nofa, migratory bird program, lewis, 12-11-12.doc

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Division of Migratory Birds Migratory Bird Conservation Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.647 Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions I. Description of Funding Opportunity

This announcement solicits proposals for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS’s) Upper Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program. In 2013, this program will provide grants for the conservation of birds that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act but not Federally-listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Proposals should address projects in the geographic area that includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin; non-breeding season areas important for birds breeding in these states; or broad-scale actions that will have tangible benefits that include birds in these states. This grant program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at: https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=program&mode=form&tab=step1&id=801a19ef709c9440e2ecf95da74a0704 .

This grant program was created in the late 1980s to address the needs of birds that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Funding available for the program fluctuates annually because it is derived from discretionary funds within the USFWS’s Upper Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program’s annual budget and those funds are subject to varying levels of Congressional appropriations and are affected by other program needs.

To focus conservation on the highest priority issues with the greatest probability of making a difference for birds, the Upper Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program operates under the USFWS business model that integrates biological planning, landscape design, conservation delivery, and monitoring and evaluation in a way that generates the adaptive feedback that enables sound decisions and constantly improves our efficiency and effectiveness in saving birds (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/science/SHC/FAQ.htm).

In 2013, our grant program will focus on the following:

1. Coordinated Bird Monitoring: We seek proposals that advance regional scale bird monitoring priorities as identified through the Midwest Coordinated Bird Monitoring Partnership (http://midwestbirdmonitoring.ning.com). Priority will be given to proposals that:

a. Facilitate the continued flow of bird monitoring information between bird conservation partners and the Midwest Avian Data Center (MWADC; http://data.prbo.org/partners/mwadc), provide enhanced training to MWADC data contributors and user groups, and develop decision-support tools that are responsive to the Partnership’s needs.

b. Develop an organized network of research and monitoring capacity that can be mobilized to address priority landbird migration information needs (i.e., minimizing mortality to migrants as they move through the Midwest region and ensuring stopover habitat maximizes survival and reproductive success of migrants in the context of their full annual cycles).

c. Address evaluation of sampling frameworks for surveying waterbirds nesting in the Great Lakes.

Projects that directly involve collaborative and coordinated support of several key partners within the region will be given greater consideration. Please note that this grant program is not meant to support long-term operational bird monitoring efforts; rather, it seeks to address coordination of monitoring efforts and development and evaluation of new survey and monitoring techniques (both field and analytical). If a project is selected for funding, we request that the Principal Investigators share their data by depositing them in the Midwest Avian Data Center; the costs of data formatting and entry should be incorporated by PIs into their proposal’s budget. If data are proprietary, access to them through MWADC can be controlled. For more information, please contact Katie Koch (katie_koch@fws.gov; 906-226-1249).

2. Focal Species Conservation: In recent years, the USFWS has worked with partners to develop conservation plans and host collaborative workshops for a number of high-priority avian focal species. In 2013, we seek proposals that advance specific conservation priorities for the following focal species:

a. Golden-winged Warbler: An integrated non-breeding season conservation plan that engages Central and northern South American partners and (1) identifies country- and regionally-specific threats to previously-identified priority habitats; (2) proposes viable landscape-scale conservation actions needed to address these threats; and (3) identifies the relevant partners in each country and their respective roles in meeting challenges to successful conservation action.

b. Bobolink: A full life cycle conservation plan engaging Canadian, U.S., and South American partners that briefly summarizes the species’ conservation status, identifies major threats on a regional basis, and proposes regionally-specific (breeding and non-breeding season) conservation strategies; integration with ongoing landscape approaches for suites of other grassland bird species is essential.

c. American Woodcock: Proposals are sought that address priorities outlined in the American Woodcock Conservation Plan

(http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Newreportspublications/research/WMGBMR/WMGBMR.html).

d. King Rail: Proposals are sought that address priorities outlined in the King Rail Conservation Plan (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MidwestBird/documents/KingRailConservationPlan.pdf).

e. Black Tern and Common Tern in the Great Lakes Region: Proposals are sought that address the priorities outlined for these species in the Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan (http://www.waterbirdconservation.org/UMVGL.html), particularly those related to coordinated monitoring, research on habitat relationships, and regional conservation.

f. Shorebirds: Research is needed on the following subjects:

(1) Evaluation of the effects of various methods of controlled grazing on breeding Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, and Wilson’s Phalarope.

(2) Evaluation of the relative value of soybean agricultural lands vs. grassland habitat for Upland Sandpiper.

(3) Determination of the chronology, length of stay, and response to site conditions of migrant shorebirds, especially Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Wilson’s Phalarope.

3. Bald Eagle Permitting Information Needs: In 2007, the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species List and in 2009 the USFWS established two types of permits that allow for limited take and disturbance of Bald Eagles that may be the result of otherwise legal activities. We seek proposals that address information needs related to the processing of these permits. In particular, we are interested in research that addresses the following subjects, in priority order:

a. Bald Eagle migration pathways.

b. Bald Eagle local flight pathways and behavior.

c. Approaches for assessing the impacts of wind development, powerlines, and other disturbances near Bald Eagle nests or roosts.

4. Avian Health and Disease: Increasing expansion of human populations has led to habitat fragmentation, changes in land-use patterns, and increased pressure on wild bird populations. Globalization of marketing and distribution has increased zoonotic and emerging disease risks. Many of these emerging diseases involve avian reservoirs or susceptible hosts. Increasing the complexity of this picture are changes in climate; avian populations may need to alter site fidelity in response to weather patterns, and this will introduce new opportunities for transmission of avian diseases and place pressure on populations already stressed by anthropogenic factors. To address these issues, the USFWS has established the Avian Health and Disease Program (AHDP) to conduct work in avian health and disease surveillance, response, and management in wild bird populations. In 2013, we seek proposals to:

a. Establish avian health baselines.

b. Identify existing and emerging avian health and disease risks, especially those related to trematodiasis, Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and botulism.

c. Ensure avian disease preparedness and prevention.

d. Develop, guide, and implement appropriate and effective avian disease management actions.

Note: It is possible that funding for the AHDP may be severely cut or eliminated from the USFWS budget in 2013, but a final decision on this was not available at the time this announcement was posted.

Before submitting proposals on any of the above topics, we strongly encourage you to contact Steve Lewis, USFWS Division of Migratory Birds (612-713-5473; steve_j_lewis@fws.gov), to discuss potential projects. He will direct you to resources and contacts that can help you further develop your proposal ideas.

II. Award Information

For bird monitoring and focal species conservation projects, we anticipate that a maximum of $500,000 will be awarded in FY 2013. In FY 12, the average amount for an individual award was $42,000 (range: $5,000 to $134,000) and this level is likely to be similar in FY 2013. It is not likely that individual awards will be made for amounts greater than $75,000. We anticipate making approximately 15 awards in FY 2013.

For Bald Eagle permitting projects, we anticipate that a maximum of $50,000 will be awarded in FY 2013. In FY 2012, only one award was made, for $11,000. In FY 2013, we will consider proposals for up to $50,000 and it is likely that a maximum of five awards will be made.

For avian health and disease projects, we anticipate that a maximum of $70,000 will be awarded in FY 2013. In FY 12, the average amount for an individual award was $32,000 (range: $12,000 to 42,000) and this level is likely to be similar in FY 2013. It is not likely that individual awards will be made for amounts greater than $40,000. We anticipate making approximately five awards in FY 2013.

This program uses grant agreements as the primary assistance instrument, and these typically have a maximum period of performance of five years. Funds will be awarded in FY 2013 (no later than mid-September 2013) but, because of uncertainties in the Federal budget, we cannot guarantee that funding for avian research and monitoring projects will be available for the 2013 field season.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

State governments

Native American tribal governments (Federally-recognized)

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

Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status

Public, State-controlled, and private institutions of higher education

Ineligible Applicants:

City, township, and county governments

For-profit organizations

Small businesses

Individuals

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Central Contractor Registry and Data Universal Numbering System) mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR functionality was consolidated into the System for Award Management (SAM) in September 2012.

A. DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711

Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1)

For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM Register in SAM online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that SAM is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid to a bank account in the United States must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

Entities that had an active record in CCR have an active record in SAM. Such entities do not need to do anything in SAM unless a change in business circumstances requires updates to your Entity record(s) or the Entity record is due to expire. SAM will send notifications to migrated Entity users via email 60, 30, and 15 days prior to expiration of the Entity record. To update or renew your Entity records(s) in SAM your Entity user(s) will need to create a SAM User Account and link their account(s) to your migrated Entity record(s). Entities migrated from CCR can find complete instructions on accessing their SAM Entity records online at http://www.sam.gov/.

C. Excluded Entities Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program Cost Sharing or Matching: There is not a requirement for cost-sharing or matching for this grant opportunity.

IV. Application Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A.

A completed, signed, and dated Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424). The SF-424 form is available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15.

B.

Project Summary

Briefly summarize the project, in one page or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location where work will be done, and a brief overview of the need for the project, goals, objectives, specific project activities, and expected outcomes consistent with this funding opportunity. As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities and/or disseminating project results.

C.

Project Narrative

1. Project Title and Contact Information for the Submitter.

2. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) relevant to the proposed work. Address the relevance of the project to the USFWS priorities outlined in section I above.

2.

Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term goal(s) of the project. Objectives are the specific steps to be taken to reach the stated goals. State the objectives of the project, which must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed period of performance). State the anticipated outcomes and/or benefits of the project.

3.

Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: State the proposed project activities, and describe how they relate to the stated project objectives. The project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the proposed activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the project’s methodology and study design. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the proposal narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

4.

Anticipated Products/Outputs: Describe any expected project products/outputs. Once identified, describe the intended impact of the products/outputs on the target resource. Detail if/how products will be distributed to resource managers, researchers and other interested parties. Detail any applicability of the project methods/activities/outcomes to other projects.

5.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation: The project must incorporate a monitoring and evaluation plan that will allow the proponent to ascertain the quality of benefits and outputs and to ensure that the benefits/outputs reach the intended beneficiaries. Describe how you/your organization (or others) will monitor project progress and measure the project’s impacts, and how you/your organization will assess progress towards reaching objectives, and, as applicable, how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in these activities.

6.

Description of Organization(s) Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all cooperating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing, and what their monetary or in-kind contributions to the project will be. Provide complete contact information for the individual within your organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis; this is the person commonly referred to as the Project Officer or Project Manager.

7.

Literature Cited D.

A completed Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) or Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C) form. Use the SF-424A if your project does not include construction and the 424C if it does include construction. The budget forms are available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15.

When developing your budget, keep in mind the following:

· Cost Principles: Financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to OMB Circulars A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (2 CFR Part 230), A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (2 CFR Part 220), and A-87, Cost Principles for States and Local Governments (2 CFR Part 225), as applicable to the recipient organization type. These OMB circulars are available online at http://www.doi.gov/pam/financialassistance/resources/index.html.

· Federally Funded Equipment: Applicants cannot attribute equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government under another award as matching or in-kind contributions. Do not include this type of equipment in your budget! Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

· Indirect Costs: An applicant without an established indirect cost rate agreement with a Federal agency may not charge indirect costs to Federal financial assistance awards and must charge all costs directly. Individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or tribal government, academia or other type of organization must charge all costs directly.

If indirect costs are included on proposed budget, the applicant must submit copy of their most recently submitted/approved indirect cost rate agreement. Non-profit organizations that have received, or expect to receive, the greatest amount of Federal funding in direct awards from the Department of the Interior, should go to http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx for online guidance and tools for submitting an indirect cost rate agreement proposal to the Department of the Interior. Organizations may also contact the National Business Center directly at:

Indirect Cost Services

Acquisition Services Directorate, National Business Center

U.S. Department of the Interior

2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430

Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone: 916.566.7111 Fax: 916.566.7110

Email: ics@nbc.gov

All other types of applicants except individuals should contact the USFWS program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity with any questions on how to establish an indirect cost rate agreement with a Federal agency.

E.

Assurances Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) if your project does not involve construction. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D) if it does involve construction.

F.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, applicants must complete and submit with their application the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SFLLL-V1.1.pdf ) when they have made payment or have agreed to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. Recipients may not use funds awarded under a Federal grant or cooperative agreement to conduct such lobbying activities.

G.

Statement Regarding A-133 Single Audit Reporting: Following OMB Circular A-133 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf), domestic entities expending $500,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a year must submit an A-133 Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. State if your organization was/was not required to submit an A-133 Single Audit report last year (either your organization is a non-U.S. entity or a domestic entity that did not spend $500,000 USD or more in Federal funds last year). If your organization was required to submit an A-133 Single Audit report last year, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/).

Application Checklist

· A complete, signed and dated SF 424 - Application for Federal Assistance

· Project Summary and Narrative text and attachments

· A complete SF-424A (non-construction) or SF-424C (construction) - Budget Information form

· If Federally funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment as described in section IV.D. above

· If indirect costs are included in proposed budget, a copy of the organization’s current approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or pending proposal

· Signed and dated SF-424B (non-construction) or SF-424D (construction) - Assurances form

· If applicable, completed SF-LLL form – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (required only if the applicant has lobbying activities to disclose)

· Statement regarding applicability of and compliance with OMB Circular A-133 - Single Audit Reporting - as described in section IV.G. above Failure to provide complete information, as outlined above, may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of an application.

V. Submission Instructions Documents should be submitted by email to: Steve Lewis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at steve_j_lewis@fws.gov. Please submit your Project Summary and Narrative as Microsoft Word documents. Other documents can be submitted as Word documents or pdf files.

VI. Application Review Criteria:

Proposals will be reviewed using criteria related to the geographic locations and species and issue priorities outlined in section I above. Additional criteria will evaluate the clarity and likelihood of accomplishment of a project’s objectives; the appropriateness of a project’s methodology, experimental design, and sampling scheme; and the reasonableness of a project’s budget.

Review and Selection Process:

A team of USFWS bird biologists will review and score proposals using the above criteria. Each proposal will be discussed by the team and team members will have an opportunity to adjust their scores based on additional information that may come out of the team discussions. Proposals will then be ranked according to their average scores (across reviewers) and funded, in rank order, until funds are exhausted.

VII. Award Administration Award Notices:

Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before a final award can be made. Successful applicants will receive notice via email in the form of a Notice of Award document. Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or receiving the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the USFWS. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive notice, via e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

Domestic Recipient Payments:

Prior to an award being issued to you/your organization, the USFWS program office will contact you/your organization to either enroll in the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system or, if eligible, submit to the USFWS program a request to obtain approval from the Department of the Interior to be waived from using ASAP.

Domestic applicants subject to the SAM registration requirement (see section III above) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP must enter and maintain current banking information in SAM. Domestic applicants exempt from the SAM registration requirement (see section III above) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP will be required to submit their banking information directly to the USFWS program. However, do NOT submit any banking information to the USFWS until it is requested from you by the USFWS program!

Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the USFWS is protected during its transmission/delivery. The USFWS strongly recommends recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available. The USFWS recommends the following digital transmission methods: secure digital faxing; encrypted emails; emailing a password protected zipped/compressed file attachment in one email followed by the password in a second email; or emailing a zipped/compressed file attachment. The USFWS strongly encourages recipients sending sensitive data in paper copy to use a courier mail service. Recipients may also contact their USFWS Project Officer and provide any sensitive data over the telephone.

The Notice of Award document from the USFWS will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests.

Standard Award Terms and Conditions:

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of award. The text of all standard award terms and conditions are available online at http://www.doi.gov/pam/TermsandConditions.html. Acceptance is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by DOI and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

· Program legislation/regulation

· Special terms and conditions

· Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable:

· 2 CFR Part 25 Central Contractor Registration and Data Universal Numbering System

· 2 CFR Part 170 Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation

· 2 CFR Part 1400 Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)

· 2 CFR Part 1401 Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)

· 2 CFR Part 175 Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

· 43 CFR 12(A) Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs

· 43 CFR 12(C) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local

· 43 CFR 12(F) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, other Non-Profit and Commercial Organizations

· 43 CFR 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying

· 305 DM 3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities and 217 FW 7, Scientific Integrity and Scholarly Conduct. Grant and cooperative agreement recipients must ensure quality project results. Results must consist of unbiased assessments through proper management and enforcement of scientific integrity standards, which includes avoiding conflicts of interest as defined in USFWS policy 212 FW 7 (complete text available online at http://www.fws.gov/policy/212fw7.html).

Recipient Financial and Performance Reporting Requirements:

Interim financial reports and performance reports may be required. Interim reports will be required no more frequently than quarterly, and no less frequently than annually. A final financial report and a final performance report will be required and are due within 90 calendar days of the end date of the award. Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. The USFWS will specify the performance reporting frequency applicable to the award in the Notice of Award document.

VIII. Agency Contact Steve Lewis

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Division of Migratory Birds

5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990

Bloomington, MN 55437-5393

PH 612-713-5473; FAX 612-713-5393

EMAIL steve_j_lewis@fws.gov