NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2017-2005209 Full Announcement.pdf

Implementing Actions in Support of Recovery of Atlantic Salmon and Their Ecosystems.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 3

A. Program Objective 3 B. Program Priorities 3 C. Program Authority 6

II. Award Information 6 A. Funding Availability 6 B. Project/Award Period 6 C. Type of Funding Instrument 7

III. Eligibility Information 7 A. Eligible Applicants 7 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 7 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 8

IV. Application and Submission Information 8 A. Address to Request Application Package 8 B. Content and Form of Application 8 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 13 D. Submission Dates and Times 13 E. Intergovernmental Review 14 F. Funding Restrictions 14 G. Other Submission Requirements 14

V. Application Review Information 16 A. Evaluation Criteria 16 B. Review and Selection Process 19 C. Selection Factors 19 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 21

VI. Award Administration Information 21 A. Award Notices 21 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 21 C. Reporting 24

VII. Agency Contacts 25 VIII. Other Information 25

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: Implementing Actions in Support of Recovery of Atlantic Salmon and Their Ecosystems.

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2017-2005209

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.472, Unallied Science Program

Dates: Dates: Applications must be postmarked, provided to a delivery service, or received by www.Grants.Gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 19, 2017. Use of a delivery service other than U.S. Mail must be documented with a receipt. PLEASE NOTE: It may take Grants.gov up to two business days to validate or reject an application. Please keep this in mind when developing your submission timeline.

Funding Opportunity Description: The Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon is one of the eight critically endangered species included in the Species in the Spotlight:

Survive to Thrive initiative. This initiative involves targeted efforts vital for stabilizing these species and preventing their extinction. We are soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements that work to address any of the four key actions identified in the Atlantic Salmon 5-Year Action Plan (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2016/02/docs/atlantic_salmon_spotlight_species_5_year_acti on_plan_final_web.pdf). We are also soliciting proposals that will develop and implement new education/outreach and engagement tools (e.g., interactive displays, exhibits, kiosks, etc.) or activities highlighting the biology, status and threats faced by Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems. These outreach and education projects must be in support of the International Year of the Salmon initiative. Total funding available under this notice is not anticipated to exceed $600,000. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2017 Federal appropriations. NOAA anticipates typical federal funding awards will range from $50,000 to $300,000 over one to two years. NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $50,000 or more than $300,000 over two years. Award amounts will be determined by the proposals and available funds; two or more awards may be granted.

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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon is one of the eight critically endangered species included in the Species in the Spotlight: Survive to Thrive initiative. This initiative involves targeted efforts vital for stabilizing these species and preventing their extinction. We are soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements that work to address any of the four key actions identified in the Atlantic Salmon 5-Year Action Plan (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2016/02/docs/atlantic_salmon_spotlight_species_5_year_ action_plan_final_web.pdf) The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) are collaborating to celebrate salmon restoration and recovery with an International Year of the Salmon in 2019. The overall theme is salmon and people in a changing world. During the International Year of the Salmon, our outreach efforts will raise awareness of what humans can do to better ensure salmon and their varied habitats are conserved and restored in light of increasing environmental variability. The International Year of the Salmon will also stimulate an investment in research and leave a legacy of knowledge, data/information systems, tools and a generation of scientists better equipped to provide timely advice to inform rational management of salmon. We are also soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements to develop outreach and education tools and activities to help raise awareness of the plight of Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems consistent with the International Year of the Salmon initiative.

Total funding available under this notice is not anticipated to exceed $600,000. Proposals are limited to $300,000 per project. Actual funding for this program is contingent upon FY 2017 Congressional appropriations. NOAA anticipates typical federal funding awards will range from $50,000 to $300,000 over one to two years. NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $50,000 or more than $300,000 over two years.

Applicants may request funds for an award period between one and three years. Applicants will be selected by NMFS on a competitive basis.

B. Program Priorities

Projects funded under this award must respond to one of the priority objectives.

Applicants should ensure that proposals clearly address one or more of the following stated priorities:

Implementing one or more of the four key actions identified in the Atlantic Salmon 5-Year

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Action Plan;

Developing education and outreach projects that support the International Year of the Salmon initiative.

Applicants should ensure that proposals clearly indicate which of the stated priorities, the proposal will address. If a project addresses more than one of these priorities, applicants should list first the action that most closely reflects the objectives of the proposed project.

All proposals must identify the benefits to the recovery of Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems expected from the proposed project.

Priority A. Implementing the Species in the Spotlight Action Plan The four priority actions identified in the Species in the Spotlight action plan are:

Reconnect the Gulf of Maine with Headwater Streams Increase the Number of Fish Successfully Entering the Marine Environment Reduce International Fishery Mortality in West Greenland; and, Increase our Understanding and Ability to Improve Survival in the Marine Environment.

Action I. Reconnect the Gulf of Maine with Headwater Streams Projects under this priority will remove barriers that prevent or impair the ability of salmon (and other sea run fish) to move through waterways. When properly implemented, these projects will increase ecosystem and infrastructure resilience to changing environmental and climatic conditions. Applicants must indicate how they will restore the productive capacity of freshwater habitats by restoring free flowing rivers, water quality, and fish communities altered by the dams, road crossings, and other barriers; and/or, increase resilience from the negative impacts from climate change by improving connectivity within watersheds and providing salmon with access to thermal refugia. Priority activities include: dam and other barrier removals and/or projects to improve fish passage for Atlantic salmon; providing passage around blockages, including culverts and dams that prevent or impair the movement of Atlantic salmon.

Action II. Increase the Number of Fish Successfully Entering the Marine Environment Projects under this priority must indicate how they will: restore smolt production capacity of freshwater habitats through process-based restoration; increase production of naturally-reared smolts; and/or, increase abundance of native freshwater and diadromous fish by restoring properly functioning ecosystems, thereby, reestablishing the ecosystem services these species provide to Atlantic salmon. Priority activities include sustainable, watershed-scale restoration projects that promote and sustain natural stream processes and other projects that improve natural fish production. Types of projects could include those that:

restore longitudinal connectivity and thus, natural flow regimes and sediment transport, enhance, lateral connectivity (i.e., floodplain reconnection), reduce fine-sediment erosion from man made causes such as road crossings, and restore riparian function.

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Action III. Reduce International Fishery Mortality in West Greenland Projects under this priority must indicate how they will reduce, to the maximum extent possible, directed harvest of U.S. origin salmon. Priority activities will involve work to minimize the impact of the intercept fishery on U.S. origin fish.

Action IV. Increase our Understanding and Ability to Improve Survival in the Marine Environment.

Projects under this priority must indicate how they will either provide information on threats in the marine environment and/or, increase marine survival and thereby, the number of healthy adult returns to U.S. rivers. Priority activities will assess marine survival by a) monitoring smolt production and adult returns; b) indexing estuary and coastal mortality and identifying location, intensity, and causes of high mortality; c) describing return migration of sub-adults from West Greenland; and/or d) investigating prey resources for Atlantic salmon in the marine environment. Projects must tie research objectives to potential management measures that could be implemented to address the identified problem.

Priority B. Developing Outreach and Education Tools and Activities in Support of the International Year of the Salmon

The International Year of the Salmon is geared toward increasing our outreach efforts in order to raise awareness and engagement in what people can do to better to ensure salmon and their varied habitats are conserved and restored in light of increasing environmental variability. In order to increase awareness about the critical nature of Atlantic salmon status in the United States and engage the general public in helping to prevent the extinction of this species, outreach and education tools and activities need to be developed to ensure that this information is disseminated as broadly as possible.

We are soliciting projects to improve communication, education, and awareness of the biology, status and threats of endangered Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems and to identify how measures can be implemented by the public to reduce these threats. Projects should include a component that addresses not only the ecological importance of Atlantic salmon in the various ecosystems that they inhabit but also the social, economic and/or cultural importance of the species and its habitats and the effects of humans on Atlantic salmon, particularly in light of changing environmental conditions. Projects should highlight both the Species in the Spotlight and International Year of the Salmon efforts. Preference will be given to projects that (1) present a communications plan and social marketing strategy that incorporate the elements addressed above; (2) include implementation strategies for disseminating this message to as broad an audience as feasible; (3) move beyond basic outreach and present targeted, effective messaging and communication strategies that will be meaningful for different target audiences and influence widespread awareness of Atlantic salmon; (4) emphasize the social, economic and cultural value of Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which they depend; and, (5) incorporate a performance monitoring/evaluation

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 5 of 25 system and adaptive management mechanisms to increase longevity and effectiveness of the project.

C. Program Authority

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under the following statutes to provide grants and cooperative agreements for habitat restoration and conservation: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970;

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act, 16 U.S.C.

1891a; and Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1535

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

NOAA anticipates that up to $600,000 may be available for distribution under the FY 2017 competitive Implementing Actions in Support of Recovery of Atlantic Salmon and Their Ecosystems. Approximately two to six proposals are expected to be awarded under this grant solicitation Submitted proposals should have a budget narrative of no less than $50,000 and no greater than $300,000. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined during pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Funds have not yet been appropriated for this program, and there is no guarantee that funds will be appropriated or that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all projects or any projects. Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. If an application for a financial assistance award is selected for funding, NOAA has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that award in subsequent years beyond the award period. There is no obligation on the part of NOAA to cover pre-award costs unless approved by the Grants Officer as part of the terms when the award is made or Research Terms are applied to the award.

In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities.

B. Project/Award Period

Projects are anticipated to start on or after October 1, 2017, unless otherwise directed by the NOAA Program Officer. In general, a project period will extend up to a maximum of three years. For multi-year proposals, applicants must include project plans and separate budgets for each year of the project. Multi-year projects may be funded in one-year or

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 6 of 25 greater increments depending on available funds and terms of the award. In either case, multi-year awards do not compete for funding in subsequent budget periods within the approved award period. Rather, any funding required for subsequent years is added to the multi-year award incrementally, provided demonstration of satisfactory performance by the recipient and provided funds to support the continuation of the project are available. If a recipient a grant from this program wishes to continue work on a funded project beyond the project period and obligated award funds have not been expended by the end of this period, the recipient can notify the assigned Federal Program Officer no later than 30 days prior to the end of the award period to determine eligibility for a no-cost extension. If, however, the money is expended and funds are needed to continue the project, the applicant should submit another proposal during the next competitive award cycle (e.g. FY 2018) or seek an alternate source of funding.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

A cooperative agreement will be utilized if the proposed work entails substantial involvement between the applicant and NMFS. The final determination of the funding instrument (grant or cooperative agreement) will be made by the NOAA Grants Management Division.

If Selected applications will be funded through cooperative agreements, as described in 2 C.F.R. Sec. 200.24, NOAA expects to be substantially involved in many aspects of the awards. Substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to, collaboration on the scope of work, and providing assistance with technical aspects of the habitat restoration project.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, non-profits, commercial organizations, State, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies, are not eligible to apply.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

No cost sharing or matching is required under the program.

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C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

None.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

Application instructions for this grant program are available through the Grants.gov website at http://www.grants.gov. For applicants without internet access, an application package may be received by contacting Lanni Hall, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Suite 04-400, Gloucester, MA 01930; Phone: 978-282-8492, Email: Lanni.Hall@noaa.gov

B. Content and Form of Application

All prospective applicants should read this section in its entirety. All instructions regarding formatting and preparation of proposals must be followed. There is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same Principal Investigator, agency, or State. Multiple applications submitted by the same applicant must, however, be clearly distinct projects. Proposals must adhere to the following provisions and requirements by the proposal submission deadline.

The following forms are required as part of each application: Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424); Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A);

assurances, non-Construction Programs (SF-424B); and Certifications Regarding Lobbying (CD-511). These forms are available on Grants.gov and may be downloaded with the application package. For applicants submitting proposals by mail, all forms requiring signatures must be signed in ink (preferably blue ink).

Proposals and all attachments must be formatted to fit on letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11). Text must be no smaller than 10-point font, and all pages must be numbered. If possible, please submit proposal documents as pdf files to ensure conversion errors do not occur when proposals documents are later accessed in Grants Online system.

The Project Description is limited to 15 pages. Pages exceeding this limit will not be reviewed. The list of references cited will not be counted against the 15-page limit.

Appended material must not exceed a total of 10-pages. Abbreviated CV's or resumes for all individuals named in the proposal must be appended and are considered appended material.

If indirect costs are included in the budget, and a copy of the most recent indirect cost rate agreement for the applicant's organization must also be provided as part of the appended material. Additional appended material can include letters of endorsement; letters of cooperation; maps, photos or other visual materials; permit information; related grant progress reports; or any other supporting information.

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Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a map or maps of the geographic location of the proposed work (as applicable); such visual information helps inform reviewers.

DO NOT submit any letters of support or endorsement from any NMFS, NOAA or Department of Commerce personnel.

Proposals must include the following elements:

1. Title Page Provide the project title, project duration (with a start date no later than October 1, 2017, unless applicants request and get approval for an earlier start date from the Program Officer, Lanni Hall; See Section VII, Agency Contacts), applicant name(s), name(s) of the Principal Investigator (or Project Manager) and any Co-Investigators (or Co-Managers), complete contact information (mailing address, email address, and phone number) for the applicant(s) and all Co-investigators (or Co-Managers), and a statement regarding the total costs of the project. If the proposal is a multi-state proposal being submitted through multiple agencies, include a list of the other applicant state agencies.

2. Project Summary (300 word limit) Clearly identify which priority objective (listed in Section I.B Program Priorities) that the proposed project addresses. Provide a brief summary discussing the proposal's purpose; the proposed activities; the geographic area where the activities would occur; the recovery objective as it relates to the Atlantic salmon action plan and/or the International Year of the Salmon initiative; and the anticipated benefits of the proposed activities.

3. The Project Description should be a clear statement of all work to be undertaken and how it addresses one of the priority objectives of the Atlantic salmon 5-year Action Plan and/or International Year of the Salmon Initiative. Multi-year proposals must include a project description that covers each year of the proposed award period and annual/interim milestones that correspond to requested funding increments. If multiple projects are included in the proposal, the information listed below must be included for each project. The 15-page limit does not change if a proposal includes multiple projects. Proposals should include the information listed below:

(a) Goals/objectives: Identify which priority objective (listed in Section I.B Program Priorities) that the proposed project addresses. Identify the specific problem(s) or opportunities the project intends to address and describe its significance to the conservation of the species. Identify the project objectives, which should be simple and understandable, as specific and quantitative as possible and attainable with the time, money and human resources available. Scientific research proposals must state the hypotheses to be tested.

(b) Methods: Describe the methodologies or technical plan for activities that are to be conducted during each budget period of the project. Include detailed descriptions of the specific plan and/or methods that will be employed. Project milestones and the timelines (e.g. the number of months) necessary to meet them should also be discussed. Information about relevant permits necessary to conduct the work must be included. See Section IV.G.

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(Other Submission Requirements (Permits and Approvals) below for further information about permits and approvals. For habitat projects that align with Action I or Action II under Priority A (See Section I.B. Program Priorities), detailed, technical information about the proposed activities, techniques, and site(s) should be included. Applicants should clearly describe the project phase being proposed for funding (e.g. feasibility study, design, construction). For applicants proposing construction, design plans, specifications, scope of work for services, and engineering opinions of cost or cost estimates (if available) should be included in the proposal. Project design plans should be included in the application in order for reviewers to comprehensively assess the technical merit of the proposed restoration action(s).

(c) Benefits or results expected (300 word limit): Identify the outcomes or results and the benefits to the species that should result from the successfully completed project. Discuss how the project's success in meeting the stated goals and objectives will be measured or assessed. Describe how these expected outcomes, results, or products will be applied and/or shared with appropriate user groups.

(d) Sustainability: Include documentation of private owner or public land managers support and commitment of the proposed project. To protect the federal investment, the Project Description should describe future management, beyond the award period, including mechanisms to protect, maintain, or sustain the project restoration site(s) so the effects of the funded project(s) can benefit Atlantic Salmon into the future. Applicants proposing to install structures such as fish passage devices or tide gates as a component of the project should include discussion of an operation and management plan that specifies the entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of the structure(s) and how they will be operated and maintained throughout the life of the structure(s) to ensure lasting habitat benefits.

(e) Need for government financial assistance: Demonstrate the need for government financial assistance. List all other sources of funding that are or have been sought for the project.

(f) Federal, State and local government activities: List any plans or activities (Federal, State or local) this project would affect and, if applicable, identify the relationship between the proposed work and other ongoing work, or work planned, anticipated, or underway through Federal Assistance or other means. If the proposal is a continuation of previous or ongoing work, a brief discussion of results or accomplishments to date should be included;

progress or final reports for previous awards may be included in the appendix.

(g) Environmental impacts: Describe the environmental biological, social, political, or economic impacts are expected as a result of the proposed activities. Also discuss any potential negative impacts on listed species or their critical habitat as a result of the proposed activities. If any negative impacts are anticipated, describe what steps will be taken to minimize or mitigate these impacts. Incidental take of protected species and impacts to Essential Fish Habitat should be noted. Identify all consultation and permitting requirements

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 10 of 25 and their status (e.g. not applied for, pending, secured). This information is the basis for a determination of the level of analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), so please be thorough. See Section VI.B. (Administrative and National Policy Requirements) below for further information about NEPA requirements.

(h) Project management:Describe how the necessary experience, facilities, and administrative resources are in place to successfully meet the responsibilities associated with managing a federal financial assistance award. Describe how the project will be organized and managed and who will be responsible for carrying out project activities. The lead organization/individual and person listed as the technical contact should be identified as the Project Manager (PM) or Principal Investigator (PI). Use of sub-contractors or volunteer staff time to complete project activities and oversight of those individuals should be discussed. The PM/PI is responsible for all technical oversight and implementation of the approved work plan as delineated in the proposal. One PM or PI must be designated on each project, but the PM/PI may or may not be the applicant. However, if the applicant is not the PM/PI, there must be an explanation of the relationship between the applicant and PM/PI (e.g., applicant will be responsible for managing the grant funds and the PM will be responsible for completing the project milestones on time and within budget, etc.). Project participants or organizations that will have a significant role in conducting the project should be listed as Co-investigators or Co- Managers. Organizations or individuals that support the project, for example, researchers contributing data or materials, should be referred to as Cooperators. Copies of the PM's or PI's and all Co-investigator's/Co-Manager's abbreviated resumes or curricula vitae must be appended. For projects that align with Action I or Action II under Priority A (See Section I.B. Program Priorities), describe the capacity and knowledge that is in place to construct the scope and scale of the proposed work, as indicated by the qualifications and past experience of the project leaders or partners in designing, implementing, and effectively managing habitat conservation and restoration projects.

4) Total project costs and budget justification:

Each application must include clear and concise budget information, both on the required Federal forms and as described here.

The budget justification should include a table showing costs by category (e.g., salary, benefits, supplies, equipment, travel, contractual, indirect) and by Federal and non-Federal share (if applicable). For multi-year applications, costs must also be shown by year for each year of the proposal. Costs should be itemized to the maximum extent possible. Budget tables must be formatted to fit letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11). Do not format tables as multiple sheets or tabs within an Excel spreadsheet as sheets can be lost when applications are prepared for review in NOAA's Grants Online system. For an example of how to display costs and format budget tables, please refer to the sample table posted here:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/conservation/docs/budget_table.pdf. All funds MUST be

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 11 of 25 estimated to the nearest dollar; any budgets containing cents will be returned for revision. A budget justification for each year of the requested budget must also be provided to explain and justify all project costs, including contractual costs. This narrative must be organized to clearly correspond to the information provided in the budget table. For an example of how to prepare a budget justification, please refer to the sample posted here:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/conservation/docs/budget_narrative.pdf.

Detail provided in the budget table and/ or the budget justification must be sufficient so that reviewers can interpret how costs were estimated or calculated, especially for costs over $5,000 (including any contractual costs). For the non-Federal share, the itemized costs should be identified as cash or in-kind contributions. If in-kind contributions are included as part of the non-federal cost share, the basis for estimating the value of these contributions must be provided. The amounts per category and total amounts indicated on the OMB standard form (SF) 424A, Budget Information Non- construction Programs form must correspond with amounts indicated on other proposal documents.

5) Outreach Plan

(a) Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project to demonstrate stakeholder support and to what degree the project has been put forward by common agreement., and detail if/how stakeholders and relevant organizations will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

(b) Describe how project results or products will be shared appropriately given the nature of the proposed work. Depending on the nature of the project, outreach and education may include, for example, peer reviewed publications; presentations at professional meetings;

development of brochures; development of exhibits, interactive displays, or kiosks; internal agency meetings; public meetings; or distribution of project results to appropriate managers or management agencies. Describe how the outreach/education component is appropriate for the type and nature of the proposal and why the outreach/education is expected to be effective.

6) Appendices ( 10-page limit) Abbreviated curricula vitae or resumes of the PM/PI and any Co-Managers/ Co-Investigators must be included with the application. Applicants requiring ESA scientific research permits must also include evidence of such a permit (e.g. by providing the permit number) or evidence that they have submitted an ESA permit application. Project design plans, specifications, scope of work for services, and engineering opinions of cost or cost estimates (if available) should be included. Additional material that is necessary or useful to the description of the project may also be provided (e.g. letters of endorsement, maps, photos, tables or other visual materials).

If indirect costs are being requested as part of the proposed budget, a copy of the requesting

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 12 of 25 agency's indirect cost rate agreement must be provided. Do not submit any letters of support or endorsement from any NMFS, NOAA, or Department of Commerce personnel.

Completion of the NOAA NEPA Questionnaire is not required.

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

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: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award, application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants should allow a minimum of five days to complete the SAM registration; registration is required only once, but must be renewed periodically.

D. Submission Dates and Times

Applications must be received and validated by Grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service and time-stamped on or before 11:59 p.m. ET, May 19, 2017.

NOAA strongly recommends that applicants do not wait until the application deadline to begin the application process through Grants.gov. To use Grants.gov, applicants must have a unique entity identifier (i.e., Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number) and register in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application; the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is now a part of SAM and is located at www.sam.gov. Applicants should allow at least 5 business days to complete the SAM registration; registration is only required once, but must be updated annually. If issues arise, the process may take three weeks or more. Note that organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866- 705-5711 or via the internet, (http://www.dunandbradstreet.com) To apply on Grants.gov, you must first have an up-to-date registration in the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) described in Section IV.C. Applications submitted through Grants.gov are automatically stamped with the date and time of submission and will be the basis of determining timeliness. For applications submitted through Grants.gov, there will be three automated email receipts sent to the application submitter with the date and time of

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 13 of 25 submission. The first email confirms initial receipt of the application by the Grants.gov portal. The second email confirms that there are no errors with the application submission and the third email confirms the application has been forwarded to NOAA for further processing. If email confirmation receipts are not provided within two business days of application submission, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk (800-518-4726) and Lanni Hall at Lanni.Hall@noaa.gov and (978) 282-8492. PLEASE NOTE: It may take Grants.gov up to two business days to validate or reject the application. Please consider this when developing your submission timeline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required application elements have been appropriately submitted. Applications received after the Grants.gov deadline will be rejected without further consideration. Use of U.S. Mail or another delivery service for hard copy applications must be documented with a receipt. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Attachment file names may only include the following UTF-8 characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore ( _ ), hyphen (-), space ( ) and period (.). If applicants use any other characters when naming their attachment files, their applications will be rejected.

E. Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," relating to state and local government coordination and review of proposed federal financial assistance. Applicants should visit the Office of Management and Budget’s Intergovernmental Review website for more information and to see if their state has chosen to participate in the intergovernmental review process http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/).

F. Funding Restrictions

Proposals should contain project costs and a budget narrative with no less than $50,000 and no greater than $600,000.

Proposals with less than the minimum federal funding amount and greater than the maximum federal funding amount will not be evaluated.

G. Other Submission Requirements

Applications should be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov website at http://www.grants.gov. First-time registration with Grants.gov may take up to three to six weeks. It is strongly recommended that this registration process be completed as soon as possible. Grants.gov will not accept submissions if the applicant has not been authorized or if credentials are incorrect. Authorizations and credential corrections can take several days to

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 14 of 25 establish. Please plan your time accordingly to avoid late submissions as such submissions will be rejected. The Grants.gov validation process for a submitted application can take up to two business days to complete (following submission through Grants.gov). Only validated applications are sent to NOAA for review. To ensure successful submission of an application, it is strongly recommended that a final and complete application is submitted at least two business days prior to the submission deadline.

Applicants should contact the Grants.gov Help desk and Lanni Hall, the Federal Program Officer for this award, to confirm that the application has been transmitted to and received by NOAA.

The application process in Grants.gov cannot be completed without completing SAM registration.

Also, it may take Grants.gov up to two business days to validate or reject an application.

Please keep this in mind when developing your submission timeline. Following submission of applications through Grants.gov, applicants should receive two automated responses from grants.gov: one confirms receipt of the application; the other confirms that the application has been forwarded to NOAA. If both confirmation messages from Grants.gov are not received, applicants should contact both the Grants.gov Helpdesk and the NMFS Office of Protected Resources to confirm the application has been transmitted to and received by NOAA. If you experience a Grants.gov “systems issue” (technical problems or glitches with the Grants.gov website) that you believe threatens your ability to complete a submission before the application deadline, please (i) print any error message received; and (ii) call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 for immediate assistance. Applicants need to obtain a case number regarding communications with Grants.gov. Please note: problems with an applicant organization’s computer system or equipment or failure to comply with the Grants.gov system requirements are not considered “systems issues.” Similarly, an applicant’s failure to: (i) complete the required registration, (ii) ensure that a registered Authorized Representative (AOR) submits the application, or (iii) notice receipt of an email message from Grants.gov are not considered systems issues. A Grants.gov “systems issue” is an issue occurring in connection with the operations of Grants.gov itself, such as the temporary loss of service by Grants.gov due to unexpected volume of traffic or failure of information technology systems, both of which are highly unlikely. It is the applicant’s responsibility to take necessary steps to document a "systems issue” and contact NOAA. In the event of a confirmed “systems issue,” NOAA reserves the right to accept an application in an alternate format (i.e. hard copy submission), however all applications must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. For applicants with internet access issues, hard copies may be submitted (by postal mail or commercial delivery) by the deadline to the NOAA/GAR/PRD, Attn: Lanni Hall, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Applications submitted by U.S. Postal Service must have an official postmark;

private metered postmarks are not acceptable. Use of a delivery service other than the U.S.

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Postal Service must be documented with a receipt. Paper applications should be printed on one side only, on 8.5” x 11” paper, and not be bound in any manner. A SF-424 form must be included, signed in ink or with a signature meeting the requirements in ‘Use of Electronic Signatures in Federal Organization Transactions’ (2013), page 14, at http://go.usa.gov/xcHkm. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be evaluated and scored based on the following:

1) Importance/Relevance and Applicability of the Proposal to the Program Goals: This criterion addresses whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and relevance to NOAA, Federal, regional, State, or local activities.

Reviewers will consider whether proposals clearly identify project goals and objectives and whether those goals and objectives are applicable to conservation and recovery of Atlantic salmon and align to one or more of the priority objectives identified in Section I.B. Program Priorities. For scientific research proposals, reviewers will evaluate whether proposals clearly state the hypotheses to be tested and whether it aligns with Action IV of Priority A within the Program Priorities.

Reviewers will also score the proposal based on their consideration of the contribution of potential outcomes, significance of the results, or products to species conservation and management goals; whether milestones and products are clearly identified; whether the proposed project will result in tangible results, and whether performance measures for evaluating effectiveness of the completed project were clearly identified.

Reviewers will consider whether the proposal is designed to have a direct impact on species recovery as a result of implementation of management actions. If the proposal addresses the continuation of previously funded or ongoing work, reviewers will consider whether an adequate justification for the continuation of the same work is provided by the applicant (e.g., what benefit would additional results have?).

(Score: 1-35 points; where, for example, 1= no importance/relevance to the program goals or objectives, very limited potential to contribute to species recovery, no implementation of management actions; 18= moderately important/ relevant, reasonably likely to make some meaningful contribution to species recovery; 35= extremely important/relevant, extremely likely to make a significant contribution to recovery of Atlantic Salmon, involves implementation of significant management actions, addresses a priority species.)

2) Technical/scientific merit:

This criterion assesses whether there are clear project goals and objective, whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate for achieving the stated goals/objectives.

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Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the proposed project is feasible, technically sound, safe for the public, and uses appropriate methods and personnel to achieve the stated goals and objectives.

Reviewers will consider whether sufficient information is provided to evaluate the design of the project relative to the stated goals/objectives. For proposals including research and monitoring, this criterion addresses whether the approach is technically sound, if the methods are appropriate for achieving the stated goals/objectives, and if the anticipated results can be achieved in the time- line specified. For habitat projects that align with Action I or Action II under Priority A (See Section I.B. Program Priorities), reviewers will evaluate the extent to which detailed, technical information about the proposed restoration activities, techniques, and site(s) was provided.

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which environmental impacts are described and whether sufficient information about relevant permits and consultations are provided, and if the anticipated results can be achieved in the specified timeline and if there are clear project goals and objectives.

Reviewers will consider the sufficiency of information to evaluate the project technically, the strengths and/or weaknesses of the technical design relative to securing productive results. For all applications, reviewers will consider whether the proposal includes an effective mechanism for evaluating the project's success in meeting the stated goals and objectives. Reviewers will also evaluate the potential of the effort to be sustainable and provide lasting benefits into the future.

For all applications, reviewers will consider whether the proposal includes an effective mechanism for evaluating the project's success in meeting the stated goals and objectives.

Reviewers will also evaluate whether application instructions contained in this document were followed. (Score: 1-30 points; where, for example, 1= completely unsound and/ or unlikely to meet the stated objectives, application instructions were not followed, and no performance measures included; 15 = intermediately sound, and/ or reasonably likely to meet the stated objectives, application instructions generally followed; 30 = extremely sound and highly likely to meet the stated objectives, application instructions followed thoroughly.)

3) Overall Qualification of Applicants:

This criterion ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project and meet the responsibilities associated with managing a federal financial assistance award.

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the proposal describes how the project will be organized and managed. Reviewers will evaluate whether the applicant has the administrative resources available to successfully fulfill the responsibilities associated with managing a federal financial assistance award.

Reviewers will evaluate whether the applicant has the capacity and knowledge to conduct the scope and scale of the proposed work, as indicated by the qualifications and past

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 17 of 25 experience of the project leaders and/or partners in designing, implementing and effectively managing and overseeing project. Reviewers will consider previous related experience and qualifications of the project's PM or PI, Co-Manager(s) or Co-Investigator(s) and other personnel, including designated contractors, consultants, and cooperators. For projects that align with Action I or Action II under Priority A (See Section I.B. Program Priorities), reviewers will evaluate the capacity and knowledge of the project managers and leaders to construct the scope and scale of the proposed work, as indicated by the qualifications and past experience of the project leaders or partners in designing, implementing, and effectively managing habitat conservation and restoration projects. Reviewers will also consider past award performance of the applicant(s) and PM/PI, if applicable.

(Score: 1-10 points; where, for example, 1= completely unqualified and/or lacking the resources or capacity to accomplish the project, poor past award performance, 5=intermediate level of qualifications or experience and/or adequate resources and capacity to accomplish the project, satisfactory past award performance, 10= extremely qualified/experienced, has all necessary resources and demonstrated capacity to accomplish the project, exceptional past award performance.)

4) Project Costs:

This criterion evaluates the budget to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time frame. Reviewers will assess the degree to which costs are itemized costs and whether the overall budget is adequately justified and appropriately allocated. For multi-year project proposals, reviewers will evaluate to what extent the costs are detailed by year for each year of the proposal.

Reviewers will consider whether sufficient detail was provided to evaluate how costs were estimated for both federal and non-federal shares (if applicable).

Reviewers will evaluate whether the applicant demonstrated that a significant benefit will be generated at a reasonable cost; (i.e.) Does the proposed budget direct the majority of funds, including funds for salaries, to implement the…