NOFO.pdf

West Creek NRDAR, Dolores River Tamarisk Control Project

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00346

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services – Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.658

Authorizing Legislation: Oil Pollution Act (OPA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 2701, et seq.); Federal Water Pollution Control Act or Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251, et seq.); Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C §742 et seq.); as well as through the West Creek Natural Resource Damages Settlement Agreement (July 2014), and the Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment for the West Creek Oil Spill, Gateway, Colorado (May 2018).

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 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Program’s purpose is to restore natural resources and their services that have been injured by an oil discharge or hazardous substance release for the benefit of the American people.

On January 25, 2013, a Groendyke Transport, Inc. truck spilled 6,000 gallons of gasoline and 2,000 gallons of diesel product into West Creek just east of Gateway, Mesa County, Colorado. The tanker rolled over an embankment, releasing the fuel into the creek before exploding. The fire was eventually contained, but oil was visible along approximately 3.4 miles of West Creek waters as well as rocks, riparian plants, and woody debris. The Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Trustees) conducted a Natural Resource Damage Assessment to determine the effects of the spill and potential restoration projects. In addition to impacts to natural resources, there were losses to the recreational uses of West Creek due to impacts to the recreational fishery. The Trustees allocated funding to different restoration project categories to fulfill the objectives of the Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (RP/EA), which can be found at:

https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/contaminants/documents/WestCreekNRDAR.pdf

The recipient will restore, rehabilitate, replace, or acquire the equivalent of trust resources that were injured by a discharge of oil‐related substances to fish, aquatic resources, migratory birds and recreational resources in West Creek. Restoration actions implemented as part of the project will restore and enhance riparian habitats in and along the Dolores River near Gateway, Colorado. This project is part of a larger area‐wide effort being conducted by the Dolores River Restoration Partnership and implemented by RiversEdge West in collaboration with private landowners and other stakeholders to restore riparian habitat along the Dolores River. The area‐wide effort is designed to improve wildlife habitat, enhance human access to river‐side campsites, and/or reduce fuel loads near key infrastructure.

This project was evaluated and selected jointly by the state and federal Trustees, is consistent with the goals of the RP/EA and restoration criteria, and will benefit multiple of the same resources/wildlife that were impacted from the discharge. The project will contribute to the NRDAR goal of “making the public whole”, restoring resources that were impacted by oil‐related substances. The project includes partnerships with local landowners, state, and federal organizations as well as non‐profit organizations.

The recipient is uniquely qualified to conduct this project due their technical expertise and longstanding partnerships in the region.

NRDAR meets several of the Department of the Interior (DOI) Priorities and Key Initiatives for Financial Assistance. We work collaboratively with our natural resource co‐trustees (select federal government agencies with natural resource trusteeship, as well as states, territories, and federally recognized tribes) to form a case (or site) specific Trustee Council (TC) and conduct damage assessment and restoration activities. These activities rely upon expanded lines of communication within the TC and collaboration between the TC and the general public to establish mutual interest. Specifically, NRDAR activities include working cooperatively with all members of the TC to: identify which natural resources and services have been injured, determine the extent of the injuries, recover damages from those responsible, and plan and carry out restoration activities to offset the injuries and lost services. As a part of the restoration planning, the TC is required to seek and consider public comment regarding proposed restoration actions and projects, furthering open lines of communication to stakeholders that aren’t on the TC and increasing mutual interest. Through the collaborative nature of the TC and the requirement to seek public input into restoration planning, all NRDAR activities meet two DOI Priorities:

3(b) expand the lines of communication with governors, state natural resource offices, fish and wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, tribes, and local communities; and 4(b) solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories. This project is part of a suite of restoration projects selected to achieve the goals of NRDAR and the RP/EA [DOI Secretarial Priority 10].

II. Federal Award Information This is a notice to award a cooperative agreement to RiversEdge West in accordance with DOI policy 505 DM 2 (3) Legislative Intent and (4) Unique Qualifications. Total anticipated amount of the award is $32,000. The total estimated project period is summer 2019 through December 31, 2023 and project activities include restore and enhance riparian habitats in and along the Dolores River near Gateway, Colorado.

The Service will be substantially involved in the project under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for: 1) coordinating activities with other Trustee agencies’ (federal and state) activities; 2) providing technical assistance with data collection and/or analyses for monitoring success of project; 3) providing technical assistance with annual written project updates and presentations to local stakeholder groups; 3) providing written semi‐annual updates to the West Creek Trustee Council;

4) providing technical assistance, as needed, to the recipient to complete regulatory permitting/environmental compliance; 5) reviewing and approving any proposed modification to scope of work and/or budget; and 6) halting any activity if detailed performance specifications are not met.

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants This is a notice of intent to award to single source. Restoration projects were submitted by agencies and registered (501(c)(3) tax‐exempt nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations provided documentation of tax‐exempt status under §501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

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.

Cost Sharing or Matching Cost‐sharing or matching is not a requirement, but is encouraged by the Trustees.

Other Eligibility Criteria The project meets the criteria and goals expressed in the RP/EA.

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 Not Applicable.

Application Form and Content Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

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

Project title: Dolores River Tamarisk Control Project

Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project: RiversEdge West

Statement of need: Funds under this award are to be used to compensate for injuries to natural resources and natural resource services resulting from a spill of diesel and gasoline into West Creek by returning the injured natural resources and natural resource services to their baseline condition and compensating for associated interim losses. Restoration is undertaken in accordance with the natural resource damages settlement with Groendyke Transport, Inc.

Goals and objectives: The long‐term goal of projects funded by the West Creek natural resource settlement is increasing the quality and quantity of riparian and aquatic habitat for fish, aquatic biota and migratory birds occurring in the vicinity of the spill‐affected area. The objective of this agreement is to enhance riparian habitat along the Dolores

River. Promoting native vegetation re‐establishment can provide important benefits, including site stabilization, erosion control, enhancing desirable wildlife habitat, potential use for forage, and enhanced aesthetics.

Activities and Methods: This project includes the removal and treatment of tamarisk, also known as salt cedar, and secondary invasive species (Russian knapweed and white top) within about 40 acres of riparian habitat along the Dolores River on privately‐ owned tracts. The project is located along the Dolores River northwest of the town of Gateway as well as areas south near the confluence with Roc Creek. Thick stands of tamarisk have encroached into riparian areas along the Dolores River and are either outcompeting or have replaced native vegetation, including cottonwood, willow, and privet species. Methods for removal of standing tamarisk include mechanical treatments, using hand crews, and subsequent treatment of re‐sprouts using chemical treatment. Mechanical removal will involve mastication of standing tamarisk using a mulching head and hand crews using chainsaws. Root structure will be left in the ground and re‐sprouts treated 12‐18 months after mulching. Treated areas would be seeded with native grasses, forbs, and shrubs following removal and treatment of non‐native undesired plant species.

Timetable or milestones: RiversEdge West will start work upon signature of the award.

The project will be implemented in beginning in the summer of 2019 and is expected to be complete by December 31, 2023. Monitoring per the RP/EA will be done as part of the project.

Information to support environmental compliance review requirements: Recipients and subrecipients of Federal grants and cooperative agreement awards must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This project, Dolores River Tamarisk Control Project, was analyzed by the Service and it was determined that the project is covered by categorical exclusion DM 516 8.5B (3). No additional analysis under NEPA is required. ESA and NHPA requirements will be met and documented prior to project implementation.

Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement: RiversEdge West works with Southwest Conservation Corp to implement invasive species control in the Dolores River watershed. RiversEdge West also specializes in fostering grassroots leadership by bringing diverse stakeholders together across boundaries to coordinate the restoration of riparian lands on public and private lands. Other stakeholders, including Trout Unlimited and local landowners, were contacted during restoration project scoping and were provided copies of the RP/EA for review. Public coordination is an integral component of the restoration planning process because public input helps inform the Trustees’ decisions regarding the selection of appropriate restoration. It is also required pursuant to Section 1006(c)(5) of OPA (33 USC § 2706(c)(5)). The Trustees sought the public’s input on the Draft RP/EA during the 30‐day comment period and no public comments were received. RiversEdge West and the Trustees will continue to inform local landowners and local, state, and federal entities about the restoration project.

Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including description of assessment tools to be used: RiversEdge West will provide annual and financial interim reports to the project officer who will convey these reports to the Trustees. Monitoring of the project will be done per the RP/EA.

Information on key project personnel: RiversEdge West will manage and oversee implementation of this project. Shannon Wadas, Associate Director, will oversee the project for RiversEdge West. A new restoration coordinator may also be involved with the project. The Trustees, through the Service, will provide funding, project management, support, and oversight. The Service point of contact is Laura Archuleta, Fish and Wildlife Biologist (laura_archuleta@fws.gov, 719‐655‐6121).

Anticipated future funding needs: Not applicable.

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 Total Budget for the project is $41,990 which includes $32,000 from the West Creek NRDAR funds and $9990 of match through RiversEdge West. Personnel costs ($3175) are for RiversEdge West staff to coordinate the removal and treatment of tamarisk, Russian knapweed, and other invasive species from two sites on private lands within the Dolores River riparian corridor. Funds for travel ($283) are included to offset the cost of transporting personnel and equipment to the relative remote treatment sites.

A total of $8832 is budgeted for supplies (herbicide and native vegetation seeds). Professional grade herbicide in quantities necessary to do significant treatments and appropriate native vegetation seeds will be acquired. Contractual costs ($29,700) are for obtaining Conservation Corps crews and a Strike Team to implement the project at two sites. The downstream site is on private lands just north of Gateway, Colorado; while the upstream site is near the river’s confluence with Roc Creek, near the Mesa‐Montrose county line. At both sites, Conservation Corps crews will be engaged to perform chainsaw and herbicide application tasks. The budget includes three weeks of Conservation Corps crew work. Their work will be overseen by two‐person Strike Team, who will supplement Corps crew work by also performing herbicide application tasks.

Four weeks of Strike Team labor is included in the budget.

RiversEdge West will charge all costs directly. 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.

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:

The City of Waynesboro is a municipal corporation that will charge all costs directly.

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 municipal corporation 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 August 28, 2019

Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

Funding Restrictions Funding is limited to activities that are approved by Trustees and meet the goals of the Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment for the West Creek Oil Spill, Gateway, Colorado.

Submission Instructions N/A. This is a notice of single source financial assistance award. This announcement is for notification purposes only.

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

This is a notice of a single source financial assistance award. This announcement is for notification purposes only. This project was selected by the Trustees using the criteria outlined in the RP/EA which incorporates regulatory factors (OPA 990.54(a)) and additional criteria.

Review and Selection Process To be considered for funding, projects were evaluated the Trustees against site‐specific restoration requirements outlined in the RP/EA. Top ranking projects were discussed by Trustees at multiple in‐ person meetings and phone calls, and appropriate funding determinations were made jointly by the Trustees. Recipient past performance and likelihood of success were considered throughout this process.

RiversEdge West is uniquely qualified to complete this work since the restoration activities will be part of their larger area‐wide effort in collaboration with private landowners and other stakeholders to restore riparian habitat along the Dolores River. The area‐wide effort is designed to improve wildlife habitat, enhance human access to river‐side campsites, and/or reduce fuel loads near key infrastructure.

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 an email from the Trustees, which is not authorization to begin project performance. Receipt of written notice in the form of a signed Notice of Award document authorizes the applicant to begin work. 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. 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. 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.

Any work related to planning or coordinating may be started prior to completing compliance reviews, and any work that involves disturbance to habitat or construction must not be started until all compliance reviews are complete. As a condition of award, the recipient and their subrecipient(s) and contractor(s) must not begin any potentially impactful work related to this award until the Service has notified you in writing that such work can begin. Recipients and subrecipients of Federal grants and cooperative agreement awards must comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

In accordance with 2 CFR 180, before issuing any subaward of any amount the Recipient must confirm that the subrecipient and principals or the contractor are/is not suspended or debarred from receiving Federal funds. The Recipient does this by: 1) checking SAM Exclusions, 2) collecting a certification from the subrecipient; or 3) adding a clause or condition to the subaward. To check SAM Exclusions, go to www.SAM.gov. Search for entities by their DUNS number. Search for principal participants by their names. Search for contractors by their business names. If an exclusion is found that prohibits the entity from receiving Federal award funds, the Recipient is prohibited from entering into a subaward with that entity.

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 interim financial reports on the frequency established 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. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final performance 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 interim financial reports on the frequency established 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. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The recipient should also notify the Service in writing of any 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.

4. Real Property Reports Recipients and subrecipients are required to submit status reports on the status of real property in which the Federal government retains an interest. The required frequency of these reports will depend on the anticipated length of the Federal interest period. The Service will include recipient‐specific real property reporting requirements, including the required data elements, reporting frequency, and report due dates, as applicable.

5. Conflict of Interest Disclosures Recipients must notify the Service immediately in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that arise during the life of their Federal award. 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.