NOFA_SEPs_Final_20160524.pdf

Notice of Funding Availability: Spill Impact Component Project Grants

(33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3))

Federal Agency Name: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council)

NOFA Name: Spill Impact Component Project Grants

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: GCC-SEP-16-001

Fiscal Year: FY 2016 and later

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 87.052 Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Oil Spill Impact Program

Funding Instrument: Grants

Dates: Applications for project funding will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Summary:

This announcement provides guidance to the Gulf Coast States, defined as any of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and/or their administrative agents set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3)(B)(iii), in applying for grants to fund implementation of projects developed according to an approved individual State Expenditure Plan (SEP) under the Spill Impact Component of the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). The eligible entities may apply to the Council for grants for implementation of projects and programs within the approved plans.

The only activities that may be funded under this announcement are those included in a state’s approved SEP.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Description and Authority

Through this announcement, Gulf Coast States, defined as any of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas (State or States) and/or their administrative agents set forth above (collectively referred to in this announcement as “eligible entities”), may submit applications to fund projects and programs under the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Oil Spill Impact Component (Spill Impact Component) of the RESTORE Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3)). The submission process for this announcement is organized into two phases: (1) the submission of a State Expenditure Plan (SEP) by a Gulf Coast State; and

(2) the administrative application process for each project or program included in an approved SEP, which includes the submission of all administrative grant application materials by the eligible entities. This announcement provides guidance to eligible entities on the steps necessary to submit SEPs for approval in the first phase as required by the RESTORE Act, and to complete the second phase of submitting their grant applications for individual projects and programs contained in a State’s approved SEP.

1. Background

The RESTORE Act, codified at 33 U.S.C. 1321(t) and note, makes funds available for the restoration and protection of the Gulf Coast Region through a new trust fund in the Treasury of the United States, known as the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”). The Trust Fund will contain 80 percent of the administrative and civil penalties paid by the responsible parties after July 6, 2012, under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in connection with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These funds will be invested and made available through five components of the RESTORE Act. On December14, 2015, the Department of Treasury (Treasury) issued final regulations (80 FR 77239) applicable to all five components, which generally describe the responsibilities of the Federal and State entities that administer RESTORE Act programs and carry out restoration activities in the Gulf Coast Region.

Two of the five components, the Comprehensive Plan and Spill Impact Components, are administered by the Council, an independent federal entity created by the RESTORE Act.

Under the Spill Impact Component, 30 percent of funds in the Trust Fund will be disbursed to the States based on an allocation formula established by the Council by regulation (Spill Impact Regulation), based on criteria set forth in the RESTORE Act.

On December 15, 2015, the Council published the final Spill Impact Regulation (80 FR 77580), which establishes the formula that allocates funds made available from the Trust Fund among the States pursuant to the Spill Impact Component. On April 4, 2016, a consent decree was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in connection with In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 20, 2010 (Consent Decree). Pursuant to the terms of the Consent Decree, additional amounts will become available to the States under the Spill Impact Component. The Spill Impact Regulation became effective on April 12, 2016.

2. Program Authority

33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3); 40 CFR Part 1800.

B. Federal Award Information

Neither phase of the submission process for grants under the Spill Impact Component is competitive. Eligible entities must submit their SEP and apply for a grant through the Restoration Assistance and Awards Management System (RAAMS) to implement each project or program described in a State’s approved SEP.

1. Funding Availability

The amounts available for each eligible entity is determined by the funds available in the Trust Fund for the Spill Impact Component together with the Spill Impact Regulation. The amount currently in the Trust Fund and available for the Spill Impact Component is $280,500,499.73, of which each State will be allocated the following share:

Alabama 20.40% $57,222,101.94 Florida 18.36% $51,499,891.75

Louisiana 34.59% $97,025,122.86 Mississippi 19.07% $53,491,445.30

Texas 7.58% $21,261,937.88

The following table sets forth additional amounts estimated to become available to each State over time pursuant to the Consent Decree, subject to adjustment for interest amounts.

BPXP TOTAL

SETTLEMENT ALABAMA FLORIDA LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI TEXAS

5,500,000,000 B3 B3 B3 B3 B3 100% 20.40%* 18.36%* 34.59%* 19.07%* 7.58%*

2017 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2018 $189,655,712 $9,285,544 $8,356,989 $15,744,459 $8,680,163 $3,450,217 2019 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2020 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2021 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2022 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2023 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2024 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2025 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2026 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2027 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2028 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2029 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414 2030 $379,310,345 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,828 $17,360,276 $6,900,414

2031 $379,310,343 $18,571,034 $16,713,931 $31,488,827 $17,360,276 $6,900,414

$ 5,500,000,540 $ 269,280,026 $ 242,352,024 $ 456,588,045 $ 251,724,025 $ 100,056,010

*80% of the “BPXP Total Settlement” amount (plus interest) will be deposited in the Trust fund over the years indicated. Of that amount, 30% is allocated to the Spill Impact Component. Each State’s share indicated above (B3) is a percentage, determined by the Spill Impact Regulation, of the funds allocated to the Spill Impact Component.

2. Project/Award Period

The duration of projects and programs under this announcement is anticipated to be three to ten years; however, subject to Council approval, projects may have a longer duration. Award start dates will depend on when the applicant submits a complete application.

3. Type of Funding Instrument

The funds the Council disburses to the eligible entities will be in the form of grants.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are the eligible entities as defined herein. No other parties or entities are eligible to apply under this announcement.

2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

There is no cost share or match requirement.

3. Other

The only activities that may be funded under this announcement are those included in a State’s approved SEP.

D. Application and Submission Information

Please refer to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Recipient Proposal and Award Guide (RPAG), available at https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office for comprehensive guidance on all phases of the SEP submission, grant application, award and post award processes.

1. Address to Request Application Package

SEPs and applications must be submitted in the Council’s Restoration Assistance and Award Management System (RAAMS). Eligible entities can access the link to RAAMS and view related materials necessary to apply for funding through the Council website at https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office.

2. Content and Form of Application

The submission process consists of two phases. The first phase is the submission of an SEP by a State, which must then be approved by the Council Chairperson. The second phase is the submission of all administrative grant application materials by the respective eligible entity.

Applications for funding under this announcement must include all of the following information listed under each phase.

Phase I: Submission of State Expenditure Plan

The completed SEP, including all required information for the individual projects, must be uploaded to RAAMS. Applicants should refer to the State Expenditure Plan Guidelines, available at https://www.restorethegulf.gov/spill-impact-component, for complete details on what is required for SEP submission and approval. The State Expenditure Plan Guidelines also include an SEP document template for submission. Every SEP must demonstrate that it meets the following criteria.

1) Complies with the RESTORE Act, 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3)(B):

a. Meets eligible activity requirements under 1321(t)(1)B)(i) and/or (ii);

b. Does not exceed the administrative costs limitations under 1321 (t)(1)(B)(iii);

c. Contributes to the overall economic and ecological recovery of the Gulf Coast;

d. Takes into consideration the Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with the goals https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office https://www.restorethegulf.gov/spill-impact-component and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and

e. Does not use more than 25% of the funds disbursed for infrastructure activities set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(1)(B)(i)(VI) and (VII) unless the infrastructure limitation exception is met and documented in the SEP. The amount to be allocated for infrastructure activities (if any) should be clearly documented in the

SEP;

2) Was developed and submitted by an eligible entity;

3) Includes a certification from the State that all projects, programs and activities included in the SEP meet all applicable requirements;

4) Includes a statement describing the process the State used to ensure appropriate public and tribal participation and transparency in the project selection process;

5) Includes a description of the financial controls and other financial integrity mechanisms that the eligible entity will use to assure the public and Congress that funds have been and will be managed appropriately; and

6) Identifies the projects, programs and activities included in the SEP and provides detailed information on each project, program and activity (collectively, “activity”) as outlined in the State Expenditure Plan Guidelines.

The SEP must be approved by the Council Chairperson prior to an eligible entity’s submission of Phase II application materials.

Phase II: Submission of Administrative Grant Application Materials:

A complete application will include all of the information below, which is entered directly into RAAMS. Application material will include all data from required federal standard forms and may include Council-specific supporting information and schedules.

a. Data from OMB Standard Form (SF) SF-424A “Application for Federal Assistance” and associated forms.

b. Certifications:

i. Council Applicant Certifications; and

ii. Appropriate SF-424 Assurances:

1) For applications involving construction or real property/land acquisition, completed Form SF-424D “Assurances - Construction Programs”.

2) For non-construction applications, completed Form SF-424B

Assurances – Non-Construction Programs”.

c. Executive Summary.

d. Project/Program Narrative, including the following information:

i. The title of the project or program or activity;

ii. A description of the project, program or activity (need for, purpose and objective of the project, program or activity);

iii. Detailed methodology or approach planned to achieve the stated purpose and objectives of the project, program or activity;

iv. A description of how the project, program or activity is eligible for funding and meets statutory requirements, including identification of the primary eligible activity;

v. The location and verification of how the project, program or activity is being carried out in the Gulf Coast Region;

vi. The amount requested for the project, program or activity, including a delineation of planning versus implementation costs;

vii. Identification of whether or not the project is an infrastructure project;

viii. Major milestones for the project, program or activity, including activity-based costs and any deliverables for each milestone;

ix. Projected start and completion dates;

x. Criteria the State will use to evaluate the success and outcomes of the project, program or activity in helping to restore and protect the Gulf Coast Region (i.e., metrics);

xi. A description of the mechanisms that will be used to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the project, program or activity;

xii. A description of the best available science, as applicable, that informed the State’s selection of the project, program or activity;

xiii. To the extent known, a description of any certain or prospective collaborations or partnerships to be used or created through the project, program, activity, or selection process;

xiv. To the extent known, a description of any additional resources that will be leveraged to meet the goals of the SEP and specific project, program or activity;,

xv. If funding has been requested from other sources, the source of the funding, amount of requested funding, and the current status of the request.

xvi. If Spill Impact Component funding will be used as a non-Federal match for another funding source, the agency and program where this match will be applied.

e. Observational Data Plan.

f. Preliminary Data Management Plan.

g. Location information and map(s).

h. Budget documentation:

i. SF-424 budget information.

1) For non-construction activities and applications involving construction, data equivalent to that provided on the SF-424A “Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs” is required.

2) For construction activities or real property/land acquisition, data equivalent to that provided on the SF-424C “Budget Information - Construction Programs” is required in addition to the SF-424A data.

3) Budget data must also be provided by SF-424A and/or SF-424C object classes for leveraged funding that is required to complete the objectives of the activity (i.e., “co-funding”).

4) Where the applicant will “pass through” or otherwise provide funds to one or more subrecipients, a detailed budget using object categories from the SF-424A and/or SF-424C, as appropriate, must be provided for each proposed subaward that is known at the time the application is submitted.

5) Any program (i.e., activity) income anticipated during the award period should be included in the budget.

ii. Budget Narrative/Justification.

1) A detailed description of the expenses listed on the budget forms and how they address the proposed work is required.

2) Item descriptions and justifications must be provided for each applicable object class from the SF-424A and/or C, including salaries, fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, travel, construction, etc.

3) Applicants that will not be requesting funds for salaries for contributing personnel must still list those personnel, indicating their estimated time of commitment.

4) Purchases of equipment greater than $5,000 must include a purchase versus lease justification.

5) Where the applicant plans to procure goods and services through a contractual or subrecipient relationship, information is required on the proposed method of selection, period of performance scope of work, and method(s) of accountability.

6) A description of any leveraged or other third-party funding that is required to complete the objectives of the project/program, including the amount, source and proposed use of these funds must be included.

7) Detailed information regarding any pre-award costs requested including a justification for each item must be provided. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the grant award date and only with the written approval of the Grants Officer.

All costs incurred before the Council awards the grant are at the recipient’s risk.

i. Indirect Cost Rate Information. A copy of the applicant’s and any subrecipient’s Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable.

j. Cash Forecasting. The applicant must forecast cash requirements/draws throughout the life of the award in semi-annual increments.

k. Current and pending support. Applicants must submit a list of all current and pending Federal support that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number, dollar value, and duration. Requested values should be listed for pending support.

l. DUNS Number. All applications must have a DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System) number when applying for federal grants. No application is deemed complete without the DUNS number, and only the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may grant exceptions.

m. Pre-Award Environmental Compliance. The Council may be required to address certain federal environmental laws prior to approval of an SEP and/or a grant for an activity contained within an approved SEP. These may include laws such as the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and National Historic Preservation Act. Prior to submitting a proposed SEP to the Council, States are advised to coordinate with the Council regarding compliance with any such applicable laws. In some cases the Council may ask the State for assistance in complying with such laws, including providing information or analysis to the Council and/or assisting in the development of compliance documentation.

i. Applicant and Recipient Environmental Compliance Responsibilities: Applicants must comply with all applicable federal environmental laws before implementation funds are disbursed for an activity in an approved SEP. While the Council may impose Special Award Conditions related to specific environmental laws, awardees remain responsible for identifying and addressing all applicable federal environmental requirements, and for providing the Council with documentation verifying compliance with such requirements. Potentially applicable environmental laws include but are not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act; Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404; Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10; Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act;

Farmland Protection Policy Act; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act; National Marine Sanctuaries Act;

Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; and the Clean Air Act. Some of the laws listed above pertain to federal actions. For example, compliance with NEPA is required for activities that are subject to CWA Section

404. In certain cases, some of these laws might not apply to an activity in an approved SEP.

ii. Pre-Application Consultation: Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify environmental laws that are potentially applicable to activities in a proposed SEP prior to submitting that SEP to the Council for approval/disapproval. Applicants are further advised to consult with the regulatory agencies responsible for administering such laws in advance of submission of a proposed SEP to the Council. The goal of such early “pre-application” consultation is to identify and resolve potential regulatory issues prior to Council review of a proposed SEP.

3. Organizational Self-Assessment

Each-applicant must certify and submit the Council’s Organizational Self-Assessment (OSA) worksheet, available at https://www.restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources. The worksheet must be received by the Council no later than the application submission date of the entity’s first grant application to the Council. The OSA will be updated annually.

Based on the responses to this certification, the Council will review the risk posed by applicants.

When an applicant is determined to pose a high risk, or when an applicant or recipient has a history of failure to comply with the general or specific terms and conditions of a Federal award, or failure to meet expected performance goals as described in 2 C.F.R. 200.210 contained in a Federal award, or is not otherwise responsible, the Council may impose additional specific award conditions as needed.

4. DUNS Number and System for Award Management (SAM).

Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application (www.SAM.gov); (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Council may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Council is ready to make a Federal https://www.restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources https://www.restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources http://www.sam.gov/ award, the Council may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award.

5. Submission Dates and Times:

SEPs and grant applications for activities included in an approved SEP will be accepted on a rolling basis.

6. Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this announcement are not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

7. Funding Restrictions

Of the amounts received by an eligible entity in a grant under this announcement, not more than three percent may be used for administrative costs. 31 CFR 34.204. The three percent limit is applied to the total amount of funds received by a recipient under each grant. The three percent limit does not apply to the administrative costs of subrecipients. All subrecipient costs are subject to the cost principles in Federal law and policies on grants. “Administrative” costs means those indirect costs for administration incurred by the eligible entity that are allocable to activities authorized under the RESTORE Act. Administrative costs do not include indirect costs that are identified specifically with, or readily assignable to, facilities as defined in 2 C.F.R. 200.414. See https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources for an example of administrative cost calculations.

8. Other Submission Requirements:

Applications will be completed and submitted electronically by way of RAAMS.

E. Application Review Information

1. Risk Evaluation Criteria

At the organizational level, the Council will conduct risk assessments of first-time recipients in order to effectively implement the statutory, regulatory, administrative, and program requirements of a potential federal award. Once an initial assessment has been made, it will be reviewed on an annual basis.

2. Review and Selection Process

Phase I: Review of State Expenditure Plan:

The RESTORE Council Chairperson will review an SEP for completeness, adequacy and the consistency of proposed activities to the identified eligible activities. For complete evaluation criteria, please refer to the State Expenditure Plan Guidelines, available at https://www.restorethegulf.gov/spill-impact-component.

https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources https://www.restorethegulf.gov/spill-impact-component.

After reviewing the SEP, the Chairperson will approve the SEP, or disapprove it and request that it be revised and resubmitted. Once the SEP is approved, the applicant will submit materials required under Phase II, and the review process for Phase II will take place. In the event that an SEP is disapproved, the Council will provide, within sixty days of the receipt of the SEP, the reason(s) for disapproval in writing and consult with the applicant to address any deficiencies with the SEP. If the SEP is disapproved, the applicant may submit a revised SEP for review and approval.

Phase II: Review of Administrative Grant Application Materials:

Upon receipt of an administrative grant application through RAAMS, the Council will review the application for completeness. Once it has been determined that the application is complete, the staff will review this announcement, the application and supporting documentation, the System for Award Management, and any other information available to determine the following:

a) Whether the recipient and any subrecipients are eligible for funding;

b) Whether the activity as described in the application is compliant with the proposal contained in the SEP, whichever is applicable;

c) Whether award activities are eligible and attainable;

d) Whether staff time is appropriate to perform proposed tasks;

e) Whether best available science is applied;

f) Whether the recipient has established a suitable monitoring plan;

g) Whether milestones and metrics are feasible, measurable and achievable;

h) Whether observational data and management plans are adequate (if applicable);

i) Whether environmental compliance requirements have been met;

j) Whether budget line items are allowable, allocable, and reasonable;

k) Whether any proposed procurement complies with applicable laws and policies;

l) Whether budget line items are accurately calculated;

m) Whether pre-award costs are requested, and if so, is the documentation sufficient;

n) Whether the period of performance requires an adjustment; and

o) Whether any special award conditions are needed.

3. Agency Review of Information Concerning Recipient Integrity and Performance

The Council is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). The applicant may, at its option, review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. Furthermore, the Council consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. 200.205, “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”

4. Anticipated Award Dates

After receipt of a fully-compliant grant application, grant awards are anticipated to be made within ninety days.

F. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

Official notification of grant funding, signed by the Council Executive Director, is the authorizing document that allows the activity to begin. Notifications will be issued to the Authorizing Official designated by the Council member for the activity.

All recipients and non-Federal subrecipients must comply and require each of its contractors and subcontractors employed in the completion of the activity to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, Executive Orders (EOs), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars, terms and conditions, agreements and approved applications.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. The Council Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of November 24, 2014 (79 FR 79822; https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-27719) is applicable to this announcement.

ii. The Council’s Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions (STCs) contained in the Federal Register notice of August 31, 2015 (80 FR 52478;

https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-21417) are applicable to grants awarded under this announcement. The STCs may be found at https://restorethegulf.gov/resources/council-documents-foia-library.

iii. Limitation of Liability.

In no event will the RESTORE Council be responsible for proposal preparation costs if any activities in any State’s SEP fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige the RESTORE Council to issue an award for any activity, or to obligate any available funds. Recipients are subject to all Federal laws and agency policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

3. Reporting

Award recipients are required to submit financial, technical progress, performance and outcome reports. These reports are to be submitted electronically via RAAMS.

Reporting Periods: Semi-annual reporting periods will be specified in the award for either the periods ending:

• March 31 and September 30, or any portion thereof; or

• June 30 and December 31, or any portion thereof.

https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-27719 https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-21417 https://restorethegulf.gov/resources/council-documents-foia-library

Due Dates: Semi-annual performance reports are due no later than 30 days following the end of each reporting period. A final performance report is due within 90 days after the expiration of the activity period.

As part of the required Data Management Plan (DMP), the recipient will develop a data/information management plan and submit appropriate data and information with progress reports on a yearly basis. Due dates will be included in the award agreement.

Applicants must also comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. This Act includes a requirement for awardees of applicable federal grants to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation under federal assistance awards issued in FY 2011 or later. All awardees of applicable grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.FSRS.gov on all sub-awards over $25,000.

If the award will include more than $500,000 over the period of performance, applicants must also comply with the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

4. Payments

The reimbursement method of payment will be used, unless otherwise specified in a special award condition. Payments are made through electronic funds transfers directly to the recipient’s bank account and in accordance with the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 3701 et. seq.) and the Cash Management Improvement Act (31 U.S.C. 6501 et. seq.). Unless otherwise provided for in the award terms, payments will be made using the Department of Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) system. Under the ASAP system, payments will be made through preauthorized electronic funds transfers in accordance with the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

G. Agency Contacts

The contact for questions about this announcement is Kristin Smith. Her contact information is as follows: email kristin.smith@restorethegulf.gov; telephone number 504-444-3558; and mailing address Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Counsel Office, 500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117, New Orleans, LA 70130.

H. Other Information

1. Resources.

Please refer to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Recipient Proposal and Award Guide (RPAG), available at https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office, for comprehensive guidance on all phases of the submission, application, and award implementation process. The mailto:mary.pleffner@restorethegulf.gov https://restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office

Council Grants Office Resources web page, at https://www.restorethegulf.gov/gcerc-grants-office/gcerc-grants-resources, also contains downloadable guidance, worksheets, templates and other materials.

2. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

On May 22, 2015, the Council published a rule that establishes its Procedures for Disclosure of Records Under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (79 FR 29539;

https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-12459).

3. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal

Awards.

On December 9, 2015, the Council adopted as a final rule, without change, a joint interim final rule published with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for all Federal award-making agencies that implemented guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). The notice of the final rule (80 FR 76355; 2 C.F.R. Part 5900) is available at https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-30922. This rule brought into effect the Uniform Guidance as required by OMB for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. The Uniform Guidance applies to awards made by the RESTORE Council. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the Uniform Guidance.

https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-12459 https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-30922