nofo f15as00239 for ca and nv may 2015.doc

Notice of Funding Opportunity, Request for Proposals, and Application Instructions

For offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Nevada and California Funding Opportunity #F15AS00239 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers:

15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance

15.650 Research Grants

15.670 Adaptive Science

Federal Agency Name and Contact:

Reno Fish and Wildlife Office (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

1340 Financial Blvd., Suite 234

Reno, NV 89502

Sue Lackey

Email: sue_lackey@fws.gov I. Description of Funding Opportunity and Request for Project Proposals The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) mission is often accomplished through collaborative projects with partners to achieve conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish, wildlife, and their habitats face in the future. In addition, by leveraging resources and strategically targeting science and special projects to assist with conservation decisions and actions, the FWS has created a network of partners working in unison to ensure the sustainability of America’s land, water, wildlife and cultural resources. We are requesting proposals and offer financial assistance for awards listed below which include: research projects, habitat conservation projects, recovery planning, conservation design and adaptive management projects.

II. Award Information

Approximately $1,000,000 in funding is available from the FWS for unique projects described below. Applicants must apply for each award separately, noting that all awards under this announcement are intended to support the mission and goals of the Fish and Wildlife Service within the geographic range of each program or office contributing. If a project is limited to certain applicants, the information will be stated under each description.

Project #1- Fish Slough Milk-Vetch Genetic Research: Award ceiling = $10,000 Eligible applicants are limited to local institutes of higher education in Northern Nevada.

Your proposal will for preliminary genetic research to include: (1) comparing levels of genetic variation within and among populations (or subpopulations) of Fish Slough milk-vetch; (2) investigating gene flow within and among populations of Fish Slough milk-vetch; and (3) investigating relatedness with respect to other Astragalus lentiginosus populations. This collaborative research project will provide the FWS with preliminary genetic information for planning and future recovery actions. (RFWO-3) Project #2 - Nevada Species Occurrence Data: Award ceiling = $25,000 Your project proposal would provide the FWS data on Nevada species occurrence data already compiled from an established database for at-risk plants and animals in Nevada. In addition, the FWS wishes to enjoin with an organization with an existing, cost-effective, central information source with an inventory of the locations, biology, and status of threatened, endangered, rare, and at-risk plants and animals in Nevada. Our intention is to work collaboratively to focus on those species that are at greatest risk of extinction or serious decline. Your proposal for this project must not exceed $25,000 and would provide scientifically objective data, as well as providing technical field assistance to FWS staff as needed. (RFWO-16) Project #3- Southern Nevada Springsnails Survey: Award ceiling = $100,000 Your proposal will reflect your ability to work with FWS biologists in the field to perform conservation status assessments needed for 14 species of springsnails, to include literature review, recent status based on field monitoring and other available information, and apparent threats. This information is needed for a 12-month listing review under the Endangered Species Act for springsnails in Cave, Vegas, and Pahranagat valleys in Southern Nevada. (SNFO-5) Project #4 - Short-term, collaborative teaching project and entry level field work assistance from a local university student in the Las Vegas Area: Award ceiling = $13,500 Eligible applicants are limited to local institutes of higher education in Southern Nevada only. The FWS is providing an opportunity to work with a local university student who would assist staff biologists in the field: collecting data, entering data electronically in the office, and assisting with filing scientific data, and other biological recordkeeping. This is a six-month, short-term, collaborative teaching project which will provide information about the work of staff biologists while assisting professional staff. (SNFO-6) Project #5 Great Basin sage-grouse habitat enhancement and restoration: Award ceiling = $450,000 Recipients will work with FWS staff, partners, and private landowners to conduct habitat restoration treatments across specific landscapes that improve the integrity and resilience of rangelands. Landscapes include: Greater Sheldon Hart Mountain, Desatoya Mountains, and areas encompassing the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of sage-grouse. Proposals must include information that reflects their previously demonstrated expertise in hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, engineering (planning and designed habitat restoration projects, and restoration techniques of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. Project objectives will include protecting, conserving, and restoring the health of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem with an emphasis on wet meadows and greater sage-grouse habitat. Up to 5 total awards with a maximum award of $350,000. (SA-1)

Project #6 Video Outreach Project for Devils Hole Pupfish: Award ceiling = $40,000

This project will produce video(s) containing underwater HD footage of up to eight rare aquatic species of the southern Nevada/Death Valley region with important conservation messages and music. The project consists of one 30-45 minute video of a combination of species, or up to eight short videos of 1-7 minutes each for individual species suitable for display on the internet and at visitor center locations. The project will help increase visitation at Ash Meadows NWR and Death Valley NP and will increase “virtual” visitation by getting exposure to the mission of the Refuge System. (SNFO-10) Project #7 Biological Soil Crust (BSC) Research Project: Award ceiling = $100,000 This project will initiate a collaborative research study with FWS biologists to examine BSC communities in Nevada’s shrub steppe ecosystems. A combination of research studies would be done to ascertain the potential extent of BSC and some of the potential causes of their limitations across sagebrush ecosystems of Nevada. (RFWO-11)

Objectives in your proposal must include the following elements:

1. Determine the BSC cover relative to soil chemistry and climate (soil temperature and moisture regimes) across a rangeland sites within Nevada.

2. Determine if livestock use of areas influences the BSC species cover, diversity and richness.

3. Determine the impact that fire and time since fire has on BSC species cover, diversity and richness.

Project #8 Northern Nevada Springsnail research project: Award ceiling = $25,000 Your project proposal will provide information for the FWS in their status review for the following springsnail species: Bifid duct pyrg (Pyrgulopsis peculiaris) and Longitudinal gland pyrg (Pyrgulopsis anguina). A majority of the work will be field monitoring and coordinated with partners to avoid duplication of effort and maximize opportunities for collaboration. Objectives include: 1) site visits to known locations of Bifid duct pyrg and Longitudinal gland pyrg (including Turnley Spring, Rock Spring and Big Springs) for which access is granted; 2) collect habitat condition and threats information for each location using methodology approved by the FWS; 3) determine presence and abundance of species using FWS approved methodology; and, 4) collect samples at each location that was previously not collected and analyzed for species identification. Deliverables will include a workplan done in collaboration with the FWS, identification of potential sites to be visited, and a plan of field methodologies, and reports. (RFWO-9) Project #9 - Short-term, collaborative teaching project and entry level field work assistance from a local university student in the Northern Nevada area: Award ceiling = $6,000

Eligible applicants are limited to local institutes of higher education in Northern Nevada only. The FWS is providing an opportunity to work with a local university student and fund a limited project to include time, travel, field supplies and disease analysis. Two field projects are identified: 1) A student to help facilitate research in potentially describing 3 species of western toads in isolated geographic locations (Dixie Valley, Railroad Valley and Hot Creek); and 2) to assist with genetic structure and diversity within the Desert Dace related to the Soldier Meadow area in Northern Nevada. (RFWO-5&8) Project #10 – Research project related to the ecology and demography of pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) in Nevada, integrating habitat quality, demography and landscape connectivity: Award ceiling = $60,000 Eligible applicants are limited to local institutes of higher education in Northern Nevada only. Your proposal for this research project will be for proposed costs for a species distribution model for pygmy rabbit in Nevada. The FWS will work collaboratively with the recipient to achieve the following objectives: Identify habitat characteristics that allow connectivity among regional populations; quantify the spatial scale of dispersal within and among local populations in various habitat types; quantify survival and reproductive success within selected habitat types. Develop individual-based, process-modeling tools to explore the impact of particular disturbances or other environmental shifts on the local and regional distribution of pygmy rabbit. Establish an efficient long-term monitoring plan designed to capture shifts in population dynamics across a gradient of habitat quality as documented in the current project. The project location will be key areas in Nevada that may serve as refugia or critical movement corridors for many sagebrush obligates. (RFWO-6) Project #11 - Population monitoring of the threatened desert dace: Award ceiling = $50,000

Your project proposal will be for technical assistance to collaborate with the FWS in population monitoring for the threatened desert dace needed to inform recovery goals, objectives and criteria as identified in the Recovery Plan for the Rare Species of Soldier Meadows. This project is to conduct comprehensive population monitoring and distribution surveys for all native and nonnative fishes in Soldier Meadow, with the primary focus on the federally protected desert dace. Project objectives will include: 1) Re-assess the baseline data on fish population, life histories, and habitat characteristics; 2) Develop a GIS map depicting the current native and nonnative fish distribution, sampling area(s), and comparison of baseline data within Soldier Meadow, 3) Develop a report describing the fish population and habitat relations, and 4) Provide management recommendations for future actions that could be taken to address recovery actions for desert dace. (RFWO-4)

Project #12 – Population genetic analysis of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) in Nevada: Award ceiling = $60,000

Eligible applicants are limited to institutes of higher education in Nevada and Colorado only.

This research project will set a baseline of genetic information that can be used to track changes in Columbia spotted frog populations within the Great Basin DPS over time and will be used as effectiveness monitoring for conservation projects such as improved habitat connectivity. Your project proposal will provide research related to the genetic analysis of Columbia spotted frogs to include the following objectives in Nevada: 1) Estimate the level of genetic connectivity (gene flow) among populations of the species; 2) Identify the number and spatial distribution of distinct populations of Columbia spotted frogs; 3) Estimate effective population sizes; and, 4) Test for population declines using genetic bottleneck tests. (RFWO-7) Project #13 - Genetic diversity, distribution modeling, and soil seed bank density studies on Ivesia webberi: Award ceiling = $15,000 Eligible applicants are limited to institutes of higher education in Northern Nevada.

This collaborative research project will focus on population genetic structure and variability among I. webberi populations, estimate gene flow and genetic distance, and evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic variation in populations of this species. Additional deliverables may also include species distribution modeling to investigate and map distribution patterns to help explain geographic and genetic distances among populations; evaluation of the I. webberi soil seed bank to determine regeneration capacity, seed variability, and factors that influence germination. This collaborative project with the FWS will provide research finding on life history and ecology needed to help inform conservation and recovery of this species. (RFWO-12)

Project #14 (Klamath ES office project) Demographic Monitoring of Applegate’s Milk-vetch Project: Award Ceiling: $41,080

The objective of this project is monitoring of out-planted individual Applegate’s Milk-vetch. This work will focus on implementing a multi-year demographic monitoring program for wild A. applegatei plants. The monitoring will allow us to track long-term growth, survival and fecundity of plants in three wild subpopulations. Under this multi-year project, researchers will work collaboratively with FWS biologist to collect data, returning to each marked and plotted out-planted individual plant and record the following characteristics: 1) Survival (whether or not the plant still exists); 2) Dimensions (length and width) of individual; 3) Number of stems and average number of racemes/stem; and, 5) Average number of fruits/stem. The demographic data collected will be used to construct a matrix-based population model.

Project #15 – Research project to measure effects of livestock grazing with the Great Basin floristic region. Award ceiling = $70,000

Eligible applicants are limited to institutes of higher education. We request your research proposal to survey federal rangeland managers who work in the sagebrush biome, specifically within the Great Basin floristic region, to measure their perceptions of the effects of current livestock grazing practice on sagebrush ecosystems within their jurisdictions. Information would be collected to provide an overview of the procedures for making grazing management decisions within the agencies, and contrast those policies and procedures with the synthesized results of the survey. From those findings, the FWS will be able to evaluate the perceptions of other agency professionals regarding the effects of livestock grazing in their jurisdictions on ecosystem health, focusing on the following issues such as: deferment of grazing following fire and post-fire rehabilitation; use of riparian areas during drought; the appropriateness of current grazing practice in their jurisdictions, both generally and finally, effects of impacts related to current policies, permit structure, monitoring practices, external social-political pressures, etc.

Project #16 (Klamath ES office project)

Experimental rearing of age-0 wild-captured Lost River and shortnose suckers project:

Award ceiling = $72,200

This project is being implemented to support cooperative efforts in rearing endangered Lost River and shortnose sucker (LRSN), consistent with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) May 2013 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the Effects of Proposed Klamath Project Operations from May 31, 2013 through March 31, 2023, on five federally listed threatened and endangered species. The BiOp calls specifically for the USFWS to rear and release 8,000 – 10,000 age-0 LRSN to a size >200 mm by 2019.

The purpose and objective of this work is to rear 8,000 – 10,000 age-0 LRSN to a size >200 mm for release into the Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) system. This project will focus on developing an experimental alternative rearing strategy using a series of earthen ponds for growout of wild-origin age-0 suckers collected via a combination of inter-agency activities and new pilot efforts led by USFWS staff. Wild-origin age-0 fish will be captured and transported by USFWS staff to the Gone Fishing facility to be reared for approximately one to three years, or until they are deemed of suitable size and condition for release.

Project #17 (Klamath ES office project)

Empirical Modeling of Upper Klamath Lake and Outflow Phosphorus Response to Watershed

Phosphorus Load Reductions Award ceiling = $45,000 This project addresses water quality sucker recovery actions. The growth and decline of annual cyanobacterial blooms both produce poor water quality that is linked to morbidity and mortality of endangered suckers in the Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Phosphorus (P) has been shown to be limiting to the first bloom peak, the magnitude of which can influence the severity of the bloom decline and low dissolved oxygen. The linkage between external watershed P and lake water quality response has been demonstrated by Upper Klamath Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) model and subsequent evaluations and model enhancements. Evaluation of the timing and magnitude of lake and outflow response to reduction in external loading through riparian and wetland restoration efforts will assist in determining the effect of incremental watershed P reductions and the lag in time to actual lake or outflow response.

Announcement Dates and Notice of Partial Funding:

The FWS reserves the right to offer partial funding to proposals submitted by funding certain activities, portions, or phases of proposals offered. Attched is the FWS selection process criteria to ensure that decisions to make awards were evaluated and selected in a manner that maintains the integrity of the competition process.

Project proposals will be reviewed and evaluated as they are received during the period of May 22 through July 22, 2015. Our program funding has no statutory formula and no matching requirements. However, to the extent possible, recipient in-kind and/or cash match is encouraged. This program does not have MOE requirements. (“MOE” or Maintenance-of-Effort refers to the requirement placed upon many federally funded grant programs that often require State or local government entities to demonstrate cost-share requirements.)

Anticipated Start and End Dates: Projects selected for funding will begin after August 1, 2015. Projects should be completed within two years of their start dates unless the proposal specifically states otherwise and explains why a longer period of time is necessary to complete the work.

Most awards will be in the form of a cooperative agreement based on the level of Federal involvement. Per Service Policy 505 DM 2, Section 2.9 substantial involvement is expected when FWS:

· Participates and collaborates jointly with the recipient partner, volunteer, scientist, technician or other personnel, in carrying out the scope of work, training recipient personnel, or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort;

· Reviews and approves one stage of work before the next stage can begin;

· Reviews and approves proposed modifications or sub-grants, prior to award;

· Approves proponent’s qualification, helps select, or trains project staff;

· Directs or redirects the work because of interrelationships with other projects;

· Has power to immediately halt an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met;

· Limits recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organization structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants: Potential applicants are within California, Nevada and Colorado to utilize funding directed to this Region.

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 2of 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

All recipients must register HYPERLINK "" 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 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: Cost sharing is not required.

IV. Application Requirements Each application must indicate which project under Section II is being considered. Each individual project will be review independently, therefore applicants must include a separate application package for each project being considered under Section II.

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

A. Three, SF-424 forms: A signed and dated SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (Discretionay); an SF-424B Assurances (non-construction); and SF-424 Budget (see D. below for more information).

Note: These are attached to the announcement, but also offered 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 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

Briefly summarize your proposal and include the project number and title of the project with an overview of how you can achieve the project collaboratively with the FWS.

C.

Project Narrative

Describe how your proposal meets our project description. Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them. If you have received funding previously (from the Service or any other donor) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes. Your project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period).

Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include tables, spreadsheets or flow charts if needed within the body of the project narrative.

D.

Budget Justification Narrative:

In a separate document 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 OMB cost Principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

E. Proponent’s key personnel qualifications and ability to complete project:

Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating staff and their ability (education and experience) to meet objects. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. 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.

F.

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 online 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 cost principles in the following Federal regulations, as applicable to the recipient organization type:

· 2 CFR Part 220, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

· 2 CFR Part 225, Cost Principles for States and Local Governments

· 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations

· 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E, Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals

· 48 CFR 1, Subpart 31.2, Contracts with Commercial Organizations

Links to the full text of these Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/grants/.

G. 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 all required documentation as detailed in the following table:

· No indirect cost rate

· Charges all costs directly

· Is not an individual

· Has an indirect cost rate

· Has an approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with their Federal cognizant agency covering part/all of the proposed project period

· Is not an individual

· Has an indirect cost rate

· Has established a NICRA in the past, but do not have an approved rate covering part/all of the proposed project period

· May or may not have recently submitted a new NICRA proposal to cognizant agency. If not, will do so within the required timeframe, in the event an award is made

Indirect Cost Statement: Our indirect cost rate is [insert a description of the rate]. We have established a NICRA in the past but it expired. [Insert one of the following statements: “We submitted a new NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency on [insert date].” OR “In the event an award is made we will submit a NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency immediately and no later than 90 calendar days after the award is made”. We understand that:

· Although the Service may approve a budget that includes an estimate of indirect costs based on our stated rate, that approval will be contingent on our establishing a NICRA.

· Recipients without a NICRA are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award.

· Failure to establish a NICRA during the award period will make all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs under the award unallowable.

· We will not be authorized to transfer any unallowable indirect costs to the amount budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements without the prior written approval of the Service.

We may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized by legislation.

Copy of most recently expired NICRA and, when applicable, a copy of any NICRA proposal submitted to the cognizant agency that is currently pending approval.

· Is not an individual

· Has an indirect cost rate

· Has never established a NICRA in the past

· Will submit a NICRA proposal to cognizant agency within the required timeframe, in the event an award is made Indirect Cost Statement: Our indirect cost rate is [insert a description of the rate]. We have never established a NICRA. In the event an award is made we will submit a NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency immediately and no later than 90 calendar days after the award is made. We understand that:

· Although the Service may approve a budget that includes an estimate of indirect costs based on our stated rate, that approval will be contingent on our establishing a NICRA.

· Recipients without a NICRA are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award.

· Failure to establish a NICRA during the award period will make all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs under the award unallowable.

· We will not be authorized to transfer any unallowable indirect costs to the amount budgeted for direct costs or to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements without the prior written approval of the Service.

We may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized by legislation.

None at the time of application. In the event an award is made, recipient must submit a copy of their approved NICRA before charging indirect costs to the award.

· Is not an individual, state, local or Federally-recognized Indian tribal government

· Has never established a NICRA in the past

· Cannot charge all costs directly

· Will not be able to meet the requirement to submit a NICRA proposal within 90 calendar days after award, in the event an award is made Indirect Cost Statement: We have never established a NICRA in the past and will not be able to meet the requirement to submit a NICRA proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award, in the event an award is made. In the event an award is made we request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). We understand this 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 a NICRA at any point during the award period. We understand that MTDC is defined as all salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subawards and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts under the award). We understand that MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000.

None.

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:

For organizations without a NICRA, you must have an open, active Federal award to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your 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 cogn izant 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.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx

H.

Statements Regarding A-133 Single Audit Reporting: Following OMB Circular A-133 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf), all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $500,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit an A-133 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 an A-133 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/). Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “A-133 Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

I.

Assurances

Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) if the project does not involve construction. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) if the project does involve construction or land acquisition. 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.

J.

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.

Application Checklist

· A complete, signed and dated SF 424-Application for Federal Assistance

· Project Summary and Narrative text and attachments as needed

· A complete SF-424C Budget Information form

· If Federally funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment as described in section D above

· If indirect costs are included in proposed budget, a copy of the organization’s current approved indirect cost rate agreement or proposal

· Signed and dated SF-424B or SF-424D Assurances form

· If applicable, completed SF-LLL form

· Statement regarding applicability of and compliance with OMB Circular A-133 Single Audit Reporting as described in section G above Failure to provide complete information, as outlined above, may cause delays, postponement, or rejection of the application.

Submission Instructions This announcement will be posted May 22 through July 22, 2015. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated on a rolling basis.

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 (SF-424’s) 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:

Preferred Method: 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, Sue Lackey:

Sue_lackey@fws.gov

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.

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.

Although email or U.S. mail is preferred, you may 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.

K. APPLICATION REVIEW

Proposals will be evaluated to identify priority needs. FWS staff will notify applicants of review results by phone or email. When the FWS completes all documents for awards, the agency will issue a fully executed Notice of Award either electronically or through the mail. Proposals not funded will be sent written notification that the application will not be funded.

L. Award Administration

Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made to ensure FWS objectives can be achieved. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

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

Domestic applicants subject to the SAM registration requirement (see Section III B.) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP must maintain current banking information in SAM. Domestic applicants exempt from the SAM registration requirement who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP will be required to submit their banking information directly to the Service program. However, do NOT submit any banking information to the Service until it is requested from you by the Service program!

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:

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.

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.

Agency Contact:

Sue Lackey

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada 1340 Financial Blvd, Suite 234 Reno, Nevada 89502-7147 Email: Sue_Lackey@fws.gov