nofo eei f15as00328.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Division of Migratory Birds – Southwest Region

Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.655

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

Populations of the golden eagle currently appear stable in most western U.S. regions, but this status is tentative because the eagle’s reproductive potential is low and additive mortality posed by increasing threats could trigger declines among some western U.S. populations. Examples of direct threats include mortality due to electrocution on power lines, collisions with vehicles and human-created structures such as wind turbines, and poisoning especially by lead. Moreover, quantity and quality of the eagle’s habitat in the western U.S. likely is declining, with concurrent decreases in prey availability.

In September 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) promulgated a Rule under the

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act that established conditions under which the Service could permit lethal take and disturbance of golden eagles and bald eagles. Permitted take must be demonstrated as “compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle or golden eagle,” which is defined as no net-decrease in the number of breeding pairs within regional geographic management units. Issuance of permits is thus contingent on quantitative prediction and validation of consequences of such actions and clear understanding of the species’ demography.

Substantial key gaps exist, however, in knowledge of golden eagle population ecology, especially survival, causes of mortality, habitat selection, nesting distribution, and movement dynamics including migration and dispersal. When the Rule was published in 2009, status of golden eagles across the Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau region (BCR 16) was of particular concern because available information suggested unusually low reproductive success there. A study to help address these information gaps for golden eagles in the region began in 2010, using nest surveys and satellite telemetry as primary tools.

This study will continue during 2015 to broaden the geographic and seasonal scope of the work and to continue to monitor movements and survival of eagles marked during 2010-2014. First, aerial searches for golden eagle nests are needed east of BCR 16 and possibly in adjoining regions. A broader nest inventory will help prevent loss of breeding territories due to prolonged disturbance, direct nest destruction, illegal take of individual eagles or eagle eggs, and land use conversion at least on some public lands. Moreover, nest site locations can be pooled to more accurately depict spatial distribution of breeding pairs and help delineate eagle breeding populations. Characteristics of nest sites can be fed into models to predict potential nesting habitat. Nests also must be pinpointed, and their status documented (current use for breeding, and stage of nesting), to support the second purpose of this work. Eagle Environmental, Inc.

(EEI) will conduct these aerial surveys, under contract with the Service, during late fall 2015 through early spring 2016. Following surveys, EEI will contact and coordinate with tribes, public agencies, non-government organizations, and private landowners (collectively, land managers/owners) to monitor and gain timely access to selected eagle nests from surveys, to conduct the second major component of this study.

As the second part of this study, satellite telemetry transmitters (also known as PTTs) will be deployed on golden eagles east of BCR, in northeastern New Mexico and northern TX, to more broadly address following information needs for managing the population: (1) age-specific survival rates; (2) relative importance of various causes of mortality; (3) natal dispersal distance and behavior; (4) seasonal movement and inter-population mixing; (5) seasonal resource selection; (6) identify areas of high importance to the species, e.g., winter concentrations; (7) behavior and movement of unsuccessful territorial adults and floaters; and (8) geographic source

(i.e. location of summer ranges) of individuals overwintering in the Southern Great Plains. This information is critical to: (1) demographic analyses to determine levels of take of golden eagles, authorized through permit from the Service, that can be sustained by the population; (2) determine population management unit boundaries; (3) select most appropriate management actions to reduce unauthorized take; and (4) prioritize geographic areas and habitat types for highest priority conservation actions. About six near-fledging (~55-day-old) golden eagles will be tagged with PTTs at their respective nests in far northeastern and far east-central New Mexico in late spring 2015. In coordination with the Service, EEI will conduct this work, after working with land managers/owners to gain access to nests. EEI also will conduct or coordinate whatever monitoring is needed to ensure the young eagle(s) at a given nest are at the appropriate age for tagging. Also, about six golden eagles will be captured via net-launcher traps and tagged with

PTTs in northern Texas and possibly nearby parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas during late fall through early spring, 2015-2016. In coordination with the Service, EEI will plan logistics for and conduct this work.

As of March 2015, about 500,000 GPS locations were collected from 73 golden eagles tagged with PTTs in the Four Corners Region during 2010-2014; 39 of the eagles were wearing functional PTTs and providing data at that time and will be continually monitored until they die or their PTTs no longer function. EEI will conduct about one-half of this routine data monitoring during late spring 2015 through early spring 2016. EEI also will work with land managers/owners to gain access to remote areas to retrieve PTT-tagged eagles that die. EEI also will coordinate with the Service to either retrieve the eagle carcass or to find biologists or wildlife law enforcement officers who will retrieve the carcass, whichever is quickest.

To summarize, EEI’s primary tasks during late spring 2015 through early spring 2016 under this agreement are to (1) complete surveys for golden eagle nests during late winter and early spring, 2016, and (2) PTT-tag about six near-fledging golden eagles at nests in northeastern and east-central New Mexico during 2015, and about six golden eagles in northern Texas and adjoining areas during late fall through early spring, 2015-2016. By 31 May 2016, EEI will produce a concise summary report of the results of its portion of these tasks, consisting mainly of data tables and possibly figures, encompassing all relevant data. Nest survey data will be added to

Service Region 2’s current golden eagle nest database and checked against previously entered data for consistency and clarity.

Authorizations: Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-754; Fish and

Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661-667(e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 2901-2911; Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 709a.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving broad-scale conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. This process uses the best available scientific information to predict how fish and wildlife populations will respond to changes in the environment, thus enabling the Service to focus habitat conservation and other management activities where they will be most effective. In addition, the Service needs focused, applied science directed at high impact questions surrounding threats to fish and wildlife resources for which management and/or mitigation is required to maintain species at healthy, sustainable, desired levels. The Service must base its decisions on the best science available, in order to defend its regulatory decisions, biological opinions and species conservation recommendations to land managers.

II. Award Information

This program will use a cooperative agreement as the financial assistance instrument. The

Service will be responsible for the following: (1) Provide maps indicating geographic areas where surveys for golden eagle nests have not been systematically conducted and where knowledge of the species’ nest distribution is otherwise poor, (2) Prioritize areas to be surveyed for nests, (3) Provide a database format for entry of nest site data, (4) Provide satellite telemetry transmitters to be deployed on eagles, (5) Pay for data downloads from the transmitters, collected via the Argos satellite system, (6) Provide funding to cover costs of coordination among land managers and land owners, to deploy transmitters on individual eagles

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with Department of the Interior (DOI)

Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(1) Unsolicited Proposal: The recipient, Eagle Environmental Inc (EEI) is uniquely qualified due to working in concert with the Southwest Region Migratory Bird office for more than 5 years now. Over these years EEI has been key to our success in monitoring

Golden Eagles in the Western States through aerial flights, eagle capture and satellite transmitter deployment, and other field work associated with our ongoing Golden Eagle project. If this partnership is not continued our past efforts will be hindered and future efforts slowed in allowing us to make meaningful and well informed management decisions about Golden Eagles in the west. There is only ONE expected award and the estimated total program funding is

$45,000.

U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

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 online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government

Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711

Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1)

For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

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

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

SAM.

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.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

No cost sharing or matching is required

IV. Application Requirements

To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A. A completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form. The SF-424 form is available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. 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 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15 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 Summary

Project Title: Status and Ecology of Golden Eagles in the Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau

Region – late spring 2015 through early spring 2016, Project Location:. Colorado

Plateau/Southern Rockies region (Bird Conservation Region 16) and nearby areas of Northern

Rockies and Great Plains regions (BCRs 10, 17, 18), Summary: Populations of the golden eagle currently appear stable in most western U.S. regions, but this status is tentative because the eagle’s reproductive potential is low and additive mortality posed by increasing threats could trigger declines among some western U.S. populations. Examples of direct threats include mortality due to electrocution on power lines, collisions with vehicles and human-created structures such as wind turbines, and poisoning especially by lead. Moreover, quantity and quality of the eagle’s habitat in the western U.S. likely is declining, with concurrent decreases in prey availability.

In September 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) promulgated a Rule under the

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act that established conditions under which the Service could permit lethal take and disturbance of golden eagles and bald eagles. Permitted take must be demonstrated as “compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle or golden eagle,” which is defined as no net-decrease in the number of breeding pairs within regional geographic management units. Issuance of permits is thus contingent on quantitative prediction and validation of consequences of such actions and clear understanding of the species’ demography.

Substantial key gaps exist, however, in knowledge of golden eagle population ecology, especially survival, causes of mortality, habitat selection, nesting distribution, and movement dynamics including migration and dispersal. When the Rule was published in 2009, status of golden eagles across the Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau region (BCR 16) was of particular concern because available information suggested unusually low reproductive success there. A study to help address these information gaps for golden eagles in the region began in 2010, using nest surveys and satellite telemetry as primary tools.

This study will continue during 2015 to broaden the geographic and seasonal scope of the work and to continue to monitor movements and survival of eagles marked during 2010-2014. First, aerial searches for golden eagle nests are needed east of BCR 16 and possibly in adjoining regions. A broader nest inventory will help prevent loss of breeding territories due to prolonged disturbance, direct nest destruction, illegal take of individual eagles or eagle eggs, and land use conversion at least on some public lands. Moreover, nest site locations can be pooled to more accurately depict spatial distribution of breeding pairs and help delineate eagle breeding populations. Characteristics of nest sites can be fed into models to predict potential nesting habitat. Nests also must be pinpointed, and their status documented (current use for breeding, and stage of nesting), to support the second purpose of this work. Eagle Environmental, Inc.

(EEI) will conduct these aerial surveys, under contract with the Service, during late fall 2015 through early spring 2016. Following surveys, EEI will contact and coordinate with tribes, public agencies, non-government organizations, and private landowners (collectively, land managers/owners) to monitor and gain timely access to selected eagle nests from surveys, to conduct the second major component of this study.

As the second part of this study, satellite telemetry transmitters (also known as PTTs) will be deployed on golden eagles east of BCR, in northeastern New Mexico and northern TX, to more broadly address following information needs for managing the population: (1) age-specific survival rates; (2) relative importance of various causes of mortality; (3) natal dispersal distance and behavior; (4) seasonal movement and inter-population mixing; (5) seasonal resource selection; (6) identify areas of high importance to the species, e.g., winter concentrations; (7) behavior and movement of unsuccessful territorial adults and floaters; and (8) geographic source

(i.e. location of summer ranges) of individuals overwintering in the Southern Great Plains. This information is critical to: (1) demographic analyses to determine levels of take of golden eagles, authorized through permit from the Service, that can be sustained by the population; (2) determine population management unit boundaries; (3) select most appropriate management actions to reduce unauthorized take; and (4) prioritize geographic areas and habitat types for highest priority conservation actions. About six near-fledging (~55-day-old) golden eagles will be tagged with PTTs at their respective nests in far northeastern and far east-central New Mexico in late spring 2015. In coordination with the Service, EEI will conduct this work, after working with land managers/owners to gain access to nests. EEI also will conduct or coordinate whatever monitoring is needed to ensure the young eagle(s) at a given nest are at the appropriate age for tagging. Also, about six golden eagles will be captured via net-launcher traps and tagged with

PTTs in northern Texas and possibly nearby parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas during late fall through early spring, 2015-2016. In coordination with the Service, EEI will plan logistics for and conduct this work.

As of March 2015, about 500,000 GPS locations were collected from 73 golden eagles tagged with PTTs in the Four Corners Region during 2010-2014; 39 of the eagles were wearing functional PTTs and providing data at that time and will be continually monitored until they die or their PTTs no longer function. EEI will conduct about one-half of this routine data monitoring during late spring 2015 through early spring 2016. EEI also will work with land managers/owners to gain access to remote areas to retrieve PTT-tagged eagles that die. EEI also will coordinate with the Service to either retrieve the eagle carcass or to find biologists or wildlife law enforcement officers who will retrieve the carcass, whichever is quickest.

To summarize, EEI’s primary tasks during late spring 2015 through early spring 2016 under this agreement are to (1) complete surveys for golden eagle nests during late winter and early spring, 2016, and (2) PTT-tag about six near-fledging golden eagles at nests in northeastern and east-central New Mexico during 2015, and about six golden eagles in northern Texas and adjoining areas during late fall through early spring, 2015-2016. By 31 May 2016, EEI will produce a concise summary report of the results of its portion of these tasks, consisting mainly of data tables and possibly figures, encompassing all relevant data. Nest survey data will be added to

Service Region 2’s current golden eagle nest database and checked against previously entered data for consistency and clarity.

6. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide for each key person a brief (1-2 pages) but descriptive overview of their education, experience and other skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics on the description of key personnel qualifications.

D. Budget Form

Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget

Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. 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/.

Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, 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.

E. Budget Justification

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

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

Required Indirect Cost Statement: 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:

http://www.ecfr.gov/

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]. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement 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. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimus indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in Title 2 of the Code of Federal

Regulations Part 200, section 200.68. We understand that the 10% de minimus rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period

6. 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.

7. 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 the 10% de minimus 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.

Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to their Service award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non-Federal alike.

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

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

Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated

Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

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

2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430

Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone: 916-566-7111

Email: ics@nbc.gov

Internet address: http://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/Indirect_Cost_Services/index.cfm

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal

Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized

Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in

Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through file:///C:/Users/Jean_Kvasnicka/Documents/POLICY/New%20Award%20Guidance/Round%204%20FY15%20updates/As 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

(http://harvester.census.gov/sac/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted.

Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit

Reporting Statements”.

G. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. 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. Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Under Title 31 of the United States

Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds

(both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant 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 project

AND the project budget exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities form. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification

Regarding Lobbying.

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

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

□ 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

□ 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.

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

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 25 July 2015

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.

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:

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

To submit an application by e-mail:

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

The required SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance and Assurances forms and any other required standard forms MUST be signed by your organization’s authorized official. The

Signature and Date fields on the standard forms downloaded from Grants.gov are pre-populated with the text “Completed by Grants.gov upon submission” or “Completed on submission to

Grants.gov”. Remove this text (manually or digitally) before signing the forms.

To submit an application through Grants.gov:

Go to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page

(http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp) for an overview of the process to apply through Grants.gov. You/your organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Registration can take between three to five business days, or as long as two weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Please do not assign application attachments file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. Assigning file names longer than 20 characters will create issues in the automatic interface between Grants.gov and the Service’s financial assistance management system.

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.

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 Federal regulations applicable to Service awards are available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a full text copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency

Contacts section below.

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports: Interim financial reports and performance reports may be required. Interim reports will be required no more frequently than quarterly, and no less frequently than annually. A final financial report and a final performance report will be required and are due within 90 calendar days of the end date of the award. Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results.

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

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

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

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

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Recipients are responsible for notifying the Service Project

Officer in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of http://www.fws.gov/grants/ this award. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under this award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their

Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the Recipient, the Recipient’s employee(s), or the Recipient’s

Subrecipient(s) that could reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of this award.

Other Mandatory Disclosures: Recipients and their subrecipients must disclose, in a timely manner and in writing, to the Service or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting this award. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (See 2 CFR 200.113, 2 CFR Part 180, and 31

U.S.C. 3321).

VIII. Agency Contacts

Technical Point of Contact:

Robert Murphy, PhD

Migratory Bird Biologist

USFWS-Region 2 Migratory Bird Office

P. O. Box 1306

Albuquerque, NM 87103

Office: (505) 248-6879

Fax: (505) 248-6674

Administrative Point of Contact:

Sara Nicole Williams, Budget-Grants Analyst

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Region 2 Migratory Bird Office

500 Gold Ave SW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Email: sara_n_williams@fws.gov

Phone: (505) 248-7462