NOFO - #F17AS00250.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region

National Wildlife Refuge System Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Botanical Inventories and Invasive Plant Control at Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife

Refuge Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.650

Notice of Funding Opportunity

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to the Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) for a period of approximately 16 months. This announcement is for notification purposes only.

I. Description of Funding Opportunity The intent of the award is to conduct botanical inventories on islands owned or managed by Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). An island botanical inventory is a comprehensive list of vascular plants that includes the relative abundance and distribution of each species. This data is essential for planning habitat management actions and useful for identifying long-term ecological changes. When conducting botanical inventories, the surveyor visits the island multiple times during the growing season, searches all habitats, records all species using Haines and Vinning 1998 nomenclature, produces an island specific field guide, and imports data into a MS Access database. This opportunity is authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. (742f (a)(4); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661.; Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 753), Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 4601-4 through 11), Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).

II. Award Information The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5, intends to make a single source award and a third modification to the Cooperative Agreement with non-profit Maine Natural History Observatory.

The initial Cooperative Agreement with MNHO was granted in 2014 for $24,000. The agreement has been modified twice, for a total of $50,100 ($14,700 and $11,400 in 2015 and 2016 respectively). This award is for a third modification to the agreement in the amount of $10,500, bringing the grand total awarded to this agreement to $60,600.

Under this award, the Maine Natural History Observatory will conduct botanical inventories on 2 Refuge islands; Halifax (CIREG 79-570, 75 acres) and Two Bush (CIREG 63-901, 5.88 acres) in the field seasons of 2017 and 2018. All botanical and invasive data will be stored in an Access database developed by MNHO in 2013 and a field guide will be produced. The Refuge and MNHO will meet annually to develop inventory and invasive plant control objectives, strategies and plans. MNHO and the Refuge will occasionally conduct field work together.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will: (1) meet with Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) annually to set objectives for invasive plant control strategies, identify other resources that require management or consideration when work is being conducted, and prioritize islands where botanical inventories will be conducted; (2) work with MNHO to establish the timing of monitoring to prevent or reduce disturbance to nesting seabirds; (3) assist with non-native invasive plant control efforts and supply a certified pesticide applicator when necessary; (4) consult with Maine Natural History Observatory on the use of Refuge botanical data for scientific publications, research projects, and outreach strategies to share the information with the public and greater scientific community; and (5) facilitate communication between the Refuge, MNHO, and other land management partners to share invasive plant control and island ecology knowledge.

Project deliverables will include (1) electronic data of botanical inventories, (2) an island field guide, and (3) an updated copy of the MS Access plant database. Deliverables will be given to the Refuge by April 1 the following year the survey was conducted.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants:

Maine Natural History Observatory was selected for this project due to their experience and expertise in conducting botanical inventories, plant identification, data management, and reporting.

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

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

Maine Natural History Observatory; DUNS #: 1494594760000

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.

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

C. Excluded Entities

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

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

D. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost-sharing is not a requirement but priority is given to projects that leverage technical and financial assistance through voluntary partnerships.

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 three required forms required are the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (SF-424 form), BUDGET INFORMATION - Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424A) and ASSURANCES

- NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS (Standard Form 424B). 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 This award will allow for botanical inventories to be conducted on 2 Refuge islands; Halifax (75 acres, CIREG 79-570, Jonesport, Maine) and Two Bush (5.88 acres, CIREG 63-901, Matinicus Isle, Maine) in the field seasons of 2017 and 2018. All botanical and invasive data will be stored in an Access database developed by MNHO in 2013. The Refuge and MNHO will meet annually to develop inventory and control objectives, strategies, and plan as well as conduct field work together.

C. Project Narrative

1. Statement of Need:

Biological inventories of protected areas are essential for assessing a reserve’s conservation value, developing long-term monitoring and stewardship strategies, and for protecting rare or unique habitats (Johnson et al. 1984, Likens 1989, Goldsmith 1991).

Species lists of distinct areas compiled at regular intervals can also provide valuable data on changes in the presence of native and introduced species and can contribute to our knowledge of biogeography, dispersal, and speciation (Wielgolaski 1975, Treshow 1984). Plant records for offshore islands in mid-coast and Downeast Maine, both current and historical, are limited (Greene et al. 1992). The offshore marine environment (cool, foggy, windy) and geomorphic characteristics of Maine islands has produced unique http://www.sam.gov/ assemblages of plants, including Arctic species, threatened and endangered species, rare community types, and a diversity of habitats. In addition to documenting species present, botanical inventories identify non-native invasive plants in need of urgent management.

Maine Coastal Islands NWR manages over 8,100 acres of habitat for wildlife, including 60 marine islands (3,897) that span 250 miles. Unforested Refuge islands support nationally significant breeding populations of terns (common, Arctic, and roseate), Atlantic puffins, razorbills, black guillemot, common eiders, cormorants, gulls (laughing, herring, and great black-backed), and Leach’s storm-petrels. Plant diversity on seabird islands is higher than forested islands, including both non-native invasive and rare plants.

Non-native invasive plants may extirpate rare plants (ie. moonwort on Inner Sand Island) and degrade colonial seabird nesting habitat (ie. thistles on Metinic Island). We anticipate the threat of invasive plant infestations and nesting habitat degradation or alteration to increase as the climate warms.

The Refuge has partnered with a non-profit organization, Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) to conduct botanical surveys on 42 of 60 Refuge islands since 2000 and control up to 13 species of non-native invasive plants on 8-11 islands annually since 2007. The Refuge contracted work with MNHO initially and established a Cooperative Agreement in 2014. Over the years, we have experimented with invasive plant control and have identified both successful and unsuccessful control methods.

Botanical inventory data organization and archiving was much improved with the development of a database in 2013.

2. Project Goals and Objectives: Specific objectives for the project are to: (1) conduct plant inventories on Refuge properties; (2) identify invasive plant infestations on Refuge islands and test the efficacy of invasive plant control techniques; (3) maintain and refine the regional MS Access database for Maine island botanical data; and (4) share expertise to identify habitat management needs and strategies.

During botanical inventories, we occasionally find non-native invasive plants that require management. These surveys therefore help to maintain native plant communities and prevent rare plants from being extirpated. This data also is used when identifying habitat management strategies that will improve colonial seabird nesting habitat. Through our ongoing invasive plant control, we have identified methods to successfully control some species of non-native invasive plants. This project will increase awareness of Maine island plant ecology data and invasive plant control efficacy through publications, presentations, and direct data sharing, and will result in regional conservation benefits.

3. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable:

• MNHO will meet with Refuge staff at least during the fall, winter, or spring to discuss inventory and invasive control prioritization and strategies.

• MNHO will coordinate the timing of visits with the Refuge to prevent or minimize disturbance of nesting seabirds are present.

• MNHO is responsible for all transportation to and from the island. Many of the

Refuge islands are located miles from the mainland and boat operators must be familiar with local navigational challenges to reach the islands safely and possess a boat capable of accessing remote islands in rough conditions. The logistical difficulty of accessing Maine islands requires the operator to possess superior boating skills.

• MNHO will develop a comprehensive vascular plant list by visiting each island at least 3-4 times during the growing season (May-October) and searching all habitats.

• Identification of common species will be made in the field. Vouchers will be collected of difficult taxa and identified in the laboratory, compared with collections in the herbaria at College of the Atlantic or University of Maine, or sent to specialists for verification. Nomenclature will follow that of Haines and Vinning (1998). Voucher specimens will be mounted on acid-free herbarium paper and deposited in the herbarium at Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge headquarters in Milbridge, Maine.

• The general occurrence of each plant species will be mapped on a 30m grid scale, and detailed location information collected for on rare plants and invasive plants (GPS coordinates; UTM, NAD83, Zone 19).

• Electronic data and a field guide will be submitted to the Refuge by April 1 the year following the field work.

• Electronic data will include a table that lists species, common names, plant status, relative abundance, growth form, density, location, and a description of the dates and methods of the inventory.

• The bound and printed field guide (8.5” x 5.5”) will be arranged by family with a page for each species that includes scientific name, common name, plant status (native, non-native, non-native invasive), identifying characteristics (flowers and leaves), a photograph (4” x4” minimum size), plant status, and an abundance and distribution map. Refer to the Maine Natural Areas Program for information on state and federal plant status (www.mainenaturalareas.org/docs/rare_plants/).

Plants designated as invasive by the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England will be considered to be invasive on Refuge islands in Maine (http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/index.htm).

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: Refuge biological staff will work closely with

MNHO to identify priorities, conduct field work, and disseminate project information to the public and scientific community. Invasive plant data will be shared with Maine Natural Areas Program and the Maine Invasive Plant Working Group.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Project will be overseen by Refuge and MNHO lead staff. Meetings will be held, as needed through the year season to ensure expectations of both parties are met. The final data and reports will be reviewed and approved by the lead refuge biologist prior acceptance.

6. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Maine Natural History Observatory in

Gouldsboro Maine is a non-profit organization whose work comprises the largest botanical dataset for seabird islands in Maine. Glen Mittelhauser is the project point of contact and Executive Director of MNHO, whose mission is:

“Dedicated to the inventory and monitoring of species and habitats in Maine. We depend on the continued involvement and support of our contributors and volunteers. Specifically, our goals are to advance the scientific knowledge of Maine's biota by conducting long-term research and monitoring of flora and fauna in various habitats, compile and publish summaries and monographs of Maine's natural history, and facilitate cooperation and exchange of information among organizations, agencies, and individuals inventorying or monitoring species and habitats in Maine” (http://www.mainenaturalhistory.org).

The US Fish and Wildlife Service Maine Coastal Islands NWR restores seabirds to Maine’s offshore islands, manages habitat for wildlife, and monitors wildlife migration and movements throughout the Gulf of Maine. The Refuge’s point of contact for this project is Sara Williams, Wildlife Biologist, PO Box 279, Milbridge, ME 04658, sara_williams@fws.gov.

7. Sustainability: Botanical and invasive plant control data will continue to occur on

Refuge islands as long as they are in Service ownership, data is required for planning, or management is required to meet resource objectives. The Refuge would like to collect baseline inventories on all Refuge islands at least once and follow up with repeated inventories or monitoring every 5-10 years.

8. Literature Cited:

Goldsmith, F.B. 1991. Monitoring for conservation and ecology. Chapman and Hall, New York.

Greene, C.W., G.H. Mittelhauser, J. Jacobs, and L.L. Gregory. 1992. Historic resource inventory for Acadia National Park. Technical report NPS/NAR/OSS/NRTR-92/01.

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, North Atlantic Region.

Haines, A. and T.F. Vining. 1998. Flora of Maine : a manual for identification of native and naturalized vascular plants of Maine. V.F. Thomas Co., Bar Harbor, Maine.

Johnson, J.L., J.F. Franklin, and R.G. Krebill (Eds.). 1984. Research natural areas :

baseline monitoring and management. Symposium Proceedings U.S. Forest Service General Technical Report INT 173. March 21, 1984, Missoula, Montana.

Likens, G.E. 1989. Long-term studies in ecology. Springer-Verlag, New York.

Treshow, M. 1984. Air pollution and plant life. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Wielgolaski, F.E. 1975. Biological indicators of pollution. Urban Ecology 1:63-79 http://www.mainenaturalhistory.org/

9. Map of Project Area:

Figure 1. Islands and mainland properties owned or managed by Maine Coastal Islands NWR.

Two Bush and Halifax islands are circled in black.

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://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Note on Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program on the budget form separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding. Enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/ 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 Federal funding source.

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

Maine Natural History Observatory is a nonprofit organization that will charge all costs directly.

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 the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

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

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

https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

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 available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

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 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.

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

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

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1

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 summary

□ Project narrative

□ Timetable

□ Description of key personnel qualifications

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

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

□ Budget justification

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

□ Indirect cost statement

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

Rate Agreement.

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

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

□ Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

□ Overlap/Duplication statement

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

V. Submission Instructions

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: N/A

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.

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.

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW

Criteria: This is a notice of a single source financial assistance award. This announcement is for notification purposes only.

Review and Selection Process:

This project is funded through FWS Invasives and Volunteers funding. The approved spending plan includes tasks related to managing and documenting flora of Refuge islands. Maine Natural History Program is uniquely qualified to conduct botanical inventories due to their extensive experience cataloging plants on Maine islands.

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

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

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

Prior to approving an award with a Federal funding amount that exceeds or is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as adjusted (see 2 CFR 200.88), the Service must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS; https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action) to determine if, at a minimum, the information found in the system for the applicant demonstrates a satisfactory record of Federal award performance and integrity and business https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action ethics (see 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2)). The Service must also report to FAPIIS if an applicant subject to this review is found not qualified for a particular award due to its prior record of integrity or performance under Federal awards (see 2 CFR 200.212).

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

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

Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests.

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

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

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

https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports:

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

Interim Reports: For awards that last longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial and performance reports no less frequently than annually and no more frequently than quarterly, except in unusual circumstances or if waived. Requiring a higher frequency of reporting than annual reporting will be based on the Service’s assessment of higher or other unusual circumstance. Quarterly and semiannual interim reports are due within 30 calendar days of the reporting period end date. Annual interim reports are due within 90 calendar days of the reporting period end date.

Recipients must use the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report for financial reporting, available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1.

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 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: The non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. 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 also 2 CFR Part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)

2 CFR Part 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters is applicable to awards with a total Federal share of more than $500,000, except those to individuals and foreign public entities.

VIII. Agency Contacts:

Sara Williams, Wildlife Biologist Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 279 Milbridge, ME 04658 Sara_Williams@fws.gov