NOFO.pdf

OMB Control Number: 1018-0109 Expiration Date:11/30/2018

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Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. We are collecting this information in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of fish and wildlife species and their habitat (16 U.S.C. 661 and 742 et seq.), Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753). Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 87 Stat. 884).

Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that it will take applicants under this program about eight hours to complete an application. We estimate it will take recipients under this program about eight hours to complete required reporting and eight hours for required recordkeeping. All burden estimates include the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather data needed and complete and review the submission. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Missouri Ecological Services Field Office

Aquatic Habitat Restoration for the Lower Osage River Protection and Enhancement Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.649

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking an qualified Entity (Entity) to assess, design, and implement 2 – 10 aquatic habitat restoration projects within the lower 82 miles of the Osage River, in central Missouri, from Bagnell Dam (38.203937; -92.624393) to the confluence with the Missouri River. This effort is part of a larger program called the Lower Osage River Protection and Enhancement Program (LORPEP). This program is administered by the Service, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and Ameren Missouri (collectively “Partners”) to improve aquatic habitat, protect and enhance aquatic resources, and benefit federally endangered species as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) operating license for the Osage Project (Bagnell Dam). Currently, the Service and MDC have identified and prioritized specific aquatic habitat restoration project opportunities within the lower Osage River, and additional opportunities may be identified in the future.

Potential Projects

The Service is seeking an Entity that can provide the technical resources necessary to assess the list of projects and design and implement 2 – 10 of these projects within the total amount of funding available (see “II. Award Information” for details). The Entity will work closely with the Partners on all phases of the work described herein. The ultimate number of projects implemented will depend on final project costs. Identified projects fit into the following categories:

1) Modifying riverbed features, training structures, and other manmade structures to enhance flows to backchannel and training structure embayments. There are opportunities

2 | P a g e to enhance flows to backchannels associated with islands in the lower Osage River. These projects may involve the removal of depositional material (e.g., gravel) at the upstream end of backchannels, construction of hydraulic control structures, and/or the modification of obsolete training structures that were originally designed to divert water back into the main channel. These projects may require complex hydraulic modeling and natural channel design or similar function-based approaches to control bank erosion depending upon the project design. Most backwaters also have crossings or “access roads” leading to the islands that may need to be preserved or improved (for island farming operations) at the same time flow is enhanced. Other projects will involve improving flows to training structure embayments associated with the main channel of the lower Osage River and may only require hydraulic modeling and notching training structures.

2) Protect and enhance specific aquatic features and /or LORPEP enhancement projects through bed and bank stabilization. Potential projects have been identified to date to control bank and channel erosion associated with important aquatic habitats in the lower Osage River. These projects may involve sediment or hydraulic modeling. Projects may require bioengineering, natural channel design, and/or similar function-based approaches to stream channel stabilization and/or reconfiguration.

3) Addition of substrate particles and construction of riverbed features to retain added particles. Projects may require substrate augmentation and potentially the construction of instream features to retain finer size fractions on the stream bottom in the main channel.

4) Implementing actions and/or establishing agreements for natural resource stewardship in concert with other LORPEP projects. Potential actions would be in concert with other projects and could include excluding livestock from the river with fencing, providing incentives to farmers, or preserving forested riparian habitat on banks and islands associated with important aquatic habitat in the lower Osage River. Other actions in this category may include gravel mining cessation/modification with willing participants.

Project Assessment

The selected Entity would review the Partner’s prioritized list of project opportunities in the lower Osage River, visit these locations, and provide an initial assessment of the viability and general cost of the projects. This initial project assessment will occur during the first year. The Entity and Partner’s will collaboratively evaluate the proposed projects for their potential for success and prioritize them according to a set of criteria to ensure LORPEP funds are used to maximize ecological benefits. A plan for LORPEP is available from the Service via the agency contact listed below (Section VIII).

Most potential projects are located on or adjacent to private land; therefore, projects will only be pursued if the landowner(s) is amenable. The Partner’s will complete agreements with cooperating landowners, after which the Entity will work with the Service and other necessary partners to determine the most cost effective methods for achieving to the goals and objectives of each selected project. Geomorphic and hydraulic assessments and/or soil investigations of the selected projects may be necessary during this part of the assessment phase.

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Project Design

The selected Entity can subcontract project design elements as desired. Design-build and design-bid-build options are both available, as preferred by the Entity. At least one project design will be completed within the first year.

The selected Entity will provide conceptual designs for selected projects, including preliminary conceptual designs to describe potential strategies for achieving the project goal based on the restoration potential. Conceptual designs will be discussed with the Partners before selecting an approach for final design. The selected Entity will provide all necessary and standard numerical and engineering details for each viable restoration/stabilization approach. The final design phase will focus on creating plan sheets and construction documents that will be used during the construction phase along with a final cost estimate.

The Entity will also be responsible for assisting with project permitting, including providing the necessary permitting information to the Service and participating in pre-construction permitting meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as well as State Historical Preservation Office.

The Entity will provide maintenance and monitoring plans prior to initiating construction to be approved by the Service.

Project Construction

The selected Entity will provide complete construction oversight and management for implementation of the entire final design specifications, including certification of all work and subcontracts. The selected Entity can subcontract project construction, as needed.

The selected Entity will be responsible for developing and implementing post-construction maintenance and monitoring plans for five years’ post-construction. At least one project will be constructed within the first year.

Authorizing Statutes

This funding opportunity is in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of fish and wildlife species and their habitat (16 U.S.C. 661 and 742 et seq.), Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753). Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 87 Stat. 884).

II. Award Information

The total amount of funding available for this announcement is $1,000,000, and the Service anticipates issuing one award to one Entity for this opportunity. The required start date for this agreement is September 22, 2017, and the project period ends April 30, 2022. The number of aquatic restoration projects completed during this project period will depend upon final project

4 | P a g e costs, but at least two projects will be completed and as many as 10. The Service and Partners will be substantially involved in projects carried out under this funding opportunity; therefore, the funding mechanism will be a cooperative agreement between the Entity and the Service. In particular, the Service will be responsible for providing guidance and expertise throughout all project phases, share the list of the specific potential restoration opportunities, approve selected projects before implementation, assist with establishing the required landowner partnerships, carry out environmental reviews, assist in project permitting, and conduct post-project aquatic species monitoring.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

Service Training and Technical Assistance 15.649 Applicant Eligibility: Federal, State and local government agencies; Federally-recognized Tribal governments; private nonprofit institutions/organizations; public nonprofit institutions/organizations; for profit organizations.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience managing and implementing habitat restoration projects. Preference will be given to applicants that have experience assessing, designing, and implementing stream restoration projects using bioengineering, natural channel design, and/or similar function-based approaches to stream channel stabilization and/or reconfiguration.

Familiarity with the following environmental laws is required: NEPA, Section 10 and 408 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act, and Section 106 of the Natural Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). A statement of qualifications for the above requirements and a list of references for the applicant are required.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

A. DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679 (hearing impaired customers only). Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM

Register in SAM at www.sam.gov. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information. Foreign entities who wish to be paid directly to a

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

SAM.

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

C. Excluded Entities

Applicant entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.

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

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost sharing is not required, but voluntary committed cost-sharing is a factor affecting award decision. Applicants may attribute some or all of their allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share/match.

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

A. A completed, signed and dated SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance form

(http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B. Project Narrative: Provide a description of how the entity will undertake the project if selected. The narrative should include a description of the understanding of funding description and approach, potential strategies through which the project approach will be met, and the entity’s approach to project management, deliverables, schedule, reporting. The narrative should include details of the entity’s relevant project experience and examples, and competence to perform the required work, particularly as it relates to the funding description and approach of the project. The narrative should refer to the Description of Funding Opportunity categories (project assessment, project design, and project construction) along with demonstrating agreement to work on a timely and interactive basis with the Service and Partners.

C. Project timetable: Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The

6 | P a g e timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

D. Description of Entity 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.

E. Budget Form: Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

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

F. Budget Justification: In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

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

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Required Indirect Cost Statement: Recipients that do not have an approved indirect cost rate cannot charge indirect costs to their Federal award. All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget justification narrative one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within

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90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR

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

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

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

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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

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

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

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

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

Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If

9 | P a g e you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior: Entities that do not have a NICRA must first have an open, active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your cognizant agency, your indirect cost rate will be negotiated by the Interior Business Center (IBC). For more information, contact the IBC at:

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

G. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

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

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

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I. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A- Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

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

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

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

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Application Checklist

□ Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

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

□ Project narrative

□ Timetable

□ Description of key personnel qualifications

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

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

□ Budget justification

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

□ Indirect cost statement

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

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

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

□ Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

□ Overlap/Duplication statement

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

V. Submission Instructions SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 10, 2017 – June 10, 2017

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

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

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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 mail:

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one, single-sided, unbound copy (do not staple or otherwise permanently bind pages) of your complete 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 by e-mail:

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

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

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria: To be considered for funding, applications must meet the minimum qualifications.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following categories, and all categories will be ranked equally:

- How well does the application address the project description for this funding opportunity?

- Does the applicant have proven records of expertise to complete the project?

- Does the applicant demonstrate experience assessing, designing, and implementing stream restoration projects using bioengineering, natural channel design, and/or similar function-based approaches to stream channel stabilization and/or reconfiguration?

- Does the proposal include more than 10% voluntary committed cost-share?

- Does the applicant demonstrate familiarity with the following environmental laws:

NEPA, Section 10 and 408 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act, and Section 106 of the Natural Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)?

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Review and Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed in their entirety and not on an objective-by-objective or method-by-method basis. Proposals that include components that do not adequately satisfy the review criteria above will receive lower overall scores even if other components rank highly.

A panel of Service biologists will review the proposals for eligibility. Eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of Service and MDC biologists. Outside experts (non-agency) will be solicited to augment the review team or to review specific proposals ad-hoc, as needed.

Reviewers will evaluate each proposal and assign Excellent, Adequate, or Insufficient for specific topics within the criteria identified above.

Excellent: exemplary, deserves highest priority Adequate: meets requirements, proposes quality work Insufficient: lacking in one or more aspects, key issues need to be addressed

Each proposal will be reviewed by at least three independent reviewers. Failing any additional concerns, the highest scoring proposals will be recommended by the review team for funding by the Service. The Service reserves the right to make all final decisions, and will share final decisions with MDC and any outside experts prior to release. If no acceptable proposals are received, modifications or additional proposals will be requested.

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

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

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

Prior to approving an award with a Federal funding amount that exceeds or is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as adjusted (see 2 CFR 200.88), the Service must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS; https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action) to determine if, at a minimum, the information found in the system for the applicant demonstrates a satisfactory record of Federal award performance and integrity and business ethics (see 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2)). The Service must also report to FAPIIS if an applicant

14 | P a g e subject to this review is found not qualified for a particular award due to its prior record of integrity or performance under Federal awards (see 2 CFR 200.212).

VII. Award Administration Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail.

If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document.

Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

Domestic Recipient Payments: Prior to award, the Service program office will contact you/your organization to either enroll in the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system or, if eligible, obtain approval from the Department of the Interior to be waived from using ASAP.

Transmittal of Sensitive Data: Recipients are responsible for ensuring any sensitive data being sent to the Service is protected during its transmission/delivery. The Service strongly recommends that recipients use the most secure transmission/delivery method available. The Service recommends the following digital transmission methods: secure digital faxing; encrypted emails; emailing a password protected zipped/compressed file attachment in one email followed by the password in a second email; or emailing a zipped/compressed file attachment. The Service strongly encourages recipients sending sensitive data in paper copy to use a courier mail service. Recipients may also contact their Service Project Officer and provide any sensitive data over the telephone.

Award Terms and Conditions: Acceptance of a financial assistance award (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement) from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions applicable to the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the notice of award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Service’s Standard Award Terms and Conditions are available on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a full text copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.

Special Award Terms and Conditions: No work on any proposed project site may begin until all compliance reviews are complete. As a condition of award, the Recipient and their sub-

15 | P a g e recipient(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 sub-recipients of Federal grants and cooperative agreement awards must comply with the requirements of NEPA, Section 7 of ESA, and Section 106 of NHPA.

In the event any archaeological or historic materials are encountered during project activity, work in the immediate area must stop and the following actions taken: 1. Implement reasonable measures to protect the discovery site, including any appropriate stabilization or covering; 2.

Take reasonable steps to ensure the confidentiality of the discovery sites; and 3. Take reasonable steps to restrict access to the site of discovery. The recipient will notify the concerned Tribes and all appropriate county, state and federal agencies, including the State Historic Preservation Office. Agencies and the Tribe(s) will discuss the possible measures to remove or avoid cultural material, and will reach an agreement with the recipient regarding actions to be taken and disposition of material. If Human remains are uncovered, appropriate law enforcement agencies shall be notified first, and the above steps followed. If the remains are determined to be Native, consultation with the affected Tribe(s) will take place in order to mitigate the final disposition of said remains.

The Recipient has an obligation to protect themselves from potential liability when hiring any contractor to perform work activities approved under this award on property owned by the Recipient by checking references and ensuring that any contractor hired is licensed, bonded, and has valid employee insurance coverage for events of injury or bodily harm.

In accordance with 2 CFR 180, before issuing any subaward of any amount or any contract expected to total $25,000 or more, the Recipient must confirm that the subawardee and principals (see 2 CFR 180.995) or the contractor are/is not suspended or debarred from receiving Federal funds. The Recipient does this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.

The Recipient may check SAM Exclusions by going to http://sam.gov. Search for subrecipients by their DUNS number (see 2 CFR 25). Search for principal participants by their name(s).

Search for contractors by their business name(s). If no exclusion record is found, the entity or individual is not suspended or debarred from receiving Federal funds. If an exclusion record is found that prohibits the entity from receiving Federal funds, the Recipient must not obligate funds to that entity/individual. Contact the Service Project Officer with any questions.

Recipient shall not publicize or otherwise circulate promotional material (such as advertisements, sales brochures, press releases, speeches, still and motion pictures, articles, manuscripts or other publications) which states or implies governmental, Departmental, bureau, or government employee endorsement of a product, service, or position that the recipient represents. No release of information relating to this award may state or imply that the Government approves of the recipient’s work products, or considers the recipient’s work product to be superior to other products or services. All information submitted for publication or public releases of information regarding this project shall carry the following disclaimer: “The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.” Recipient must obtain prior

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Government approval for any public information releases concerning this award which refer to the Department of the Interior or any bureau or employee (by name or title). The specific text, layout photographs, etc. of the proposed release must be submitted with the request for approval.

Recipient must include this provision in subawards made under this award to any recipient other than a state, local, or Federally-recognized Indian tribal government.

The Recipient will conduct scientific and scholarly activities as defined in Department of the Interior policy 305 DM 3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities that are intended for use in Service decision-making processes and/or publications. Acceptance of this award carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and follow the Code of Scientific and Scholarly Conduct described in 305 DM 3, Section 3.7 to the best of your ability.

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports:

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

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