NOFO (FY17) RFWO.docx

OMB Control Number: [F17AS00201] Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. We are collecting this information in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CFDA Program 15.608 under the authority of Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661-666. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that it will take applicants under this program about 30 minutes to complete an application. We estimate it will take recipients under this program about 1 hour to complete required reporting and 30 minutes for required recordkeeping. All burden estimates include the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather data needed and complete and review the submission. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Reno Fish and Wildlife Office, Reno, Nevada Notice of Funding Opportunity F17AS00201

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers:

15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance

15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife

15.678 Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units

Title: FWS, Reno Nevada FY2017 Funding Opportunities

I. Description of Funding Opportunity Awards under this announcement will support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) mission to conduct fish and wildlife management activities that align with the conservation, restoration, and management goals and priorities of the office. Awards will be made under CFDA Program 15.608 under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-742j; CFDA Program 15.631 under the authority of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774; CFDA 15.678 under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C.661. For a complete list of this program’s authorizing legislation, go to https://www.cfda.gov/ and search by the CFDA Program number. The government will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity and each project proposal must reflect this collaborative involvement.

Anticipated Start and End Dates: Projects selected for funding can begin after a Notice of Award is signed and returned to the recipient during fiscal year 2017. Projects should be completed within 2 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.

Partial Funding: The Service reserves the right to offer partial funding to submissions by funding discrete activities, portions, or phases of the proposed project. If the Service decides to partially fund a proposed project, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicant or affect the basis upon which the proposed project, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected, and that maintains the integrity of the competition and the selection/evaluation process.

Award Instruments: The Service will provide funding to successful applicants using a cooperative or interagency agreement. Academic institutions belonging to a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) are required to submit proposals through the appropriate CESU agreement (using the reduced CESU indirect rate). If a cooperative agreement is awarded, substantial involvement will occur with Service staff. Details regarding this involvement will be determined at the time of the award.

Sensitivity of Tribal Knowledge: The Service recognizes that knowledge and data held by indigenous people may be sensitive and that tribes may not wish to publicly share information from studies that use a traditional ecological knowledge approach. We respect the need for sensitivity and heightened awareness when working with tribal partners. Therefore, we will work with tribes at the beginning of projects to identify issues and develop a mutually agreed upon approach that meets tribal needs as well as providing reasonable access to non-sensitive data and products.

II. Award Information

A total estimated amount of $410,000 is available for up to 10 projects.

Project # 1 - Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem enhancement and restoration: Ceiling = $250,000. Eligible applicants are limited to non-profit, LLC’s and private land owner entities in the State of California and Nevada. 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 are Great Basin wide and 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 Great Basin restoration: hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, engineering (planning and designed habitat restoration projects, and restoration techniques of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem (e.g., native seed collection and increase). Project objectives will include protecting, conserving, and restoring the health of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem with a special emphasis on Greater sage-grouse habitat.

Project #2 - Relict dace Genetics: Ceiling = $60,000. Eligible applicants are limited to institutes of higher education and in Nevada or California who are members of a CESU agreement. Recipients will work with FWS staff, partners and state government agencies to provide a better understanding of the relationships and relatedness between relict dace (Relictus solitarius) populations in all four valleys encompassing their native range located in northeastern Nevada: Butte, Goshute, Ruby, and Steptoe Valleys. Project objectives will include; collection of genetic samples, DNA extraction, genetic analyses, technical summary, and publication of findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Project #3 - Mountain Yellow-legged Frog: Ceiling = $80,000. Eligible applicants are limited to institutes of higher education and in Nevada or California who are members of a CESU agreement. Recipients will work with FWS staff, partners and state government agencies to provide support for the re-establishment and tracking of Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (R. muscosa) on the Kern Plateau in the southernmost portion of California’s Sierra Nevada. Project objectives will include; Capture-mark-recapture, Translocation, Collection of eggs and/or tadpoles, Reintroduction, and Assessment of population size, disease status, frog survival, and frog recruitment.

Project #4 - Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Conservation Facilitator: Ceiling = $100,000. Eligible applicants are limited to organizations with a base of operations in Nevada, Northern California, Southern Oregon or Southern Idaho. Recipients will work with FWS staff, partners and state government agencies to develop and updated “vision” of recovery for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT); develop updated LCT recovery goals and objectives consistent with that “vision” of recovery; develop products that all parties are willing to support; develop or update Short Term Action Plans; and Ensure best available science is incorporated into group discussion and decision making with regards to LCT Conservation. (See attachment “LCT Facilitator SOW” for more details).

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. Attached 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 April 13, 2017 through June 13, 2017. 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.) The listed projects serve as desired suggestions, but the FWS may consider any proposals for this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Anticipated Start and End Dates: Projects selected for funding will begin after July 1, 2017. 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:

Eligible Applicants: Applicants may be other federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, Native American organizations, public nonprofit institution/organization, other public institution/organization, nonprofit/organization, or any other organization subject to the jurisdiction of the United States with interests that support the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a cost recoverable basis. 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 at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679 (hearing impaired customers only). Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

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

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

C. Excluded Entities Applicant entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program. The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching: 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. At minimum applicants are required to submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance (i.e., SF 424, SF 424-Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual) form. The only exception to the SF 424 requirement is if the program has OMB approval to use an alternative application form. Insert form instructions based on your eligible applicant base. Individuals applying on their own (unrelated to any business or non-profit organization s/he may own or operate in her/his own name) must use the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html#sortby=1). All other applicants to discretionary programs and for single source awards must use the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance form (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1). Mandatory programs may require applicants to use the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance-Mandatory form (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-mandatory-family.html#sortby=1). Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

C. Project Narrative or Scope of Work (to include if applicable)

1. Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value) and include supporting information. 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 entity) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes.

2. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) of the program/project. State the objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period).

3. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. For projects being conducted within the United States, the narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. For projects being conducted on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of Endangered Species Act. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (e.g., methods, sample size, survey tools). Reference the stated project timetable (i.e., process indicators) and budget information (i.e., input indicators). Identify the products/services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered (i.e., output indicators). Detail the expected direct effect(s) of the project on beneficiaries (i.e., outcome indicators). Include any available questionnaires, surveys, curricula, exams/tests or other assessment tools to be used for project evaluation. Describe the resources and organizational structure available for gathering, analyzing and reporting monitoring and evaluation data. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities. Describe how findings will be fed back into decision making and project activities throughout the project period.

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.

7. Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

8. Literature Cited

9. Map of Project Area (if applicable): Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative.

10. Data Management Plan (if applicable):

A “Data Management Plan” is a formal document that outlines how you will handle your data both during your research, and after the project is completed. The goal of a data management plan is to consider the many aspects of data management, metadata generation, data preservation, and analysis before the project begins; this ensures that data are well-managed in the present, and prepared for preservation in the future.

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

“We are:

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

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

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

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

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

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.

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

· Data Management Plan (if applicable)

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

V. Submission Instructions SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 14, 2017 to June 14, 2017

Intergovernmental Review: Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (https://obamawhitehouse.archives.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

To submit an application by mail: This option may not work for a single source posting, which only has to remain open for 5 business days.

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one, single-sided, unbound copy (do not staple or otherwise permanently bind pages) of your complete application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

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

To submit an application by e-mail:

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

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov: If you choose this option, your Grants Specialist will need to monitor the Funding Opportunity in Grants.gov for recipient submissions.

Go to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html) 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.

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria: To be considered for funding, applications must contain the required form listed under the “Application Checklist” on page 12. The Service will use the following criteria to judge each proposal:

Scoring criteria:

1. Scientific merit and quality of proposed research: Does the project adequately and fully address the need(s) identified in the statement of work using scientific principals and proven technology?

2. Is the proposal well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on sound rationale? (This is the quality of the work plan and proposed budget.)

3. Are the proponent’s qualifications sufficient to conduct the proposed activities?

4. Does the proponent have a proven track record of adequately completing projects and providing reports in a timely manner?

5. Does the proponent have adequate resources (equipment, transportation, etc.) to carry out the proposed activities?

Scoring Process:

The chart below can be used for each competitive proposal. For example, a proposal could be scored in increments of 10, with a total weight of 100 for both categories: a technical Score (criteria 1-2 above) and a Management and Mission Score (criteria 3-5 above). Proposals scoring well in both technical and management areas may be considered for funding.

Numerical Rating System

Technical Score - 50 pt Potential

Total not to exceed 50 points:

Management and Mission Score - 50 pt Potential

Total not to exceed 50 points:

Other Factors that may impact selection:

In addition to the 5 primary scoring criteria. A reviewer may take into consideration additional factors such as:

· Consideration of projects that could affect a broader geographic area

· Projects that could impact surrogate species affording greater potential overall outcomes

· Leveraged resources from the collaborative partners

· Impact to Service priorities

· Unique qualifications of the applicant based upon demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, past history, etc.

· Legislative intent – If the project funding clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award such as with SNPLMA projects, choices could be limited. Or, if reimbursable funds dictate project partners because of 3rd party funding limitations, this could impact selection.

Review and Selection Process:

Award Selection Process. Selection of discretionary applications/proposals for award will be based upon the findings of the merit/technical evaluations, government-wide policy thresholds (i.e. violations or other issues that cannot be resolved with technical assistance), budget reasonableness and soundness, compliance with other program statue specific requirements established by the bureau or office, and funding availability. Adverse recommendations will also be considered and all the above will be addressed and documented in a written selection statement for the selection official.

Unsuccessful Applications and Review Summary: Unsuccessful applicants include both those whose applications were disapproved and those whose applications were approved but not funded. Once awards and declination decisions have been made, only upon request or appeal written notification, applicants will be notified of the evaluation of their application/proposal. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. A conference call or a written summary of the decision to award or decline funding is sufficient.

This merit review and selection process follows the requirements in Department policy DOI-AAAP-0009, Financial Assistance Application and Merit Review Process. This document and related attachment providing sample merit review criteria are available at https://sites.google.com/a/ios.doi.gov/policydistribution/home-1.

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.

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. The Service’s risk assessment form is available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2462.pdf.

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

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

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

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

VII. Award Administration

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