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 the highest importance on Technical Approach and Leveraging Resources.

Each of these ratings is defined as follows:

Exceeds – The proposal exceeds the criteria factors without any deficiencies. Meets – The proposal meets criteria factors with few, or only minor, deficiencies.

Does not meet – The proposal does not meet the criteria factors, or there are significant deficiencies identified.

APPLICANT STATEMENT OF NEED

• Mission and objectives, including achievable project goals and how they relate to Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative (LCAI) Priorities

• Identifies the LCAI Priority for the project

• Objectives of the project

• DOI priorities met

• Project location in Lincoln County, Nevada

APPLICANT TECHNICAL APPROACH

• Provides a clear description of the project, clearly identify all tasks and include a realistic timeline.

• Demonstrates that it will meet archaeological resource goals of the Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative. The goals are:

o Preserve, protect, monitor, restore, maintain, and/or enhance archaeological resources in place for the public, conservation, scientific, or traditional uses which will result in improved resource management practices.

o Conserve through inventory, evaluation, protection monitoring, and restoration archaeological collections and records.

o Complements and supports existing plans of the agency to which the proposal applies such as land use and resource management plans.

• Provides a strong response to the LCAI priority(ies). The proposal outlines research and/or work plan for the archaeological resource(s) that have been targeted under one of the priorities.

• Identifies:

o Purpose and historic context of the project, o Methodology, o Reporting and other products describing results, o Work schedule or timeline, and o Detailed description of tasks.

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND PROGRAM INTEREST OF THE BLM

Meets the Public Outreach and Participation in Archaeology Goals of the Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative. The proposal demonstrates that it will meet public outreach and participation in archaeology goals of the Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative.

The goals are:

• Utilize, share, and interpret the results of archaeological research with academia, management, tribes and the public.

• Increase public outreach and participation in archeology.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/PAST PERFORMANCE

Key personnel with archaeological qualifications. Key Personnel should include the proposed Principal Investigator and Field Supervisors and identify if they currently hold a Cultural Resources Use Permit, issued by the BLM NV State Office, or show they have the qualifications to obtain the permit if selected.

• Indicates if the project proposed is being built on a previously funded LCAI project.

• Previous studies performed, including inventory, excavation, intensive recordation or evaluation and collections-based studies.

• Previous engagements or partnerships with tribal communities, tribal governments and programs.

• Previous experience in preservation of existing collections at federally recognized curation facilities and in compliance with 36 CFR 79 requirements BLM permits currently or previously held.

• Unique qualifications.

• Qualifications of any contractors, subrecipients, and/or consultants

• A list of federally funded assistance agreements or contracts that your organization performed within the last 3 years (no more than 5, and preferably with the BLM).

• Describe similar successful projects completed in the past and any unique qualifications your organization may possess (e.g. continuation of an existing project).

• Applicants without recent or relevant references shall submit a statement to such effect in order to be considered as having a 'neutral' Past Performance .

LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES (Voluntary Cost Share)

A proposal should clearly demonstrate how partnerships contribute to the effective sharing of resources and expertise. Although cost sharing is not required by the program authority, it may be considered a significant factor during the application review process. If cost share is included, applicants must specify the amount, source, and type of contribution (cash or in-kind) and ensure that all contributions are allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with 2 CFR 200.306.

Review and Selection Process This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

BUDGET REVIEW IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

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

• Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost.

• Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project.

• Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from Federal sources.

COST SHARE COMMITMENT CLAUSE (PER 2 CFR § 200.306)

The proposed cost share shall be evaluated as part of the application review process, in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.306 and any applicable program-specific requirements. Upon finalization of the budget and issuance of the Federal award, the cost share amount becomes a binding commitment by the recipient.

The recipient shall ensure that all cost share contributions:

• Are verifiable in the recipient’s records;

• Are not used to meet cost sharing requirements of any other Federal award;

• Are necessary and reasonable for achieving the objectives of the Federal award;

• Are allowable under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E (Cost Principles);

• Are not funded by the Federal Government under another award unless specifically authorized;

• Are included in the approved budget when required by the awarding agency;

• Conform to all other applicable provisions of 2 CFR Part 200.

FINAL REVIEW OF SELECTED APPLICANTS:

Final review will be made by management to determine if the selected proposed project(s) are in line with DOI and BLM current priorities. This process may take a few months to finalize.

Risk Review Prior to making an award, the applicant will be assessed for their level of risk per 2 CFR

200.206. This assessment includes the applicant's financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past award performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential for challenges. If an award will be made, special conditions may be applied to the award corresponding to the assessed risk. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $350,000), a review of the applicant's eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant's SAM.gov records will also be performed per 2 CFR 200.206.

Prior to award, the BLM will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.206. BLM programs document applicant risk evaluations using the DOI “Financial

Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards, the BLM is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The BLM will consider this information when completing the risk review. The BLM uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

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.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. If the program allows pre-award costs per 2 CFR 200.458, beginning performance before receiving a Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Anticipated Project Start Date: 12/31/2026

Anticipated Project End Date: 12/30/2031

Proposals will have a start date in FY2027 and a maximum end date of 09/30/2032.

Prior to issuing an award, selected recipient organizations will be required to obtain an account with the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP.gov) system for BLM awards. In addition, the Administrative Official/Authorized Representative and Project Director/Principal Investigator for recipient organizations will be required to establish GrantSolutions (grantsolutions.gov) accounts to access award documents and submit reporting.

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI General Terms and Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

BLM Standard Terms and Conditions See the Award Term - Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials

Geospatial Data

If you receive financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata. Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

Reporting The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e),

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2 CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per

Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) and 2 CFR 170 requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation, and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts and consortiums equal to or over $30,000 to SAM.gov.

Other Information