NOFA-RT15.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Division of International Conservation

Wildlife Without Borders – Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund FY15

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.619

Funding Opportunity Number: F14AS00442

Submission Deadline: December 2, 2014

Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions

Carefully read this opportunity as recent changes have been incorporated!

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund is soliciting proposals for the conservation of rhinoceroses and/or tigers throughout their ranges. The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act was passed in 1994 to provide financial resources for conservation of rhinoceros and tiger populations.

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund supports projects that promote conservation through:

Enhanced protection of at-risk rhinoceros and tiger populations;

Protected area/reserve management in important rhinoceros and tiger range;

Veterinary care for wild populations;

Habitat conservation and management;

Reintroduction to former range;

Restoration of habitat;

Wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensics skills;

Conservation education and community outreach;

Efforts to decrease human-rhinoceros and human-tiger conflicts;

Strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs;

Transfrontier rhinoceros and tiger conservation;

Applied research on rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring;

Development and execution of rhinoceros and tiger conservation management plans; and

Compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros and tigers or regulate the use and management of their habitat;

Reducing demand for illegal rhino and tiger parts, products and live animals in consumer countries;

Combatting trafficking of illegal rhino and tiger parts, products and live animals.

Proposed project work should occur within the rhinoceros or tiger range, or, if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show clear relevance to rhinoceros or tiger conservation. If the project includes research, the applicant must provide a convincing argument that the research addresses priority threats and that the results are likely to result in management actions.

II. Award Information

This program uses grants and cooperative agreements as assistance instruments. The type of assistance instrument to be used is the decision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).

Proposals are typically funded at or less than $50,000 USD. Higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification. Although the period of performance for projects funded under this program is typically one year, there are no restrictions on funding proposals for activities exceeding one year. If the applicant wishes to request a period of performance greater than one year, it should be noted on the Cover Page and the proposal timetable should describe activities for the entire proposed period of performance. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible but must submit new proposals to compete for funding each year.

Cooperative Agreements

Under cooperative agreements, substantial involvement by the Service should be expected and may include participating and collaborating jointly with the recipient or other personnel in carrying out the scope of work, including training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; reviews and approves one stage of work before the next stage can begin; reviews and approves, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards; helps select project staff or trainees; directs or redirects the work because of interrelationships with other projects; has power to immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and limits recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

All other criteria described under Grants Awards above apply except that the period of performance of a cooperative agreement can be multiyear. To submit a proposal for consideration as a cooperative agreement, provide a justification statement in the project proposal as to the type and duration of assistance requested by the Service and a rationale for why substantial involvement of Service is needed to fulfill the project objectives.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants: Any agency responsible for the conservation and protection of rhinoceroses and/or tigers in the wild and any other organization, multi-national secretariat, public or private university, or individual with demonstrated experience in rhinoceros and/or tiger conservation may submit proposals to this Fund. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must submit documentary evidence of their Section 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Ineligible Activities: The Division of International Conservation will not fund:

the purchase of firearms or ammunition;

gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity;

law enforcement operations that, to arrest suspects, prompt them to carry out illegal activities (entrapment);

any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country of proposed activity;

projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. These countries are subject to four main categories of sanctions which include restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, miscellaneous financial, and other restrictions. See http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm for more information;

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm projects in countries included in comprehensive sanction programs administered by the

U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Controls, without proper licenses.

See http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx for more information on OFAC and specific comprehensive and non-comprehensive sanction programs.

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and Central Contractor Registration) 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 System for Award Management (SAM). Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to 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.

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 System for Award Management 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 their information is up to date and in synch with changes are made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a

United States bank account must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in

SAM.

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.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost sharing is not required but priority will be given to projects for which there exists some measure of matching funds. If cost share or match is included it may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions and be verifiable. Applicant and partner contributions cannot be included as contributions for any other federally assisted project or program. Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as matching contributions, but should be noted and explained in detail. A match shown during one year may not be repeated as a match in a subsequent proposal.

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/

IV. Application Requirements

Proposals should be in English, ten pages or less and numbered. Application cover page, summary, figures, tables, maps and required forms do not count toward the ten page limit. In addition, please indicate if you have received previous Service funding from the Rhino and Tiger

Conservation Fund or if you plan to submit the same proposal to multiple Service or Federal programs.

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain:

A. A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form (SF-424). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the

“Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested from this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

U.S. applicants must also submit signed and dated Assurances - Non-Construction form (SF-424b).

The SF-424 and SF-424b forms are located here:

http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=12. Look for the form name - Application for

Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B).

All applicants must complete a signed and dated DIC Application Cover Page located at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/cover-page.pdf according to the instructions on page 3 of the form.

B. Project Summary

BRIEFLY summarize your project in one page or less. This section should be a stand-alone summary of your project. It may or may not be shared with the public. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project.

C. Project Narrative

Please bear in mind not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants, so the proposal itself should include all the major points that a reader needs to know. Do not expect reviewers to refer to past proposals or reports or outside references but instead summarize them as necessary.

1. Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” In three pages of text or less the statement of need should clearly a) identify the targeted species or habitat, b) give a description of the direct threats that adversely affect the targeted species/habitat at the project site, c) provide justification on which threat(s) is the most important to address, and d) identify the specific activities that the project will implement and address.

Describe why this project is necessary and include supporting information. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts (of your organization as well as other international, national, http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=12 http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/cover-page.pdf regional, and/or local organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain how your proposal differs from past work or builds upon it. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposal builds upon those.

If you have received grants previously (from the Service or any other donor) for this work or this specific site, provide a summary of those activities and accomplishments so that reviewers can better understand the proposal in context. A table may be the most efficient way to convey this information: including columns for donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points of major activities, outcomes, or products.

2. Project Goals and Objectives: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” As an example the following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1

Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1

Activity 3.2

Activity 3.3

A goal is the long-term outcome that you want to achieve in order to successfully conserve the target species.

Objectives are the specific outcomes that you want to achieve in order to reach your stated goal(s), and should reflect a desired change in capacity, threat, or species status.

Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, capable of being measured, realistic, and results-orientated. Objectives should form the basis for the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation section. A recommended reference for identifying and developing appropriate objectives and measures of success is the

Conservation Measures Partnership website (Internet link:

http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management).

3. Project Activities, Methods, and Timetable: This section should answer the question, “How are you going to achieve your objectives?” State the proposed project activities and describe how implementation will enable the project team to achieve the stated objectives. For each capacity building activity, describe the capacity building approach

(e.g., training, talk or presentation, on-line course, demonstrations, group discussion, field work, field visit, case studies, facilitating dialogue, program development, provision of equipment or other resources), topics to be covered/curricula, skills to be learned or improved, intended audience/target group profile (e.g., number and type of http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management people trained), duration and location of each training activity, and materials/equipment to be used. The equipment used/requested and personnel conducting the work should be clearly articulated in this section, and proposed activities should correspond with the budget request.

Activities that meet one or more of the following conditions will strengthen your proposal:

Activities that are feasible and likely to be successfully implemented as stated;

Activities that apply the best scientific and/or technical information and methods available;

Activities that include the participation of local partners in project activities, including meaningful involvement of government, community or civil society stakeholders; and

Activities that result in benefits that go beyond the period of performance of the grant.

Provide a timetable indicating roughly when (over a 12-month timeframe) activities or project milestones will be accomplished. If there are multiple agencies, organizations, or individuals involved, it may be helpful to include a column showing which party will be responsible for each activity. Include any tables, spreadsheets or flowcharts within the body of the narrative (DO NOT include separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates, but should show what will be done monthly throughout the activity period. To view a sample project timetable to:

http://www.fws.gov/international/DIC/pdf/Sample_timetable.pdf

For projects being conducted within the United States, 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. For projects being conducted on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of Endangered Species Act. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity.

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: This section should answer the question, “Who are you going to be working with?” Describe any coordination with local resource managers and other relevant organizations or individuals in planning your project, conducting project activities, or disseminating project results. Where multiple groups are working in the same site, or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal, and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization, will strengthen your proposal, and may be requested by reviewers.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Project Monitoring should answer the question, “How will we know that the project is working successfully?” Describe how you (or http://www.fws.gov/international/DIC/pdf/Sample_timetable.pdf others) will monitor project progress and measure the project’s results and impact.

Include details on how you will assess your progress toward reaching the objectives such as the specific metrics or indicators you will use to report project implementation

(e.g., number of workshops held, number of trained park guards, number of trees planted, number of species protected, etc.) and what specific metrics or indicators you will use to report on intended project outcomes (e.g., core competencies obtained, change in behavior of workshop attendees, increase in awareness, and conservation action). Indicate how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in these activities.

(1) Anticipated Benefits and Outputs: Identify all expected project outputs, (e.g., management plans, brochures, posters, training manuals, number of people trained, workshops held, hours of training provided, patrols conducted). Where appropriate, describe how outputs will be distributed to the relevant stakeholders, such as host country government agencies, resource managers, local communities, media, and civil society.

(2) Conservation Outcomes: Conservation outcomes are the desired impacts of a project, such as a change in capacity, threat, or condition of a species or habitat, and should relate directly to your objectives. To track your progress toward achievement of each project objective, identify what you will measure (i.e., indicators), and how you will measure it (e.g., methods, sample sizes, survey tools). For example:

Whenever possible, include direct measures of abundance or spatial extent for the focal species, population, or habitat to demonstrate the impact of project activities.

For education and outreach, include examples of questionnaires or behavioral surveys that you will employ to measure how knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors were affected by your project.

For training, curricula should be described or attached and assessment tools like exams or tests should be described and benchmarks for passing the training program should be stated.

For wildlife protection activities, you may wish to measure patrol days, person-hours, or prosecutions secured.

For reintroduction or veterinary programs, measures of success may focus on the number of animals moved or treated, survivorship, or overall population numbers.

Note that outputs (or products) should NOT be used as indicators, including Service performance reports, materials produced, number of management plans generated, etc. Remember, indicators should reflect a change in capacity, human behavior, threat, or status of the target species. If the status of the indicator is known, and the applicant identifies the indicator’s desired status or qualitative condition, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

The following table format is recommended:

Objective Indicator (i.e., what you will measure to track your progress toward achieving the objective)

Measure

(i.e., how you will measure the indicator)

Current

Status

(if known)

Desired

Status

6. Description of Organization(s) Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who are you, and who are you going to be working with?” Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all cooperating or coordinating organizations and agencies. Provide a brief description of the applicant organization an all cooperating or coordinating organizations and agencies. State the activity for which each group or individual is responsible. Provide brief (1-2 pages) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. DO NOT include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics.

Where multiple groups are working in the same site, or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will strengthen your proposal, and may be requested by reviewers. If activities to collect data are proposed and the project can demonstrate a strong partnership with the wildlife authority that will use the data to manage the species more effectively, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

7. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

8. Literature Cited (if necessary)

9. Map: This section should answer the question, “Where is this project located?” Provide a map showing the location of your project site at the regional or national level. Ensure that the sites that you have referred to in the proposal are labeled on the map.

10. Governmental Endorsement: Non-governmental applicants must include a RECENT letter of support (no older than two years) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. Endorsement letters should make specific reference to the project by its title, as submitted on the applicant’s proposal.

D. Budget Form

Financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the cost principles in the following

Federal regulations, as applicable to the recipient organization type:

2 CFR Part 220, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

2 CFR Part 225, Cost Principles for States and Local Governments

2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations

45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E, Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to

Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals

48 CFR 1, Subpart 31.2, Contracts with Commercial Organizations

Links to the full text of these Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity

Instructions for Budget Table: Begin your project budget table on a new page. The budget table should include a column for all cost categories/items for the project, one column to show the cost calculation, a column for the total costs, one column for the requested Service funding, one or more columns for applicant and partner contributions, and, if applicable, a column for any program income that will be used to conduct project activities.

Category/

Budget Item**

Cost

Calculation*

TOTAL

COST

USFWS “Applicant” “Partner X” “Partner Y” Program

Income

(if applicable)

Totals

*Present all amounts in U.S. dollars

**We cannot accept the term “contingencies” in the budget as a line item

Go to http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-budget.pdf to view a sample project budget table.

The budget table should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 line item for lodging costs should include the formula for how the cost was calculated: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x

$15/night = $3,300. Wherever possible, cost calculations should be included in the Project

Budget Table, but where necessary, additional description should be provided in the Budget

Justifications. If the budget table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages. Carefully verify that all calculations/formulas are correct and submit the budget table as described in this section. Failure to provide correct and accurate budget information, as outlined above, will cause delays, postponement, or rejection of your application.

http://www.fws.gov/grants/ http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-budget.pdf

Things to consider when developing your Budget Table:

Federally Funded Equipment: If the U.S. Federal Government has paid for equipment for another award, applicants cannot claim it to be a matching or in-kind contribution and SHOULD NOT include it in the budget table. 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.

Program Income: Your project may include activities that will generate program income. Program income earned as a result of activities supported with Federal funding includes, but is not limited to the following: income from fees for services, the use or rental of property, the sale of commodities or fabricated items, license fees and royalties on patents and copyrights, and interest on loans. Program income does not include interest earned on advances of Federal funds. Income earned during the project period of an approved award shall be retained by the recipient and used in at least one of the following ways:

1. added to the funds requested from the Service for the project in addition to those committed by the recipient/other partners, and later used to conduct additional activities that will further the project objectives; OR

2. used to finance the non-Federal share of the project.

If your project will generate program income, provide: (1) a description of how the income will be generated, (2) an estimate of how much income will be made during the project duration, and (3) a description of how the funds will be used. If the income is to be used to conduct additional activities, you must include a Program Income column in your budget table and include all cost categories/items and associated amounts that the program income will cover.

E. Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Each budget line must demonstrate a clear connection to the project activities, and show how line item amounts were determined. For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro-forma invoice. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal Cost

Principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA): Costs incurred by an organization for common or joint objectives and that, therefore, cannot be identified specifically with a particular project but are, nevertheless necessary to the general operation of its activities.

Indirect costs generally include, but are not limited to, things like facilities operation and maintenance costs and depreciation.

Required Indirect Cost Share Statement: All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification narrative one of the following statements and attach to their application all required documentation as detailed in the following table:

Circumstance: Statement to include in budget narrative:

Other document(s) to attach:

No indirect cost rate

Charges all costs directly

Indirect Cost Statement: Our organization does not have an indirect cost rate and will charge all costs directly.

None.

Is not an individual

Has an indirect cost rate

Has an approved

Negotiated Indirect

Cost Rate Agreement

(NICRA) with their

Federal cognizant agency covering part/all of the proposed project period

Indirect Cost Statement: We have an approved NICRA covering part/all of the proposed project period. A copy of that NICRA is attached.

Copy of approved

NICRA.

Is not an individual

Has an indirect cost rate

Has established a

NICRA in the past, but do not have an approved rate covering part/all of the proposed project period

May or may not have recently submitted a new NICRA proposal to cognizant agency.

If not, will do so within the required timeframe, in the event an award is made

Indirect Cost Statement: Our indirect cost rate is [insert a description of the rate]. We have established a NICRA in the past but it expired. [Insert one of the following statements: “We submitted a new NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency on [insert date].” OR “In the event an award is made we will submit a

NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency immediately and no later than 90 calendar days after the award is made”.

We understand that:

Although the Service may approve a budget that includes an estimate of indirect costs based on our stated rate, that approval will be contingent on our establishing a NICRA.

Recipients without a NICRA are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award.

Failure to establish a NICRA during

Copy of most recently expired NICRA and, when applicable, a copy of any NICRA proposal submitted to the cognizant agency that is currently pending approval.

Other document(s) to attach:

the award period will make all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs under the award unallowable.

We will not be authorized to transfer any unallowable indirect costs to the amount budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements without the prior written approval of the Service.

We may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized by legislation.

Is not an individual

Has an indirect cost rate

Has never established a NICRA in the past

Will submit a NICRA proposal to cognizant agency within the required timeframe, in the event an award is made

Indirect Cost Statement: Our indirect cost rate is [insert a description of the rate]. We have never established a

NICRA. In the event an award is made we will submit a NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency immediately and no later than 90 calendar days after the award is made. We understand that:

Although the Service may approve a budget that includes an estimate of indirect costs based on our stated rate, that approval will be contingent on our establishing a NICRA.

Recipients without a NICRA are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award.

Failure to establish a NICRA during the award period will make all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs under the award unallowable.

We will not be authorized to transfer any unallowable indirect costs to the amount budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements without the prior written approval of the Service.

We may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized by legislation.

None at the time of application. In the event an award is made, recipient must submit a copy of their approved NICRA before charging indirect costs to the award.

Is not an individual, Indirect Cost Statement: We have None.

Other document(s) to attach:

state, local or

Federally-recognized

Indian tribal government

Has never established a NICRA in the past

Cannot charge all costs directly

Will not be able to meet the requirement to submit a NICRA proposal within 90 calendar days after award, in the event an award is made never established a NICRA in the past and will not be able to meet the requirement to submit a NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency within

90 calendar days after award, in the event an award is made. In the event an award is made we request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). We understand this rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish a NICRA at any point during the award period. We understand that MTDC is defined as all salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subawards and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts under the award). We understand that MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000.

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

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated

Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior:

For organizations without a NICRA, you must have an open, active Federal award to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services

Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center

U.S. Department of the Interior

2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430

Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone: 916-566-7111; Email: ics@nbc.gov

Internet address: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx

F. Statements 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), all

U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations, except those that are foreign based, expending $500,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit an A-133 Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants, except those that are foreign based, must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit an A-133 Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit

Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/). Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “A-133 Single Audit

Reporting Statements.” Do not include your audit report in the proposal or application.

G. Assurances: U.S. applicants must 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 the project does not involve construction. Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: For U.S. applicants, under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as 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 connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part

18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this project AND the project budget exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required. Submission of an application also mailto:ics@nbc.gov http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf http://harvester.census.gov/sac/ represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-

Certification Regarding Lobbying.

Application Checklist

□ Signed DIC Application Cover Page (MUST be signed by authorized representative)

□ DUNS Number

□ System for Award Management (SAM) registration

□ Project Summary (1 page)

□ Components outlined in C. Project Narrative (maximum 10 pages)

□ Budget Table and justification

□ Summary curricula vitae (1 page maximum) for key personnel

□ Map

□ Recent Letter of Governmental Endorsement

□ A-133 Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization (U.S. based), statements regarding applicability of and compliance with OMB Circular A-133 Single Audit

Reporting requirements

□ SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424

□ SF 424B Assurances form: For U.S. applicants, signed and dated SF 424B form

□ Federally-funded equipment list: If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment

□ NICRA: When applicable, a copy of the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost

Rate Agreement

□ SF LLL form: If applicable, completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form

□ Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of their Section

501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Open from September 29, 2014 to December 2, 2014. Proposals must be submitted in English. A confirmation e-mail containing an assigned proposal number will be sent to applicants 5-10 business days from the opportunity closing date

The Division of International Conservation occasionally receives and funds proposals outside of the announced submission deadlines that are of such a critical nature that they warrant immediate consideration (e.g., projects resulting from a natural disaster, disease outbreak, other imminent threats or population crash, among others).

Please select ONE of these submission options:

U.S. Applicants: You MUST apply through Grants.gov. Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Your entire proposal including the DIC cover page MUST be uploaded as a SINGLE pdf file. Attach your file on the Attachment Form.

Foreign Applicants: May submit through the following email addresses:

MSCF_RhinoTiger@fws.gov. All documents must be printable on letter sized paper (8 ½” x

11”). Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Your entire proposal including the

DIC cover page MUST be uploaded as a SINGLE pdf file. If you need to submit separate attachments please try to send them all together in a single e-mail message. If your files are too big for a single e-mail, please number your e-mails and attachments and include the name of your organization in the subject line so that we know the order of your submissions.

Foreign applicants choosing to use Grants.gov must follow the instructions for U.S. applicants.

V. Application Review

The Service may solicit advice from qualified experts to conduct a technical review of your proposed project. The Service may also discuss your proposal with known past and present partners to reduce the potential for waste, fraud and abuse and to encourage coordination and collaboration among projects on the ground.

Review Criteria: To be considered for funding, proposals must address one or more of this program’s priority areas, listed above in the Description of Funding Opportunity. The Division of International Conservation ranks proposals by scoring how well each proposal addresses the program priority areas and the requested elements listed in the Application and Format section above. High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will receive higher scores. These scores are not the sole determining factor for final funding decisions. Other review criteria include considering the degree to which a project will:

• Make a significant contribution to the protection, maintenance and/or enhancement of important populations of the target species and/or their habitats;

• Act as a catalyst for activities in a previously neglected area with potential significant conservation value;

• Address an emerging issue with potential significant conservation value;

• Utilize requested funds in an efficient, cost-effective manner to accomplish project objectives;

• Complement activities of other organizations/individuals in a manner which will lead to efficient, effective conservation of the resource;

• Conduct activities that do not duplicate other ongoing activities;

• Address a conservation need identified by a specialist group, or by a regional, national or global strategy such as, in the case of the tiger, a national tiger action plan or the GTI Global

Tiger Recovery Program document;

• Conduct activities that will be harmonious with international, national and/or regional conservation priorities, action plans and/or strategies;

• Implement an important element of a larger scale/scope project that would provide synergetic value;

mailto:MSCF_RhinoTiger@fws.gov

• Apply the best scientific and technical information available in support of project activities;

• Provide training essential to the development of local capacity to implement conservation activities;

• Provide project management experience to local personnel, strengthening the local capacity to manage conservation programs;

• Include the participation of local people in the project activities, or otherwise contribute to local empowerment;

• Promote networking, partnerships and/or coalitions;

• Develop a demonstration activity that can be replicated for widespread use;

• Implement activities or provide benefits that have the potential to be sustained beyond the life of the grant;

• Maintain a positive track record with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on previous grant support, if applicable, including timely submission of financial and performance reports and a summary of major activities and accomplishments of previous U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service support in the Statement of Need section.

Review and Selection Process: The Division of International Conservation ranks proposals by scoring how well each proposal addresses the program priority areas and the requested elements.

The above considerations are not listed in any order of importance. All considerations listed do not necessarily apply to every proposal High priority, well-justified projects that address all of the requested proposal elements will receive higher scores. These scores are not the sole determining factor for final funding decisions.

VII. Award Administration

Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or

UPS). 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 accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the

Service. The notice of award document 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. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

U.S. Recipient Payments: Prior to award, the Service 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, obtain approval from the Department of the Interior to be waived from using ASAP.

U.S. applicants subject to the SAM registration requirement (see Section III B.) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP must maintain current banking information in SAM.

U.S. applicants exempt from the SAM registration requirement who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP will be required to submit their banking information directly to the Service program. However, do NOT submit any banking information to the Service until it is requested from you by the Service program!

Foreign Recipient Payments: Foreign recipients receiving funds to a bank outside of the United

States will be paid electronically through U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) system.

Foreign recipients receiving funds electronically to a bank in the United States will be paid by

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through the Automated Clearing House network. Foreign recipients who wish to be paid to a bank account in the United States must enter and maintain current banking information in SAM (see Section III).

The Notice of Award document from the Service 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.

Transmittal of Sensitive Data: Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the Service is protected during its transmission/delivery. The Service strongly recommends that recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available. The

Service 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 Service strongly encourages recipients sending sensitive data in paper copy to use a courier mail service.

Recipients may also contact their Service Project Officer and provide any sensitive data over the telephone.

Award Terms and Conditions: Acceptance of a financial assistance award (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement) from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions applicable to the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the notice of award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Federal regulations applicable to Service awards are Service’s, Financial

Assistance Award Terms and Conditions posted on the internet at:

http://www.fws.gov/grants/pdfs/USFWSFAAwardTermsandConditions8-7-14.pdf and the DIC Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions posted on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/assistance-award-guidelines.pdf. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a full text copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Recipient 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.