NOFO - Announcement Number F17AS00253.pdf

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. We are collecting this information in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. (742f (a)(4); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661.; Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753), Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 4601-4 through 11), Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543). Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that it will take applicants under this program about 10 hours to complete an application. We estimate it will take recipients under this program about 20 hours to complete required reporting and 20 hours for required recordkeeping. All burden estimates include the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather data needed and complete and review the submission. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Northeast Region Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning, NWRS

Bumble Bee Inventory and Assessment of Bee Habitat at Northeast National Wildlife Refuges

Research Grants (Generic) - FWS Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.650

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity This funding opportunity (CDFA 15.650, Research), titled “Bumble Bee Inventory and Assessment of Bee Habitat at Northeast National Wildlife Refuges,” will provide federal financial assistance to (1) inventory bumble bees at National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast Region, including bumble bees listed under the Endangered Species Act; and (2) provide a bee habitat assessment for National Wildlife Refuges by interpreting results of previous “bee bowl” surveys and making management recommendations to improve habitat for bees. In fiscal year 2018, this cooperative agreement award will fund non-lethal bumble bee surveys at four National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast Region, in habitats totaling 586 acres, and the interpretation of results from previous bee surveys at 10 National Wildlife Refuges. These activities will support the goal of conserving and enhancing habitat for bees on National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast, particularly rare or declining species.

In 2017, the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) was the first bee to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 17). Although the current range of the rusty patched bumble bee is not well-documented, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has identified zones of potential occurrence based on recent detections (2000 – 2016) and habitat connectivity modeling (https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/guidance.html#map). Range-wide declines have also been observed in several other bumble bee species, including the yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) and the American bumble bee (Bombus pennsylvanicus) (Cameron et. al. 2011). National Wildlife Refuges have an obligation to understand the species that occur on their lands and have the unique opportunity to protect and conserve habitats for declining species, including bees and other pollinators.

This project is authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. (742f (a)(4); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661.; Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753), Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 4601-4 through 11), Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.

1531-1543).

II. Award Information The Service intends to make a single award of a cooperative agreement for the bumble bee inventory and bee habitat assessment, which will have a performance period of five years. The anticipated amount of funding for the first year is $50,000. The anticipated start date of the award is September 30, 2017. Additional funds ($10,000 - $50,000) may be available for subsequent work, such as additional surveys.

The Recipient will complete tasks in fiscal year 2018 that may include:

• Task 1: Inventory bumble bee species, with a special emphasis on species of conservation concern, in fields or shrub-land habitats at four National Wildlife Refuges. Three Refuges are near potential zones of rusty patched bumble bee occurrence (Petit Manan NWR [mainland], Hancock County, Maine; John Heinz NWR, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Supawna Meadows NWR, Salem County, New Jersey) and one Refuge has substantial acreages that are managed for pollinators (Missisquoi NWR, Swanton, Vermont). The area to be surveyed totals 586 acres (Petit Manan NWR = 53 acres; John Heinz NWR = 5 acres; Supawna Meadows NWR = 170 acres; Missisquoi NWR = 358 acres).

o For this work, the Survey Protocols for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee version 1.1, Survey Protocol 2 will be followed (https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/guidance.html; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, March 2017), with some modifications. Inventories will be conducted using non-lethal hand netting techniques. Preferentially capture bees that match the description of species of conservation concern, including rusty patched bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, American bumble bee, southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), golden northern bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), and cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus bohemicus), and place them into vials or plastic bags. Bees will be identified in-hand and released at the site of capture.

Tally any other Bombus species observed. Voucher photographs and records of floral use will be taken each time a focal species is detected. At each sampling event, spend one person-hour per three acres of the highest quality habitat or until at least 150 bumble bees are sighted. Survey each site three times during the period June 1 to August 31, 2018.

o Take representative photographs of the survey sites and collect detailed habitat information, including: # of forb species, habitat type(s), % of natural habitat, % of buffers around site, % of vegetative cover that is foraging habitat, # of flowering plants in bloom, % of area that is nesting habitat, land management techniques used, and various landscape features within 0.5 mi of site. (Following Survey Protocols for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee v. 1.1, Survey Protocol 3 Habitat Assessment methods).

https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/guidance.html o The Recipient will acquire necessary permits from Federal and/or state agencies to cover any “take” of threatened or endangered species. The Recipient will also supply any necessary equipment, including cloth hand nets and camera, and will use decontamination protocols to prevent spread of disease.

o Expected Outcome: The Recipient will provide a brief report for each Refuge, containing Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, including detailed interpretation and application of results for refuge habitat management. Survey data (including relevant metadata and final identification determinations) will be uploaded to an accessible database approved for the storage of data collected through this effort (such as the Microsoft Access-based National Wildlife Refuge System Bee Database; https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/74109) and voucher photographs with species ID and location information will be uploaded to www.bumblebeewatch.org. Any captures of rusty patched bumble bee should be reported immediately to the Refuge and the Project Officer.

• Task 2: Provide a bee habitat assessment for up to 10 Refuges by interpreting bee bowl data and providing management recommendations for improving the habitat for pollinators. Bee bowl surveys were conducted on these Refuges in recent years, generating species lists for each survey site that now require interpretation and application.

o This is a desktop exercise to review: site-specific bee species lists; habitat and management descriptions from the time of survey; current management descriptions; and site photos that will provided by the Refuges.

o Expected Outcome: A report for each Refuge that interprets the known bee assemblage in light of habitat and management, and provides recommendations about how the habitat might be improved to support bees. Specifically, the status of each bee species will be identified (e.g., common, rare or declining) and the types of habitats these bees are known to inhabit will be described. From this information, recommendations for habitat management to support bee populations or increase bee species diversity will be made.

The Service will be substantially involved in the projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following:

• Task 1:

o Prior to May 2018, Service staff will provide the Recipient with GIS shapefiles and habitat descriptions of proposed survey locations. They will also provide the Recipient with a tour of the four Refuges to define survey locations.

o The Service will work with the Recipient to finalize site specific survey protocols.

o The Service will provide logistical support for the Recipient, including assistance with accessing the survey sites and direction regarding the database that survey results should be stored in.

o The Service may redirect the Recipient in the event that new survey locations must be selected.

o After the surveys are complete, Service will dialogue with the Recipient about the results, the success of the survey methods in achieving the project goal, and how the results can be interpreted to inform Refuge habitat management.

• Task 2: From as many as 10 Refuges, Service will provide: a list of bee species that were collected in recent years; collection methods; habitat and management descriptions from the time of survey; photos; and a description of any current management.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants:

Eligible applicants include: Federal, State and local government agencies; Federally-recognized Tribal governments; private nonprofit institutions/organizations; public nonprofit institutions/organizations; for profit organizations; and individuals. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Status (IRS) must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) status determination letter received from the IRS.

Federal law 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). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. 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 at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679 (hearing impaired customers only). 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 at 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 that may have been 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.

Note: The official U.S. government website address for SAM is www.sam.gov. There is NO COST to register in or access SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who charge a fee in exchange for registering entities in SAM; please be aware that you can register to do business with the U.S. government FOR FREE directly in SAM at www.sam.gov.

C. Excluded Entities

Applicant entities or their key project personnel 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.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:govt@dnb.com http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing or matching is not required.

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

A. All NOFOs must require applicants to submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424 or SF 424-Individual) form. Individuals applying on their own (unrelated to any business or non-profit organization s/he may own or operate in her/his own name) must use the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance- Individual form (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html#sortby=1). All other applicants to discretionary programs and for single source awards must use the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance form (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form. 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 under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B. Project Narrative

1. Timetable: Describe the timetable in which you will complete the tasks in Section II Award Information.

C. Technical Merit Criteria

For each factor below, provide a brief response (½ to 1 page suggested) to describe your qualifications and approach. These responses will be the primary means of evaluating each applicant and cannot be changed after application submission, so please be thorough.

Factor 1. Past Performance: Please list and briefly describe up to 3 projects that you or your organization have completed over the last five years that are relevant to specific tasks described in Section II Award Information for this cooperative agreement. Relevant work could include non-lethal bee surveys, bee photography, bee identification, and habitat management for pollinators. For each project, list a primary point of contact that can provide a reference for you (include telephone number and email address); this contact can be from the agency/organization that funded the work or it can be a collaborator from outside your organization. Weight Factor = 10%

Factor 2. Qualified Personnel ‒ Non-Lethal Bee Sampling and Photography: Task 1 will require experience in bee identification, and in the effective and safe netting and handling of bumble bees. Furthermore, taking photographic vouchers to verify species presence requires familiarity with the macrophotography of bees, both in the mechanics of the photography and in the parts of the bee that need to be documented. Please describe the qualifications and http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 level of competency in these fields of the person(s) who will be conducting Task 1. Weight Factor = 35%

Factor 3. Qualified Personnel ‒ Bee Ecology and Habitat Management: Task 2 will require knowledge of species-specific habitat requirements of bees, as well as a background in habitat management to create desired conditions for bees. Please describe the qualifications and level of competency in these fields of the person(s) who will be conducting Task 2.

Weight Factor = 35%

Factor 4. Assuring Quality Data: Please describe the approach you will use to carry out high quality work under this award. What steps will you use to control the quality of data being collected and reported? These steps may include species identification verification, method of data entry, training, and taxonomic system used. Weight Factor = 15%

Factor 5. Project Costs: Explain and justify all requested budget items and costs. Describe how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and show the connection between costs and the project activities. Weight Factor = 5%

All applicants that score greater than 85% will be placed in a pool of qualified recipients and considered for future funding opportunities under this announcement.

D. Budget Form Complete the 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 SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

E. Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. 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.

If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Recipients that do not have an approved indirect cost rate cannot charge indirect costs to their Federal award. 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 http://www.ecfr.gov/ their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

1. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

2. A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We are required to prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs.

3. A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “A copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement is attached. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “A copy of our current, approved rate agreement(s) is attached.”]

4. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%.

Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher.

Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR

200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”.

We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

8. A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

• Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting a flat de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

• Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

• Recipients may not charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct project costs paid by any other Federal funding source or non-Federal partner.

• Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to transfer unallowable indirect costs to amounts budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements under the award.

• Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

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 https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their 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 the IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-930-3803 Email: Through https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback web form Internet address: https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a 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 must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a 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 (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

G. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) for construction and land acquisition projects. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) for all other projects. The form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization.

Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: 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 https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/ 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 proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

I. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

J. Required Overlap/Duplication Statement: Applicants must provide a statement that addresses if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, applicants must provide a description of the overlap in their application.

Applicants must also state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is/is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal). If such a circumstance exists, applicants must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be duplicative of the funding requested from the Service, applicants must notify the Service point of contact for this funding opportunity immediately.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

Application Checklist Please submit the following items:

□ 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.

□ SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424 or SF 424-Individual form.

□ Project Narrative (Timeline)

□ Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, statements regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit reporting requirements.

□ Technical Merit Criteria: Responses to Factors 1 – 5.

□ SF 424 budget form: A complete SF 424A or SF 424C Budget Information form.

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

□ Indirect cost statement

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

Rate Agreement.

□ SF 424 Assurances form: Signed and dated SF 424B or SF 424D Assurances form.

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

□ Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

□ Overlap/Duplication statement

Failure to provide complete information may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

V. Submission Instructions SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 13, 2017 - August 14, 2017

Intergovernmental Review: Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/) to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” E.O.

12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

To submit an application by e-mail:

Format all of your documents to print on Letter size (8 ½” x 11”) paper. Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Scanned documents should be scanned in Letter format, as black and white images only. Where possible, save scanned documents in .pdf format. E-mail your application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

The required SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance and Assurances forms and any other required standard forms MUST be signed by your organization’s authorized official. The Signature and Date fields on the standard forms downloaded from Grants.gov are pre-populated with the text “Completed by Grants.gov upon submission” or “Completed on submission to Grants.gov”. Remove this text (manually or digitally) before signing the forms.

VI. Application Review Information Criteria: To be considered for funding, applications must provide adequate responses to the five Technical Merit Criteria (above). In cases where applicants have equivalent scores after evaluation of the Technical Merit Criteria, the applicants’ proposed cost sharing will be used to break the tie. All applicants that score greater than 85% will be placed in a pool of qualified recipients and considered for future funding opportunities under this announcement.

Review and Selection Process:

Applications will undergo a merit review and selection process. The evaluation panel will consist of three Service employees who will review each application and score the five Technical Merit Criteria (above). The evaluation panel was selected based on their anticipated level of involvement in the cooperative agreement and familiarity with previous bee surveys on Refuges.

The panel will be substantially involved in the tasks described in Section II Award Information.

Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer reviewers, evaluators, panel members, and advisors must sign and return to the program office point of contact the “Department of the Interior Conflict of Interest Certification” form. For a copy of this form, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Prior to award, the Service reviews the selected applicant’s statement regarding potential overlap or duplication in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel and makes a determination regarding Service funding. Depending on the circumstances, modification of the application, other pending applications, or an active award may be necessary, or the Service might choose to not fund the proposed project.

Each fiscal year, for every entity receiving one or more awards in that fiscal year, the Service conducts a risk assessment based on eight risk categories. The result of this risk assessment is used to establish a monitoring plan for all awards to the entity in that fiscal year. For a copy of the Service’s risk assessment form, go to https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Prior to approving an award with a Federal funding amount that exceeds or is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as adjusted (see 2 CFR 200.88), the Service must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS; https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action) to determine if, at a minimum, the information found in the system for the applicant demonstrates a satisfactory record of Federal award performance and integrity and business ethics (see 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2)). The Service must also report to FAPIIS if an applicant subject to this review is found not qualified for a particular award due to its prior record of integrity or performance under Federal awards (see 2 CFR 200.212).

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 typically 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.

Domestic 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.

Domestic 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. Domestic 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.

https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action

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 Service’s Standard Award Terms and Conditions are available on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. 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:

Financial and Performance Reports:

Final Reports: Recipients are required to submit final financial and performance reports no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date, whichever comes first. For awards lasting 12 months or less, the final reports will be the only financial and performance reports required, except in unusual circumstances or if waived.

Interim Reports: For awards that last longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial and performance reports no less frequently than annually and no more frequently than quarterly, except in unusual circumstances or if waived. Requiring a higher frequency of reporting than annual reporting will be based on the Service’s assessment of higher or other unusual circumstance. Quarterly and semiannual interim reports are due within 30 calendar days of the reporting period end date. Annual interim reports are due within 90 calendar days of the reporting period end date.

Recipients must use the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report for financial reporting, available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1.

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.

https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html

Significant Developments Reports: Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates that have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Service in writing as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

• Problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

• Favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

The Service will specify in the notice of award document the reporting and reporting frequency applicable to the award.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Recipients are responsible for notifying the Service Project Officer in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under this award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the Recipient, the Recipient’s employee(s), or the Recipient’s Subrecipient(s) that could reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of this award.

Other Mandatory Disclosures: The non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)

2 CFR Part 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters is applicable to awards with a total Federal share of more than $500,000, except those to individuals and foreign public entities.

VIII. Agency Contacts For technical questions contact:

Rebecca Longenecker, Wildlife Biologist USFWS Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 1-(413)-253-8636 rebecca_longenecker@fws.gov

For NOFO questions contact:

Laurie McDermott, Grants Specialist USFWS Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 1-(413)-253-8290 laurie_mcdermott@fws.gov mailto:rebecca_longenecker@fws.gov mailto:laurie_mcdermott@fws.gov