NLCS FOA 2017.docx

[Attachment B] Budget Detail Page 7

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:

BLM FY2017 Bureau-wide National Conservation Lands Scientific Studies Support Program (Formerly known as National Landscape Conservation System Research Support Program)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L17AS00001

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications. Issued: January 16, 2017

CFDA NUMBER & TITLES APPLICABLE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT:

15.224 - Cultural Resource Management

15.225 - Recreation Resource Management

15.230 - Invasive & Noxious Plant Management

15.231 - Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management

15.233 - Forests & Woodlands Resource Management (stewardship agreements)

15.237 - Rangeland Resource Management

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

January 27, 2017, 11.59 p.m. Eastern Time

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

Project Title: BLM FY2017 Bureau-wide National Conservation Lands Scientific Studies Support Program (Formerly known as National Landscape Conservation System Research Support Program)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Brandon Riley, Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 202-912-7540, Email: briley@blm.gov Rachel Wootton, Planning & Environmentalist Specialist Telephone: 202-912-7398, Email: rwootton@blm.gov

Rev 6-2016

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, 16 USC 1535, PL 93-205, Section 6 as amended by PL 97-304. Section 1535.

FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC §1737 (b), Public Law 94-579 FEDERAL NOXIOUS WEED ACT (Public Law 93-629, as amended) 7 USC §2814 Management of undesirable plants on Federal lands FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENTS COORDINATION ACT (FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT), Public Law 85-624 as amended, 16 U.S.C. §661 and §664 GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY (GNA), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 PL 113-76 and the Agricultural Act of 2014 PL 113-79, 16 USC §2113a HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2005, 16 USC 6501, PL 108-148. Section 6501NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT, 16 USC 1246, PL 90-543, as amended by PL 95-625, 96-87, and 98-11. Section 1246 PUBLIC RANGELANDS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1978, 43 USC 1906, PL 95-514. Section 9. Section 1906 SIKES ACT, 16 USC 670h and 670j. PL 86-797, Title II, Sec. 202, as added PL 93-452, Sec 2; as amended PL 97-396, Sec 4. Sec 670h TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA ACT (TPIA), Public Law 101-628, as amended, 16 USC §4601, 4605 WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (aka THE WYDEN AMENDMENT), 16 USC 1011 , PL 104-208, Section 124, as amended by PL 105-277, Section 136, as amended by PL 108-7, Section 135. Section 1011 WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT, 16 USC 1281, PL 90-542, Section 1281

Projects will be awarded under specific legislative authority that pertains to that particular project.

2. Description of Program and/or Project

a. Background: The BLM is unique in its mission of managing the public lands for multiple use and sustained yield of resources, including conservation. More than 30 million acres of BLM land is recognized for outstanding conservation values and designated for special management by Acts of Congress or Presidential Proclamations.

The BLM manages these special areas to maintain and enhance their conservation values with the goal to conserve, protect, and restore these important landscapes and their outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values. These areas range from broad Alaskan tundra to red rock deserts and from deep river canyons to rugged ocean coastlines and include some of America’s finest natural and cultural treasures.

The National Conservation Lands include the following unit designations:

· National Monuments and National Conservation Areas;

· Wilderness/Wilderness Study Areas;

· National Wild and Scenic Rivers; and

· National Scenic and Historic Trails.

The National Conservation Lands financially supports scientific studies aimed at increasing our understanding of the resources present on BLM management lands and the effectiveness of BLM’s resource management decisions. The program seeks to engage the external scientific community in conducting scientific studies on the National Conservation Lands that can benefit management of the public lands.

The following are types of project funded in Fiscal Year 2016:

· Inventorying and assessing of wetlands for their status and ecological condition within the National Trails Management in Wyoming

· Testing the use of remote sensing data to survey for prairie dog towns important to Black Footed Ferrets in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico

· Using citizen science to inventory paleontology resources in BLM Wilderness Study Areas in Montana

· Ranid Frog recovery in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Arizona

· Fossil inventory and salvage in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah

· Investigating inter marsh movements of Amargosa vole populations to better manage this endangered species in the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River in California

· Inventory of coastal meadow pollinator habitats of the San Juan National Monument in Washington

· Assessing fungi inoculation of planted Big Sagebrush seedling success after wildfires in Birds of Prey NCA in Idaho

b. Objectives: BLM has Bureau-wide funding available in Fiscal Year 2017 to develop new partnerships and support existing partners with established cooperative agreements.

These projects will assist the Bureau of Land Management to gain scientific understanding of National Conservation Lands resources and landscapes and the benefits they provide the American public. They will also apply scientific understanding to management, education, and outreach. Please review the public benefit section for more information.

c. Public Benefit:

Natural, Scientific, and Cultural Benefits - The diverse ecosystems designated and cultural landscapes in the National Conservation Lands protect a myriad of endangered species and habitats, and historic properties and the diverse ecosystems and cultural resources help ensure that the Nation’s extraordinary biodiversity and cultural heritage will be sustained for present and future generations to enjoy. As landscape pressures associated with drought, climate change and the effects of landscape stressors on species habitat and migration corridors continue to be of concern, units of the National Conservation Lands offer opportunities for scientists to conduct important research and data collection. Additionally, the National Conservation Lands contain over 30 percent of all special-status animal species found on BLM lands. These science projects will help the BLM better understand the National Conservation Lands natural, scientific, and cultural resources, the benefits they provide the American public and apply scientific understanding to management, education, and outreach.

Recreation Benefits - As wide-open spaces and opportunities for natural exploration continue to dwindle, the National Conservation Lands conserve over 30 million acres of rugged landscapes for the public to explore and enjoy and hosts more than one-fourth of all recreation on BLM lands. These diverse lands provide opportunities for recreationists of all kinds, from white-water rafters and rock climbers to hunters and fishermen, hikers and skiers to boaters and off-highway vehicle riders. The BLM manages units that include over 2,700 recreation sites and 22 visitor centers, and serves approximately 14 million visitors annually. Because of the high rate of visitation, the communities surrounding the National Conservation Lands reap significant economic benefits through tourism services. These science projects will help the BLM better understand the National Conservation Lands recreational resources, the benefits they provide the American public and apply scientific understanding to management, education, and outreach.

3. Program Performance Goals and Deliverables:

a. National Conservation Lands program requires specific performance goals and outcomes to be accomplished. Project must incorporate at least one of the following themes. Proposals must identify how the project incoroporates at least one of the following these goals/themes:

i. Research Identified in Unit Science Plans (for National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, and Similar Designations): BLM Manual Section 6220 calls for the development of science plans for applicable units of the National Conservation Lands. Projects identified in finalized unit science plans will be given priority over new proposals for that unit.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Instrument: In accordance with the Legislative Authority, a cooperative agreement will be used and substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement will consist of the following: The BLM Program Officer (PO) will collaborate with the recipient's Project Manager/Principal Investigator (RPM/PI) to manage all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. Responsibility for project management, control, and direction will be shared by the recipient and the BLM, however the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule and/or technical issues arise.

2. Anticipated number of awards to make under this announcement: BLM anticipates to make 20 awards in FY 2017 depending on availability of funding. If funding in the later part of the fiscal year become available there could be additional awards.

3. Individual award amounts will be no more than $25,000 per award and could be funding subsequent fiscal years depending on approved appropriation.

4. Total funding expected (based on FY 2016 allocation) to be awarded through this announcement: $397,000.

5. Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2017

7. No Obligation to Award: The BLM is under no obligation to award funds for these projects. Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) may obligate funds for financial assistance.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share/match, however recipients may only charge to the Federal award the indirect costs calculated against the allowable direct costs charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to the Federal award indirect costs calculated against: 1) any portion of the recipient’s direct costs which are proposed as voluntary committed cost-share/match; or 2) any portion of the direct costs charged to any other Federal or non-Federal partner.

3. Other Eligibility Restrictions This financial assistance opportunity is also open to all partners under any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no more than 17.5% of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

D. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

****PRIOR TO SUBMITTING PROPOSAL****

*** RECIPIENT MUST CONTACT DESIGNATED NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDS LEAD IN THE STATE WHERE THE PROJECT IS OCCURING ( REFER TO PAGE 23 ~ SECTION G OF THIS ANNOUCEMENT) PRIOR TO SUBMITTING APPLICATION.

*** IDENTIFY IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS A CONTINUATION OF AN EXISTING BLM COOPERTIVE AGREMENT AND PROVIDE CURRENT BLM AGREEMENT NUMBER ( i.e., L16AC00000). IDENTIFY FY 2017 WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH NEW MILESTONES AND GOALS. FOLLOW ATTACHMENT A FOR SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSED WORK.

1. Submission Dates and Times See announcement cover sheet for the deadline (date and time) for submission of applications. Applications must be received by the BLM prior to the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline for submission may not be considered for award unless it can be determined the delay was caused by Federal government mishandling.

2. Application Submission via www.grants.gov The Bureau of Land Management participates in the Grants.gov initiative which provides the Grant Community with a single website, www.grants.gov, to search for and apply for all federal grant opportunities.

a. All applicants should register at www.Grants.Gov and all applications should be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov unless other arrangements are made and approved of in advance of the submission deadline. If you have any questions or problems with the registration or application submission process, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726, or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/troubleshooting.html for online help.

b. Applications submitted through www.Grants.gov are considered to be electronically signed applications.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Please do not assign application attachments file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. Assigning file names longer than 20 characters will create issues in the automatic interface between Grants.gov and the Service’s financial assistance management system.

3. Intergovernmental Review Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/) to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” E.O. 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

The period of performance for projects awarded under this program is one or more years. Project proposals must be designed and budgeted accordingly. For multi-year projects, budgets and project activities should be clearly articulated in phases/years and support for future phases/years will be contingent on project performance, satisfactory reporting and financial management, and availability of program funds. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for additional funding.

4. Application Package This announcement includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable.

5. DUNS Number and SAM Registration Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:

a. Provide a valid DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System) on its application. DUNS numbers are nine-digit numbers established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. DUNS numbers may be obtained free of charge from Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling them at (877) 930-5228.

b. Be registered in SAM (System for Award Management, www.SAM.gov) before submitting its application. SAM is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register at this site. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at: http://www.sam.gov.

c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

Form Name and Number

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance **If a continuation of existing cooperative agreement with the BLM mark continuation in item 2 “Type of Application” and identify current agreement number in item 5b.

SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-424B Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

SF LLL Form: If applicable, Completed SF LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form

Project Proposal (Attachment A to this document)

Budget Detail and Justification of Costs (Attachment B to this document)

Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable

Conflict of Interest Statement, when applicable

Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable)

**Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

a. Project Proposal (Attachment A)

Attachment A is a suggested project proposal template and may be used when submitting your proposal. The proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a type-face no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15 page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

All proposals are confidential.

b. Budget Detail (Attachment B)

1) Use the Budget Detail sample form (Attachment B) to present the breakdown of your estimated costs by category needed to accomplish project activities. Estimated costs should be described in sufficient detail so that they may be checked for reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed. Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category, without a detail breakdown of how the cost were arrived out. No profit or fees are allowable.

2) Budget details should be broken down into the following categories:

Personnel Costs. Salaries or wages of employees working directly on this agreement project, indicate program manager and other key personnel by name and title. Other personnel may be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries or wages and estimated hours or percent of time to be spent on the agreement.

Fringe Benefit Costs. The costs of fringe benefits of employees working directly on this agreement project. Indicate rates/amounts, what costs are included in this category, and the basis of the rate computations. Federally approved rate agreements are acceptable for compliance with this item.

Travel Costs. The estimated costs for travel related to agreement activities. Include the purpose of trip, destination, number of persons traveling, length of stay, and all travel costs including airfare, per diem, lodging, and miscellaneous travel-related expenses. For local travel, include mileage and rate of compensation. If applicable, indicate that the costs are per your organization's written travel policy. Current Federal per diem rates (the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel) may be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.

Equipment Costs. Equipment is defined as expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one (1) year and an acquisition cost of more than $5,000.00, or a value which reaches the capitalization threshold level established by the organization for financial statement purposes.

Supply Costs. The costs of consumable supplies and materials to be used for agreement activities. List each item and quantity individually.

Contractual Costs. Include estimated costs of proposed professional and technical consultants and contractors participating on the project. Identify all work that will be accomplished, including a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate of time, rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. Any changes or additions will require a request for approval. Procurement procedures must comply with 2 CFR Parts 200.317 through 200.326.

Construction Costs. The cost of any construction directly related to the project activities.

Other Costs. The cost of items not listed above and which do not fit in any other category, such as the cost of duplicating and printing, equipment rental, postage, etc. No profit or fee will be allowed.

Total Direct Costs. The sum of categories (a) through (h).

Indirect Costs. All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

· Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting the 10% de minimus rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

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

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

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

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

· Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

If indirect costs will be charged to the project, complete this section and show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for allowable indirect costs. It is not acceptable to simply incorporate indirect rates within other direct cost line items.

Include a copy of any federally approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

If your organization has never had a NICRA, the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO) may allow an indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your base modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC includes all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subgrants and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each. Include the computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation base for your rate.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact the IBC at:

Total Costs. The total of both direct and indirect costs estimated to be expended on this agreement's activities.

Each budget category shall include a budget justification of costs and how they derived to those cost, i.e., travel regulations, personnel wage schedules, competition and market research for cost, etc.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Application Selection Process

Applications eligible for merit review will be evaluated by an field review committee 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 who have been certified to have no conflict of interest with any persons or organizations applying for award. The final selection of applications will take place at the BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division.

The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals which do not meet the requirements of this funding opportunity announcement and which are determined to be outside the scope of the authority under which this announcement is posted.

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

The evaluation process will be comprised of the following four screening levels:

1. First Level Screening --Basic Eligibility

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

2. Second Level Merit Review Evaluation – Field Review. Each BLM State will have their own field committee that will be based on his/her expertise and professional qualification. The BLM State Offices will evaluate proposals only for their specific State. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria using a numberical scoring based on a 100 point maximum score. An overall consensus rating will be determined for each application and priotized by State priorities and submitted to BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division.

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

2) Research Theme and Technical Approach (Maximum score 50/100 Points):

3) Public Benefit (Maximum score 10/100 Points):

4) Qualifications, Past Performance, and active BLM Cooperative agreement. (Maximum score 25/100 Points):

5) Offered Cost Share or Match (Maximum score 0/100 Points)

3. Third Level Review – BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division. This review will be based on Bureau program priorities and availability of funding. Priority will be given to existing cooperative agreements currently in place.

4. Fourth Level Review Pre-award Clearance and Approvals

Following the described review process, BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as:

a. Risk Management. The BLM uses a risk-based approach to evaluate the risk posed by the supporting applicants’ projects before it awards Federal funds.

2) Budget review is based on the following:

If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized. If the BLM determines that a Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award

If the results of pre-award reviews and clearances are unsatisfactory, consideration of funding for the project may be withdrawn.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

a. Any award made from this announcement will be based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and will be regulated by OMB's Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

b. Acceptance. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down of funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Costs may not be incurred before the effective date listed on the award. Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, carries with it the responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, the administrative and national policy requirements and terms and conditions of award.

2. Reporting

Periodic submission of Federal Financial reports (SF-425), Performance/Progress reports, and Youth Employment reports (if applicable) will be required under this financial assistance agreement. Submission of financial and performance/progress reports may be required either quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Submission of youth employment reports (if applicable) is required quarterly.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. By accepting additional Federal funding under the current Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreement in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. OMB guidance is available at the following web site: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl

b. Administrative Requirements.

1) 2 CFR Part 200 Subparts A through D - Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles.

2) 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F - Audit Requirements. Non-Federal entities that expend $750,000.00, or more, in federal awards in a single year shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default.

3) Indirect Facilities and Administration (F&A) Costs.

(a) 2 CFR Part 200.414 - Indirect (F&A) Costs

(b) 2 CFR, Appendix III to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)

(c) Appendix IV to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Nonprofit Organizations

(d) Appendix V to Part 200 - State/Local Government-wide Central Service Cost Allocation Plans

(1) The provisions of 2 CFR 200.414(c) require Federal agencies to accept federally negotiated indirect cost rates. The BLM has applied the following policies, procedures and general decision-making criteria for deviations from negotiated Indirect Cost Rates for financial assistance programs and agreements.

(2) Distribution Basis. For all deviations to the Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, including statutory, regulatory, programmatic, and voluntary, the basis of direct costs against which the indirect cost rate is applied must be:

(i) The same base identified in the recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, if the recipient has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement; or

(ii) The Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, with prior approval of the Awarding Agency, when the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages) and the use of the MTDC still results in an overall reduction in the total indirect cost recovered. MTDC is the base defined by 2 CFR 200.68, "Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)."

(iii) In cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, under no circumstances will the Department use a modified rate based upon Total Direct Cost or other base not identified in the federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or defined within 2 CFR 200.68. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that the reduced rate is applied against a base that does not include any potentially distorting items (such as pass-through funds, subcontracts in excess of $25,000, and participant support costs) and is based on the requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.68; 2 CFR 200.414(f); 2 CFR 200 Appendix III, Section C.2.; 2 CFR 200 Appendix IV, Section B.3.f.; and Appendix VII, Section C.2.c.

(3) Indirect Cost Rate Reductions Used as Cost-Share. Instances where the recipient elects to use a rate lower than the federally negotiated indirect cost rate, and uses the balance of the unrecovered indirect costs to meet a cost-share or matching requirement required by the program and/or statute, are not considered a deviation from 2 CFR 200.414(c) as the federally negotiated indirect cost rate is being applied under the agreement in order to meet the terms and conditions of the award.

c. Program Legislation and/or Regulations applicable to this announcement:

i. Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOI's reputation and ability to uphold the public's trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy posted to http://www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law. For more information go to URL: https://www.doi.gov/scientificintegrity.

4. General Award Terms and Conditions

a. Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact your program officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following):

Recipients must not require their employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must notify their employees or contractors that existing internal confidentiality agreements covered by this condition are no longer in effect

b. Funding.

1) Awards shall be funded subject to availability of BLM funding. Initial funding does not guarantee additional funding in subsequent years.

2) Once the grant or cooperative agreement is signed by a BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO), funding is obligated and the recipient may incur approved costs beginning on the effective date of the award and as specified in their submitted and approved budget.

c. Payment Mechanism. Payment will be made by draw-down reimbursement through the Department of the Treasury, Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap Treasury Circular 1075 (31 CFR 205) requires that draw-downs to a recipient organization shall be limited to the minimum amounts needed and shall be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the recipient organization in carrying out the purposes of the approved program or project. The timing and amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs

d. Conflicts of Interest. The Recipient must establish safeguards to prohibit its employees and sub-recipients from using their positions for purposes that constitute or present the appearance of a personal or organizational conflict of interest. The Recipient is responsible for notifying the Grants Management Officer (GMO) in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the recipient and/or recipient's employees and sub-recipients in the matter.

5. Special Award Terms and Conditions:

a. Liability, Insurance, and Indemnification. Depending on what the project risk assessment recipients may be required to agree to the following:

1) Liability. The BLM assumes no liability for any actions or activities conducted under this agreement except to the extent that recourse or remedies are provided by Congress under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2671.

2) Insurance. The recipient will be required to (1) obtain liability insurance or (2) demonstrate present financial resources in an amount determined sufficient by the Government to cover claims brought by third parties for death, bodily injury, property damage, or other loss resulting from one or more identified activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement.

3) Insured. The federal government shall be named as an additional insured under the recipient's insurance policy.

4) Indemnification. The recipient hereby agrees:

(a) To indemnify the Federal Government, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), from any act or omission of the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, as appropriate) (1) against third party claims for damages arising from one or more activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement and (2) for damage or loss to government property resulting from such an activity, to the extent the laws of the State where the recipient is located permit. This obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement.

(b) To purchase public and employee liability insurance at its own expense from a responsible company or companies with a minimum limitation of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per person for any one claim, and an aggregate limitation of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for any number of claims arising from any one incident. The policies shall name the United States as an additional insured, shall specify that the insured shall have no right of subrogation against the United States for payments of any premiums or deductibles due thereunder, and shall specify that the insurance shall be assumed by, be for the account of, and be at the insured's sole risk. Prior to beginning the activities authorized herein, the recipient shall provide the BLM with confirmation of such insurance coverage. Each policy shall have a certificate evidencing the insurance coverage and identifying the assistance agreement number.

(c) To pay the United States the full value for all damage to the lands or other property of the United States caused by the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, agents as appropriate).

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

(e) To cooperate with the BLM in the investigation and defense of any claims that may be filed with the BLM arising out of the activities of the recipient, its agents, and employees.

(f) In the event of damage to or destruction of the buildings and facilities assigned for the use of the recipient in whole or in part by any cause whatsoever, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the BLM to replace or repair the buildings or facilities. If the BLM determines in writing, after consultation with the recipient that damage to the buildings or portions thereof renders such buildings unsuitable for continued use by the recipient, the BLM shall assume sole control over such buildings or portions thereof. If the buildings or facilities rendered unsuitable for use are essential for conducting operations authorized under this agreement, then failure to substitute and assign other facilities acceptable to the recipient will constitute termination of this agreement by the BLM.

(e) Flow-down. For the purposes of this clause, "Recipient" includes such sub-recipients, contractors, or subcontractors as, in the judgment of the recipient and subject to the Government's determination of sufficiency, have sufficient resources and/or maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to achieve the purposes of this clause.

(f) Identified Activities. All activities carried out in connection with financial assistance arising from this funding opportunity announcement.

b. Recipients must successfully complete an appropriate Defensive Driving Course before operating a Government-owned vehicle (GOV).

c. Recipients must successfully complete appropriate safety and training requirements before operating Government-owned equipment, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or other Government-furnished property (GFP).

d. Recipient/Sub-recipient Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements.

1) If performance of this grant/cooperative agreement requires recipient/sub-recipient personnel to have a Federal Government-issued personal identification card before being allowed unsupervised access to a DOI facility and/or information system, the Program Officer will be the sponsoring official, and will make the arrangements for personal identity verification and card issuance.