M22AS00286_Full Announcement.pdf

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BOEM - Acquisition and Financial Assistance

M22AS00286

06/23/2022

Table of Contents

A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Dates

B4. Period of Performance

B5. Numbers of Awards

B6. Type of Award

B7. Other Federal 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

D8. Application Checklist

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)

G2. Administrative/Budget Questions Program Office Contact

G3. Grants Staff Contact

G4. Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) at 43 U.S.C. § 1346; Use of Cooperative

Agreements authority (43 U.S.C. § 1457b).

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

While the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) has established an- active offshore conventional energy industry, no offshore renewable infrastructure yet exists in the region. However, interest in offshore wind is growing in the GOM. For example, Louisiana’s governor requested that BOEM establish a renewable energy task force for the development of offshore wind in Federal GOM waters. Two studies published in 2020 determined that offshore wind has promising resource potential in offshore areas of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. During spring and fall migration, significant numbers of birds migrate offshore at night in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

These diverse populations may lethally interact with offshore wind energy infrastructure.

The study will develop an initial analytical pipeline using NOAA’s Next Generation Weather

Radar (NEXRAD; WSR-88D) imagery at locations nearest to the coast and for locations with heavy migratory bird traffic rates. The objectives of this study are to:

1. Estimate vertical profiles of bird migration to characterize bird density, speed, direction, altitude, and phenology for two (2) radar stations, one in Texas (KHGX) and one in the

Northeast US (KOKX in NY) for the full extent of WSR-88D archival duration.

2. Create spatial maps of bird migration to characterize bird density, speed, direction, altitude, and phenology for two (2) radar stations for the full extent of WSR-88D archival duration.

a. Employ correction to differentiate overwater and terrestrial areas

3. Employ correction techniques to account for the decreasing overlap between the radar beam and the layer of migratory birds.

4. For these sites

a. Employ correction layer to quantify migration traffic over water

b. Estimate how many birds migrate over water.

c. Create forecasts for how many, when, where birds are over water by modifying existing

BirdCast forecast model

5. Apply this suite of activities to 20-25 stations that sample over water in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean regions.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

15.423

Authorization Legislation

A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding

$200,000

The total amount of federal funds available is anticipated to be $200,000.

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award Amount

$200,000

Minimum Award Amount

$200,000

B3. Anticipated Dates

Award Start Date

August 01, 2022

B4. Period of Performance

Length of Project Periods

24-month project period with two 12-month budget periods

Length of Project Period Explanation of Other

Project Period l Expectation Duration in Months

B5. Numbers of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

B6. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type

CA - Cooperative Agreement

The award will be a cooperative agreement (see Eligibility Information below). This involves substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct.

B7. Other Federal Information

Type of Competition

Open to All Eligible Applicants

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

Single Source Cooperative Agreement with Cornell University, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology through the The North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (NAC - CESU)

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing/Matching Requirement

No

Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

C3. Other

Excluded Parties:

BOEM 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

The application must be submitted through the www.Grants.gov portal. The applicant can locate the application package by visiting the Grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number

15.423 or the number of this announcement in the Grants.gov search engine. See sections D3 and

D7 for more information on the application process.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424a Budget Information

SF-424b Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

Project Narrative Form (including Proposal Cover Sheet described below)

Budget Narrative Form

GG Certification Regarding Lobbying Form

(Complete the Optional SF-LLL Lobbying form only if lobbying has occurred)

Project Summary

The proposal must be in 11-12 point Times New Roman, Arial, or similar font with 1" page margins. Non-conforming proposals will not be considered. Text, figures, etc. in support of items a-i below should be no longer than 15 pages.

Project Narrative

The Project Narrative should include the Proposal Cover Sheet and Proposal Text:

1. Proposal Cover Sheet

The cover sheet of the proposal shall contain the following information:

a. Project Title:

b. Principle Investigator(s):

i. Name:

ii. Address:

iii. Phone:

iv. Email:

c. Name of State or University/Department:

d. Contact Information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations:

e. Project Status: New/Continuation

f. Project Duration: (years or months)

g. Proposed Start Date:

h. Proposed Draft Final Report Submission Date:

i. Proposed Completion Date:

j. Amount Requested From BOEM:

k. Amount and Sources of Non-Federal Match (if applicable):

l. Total Project Cost:

m. Signature, Name, and Contact Information of State or University PI and Co-Investigator:

n. Proposal Endorsement, including Signature, Name, Contact Information of Sponsoring

University

Department Dean or Institute Director:

o. Signature, Name and Contact Information of Sponsoring University's Office of

SponsoredPrograms.

2. Proposal Text

Please include the following in the Proposal:

a. Abstract

b. Background/Relevance to BOEM Issues, Information Needs, and Research Topics: Give a brief introduction to the research proposed. Explain why the work is important and how the proposal addresses BOEM goals. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work you have completed in this area.

c. Objectives/Hypotheses: Clearly define goals of the project.

d. Methods/Analyses: Provide a clear description of planned research methodologies and analyses.

e. Project Deliverables and Planned Products: Applicant shall provide plans for executing the project work listed in Section A2 above and the deliverables, including a rough timeline for these deliverables.

f. Project Management/Staffing Plan: All key personnel (including graduate student workers) shall be identified by name. List the University Principle Investigator first, followed by the names of other individuals. Indicate the role and anticipated level of effort for each key participant offering unique or specific contributions to the project (oceanographer, geochemist, field assistant, etc.). If names of any key participants are unknown, a proposal addendum with the names and curricula vitae must be submitted prior to award.

g. Performance Measures: Applicant shall suggest specific measures that will be used to monitor project progress, including progress of sub-awardees (e.g., quality and timely deliverables, timely completion of fieldwork or other project components, draft peer-reviewed articles). These performance measures will be incorporated in the cooperative agreement award and reviewed as part of any continuation request.

h. Critical Starting Dates (e.g., for season-limited field work): Identify any critical starting dates and the reason why project success is dependent upon that start date.

i. Publication and Presentation: BOEM strongly encourages the Awardee to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals, and present results to the scientific community, appropriate professional organizations, and local, State, and/or Federal agencies as part of the project. These publications and meetings should be included in the proposal and budget.

j. Bibliography: List all references cited in the text, as well as references that are relevant to the current proposal from your past work in the field.

k. Curricula Vitae (maximum two pages) for each identified key participant. Emphasize previous experience in the field of study that the proposal addresses.

l. Letters of Commitment: Provide signed letters of commitment by matching fund grantors, contractors, and sub-grantees.

SF 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other

Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) 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.

Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles per the

“DOI Standard Award Terms and Conditions”. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Budget Narrative/Detailed Spreadsheet

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.

Budget Justification Narrative

This information will provide more details than the SF-424a form and will provide adequate information for the Contracting Officer to conduct a detailed analysis of the costs to determine they are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Please include the following:

a. Salaries and Wages. List positions, and rate of compensation and estimated number of hours for employees.

b. Fringe Benefits/Labor Overhead. Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. Provide a copy of the negotiated rate agreement, if available.

c. Lab Analyses. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work.

d. Supplies. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item that represents a significant portion of the proposed amount. Provide a statement that supplies will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.318-326.

e. Equipment. Show the cost of all special-purpose equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. “Special-purpose equipment” means scientific equipment having a useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available. General-purpose equipment (used also for purposes other than this project) must be purchased from the applicant’s operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be vested solely with the recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient. Provide a statement that equipment will be purchased in accordance with 2

CFR 200.318-326 and managed in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313.

f. Services or Consultants. Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used.

List the contemplated sub-recipients by name (including consultants), the estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour. Sub-applicant proposals should provide cost breakdowns at the same level of detail as the Applicant’s proposal. If contract employees are hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles. Provide a statement that salaries will be charged at the actual rate and that the rate is comparable to others doing similar work within the organization.

g. Travel. State the purpose of the trip and itemize the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip. Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also be shown.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions

h. Publication Costs. Indicate an estimate of labor and other unique costs associated with preparation of the draft final report. If publication of results of the research in the peer-reviewed literature (identify likely publications) is anticipated, include costs of drafting or graphics, reproduction, page or illustration charges, and a minimum number of reprints.

i. Other Direct Costs. Itemize the different types of costs not included elsewhere.

j. Total Direct Charges. Sum of above items.

k. Indirect Charges (Overhead). Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant’s organization. If the Applicant has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. Provide a copy of the negotiated rate agreement with the applicant’s federal cognizant audit agency.

l. Amount Proposed. Sum of Total Direct Charges and Indirect Charges (Overhead).

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Per the Financial 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.

Please reference the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act for additional details.

(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.(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).

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1112&rgn=div8 https://www.doi.gov/pam/programs/acquisition/fair-activities-inventory-reform-act

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.

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 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 on the

“Packages” tab of 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 notified of their funding decision.

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 an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business 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 or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaces the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made 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 the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their

Federal award(s).

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “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. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal

Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities will be assigned a

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 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 made to the entity’s IRS information. There is no cost to register with SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Application Due Date

06/23/2022

Application Due Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT, on the listed application due date.

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.

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

D6. Funding Restrictions

Indirect Costs: Organizations

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.

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 an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we 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 [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against

[insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR

200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we 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 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 the Service 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 the Service.

• A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [“Program Title”], which has a Department of the Interior-approve indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. 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 the Financial

Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR) 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that 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

[insert Bureau Here] to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that [Insert Bureau Here] 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 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 the indirect costs are 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.

Prohibited Uses of Awards Funds

Reimbursement of Pre-Award Costs

D7. Other Submission Requirements

Please be aware that the electronic submission process requires first time users to register using an e- Authentication process. This registration process can be somewhat complex and can take up to 3 weeks to complete. Be advised that it is virtually impossible to begin the process of electronic submission for the first time if you start just a few days before the due date. If you are from a university, contact your Office of Sponsored Programs. They may already have completed the registration process and should work with you to submit the application.

If you have any questions or problems with the registration process, or the completion of the application package, please contact the grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Briefly, when you submit a grant application package to Grants.gov, you will receive a confirmation screen as well as three additional emails over two business days from Grants.gov informing you of your application processing status: 1. Confirmation screen

2. Submission Receipt (with “Track My Application” link) 3. Submission Validation (or

Rejection with Errors) 4. Agency Retrieval

CONFIRMATION: Submission Confirmation Screen.

After you submit your grant application package, a confirmation screen will appear on your computer screen. This screen confirms that you have submitted an application to Grants.gov.

NOTIFICATION 1: Submission Receipt Email Within two business days after your application package has been received by the Grants.gov system, you will receive a submission receipt email which indicates that your submission has entered the Grants.gov system and is ready for validation. This email also contains a tracking number for use while tracking the status of the submission as well as a “Track My Application” link, to use to see the progress of your submission.

NOTIFICATION 2: Submission Validation Receipt Email – This is the important one!

After you receive the submission receipt email, the next email you will receive will be a message validating or rejecting your submitted application package with errors. The Grants.gov system is designed to check for technical errors within the submitted application package. Grants.gov does not review application content for award determination. Grants.gov will not post the application if there are errors. Failure to correct errors and submit by the date and time for closing may not be a reason for accepting a late application.

NOTIFICATION 3: Grantor Agency Retrieval Email Once your application package has passed validation it is delivered to the grantor for award determination and further approval. After the grantor has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be sent a third and final email from

Grants.gov. The grantor may also assign your application package an agency specific tracking number for use within their internal system. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS E- MAIL

WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE, PLEASE CONTACT THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER.

If you need help entering your proposal, you can reach the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1-

800- 518- 4726. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern

Time, and they are closed on Federal Holidays.

During the application period an applicant may submit a revised or corrected proposal through grants.gov. Include a cover letter as the first page of the proposal stating that the proposal is revised and indicating that the previous submittal is to be withdrawn from consideration. See

Section 11, Application Preparation Instructions, which describes requirements for the proposal and other application components.

mailto:support@grants.gov

Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically through

Grants.gov and allow time for possible computer delays. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will NOT be considered for award. If the BOEM determines that a proposal will not be considered for award due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.

D8. Application Checklist

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

SF-424B or D, Assurances

Project Narrative

SF-424A or C, Budget Information

Budget Narrative

Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

Data Availability (when applicable)

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activites (when applicable)

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

Maximum Points: 100

Maximum Points: 100 Evaluation Criteria

All proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

a. Scientific Quality and Impact (20%): Quality and clarity of hypotheses and relevance to BOEM mission.

b. Work Plan/Methodology (20%): Is the strategy clear? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are the geographic areas selected for study appropriate? Are the methods and instruments selected for research appropriate? Does the proposal address contingency plans for missed field work, equipment failure, and other problems?

c. Planned Products and Dissemination of Results (20%): Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for understanding the seasonal migratory bird movement offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic in relation to proposed locations of wind energy development? Will the results be published in a peer-reviewed form?

d. Budget Justification and Clarity (20%): Are the requested staff and resources sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals? Are field expenses, supplies, lab work, and other expenses appropriate? Are expenses adequately itemized?

e. Experience/Competence of Research Personnel (20%): Have the applicants demonstrated (through bibliographic references, relevant education, experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the proposed research? Have the applicants demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget?

E2. Review and Selection Process

The proposal will be reviewed by BOEM scientists and program managers, and possibly external peer reviewers. Reviewers have expertise in Federal offshore programs and/or the specific scientific discipline of the proposal.

E3. CFR - Regulatory Information

Recent Administration executive orders are included in this Announcement as follows:

• 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

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. Each office or bureau is expected to ensure that its financial assistance policies and procedures fully align with this direction.

• 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.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Application is due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on the Application Due Date listed in Section D4. Award is anticipated by 08/01/2022.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by BOEM are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

The BOEM uses the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) financial assistance payment system, management by the United States Department of the Treasury, to provide electronic invoicing and payment for funds under this award. With the award of each cooperative agreement, an account will be set up from which the Recipient can draw down funds. Recipients must be registered in the ASAP system and must be linked to BOEM's Agency Location Code prior to award in order to make the funds available. Once an award decision has been made, if your organization has not received a financial assistance award from BOEM in the past, the

Financial Assistance/Contracting Officer will initiate the process in ASAP for your organization.

The Financial Assistance/Contracting Officer will need the name of your organization's ASAP contact in order to do this.

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

Data Availability

Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315: (a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification. (b) The Federal Government has the right to: (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and (2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

See the Service’s General Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1315&rgn=div8

F3. Reporting

Financial Reports

All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

Performance Reports

Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final performance report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring

Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

Technical Reporting Requirements (to be submitted by project PI) Quarterly Reports, Annual

Progress Reports, Draft and Final Reports, and Draft and Final Technical Summaries are required. Details are available at: http://www.boem.gov/ Environmental-Studies-Program-

Report-Specifications/

The link to the DOI Standard Terms and Conditions is https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions.

Deliverable Method of

Submission

Distribution Due

A. Post-Award Kick-

Off Meeting email Electronic copy

CO, PO,

Environmental

Studies Program

Representative

(ESPR)

Agenda within 1 week of

Post-Award Meeting. Meeting within 2 weeks after start of

Cooperative

Agreement. Summary within 2 weeks after Meeting.

B. Draft and Final

Project

Management Plan

(PMP)

Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

Draft due 1 week before Post-

Award Meeting. Final due 2 weeks after Post-Award

Meeting.

C. Monthly Status

Reports email Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

Monthly reports shall be submitted by the 7th day of the following month.

D. Meetings with

BOEM

Microsoft

Teams, Zoom, etc.

Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.

Monthly

E. Abstracts, Journal

Publication(s), and

Oral

Presentation(s)

Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

Drafts to be sent for review to

PO prior to submission to the publisher, conference, or presented at conference. May be done at any point in the

Cooperative Agreement, or at the conclusion.

F. Offshore Birdcast

Models

Electronic copy, CO, PO, ESPR

Drafts to be sent for review to

PO and ESPR prior to submission to repositories

(e.g., GitHub) or published online.

G. Draft Annual

Report e-mail Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

Six weeks before the end of the federal government’s fiscal year.

H. Draft Final Report e-mail Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

21 months after Cooperative

Agreement Award.

I. Proof version of

Final Report e-mail Electronic copy

CO, PO, ESPR

Within thirty (30) days of receipt of BOEM comments on Draft Final Report, or resolution of all issues.

c. Significant Development Reports

Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates which have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Bureau in writing as soon as the recipient becomes aware of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The recipient should also notify [Insert Bureau Here] in writing of any favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

d. Real Property Reports

Recipients and subrecipients are required to submit status reports on the status of real property in which the Federal government retains an interest. The required frequency of these reports will depend on the anticipated length of the Federal interest period. The Bureau will include recipient-specific real property reporting requirements, including the required data elements, reporting frequency, and report due dates, as applicable.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Recipients must notify the program immediately in writing of any conflict of interest that arise during the life of their Federal award, including those reported to them by any subrecipient under the award. Recipients must notify the program in writing if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal funding program or who otherwise may have been involved in the review and selection of the award. The term employee means any individual engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award. Recipients may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role related to their award, whose participation put them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethics website for more information on these restrictions. The [Insert Bureau Here] will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the project and will determine if a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service will work with the recipient to determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2

CFR 200.338 Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of the award.

Other Mandatory Disclosures

The Non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-

Federal entities that receive a Federal award including the terms and conditions outlined in 2

CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance

Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM.

Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR

200.338 Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.

Reporting Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance

If the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of this Federal award, then you as the recipient during that period of time must maintain the currency of information reported to the System for Award Management

(SAM) that is made available in the…