NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2022-2007110 NOFO Report.pdf

FY22 Pacific Islands - Hawaii Marine Wildlife Response, Outreach, and Population Monitoring Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 4

A. Program Objective 4 B. Program Priorities 4 C. Program Authority 7

II. Award Information 7 A. Funding Availability 7 B. Project/Award Period 8 C. Type of Funding Instrument 8

III. Eligibility Information 8 A. Eligible Applicants 9 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 9 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 9

IV. Application and Submission Information 9 A. Address to Request Application Package 9 B. Content and Form of Application 9 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 15 D. Submission Dates and Times 15 E. Intergovernmental Review 16 F. Funding Restrictions 16 G. Other Submission Requirements 16

V. Application Review Information 18 A. Evaluation Criteria 18 B. Review and Selection Process 20 C. Selection Factors 21 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 22

VI. Award Administration Information 22 A. Award Notices 22 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 23 C. Reporting 26

VII. Agency Contacts 27 VIII. Other Information 28

Notice of Federal Funding Page 1 of 28

NOTICE OF 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: FY22 Pacific Islands - Hawaii Marine Wildlife Response, Outreach, and Population Monitoring Program

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2022-2007110

Federal Assistance Listings Number: 11.454, Unallied Management Projects

Dates: Proposals must be received by http://www.Grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 5:00 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time, on January 30, 2022. Use of Grants.gov is preferred. If Grants.gov cannot reasonably be used, use of U.S. mail or another delivery service must be documented with a receipt; private metered postmarks are not acceptable.

Postmarked applications received more than 5 business days following the closing date will not be accepted. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Funding Opportunity Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") is soliciting competitive applications for the fiscal year 2022 Pacific Islands - Hawaii Wildlife Response, Population Monitoring, and Outreach competition. Projects are being solicited to support specific programmatic activities related to the following 5 priorities:

Priority 1: Hawaiian Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Management Support, Field Response, and Outreach: Projects to conduct in-field response and educational outreach for Hawaiian monk seals and/or sea turtles occurring on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, or Hawaii Island.

Funding availability is island and species-specific, with total funding not to exceed $540,000 (up to 7 proposals may be funded).

Priority 2: Public Education and Awareness Programs for Hawaiian monk seals on Oahu.

Requested funding per project is recommended to not exceed $15,000 (up to 3 proposals may be funded).

Priority 3: Public Education and Awareness Programs at Green Turtle Basking Locations on Oahu and Maui. Requested funding per project is recommended to not exceed $20,000 (up to 2 proposals may be funded).

Notice of Federal Funding Page 2 of 28

Priority 4: Population Monitoring and Conservation of Hawaiian Hawksbill Sea Turtle on Molokai and Hawaii Island (up to 2 proposals may be funded). Requested funding per project is recommended to not exceed $100,000 (Hawaii Island) and $40,000 (Molokai).

Priority 5: Population Monitoring and Outreach of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin on Oahu and Hawaii Island. Requested funding per project is recommended to not exceed $25,000 (up to 2 proposals may be funded).

Notice of Federal Funding Page 3 of 28

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

NMFS is soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements that will support management through population assessments, conservation and educational outreach for Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles and spinner dolphins. Total available funding under this notice is not anticipated to exceed $815,000, is contingent upon Congressional appropriations, and is subject to change. Applicants will be selected by NMFS on a competitive basis as outlined in this announcement.

B. Program Priorities

Proposals must address one (1) of the five (5) stated programmatic Priorities, which are listed in no particular rank order of preference (i.e., no one Priority carries a higher priority than another). The application should clearly identify which Priority it falls within on the title page of the application.

Priority 1: Hawaiian Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Management Support, Field Response, and Outreach: Projects to conduct in-field response and educational outreach for Hawaiian monk seals and/or sea turtles occurring on the islands of Oahu, Maui, or Hawaii Island. Projects proposed for Molokai may include only monk seals. The potential funding available per island includes, Oahu $230K, Maui $120K, Molokai $75K, and Hawaii Island $115K Projects under Priority 1 must work in close collaboration with NMFS, relevant state and local government agencies, and non-government partners to ensure consistency in response and data collection protocols. Close coordination with NMSF on public communications, including social media posts, is also required to ensure compliance with NMFS permitting requirements and consistency with outreach guidelines. Monk seal projects must be coordinated closely with the NMFS Hawaiian Monk Seal Research and Recovery Programs, and be consistent with the NMFS Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan (2007) and Species in the Spotlight Priority Action Plan (2021). Sea turtle projects must be coordinated closely with the NMFS Marine Turtle Biological Assessment and Stranding Response Programs. All projects should use branding elements (personnel uniforms, vehicle marking, etc.) that are unique to the project and clearly distinguish the project from NMFS and other government personnel and assets. Species-specific activities must include:

¿ Sea turtles: Applicants must maintain a sea turtle stranding response program on Oahu, Maui, or Hawai'i Island (via a network of volunteers, interns, staff, and community collaboration) to respond to stranded sea turtles. Proposals must clearly describe capacity to:

¿ Independently receive, vet, and document public reports and other information on sea

Notice of Federal Funding Page 4 of 28 turtle strandings, and provide guidance to reporting parties.

¿ Conduct field responses, manage response data, and generate reports to be submitted to NMFS within 24 hours of a response.

¿ Provide sufficient personnel capacity and ensure project personnel have appropriate training, equipment, and protective gear; and ability to communicate with the public effectively, and with cultural sensitivity, during and after response events.

Conduct outreach to raise community awareness about stranding response, and to encourage behaviors that may reduce harmful human interactions with sea turtles (e.g., promote responsible public viewing, responsible fishing, or safe boating).

¿ Hawaiian monk seals: Applicants must maintain an outreach and response program to receive and transmit sighting and incident reports, respond to haul outs and pupping events, assist NMFS with stranding response, and reduce adverse human-seal interactions via public outreach. Proposals must clearly describe capacity to:

¿ Receive via NMFS hotlines and other sources, assess, and document reports of sightings and human-seal interactions.

¿ Immediately and accurately transmit to NMFS all reports involving possible seal injuries and other situations requiring direct NMFS engagement.

¿ Rapidly dispatch qualified personnel to conduct on-scene response assessment and transmit relevant information to NMFS, and to remain at haul-outs and pupping events to reduce adverse human-seal interactions via outreach and minimal use of temporary signage and light fencing.

¿ Maintain personnel and resource capacity sufficient for effective program management and administration, including internal policies and procedures for personnel safety, regulatory compliance, public relations, information management, and personnel recruitment, retention, training, and performance evaluation.

¿ Implement communication strategies targeting audiences who may interact with monk seals to reduce harmful interactions and improve understanding of recovery issues and opportunities.

¿ Foster opportunities for shoreline residents to provide on-scene haul-out support to reduce the need to dispatch project personnel.

Priority 2: Public Education and Awareness Programs for Hawaiian monk seals on Oahu.

Projects under Priority 2 must be able to support management and recovery efforts by effectively communicating with target audiences (e.g. visitors, tour companies, shoreline property owners or managers, school-age children, etc.) to improve awareness and understanding of Hawaiian monk seal biology, endangered species status, recovery issues, and conservation opportunities. Projects under this Priority should focus on community engagement and capacity-building designed to achieve one or more of the following

Notice of Federal Funding Page 5 of 28 strategies described within the Species in the Spotlight Priority Action Plan (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/species-spotlight-priority-actions-2021- 2025-hawaiian-monk-seal):

a) Address Diseases with Population Level Impacts: Build awareness of and/or implement actions to help reduce disease-related mortality, particularly the number one disease currently threatening monk seals - toxoplasmosis (spread in the feces of cats).

b) Mitigate Human-Seal Interactions to Ensure Natural Population Growth and Minimize Conflict: Reduce harmful human-monk seal interactions, particularly fisheries interactions, through engagement, outreach, and prevention.

c) Foster Community Support for Monk Seal Recovery: Cultivate awareness, build positive relationships, and cultivate a sense of community participation in and stewardship of monk seal conservation and recovery.

Priority 3: Public Education and Awareness Programs at Green Turtle Basking Locations.

Projects under Priority 3 must be able to support sea turtle management efforts at Laniakea beach, Oahu, or Ho`okipa beach, Maui. The project must be able to collaborate with federal and state partners, and foster effective communication with the public (residents and visitors) to reduce and/or minimize public disturbance and harassment of basking sea turtles. Project-specific activities must include: dissemination of factual biological and ecological information to the public; in-field methods to encourage responsible wildlife viewing from a distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters); communication and outreach strategies to raise awareness of the actions the public can take to help protect sea turtles and reduce threats;

collection of basic demographic information on basking sea turtles in collaboration with NMFS; and have proven capacity to work at Laniakea beach, Oahu, or Ho`okipa beach, Maui, and train and dispatch volunteers to work independently at basking sites.

Priority 4: Population Monitoring, Conservation and Outreach of Hawaiian Hawksbill Sea Turtles on Hawaii Island and Molokai. Projects under Priority 4 shall include standardized population monitoring activities, conservation measures, and/or public outreach. Projects under this Priority shall be designed to monitor nesting activity through systematic, science-based surveys that collect reproductive information (e.g. nest counts, hatching success), tag nesting females, and protect nests and females from environmental or anthropogenic impacts. Projects can include educational outreach to promote awareness of the species and actions the public can do to help protect nests, females, and nesting habitats. Project proposals should clearly articulate the scientific methods for nesting beach surveys, population monitoring, and for the conservation and protection of nests and turtles in order to achieve expected results and benefits; innovative research technologies encouraged.

Educational outreach strategies that utilize proven and innovative social science strategies to build community-based capacity that can support meaningful and long-term conservation or

Notice of Federal Funding Page 6 of 28 management outcomes are encouraged. Projects must maintain their own a federal research permit or cooperate effectively with NMFS to implement activities, and have proven capacity to work at the Hawaii and Molokai Island hawksbill turtle nesting locations.

Priority 5: Population Monitoring, Conservation and Outreach of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. Projects under Priority 5 will include activities that measure the presence and habitat use of spinner dolphins in spinner dolphin resting areas around Maui and Hawaii Island. Priority areas for monitoring are four bays on Hawaii Island- Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau Bay, Kauhako Bay, and Makako Bay, and one bay on Maui - La Perouse Bay.

Additional areas of monitoring interest include Kiholo Bay on Hawaii Island, and Oneloa Bay on Maui, Pu`u Pehe to Kikoa Point on Lanai, and Makua, Kahe Point, and Pokai Bay on Oahu. Priority 5 projects will also measure trends in human uses (e.g., swimming, diving, recreational and commercial dolphin watching, etc.) in the same spinner dolphin resting areas. Project proposals should clearly articulate the scientific methods that will be implemented. Project results may be used, along with other information, to assess the effectiveness of new federal regulations intended to protect spinner dolphins in Hawaii, as well as to assess Hawaiian spinner dolphin population status.

C. Program Authority

16 U.S.C. §661 and 16 U.S.C. §742f

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

Total funding available under this notice is not anticipated to exceed $815,000. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2022 Federal appropriations.

The maximum funding per project is dependent on priority activities and island areas.

PRIORITY 1: Total funding for Priority 1 is not anticipated to exceed $540,000 per year.

Available funding is island and species-specific. Multi-year projects are encouraged, up to 3 years, with funding amounts not to exceed total anticipated amounts available per island:

Oahu ($230,000); Maui ($120,000); Molokai ($75,000); Hawaii Island ($115,000).

PRIORITY 2: Total funding for Priority 2 is not anticipated to exceed $45,000 per year.

Proposals are recommended to not exceed $20,000 per project per year. Multi-year project proposals, up to 3 years, may be submitted.

PRIORITY 3: Total funding for Priority 3 is not anticipated to exceed $40,000 per year.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 7 of 28

Proposals are recommended to not exceed $20,000 per project per year. Multi-year project proposals, up to 3 years, may be submitted.

PRIORITY 4: Total funding for Priority 4 is not anticipated to exceed $140,000 per year.

Available funding is island and project-specific, and recommended to not exceed $100,000 (Hawaii Island) and $40,000 (Molokai) per project per year. Multi-year project proposals, up to 3 years, may be submitted.

PRIORITY 5: Total funding for Priority 5 is not anticipated to exceed $50,000. Proposals are recommended to not exceed $25,000 per project per year. Multi-year project proposals, up to 3 years, may be submitted.

Award amounts will be determined by the proposals and available funds. There is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same applicant; however, multiple applications submitted by the same applicant must clearly identify different projects. Pre-award costs are not allowed under the award unless approved by the NOAA Grants Officer.

B. Project/Award Period

Applications can apply for up to a 3 year multi-year project. All projects are recommended to be at least 12 months in duration. August 1, 2022 is the earliest recommended project start date, unless otherwise directed by the NOAA Program Officer.

Projects can also begin September 1, 2022 or October 1, 2022.

Multi-year applications will be considered. If a multi-year application is selected for initial funding, NMFS has no obligation to provide additional funding in connection with that award in subsequent years.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

NMFS will fund the projects under this competition as grants and/or cooperative agreements. The government will be substantially involved in the management and/or operation of the program if a project is funded through a cooperative agreement. This substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to, partnering in collaborative efforts, operating under a NMFS research permit, and/or alignment of activities to meet program priorities. Substantial involvement may also include NMFS staff assisting in trainings;

development of outreach materials and activities; development of meeting agendas and participant lists; conduct and facilitation of meetings; and recruitment, training and management of volunteers.

III. Eligibility Information

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A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies and their employees, as well as, Federal instrumentalities (including employees and members) are not eligible to apply.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

No cost sharing or matching is required under the program.

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

None

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

The standard application package, consisting of the standard forms, i.e., SF-424, SF- 424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the CD-511, is available at http://www.grants.gov. Users of Grants.gov will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. If an applicant has problems downloading the application forms from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@Grants.gov. If you do not have Internet access, an application package may be received by contacting: Scott Bloom, NOAA Federal Program Officer, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Phone: (808) 725-5055.

If an applicant does not have Internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, paper applications will be accepted. Paper applications must be submitted with completed, signed inked signatures, original forms in hard copy and an electronic copy of the entire application on CD, including scanned signed forms. If the applicant has completed the entire application in Grants.gov but is unable to submit it via Grants.gov, then this application package should be provided via CD along with printed and signed versions of forms SF-424, SF-424B, and CD-511. The authorized representative MUST sign and date these forms over the printed signature that will appear in the signature box. Paper applications without inked signatures on their forms will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Paper applications should not be bound in any manner.

B. Content and Form of Application

Notice of Federal Funding Page 9 of 28

Application Format

All application materials should be submitted in Adobe PDF or a common word processing format, and when printed out should meet all format requirements. All pages must be no less than double-spaced (printed or typed), printed or typed in at least 12-point font, and printable on 8.5-inch x 11-inch paper, with 1-inch margins. Any PDF or other attachments that are included in an electronic application must meet the above format requirement when printed out. Failure to follow these requirements may result in the rejection/return of the application.

Each application must include:

- Federal application forms, including:

• SF-424.

• SF-424A, Budget Information, Non-construction Programs must be completed, and also include all matching funds.

• SF-424B, Assurances, Non-construction Programs must be completed for each submitted non- construction application.

• CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying.

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable).

• Title Page (Proposal cover sheet, limit 1 page).

• Narrative Project Description (described below, limit 20 pages).

• Budget Justification (described below, limit 4 pages). Provide justifications (in narrative format) for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. The budget justification should be broken out and detailed using the same budget categories as noted on the SF-424A budget form, with a corresponding budget narrative for each funding period when applying for a Multi-Year award (2 to 3 years).

• NEPA Questionnaire. The NOAA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) questionnaire must be completed for each application. For more information on this requirement, see section "B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements" and http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/questionnaire.pdf. This questionnaire does not count towards any page limits.

• Data Sharing or Management Plan (up to 2 pages, if the project collects environmental data).

• Attachments (limit 10 pages). Other Supporting Documentation and relevant attachments the applicant deems important to the overall understanding and evaluation of the proposed project (combined into one PDF document). All combined attachments must be no longer than 10 pages. Attachment information can include: charts, graphs, maps, photographs, and other pictorial presentations; abbreviated CVs or resumes of key personnel;

letters of collaboration; an indirect cost rate agreement; permit information; or any other

Notice of Federal Funding Page 10 of 28 supporting information.

Content Requirements

1. Title Page (Proposal Cover Sheet, 1 page maximum)

(a) Funding opportunity title and priority to be addressed in the proposal (e.g., FY22 Pacific Islands - Hawaii Marine Wildlife Response, Outreach and Population Monitoring Program. Priority 1: Hawaiian Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Management Support, Field Response, and Outreach)

(b) Project title

(c) Project Manager and Financial Representative with complete contact information (address, fax, email, and phone number)

(d) Any co-managers with contact information

(e) Start and end dates of proposed project (f ) Funding type request (grant or cooperative agreement)

(g) Total cost of the project, including federal and non-federal funding requested

(h) If requesting a multi-year project, the project costs per funding year

(i) Summary (abstract) of the project (e.g., activities, location , and expected outcomes and benefits of the project). This summary statement (or abstract) may be posted on our website if the project is funded.

2. Project Narrative (limit 20 pages): Describe the project activities completely and accurately, with emphasis placed on describing how the proposed project would address the program priority indicated in the notice of funding opportunity. The Project Narrative should be a clear statement and description of all work to be undertaken and must include the information listed below. For multi-year applications, if project activities are proposed to differ or change from year to year, this must be clearly described in separate Project Activities sections for each project year. (Note: separate Budget Narratives must be submitted for each project year for multi-year applications regardless.)

(a) Project Summary, Goals, and Objectives: Provide a brief summary of the scope, purpose, and anticipated value of the project, and the species, geographic area(s), partners, and communities involved. Describe the key goals and objectives of the project (reference any necessary and applicable management plans, ESA recovery plans, etc.). Include a summary of background information that exists for the project to help put the projects’ goals and objectives and merit into context. Projects historically funded by NMFS which address the subject program priority should include a brief summary of results or data to date.

Summarize expected project accomplishments and their significance to the stated program Priority. Objectives should be attainable within the specified time period and with the

Notice of Federal Funding Page 11 of 28 available monetary and human resources. Objectives should be simple, understandable, and as specific and quantitative as possible.

(b) Project Management: Describe how the proposed project will be organized and managed, including financial management of the project. Describe who will be responsible for carrying out project activities, and when/how communication with NMFS regarding project activities and objectives will take place. The lead organization/individual and person listed as the technical contact should be identified as the Project Manager (PM). Use of sub-contractors or volunteer or intern staff time to complete project activities and oversight of those individuals should be discussed. The PM is responsible for all technical oversight and implementation of the approved work plan as delineated in the proposal. One PM must be designated, but the PM may or may not be the applicant. However, if the applicant is not the PM, there must be an explanation of the relationship between the applicant and PM (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-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 and all Co-Manager's current resumes or curricula vitae must be included as appendices.

(c) Project Activities: Describe the technical plan of activities or methods that will be accomplished or implemented to meet the proposed project goals and objectives. Include detailed descriptions of activities, survey methodology (if applicable), collaborators, milestones, and expected products resulting from the completed project. Include federal permit information if a permit is required to undertake work. Project methods should include:

i. Project activities and how they relate to the project’s goals and objectives.

ii. A list of the activities or methods that will be conducted by project personnel, volunteers, community members, etc. Describe the oversight of volunteers and how their time will be used to complete project activities. Describe activities such that they are commensurate with the budget and scope of work.

iii. Clearly describe strategies or methods for meeting each objective described in this Announcement, milestones for each strategy, and a description of the specific activities and associated timelines necessary to meet them. Describe any timelines in project-specific increments (e.g., month one, month two, etc.), rather than by specific dates. Provide an explanation if dates are in fact necessary. Make sure the timelines are reasonable and reflect

Notice of Federal Funding Page 12 of 28 your overall project period. Specify the quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation criteria (metrics) you will use to determine the relative success or failure of the project in achieving the stated project goals, objectives, and milestones.

iv. Identify the outcomes, results, or products, and how they relate to the program priority addressed in the proposed project. Describe how the project outcomes, results, or products will be applied and/or made available to any appropriate user groups through outreach and education efforts.

v. 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.

vi. Federal, State and local government activities: List any programmatic partners, plans or activities (Federal, State, or local government activities) this project would affect or collaborate with and describe the relationship between the proposed project and those plans, activities or partners.

vii. Participation by persons or groups other than the applicant: Describe how any non-governmental entities will participate in the project and the nature of their participation.

3. Budget Justification (not to exceed 4 pages in length)

(a) Each application must include clear and concise budget information covering total project costs, both on the required Federal forms and in a detailed budget narrative. Scalable projects are encouraged with budgets and objectives drafted such that specific components can be funded independently of other project components. Multi-year applications must include a budget narrative for each year of the proposed project.

The NOAA Grant Management Budget Narrative guidance can be found on their website:

https://go.usa.gov/xPjNf

(b) Applications must include OMB standard form 424A, "Budget information - Non Construction Programs." All instructions should be read before completing the form, and the amounts per category and total amounts indicated on the form should correspond with amounts indicated in the budget narrative and justification.

(c) On a separate sheet or spreadsheet, list itemized costs per category and the corresponding Federal and non-Federal share and direct and indirect cost totals. Describe and justify the requested budget. No cost sharing or matching is required under the program.

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However, if you wish to include cost-sharing, separate the itemized costs into cash and in-kind contributions. If in-kind contributions are included, describe briefly the basis for estimating the value of these contributions.

(d) If an applicant has not previously established an indirect cost rate with a Federal agency they may choose to negotiate a rate with the Department of Commerce or use the de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of MTDC (as allowable under 2 C.F.R. §200.414). The negotiation and approval of a rate is subject to the procedures required by NOAA and the Department of Commerce Standard Terms and Conditions Section B.06. The NOAA contact for indirect or facilities and administrative costs is:

Lamar Revis, Grants Officer NOAA Grants Management Division 1325 East West Highway 9th Floor Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 lamar.revis@noaa.gov

4. Data Sharing or Management Plan (up to 2 pages, if the project collects environmental data. The data sharing plan will not count towards any other page limits.)

(a) Environmental data and information collected or created under NOAA grants or cooperative agreements must be made discoverable by and accessible to the general public, in a timely fashion (typically within two years), free of charge or at no more than the cost of reproduction, unless an exemption is granted by the NOAA Program. Data should be available in at least one machine-readable format, preferably a widely-used or open-standard format, and should also be accompanied by machine-readable documentation (metadata), preferably based on widely used or international standards.

(b) If projects submitted in response to this announcement collect or manage environmental data, then applications must include a Data Management Plan of up to two pages describing how these requirements will be satisfied. The Data Management Plan should be aligned with the Data Management Guidance provided by NOAA in the Announcement. The contents of the Data Management Plan (or absence thereof), and past performance regarding such plans, will be considered as part of proposal review. A typical plan should include descriptions of the types of environmental data and information expected to be created during the course of the project; the tentative date by which data will be shared;

the standards to be used for data/metadata format and content; methods for providing data access; approximate total volume of data to be collected; and prior experience in making such data accessible. The costs of data preparation, accessibility, or archiving may be included in the proposal budget unless otherwise stated in the Guidance. Accepted submission of data to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is

Notice of Federal Funding Page 14 of 28 one way to satisfy data sharing requirements; however, NCEI is not obligated to accept all submissions and may charge a fee, particularly for large or unusual datasets.

(c) NOAA may, at its own discretion, make publicly visible the Data Management Plan from funded proposals, or use information from the Data Management Plan to produce a formal metadata record and include that metadata in a Catalog to indicate the pending availability of new data. Proposal submitters are hereby advised that the final pre-publication manuscripts of scholarly articles produced entirely or primarily with NOAA funding will be required to be submitted to NOAA Institutional Repository after acceptance, and no later than upon publication. Such manuscripts shall be made publicly available by NOAA one year after publication by the journal.

5. Appendices (optional; maximum 10 pages): Abbreviated curricula vitae or resumes of the PM and any Co-Managers should be included with the application. Additional material that is necessary or useful to the description of the project may also be provided (e.g., letters of collaboration, tables or visual materials, permits, maps). Letters of collaboration are strongly recommended.

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

To enable the use of a universal identifier and to enhance the quality of information available to the public as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, 31 U.S.C. 6101 note, to the extent applicable, any proposal awarded in response to this announcement will be required to use the System for Award Management (SAM), which may be accessed online at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. Applicants are also required to use the Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System, as identified in OMB guidance published at 2 CFR Part 25, which may be accessed at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=35be46d4aad32de8a6573d14609aa19b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5.?

See section G. Other submission requirements for additional information.

D. Submission Dates and Times

Proposals must be received by http://www.Grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 5:00 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time, on January 30, 2022. Use of Grants.gov is preferred. If Grants.gov cannot reasonably be used, use of U.S. mail or another delivery service must be documented with a receipt; private metered postmarks are not acceptable. Postmarked applications received more than 5 business days following the closing date will not be accepted. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

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Applicants are encouraged to apply through the www.grants.gov website. This electronic submission system is relatively complex for first time users and involves several preliminary registrations to be completed before your application can be submitted. If you have already used the grants.gov website, the required registrations may have already been completed.

Please allow sufficient time for the application to be submitted electronically and for possible computer delays. Note: validation or rejection of your application by Grants.gov may take up to 2 business days after submission. Please consider this process in developing your submission timeline. Applications not adhering to postmark or submission deadlines will be rejected and returned to the sender without further consideration.

E. Intergovernmental Review

Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 19 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372.

F. Funding Restrictions

NOAA will not consider expenses associated with fees, fund-raising activities, travel for activities not directly related to project implementation, travel or salaries for Federal employees, or profit as allowable costs in the proposed budget. The total costs of a project consist of all allowable costs incurred in accomplishing project activities during the project period. Project costs can only include support for activities conducted between the effective start date and end date of the award, and cannot include activities undertaken either before or after the agreed upon dates. Applicants will not be reimbursed for time expended or costs incurred in developing a project or in preparing an application, or in any discussions or negotiations with the agency prior to the award. Such expenditures may not be considered as part of the applicant's cost share or matching contribution.

G. Other Submission Requirements

Full Applications should be submitted through www.grants.gov. If you do not have Internet access, an application package may submitted to Scott Bloom, Federal Programs Officer, NOAA/NMFS/PIRO; 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96818.

Registration Process

1. Required registrations: You must complete and maintain the following registrations to be eligible to submit an application using the Grants.Gov website. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take between 3 days to 4 weeks or more, and applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible.

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(a) Grants.Gov: The first step in submitting an application online is to complete a onetime registration process. Individuals wishing to submit a grant application, using Grants.Gov, are required to complete this one time registration process. Neither a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number nor the System for Award Management (SAM) registration is necessary for Individual Registration.

(b) Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) - All Applicant Organizations (optional for Individual Applicants) must be issued a DUNS number. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identification number provided by Dun and Bradstreet.

It will be used as the Universal Identifier when applying for Federal awards or cooperative agreements. You may request a DUNS number by calling 1-866-705-5711 (toll free) or through the Internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

Your DUNS Number assignment is free.

(c) System for Award Management (SAM) – All Applicant Organizations (optional for Individual Applicants) must complete and maintain an active registration. New registrations take an average of fourteen (14) business days. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. To register, go to: http://www.SAM.gov.

Registration is free.

You must renew and revalidate your entity’s registration at least every 12 months from the date you last certified to and submitted the registration in SAM - and sooner, if your entity’s information changes. The email address provided for the primary point of contact will receive a message alerting that designee to the entity’s/entities’ renewal requirements at 60 days, 30 days and 15 days prior to expiration. If you do not renew your registration, it will expire. You must have an active SAM registration in order to be eligible to receive contract awards or payments, submit assistance award applications via Grants.gov, or receive certain payments from some federal government agencies.

2. Only authorized the individual(s) will be able to submit the application, and the system may need time to process a submitted application. After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic acknowledgment of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by NOAA.) Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be

Notice of Federal Funding Page 17 of 28 accompanied by THREE automated responses (the first confirming receipt; the second confirming there are no errors with an application submission; and the third validating the application has been forwarded to NOAA for further processing). You should save and print the proof of submission. If all notifications are not received, applicants should follow up with both the Grants.gov help desk and the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office, Federal Programs Office staff to confirm NOAA receipt of the complete submission. You must obtain a Grants.gov support number.

3. Federal employees are not allowed to assist in the preparation of an application or proposal, except that these individuals may provide you with information on program goals, funding priorities, application procedures, and completion of application forms. Because this is a competitive program, Federal employees will not provide assistance in conceptualizing, developing, or structuring proposals, or write letters of support for an application or proposal.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers will assign scores to applications ranging from 0-100 points based on the following five standard NOAA evaluation criteria. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also includes the factors that the reviewers will consider to determine how well an application meets the criterion. We encourage applicants to make explicit connections to the evaluation criterion and factors in their applications.

Written comments are required to justify provided scores in each section of the review.

Applications that best address these criteria will be most competitive.

Five technical/merit review panels will be convened - one panel for each program Priority.

The applications will be evaluated under the program Priority which is specified in the project proposal. Applications will not be evaluated under more than one program Priority.

Each panel will evaluate proposals by assigning scores up to the maximum indicated for each of the criteria below. Each review panel will generate a rank order of proposals per program Priority.

1. Importance and/or Relevance and Applicability of Proposed Project to the Grant Program’s Priority (30 points). This criterion ascertains whether there is value in the proposed work related to the specified program priority (Section 1.B above), and to other relevant NMFS, Federal, regional, state, management objectives, including relevance to ESA

Notice of Federal Funding Page 18 of 28 recovery or management plans. Applications will be evaluated to determine if the project activities are clear and relate to the project’s goals and objectives. Proposals should address the following questions: Does the project proposal describe meaningful goals, objectives, outcomes, results, or products? What is the likelihood of meeting project goals and objectives, and achieving anticipated results or outcomes in the stated time period? Is there a high certainty for successful programmatic implementation to effectively address the specified program priority and the associated species management and conservation needs?

Does the project proposal describe how partners and stakeholders will be productively engaged in the project? Does the project proposal include activities that have a high likelihood of successfully engaging with appropriate partners and stakeholders for successful project outcomes?

2. Technical/Scientific Merit (30 points). This criterion assesses whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate to achieve or implement the project’s goals and objectives. Proposals should provide a clear definition of the project design and the means for securing productive results (e.g., evaluation criteria). Proposals should have sufficient information to enable reviewers to provide a technical evaluation of the project, including reference to Federal permits if needed to implement programmatic activities. Does the project have a strong technical design to ensure the project will produce productive and meaningful results? Does the proposal clearly indicate: 1) who will be responsible for carrying out project activities? 2) when/how communication with NMFS regarding project activities and objectives will take place? 3) how project personnel will coordinate with NMFS and partners to maximize collaboration and information-sharing, maximize efficiency, and reduce duplication of efforts? 4) how the applicant intends to engage with and foster participation by diverse stakeholder groups and community members? and/or 5) specify the quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation criteria (metrics) that will be collected, documented, and reported by the applicant to determine the relative success or failure of the project in achieving the stated project goals, objectives, and milestones? Per the NOAA Data Sharing Directive, data management plans shall be also evaluated as part of the proposal review process as part of the evaluation criterion.

3. Overall Qualifications of the Applicant(s) (20 points). This criterion ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, facilities, community connections, and administrative resources to accomplish the project. Reviewers will consider previous related performance experience and qualifications of the project's PM, Co- Manager(s) and other personnel, including designated contractors, consultants, and cooperators. Reviewers will consider if the project is already established and has the necessary connections (government, local community, partnerships) to implement programmatic objectives. If not, is there certainty that the project can implement objectives

Notice of Federal Funding Page 19 of 28 while becoming established? Reviewers will also consider whether the proposed project is a status quo continuation of past efforts under a previous award or if it is expected to achieve new or enhanced project results or outcomes.

4. Project Costs (10 points). This criterion evaluates the budget to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame. This includes reviewing the reasonableness of the costs associated with the required tasks to be performed, and the overall relationship with the cost effectiveness for successfully completing the project. Are all costs itemized, and do they directly support the project goals, objectives, and activities? Is the overall budget justified and appropriately allocated? Does the project provide a high conservation value for low expenditure of resources? Scalable projects are encouraged with budgets and objectives drafted such that specific components can be funded independently of other project components. Reviewers may recommend specific components of projects be funded based on merit of proposed activities.

5. Outreach and Education (10 points). This criterion assesses whether the project provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources. Applications will be evaluated on whether project results or products will be shared appropriately, given the nature of the proposed work, and whether sufficient detail is provided to make this determination. Is there an appropriate outreach/education plan, strategy, or products for the type and nature of the proposal? Are the methods and target audiences adequately described? Will product(s) be effective and support meaningful and long-term conservation or management outcomes? Depending on the nature of the project, outreach and education may include: postings on websites and social media (in collaboration with NOAA), presentations, meetings and community events, development of brochures, education materials, or training manuals.

B. Review and Selection Process

Screening, review, and selection procedures will take place in 3 steps: initial screening;

technical/merit review panel; and final selection by the Selecting Official (the NOAA/NMFS Regional Administrator).

1. Initial Screening - An initial administrative review is conducted on each application to determine compliance with application requirements and completeness of application materials. Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete or non-responsive will be eliminated from further review. When applications are received they will be screened to ensure they were received by the deadline date (see Section IV. C. Submission Dates and Times); the applicant is eligible to apply; the proposed project addresses one of the funding priorities; and includes a title page, project description, budget, and supporting

Notice of Federal Funding Page 20 of 28 documentation as outlined in Section IV.B. Content and Form of Application. We do not have to screen applications before the submission deadline in order to identify deficiencies that would cause your application to be rejected so that you would have an opportunity to correct them. However, should we do so and provide you information about deficiencies, or should you independently decide it is desirable to do so, you may correct any deficiencies in your application before the deadline.

After the deadline, the application must remain as submitted; no changes…