NOFO.pdf

Assessment of Population, Reproductive, and Health Impairments in Colonial Waterbirds

Breeding in Michigan’s Areas of Concern and Grand Traverse Bay

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00110

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Ecological Services Field Office

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.662

Authorizing Legislation: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative CFDA 15.662 authorizing statutes related to this agreement include: Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §§3951‐3956; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §742 et seq. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §2901 et seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§661‐ 666; Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §941.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. 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 and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program‐specific requirements. 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.

OMB Control Number: 1018‐0100 (Expiration Date: 7/31/2021)

I. Program Description This program will provide assistance to an institution to investigate and monitor the effects of environmental contaminants on the breeding population numbers, reproduction, and immunological health of fish eating birds found in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern in Saginaw Bay and River Raisin, building on previous investigations. To accomplish this goal, the recipient institution must have a proven record of experience in working with these types of bird colonies in the Great Lakes and measuring specific immunological endpoints in order to maintain scientific integrity and comparability of data. In addition to the continuing work on colonial waterbird populations, reproduction, and immune function the recipient institution will ensure the same endpoints at Bellows Island, and evaluate potential influences contaminants of emerging concern to those endpoints. Resulting data will be used to inform the Wildlife Populations and Reproductive/Deformities Beneficial Use Impairment s in Michigan’s AOCs.

Addressing these BUIs supports the objectives of the “Focus Area‐Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern” of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) (15.662) Action Plan II (2015‐2019).

The Secretary of the Department of Interior (DOI) developed a list of ten priorities to support both the public purpose and Service and DOI missions. This funding opportunity supports five of the ten DOI priorities as outlined below: (see list of priorities at https://drive.google.com/file/d/14PDbV4DjkOpGnwlAbR9hI‐iNxH4lumOc/view).

1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt: This funding opportunity will provide the scientific data to identify best practices to manage restoration efforts in two Michigan AOCs. Resulting data will inform restoration actions to meet goals determined by stakeholders including Federal, State, local public advisory groups and concerned citizens. Cooperation and trust developed by state holders are necessary to achieve these collective goals.

2. Restoring trust in local communities: The AOC program relies on the continued input of community lead public advisory communities to establish and prioritize restoration goals and determine if goals are met. By providing sound science on which to make restoration decisions this funding opportunity will help restore community beneficial use impairments and strengthen communication and trust among stakeholders and government entities.

3. Ensuring sovereignty means something: This project will provide vital data that will act to solidify the mutual interests of the Great Lakes’ states, associated communities and federal government by restoring the natural resources of the Great Lakes by informing the timely removal of Beneficial Use Impairments within two AOCs.

4. Generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests: Data resulting from this funding opportunity will inform managed and sensible AOC restoration enhancing ecological functionality. This will promote increased economic opportunities through recreation including fishing, hunting, and tourism, among others

5. Achieving our goals and leading our team forward: Data generated from this funding opportunity will provide a cost effective and quality service to the public. It exemplifies the USFWS mission of “working with others to enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people” and will help ensure natural resources for current and future generations.

II. Federal Award Information This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to Calvin College without competition under justification 505DM 2.14.B.2 and 4 in the approximant amount not to exceed $275,641. The period of performance will be from date of signing to September 15, 2022.

Competition for the award is not practical as Calvin College is uniquely qualified to perform this study. Their researcher has demonstrated the associations between PCBs and suppression of T‐ cell‐mediated immunity in herring gull and Caspian tern chicks at highly contaminated sites in the Great Lakes as well as associations with altered antibody‐mediated immunity. Because they have developed and used these immunological methods at these study sites over the past 20 years, data that they generate under this grant can be directly compared with past data to determine trends and restoration of Beneficial Use Impairments.

The Michigan Ecological Services Field Office will provide substantive involvement in the study through collaborative planning for all aspects of the study including coordinating and assisting in field collection, determination of sample analysis, coordination with analyses laboratories, and assisting in developing reports and presentations summarizing work.

III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants

There is not an application process for this funding opportunity; this is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to Calvin College.

Applicants must be knowledgeable in the ecology, and biology of birds in of the Great Lakes.

Applicant must further demonstrate their experience in eco toxicological principles as it pertains to colonial waterbirds in the Great Lakes and be familiar with the colonies referenced in this funding opportunity.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative CFDA 15.662 Applicant Eligibility: Program‐specific.

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required for this award.

Other Eligibility Criteria Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements: Domestic (U.S.) non‐Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See Pub.

L. 113‐235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

Excluded Parties: The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Service cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

IV. Application Requirements Requesting Paper Application Package

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. If necessary a paper application can be requested by contacting the project manager contacted information provided below.

Application Form and Content Requirements Applicants must submit the following to be considered for the funding under this funding opportunity.

1. SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)‐424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF‐ 424, Application for Federal Assistance‐Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF‐424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

2. SF 424, Assurances Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF‐424B, Assurances for Non‐Construction Programs or the SF‐424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF‐424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

Signing the required SF‐424 Assurances 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.

3. Project Narrative All applications should include the following information:

a. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. Summarize previous or on‐going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes.

b. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long‐term, overarching goal(s) of the ‐ program/project. State the objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period).

c. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. 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 the Endangered Species Act. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts with in the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The time table should but propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

d. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

e. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable (i.e., process indicators) and budget information (i.e., input indicators). Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered (i.e., output indicators). Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on beneficiaries (i.e., outcome indicators). Include any available questionnaires, surveys, curricula, exams/tests or other assessment tools to be used for project evaluation.

Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities.

Describe how findings will be fed back into decision making and project activities throughout the project period.

f. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide for each key person a brief (1-2 pages) but descriptive overview of their education, experience and other skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project. To prevent unnecessary transmission of

Personally Identifiable Information, 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 on the description of key personnel qualifications.

4. SF‐424, Budget Information Applicants must submit the appropriate SF‐424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF‐424A, Budget Information for Non‐Construction Programs or the SF‐424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions”. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF‐424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

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/.

6. Indirect Costs: Individuals

Individuals applying for and receiving 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 and skip the next section.

7. Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916‐ 930‐3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost‐share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

□ 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. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

□ 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 have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

□ 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: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. 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 “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

□ 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]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

□ 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, if we receive an award 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%] against [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 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

□ 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, if we receive an award 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% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated 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 that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

□ 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 we must charge indirect costs against 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 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand 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.

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

8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and subrecipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests;

close personal relationships; positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision‐making authority related to the proposed project. Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or subrecipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term employee means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

9. Single Audit Reporting Statement 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 the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non‐profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

10. Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A‐Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S.

Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF‐LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non‐appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF‐LLL form is available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

12. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

□ SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance‐ Individual

□ SF‐424B or D, Assurances

□ Project Narrative

□ SF‐424A or C, Budget Information

□ Budget Narrative

□ Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

□ Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

□ Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

□ SF‐LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

□ Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

V. Submission Requirements Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application;

complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. There is NO COST to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third‐party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from

SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up‐to‐date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF‐424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

2. Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov.

The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered.

Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in

SAM.

Submission Dates and Times There is not an application process for this funding opportunity this is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to Calvin College.

Funding Restrictions Reimbursement of pre‐Federal award costs may be awarded if a written request is submitted and approved by the USFWS project manager. Budget re‐allocation may occur with the project manager’s consent.

Submission Instructions 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.

Completed applications may be submitted by mail, by email, electronically through Grants.gov, or as otherwise described in the Grants.gov funding opportunity. Please select ONE of the submission options:

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.

To submit an application through Grants.gov: Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative.

Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

2. Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24‐48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission. When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial‐up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

3. Proof of Timely Submission Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

VI. Application Review Information Criteria

1. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) strives to promote a fair and impartial financial assistance process that allows all interested parties to apply and receive consideration through this competitive process. As part of this process, the DOI has implemented Initial Package Evaluation

a. Timeliness: Application package includes all materials requested by bureau within the timeline established by the NOFO

b. Eligibility: The applicant is considered eligible, when compared to the NOFO requirements

c. Completeness: The application package has all material requested within the

NOFO, including all signatures and current form type

2. Best Management Practices and Business Oversight

a. DOI has integrated Business Management Structures that require documentation for tracking of funds, audit reporting (showing historical ethical management and business acumen), grant budget forms, Disclosure of

Lobbying, and Conflict of interest.

b. Forms used to accomplish best management practices: SF‐LLL (lobbying), A‐133 (Audit reporting), and conflict of interest statement (Internal

USFWS), SF‐424 (including A, B, and D)

3. Risk Assessment

a. Use of NEPA (form 302185) documentation allow for environmental risk mitigation.

b. Use of SAM database allows for investigation of all parties (agency and investigators)

c. FWS 3‐2462 Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment defines a scoring metric to evaluate applicant risk of default

4. Fair and Impartial Grant Management

a. Scoring and selected officials are considered experts in their scientific field

b. Use of scoring matrix reduces chances for error or partial decision making

c. Scoring matrix forms will be included in grant funding files for documentation

Review and Selection Process Merit Review Questions

1. Is there a FWS trust interest? Does the proposed plan fulfill the goals and objectives of the GLRI Action Plan II (1.1 1.1 Remediate, restore and delist Areas of Concern) and the priorities of the NOFO? What is the potential for the proposed activity to address the

Department of Interior and USFWS’s financial assistance priorities?

2. Are there AOC delisting criteria or a proposal for labor, technical assistance to develop, revise or refine AOC delisting criteria

3. Are the BUI’s being addressed, relevant to the FWS mission?

4. Does the AOC have a habitat restoration plan? Or this is proposal to develop a habitat restoration plan? Are climate resiliency criteria taken into consideration for project outcomes, outputs, and expected results?

5. Proposals for projects and/or labor to address BUI’s?

Proposals for project to restore, enhance, create habitat consistent with the plan?

Merit Review Scoring System

For this grant review process a numerical system will be integrated. This system will use the five questions listed above equally to define the quality of each grant application. Program policy factors may be included in the technical review, scoring and funding structures, when consideration of these factors is needed for fulfillment of agency program objectives.

Basis for Description of Rating System Scores

Question 1 is worth 20% of the score with a score range from 0‐20. Species of interest will be evaluated to see if they are USFWS trust species. The objectives of the proposal will be evaluated to determine if they fulfill the objectives of GLRI Action Plan II, and the proposal will be evaluated to determine how well it falls within the financial assistance priorities of DOI and USFWS.

Question 2 is worth 20% of the score with a score range from 0‐20. The proposal will be evaluated for the potential to revise or refine AOC delisting criteria.

Question 3 is worth 20% of the score with a score range from 0‐20. The proposal will also be evaluated for alignment of the BUI’s being addressed with USFWS mission statement.

Question 4 is worth 20% of the score with a score range from 0‐20. Does the AOC have a habitat restoration plan or will this proposal help develop one. Are climate resiliency criteria taken into consideration for project outcomes, outputs, and expected results?

Question 5 is worth 20% of the score with a range from 0‐20. This proposals will be evaluated if it includes projects and/or labor to address BUI’s? And if proposals for project to restore, enhance, create habitat consistent with the plan?

Scores from all 5 questions will be summed for a total score. Scores from all proposals will be ranked in descending order, with the highest scores receiving the awards

Past performance, applicant risk, and merit review scaring are considered.

Basis for Selection

Scores from all 5 questions will be summed for a total score. Scores from all proposals will be ranked in descending order. The highest scoring proposal for which the recipient is in good standing with the USFWS based on past performance and applicant risk will be awarded the grant.

Prior to award, the Service will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the Service may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Service may choose not to fund the selected project.

The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prior to award, the Service will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. Service programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Service’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Service is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Service will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Service uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR

200.207 should be applied the award.

VII. Federal Award Administration Federal 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 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.

Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

Award Terms and Conditions See the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. 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.

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.

Payments Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S.

Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by the Service program. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International

Treasury Services (ITS) System. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Service will include recipient‐specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.

Reporting Requirements The Service will include recipient‐specific reporting requirements, including the required reports, reporting frequency, and report due dates in all Notices of Award, as applicable.

1. Financial Reports All recipients must use the SF‐425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting.

At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit annual interim financial reports as outlined in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

2. Performance Reports Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit annual interim financial as outlined in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

3. 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 recipient becomes aware of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award.