NOFO G24AS00257.docx

United States Geological Survey

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2024 grants.gov

Notice of Funding Opportunity - Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity Number (FON) G24AS00257

Closing Date: 04/02/2024

Table of Contents

A. Program Description

A1. Authority The USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) delivers unbiased science and information to increase understanding of ore formation, mineral resource potential, production, consumption, disposal, and how minerals and mineral extraction interact with the environment. MRP conducts data collection and research on a wide variety of mineral resources that are important to the Nation’s economy and national security.

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI; https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/earth-mri), a component of MRP, is a national effort to carry out the fundamental resources and mapping mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The goal of Earth MRI is to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain mineral resources. Earth MRI was established in FY2019 in response to Executive Order 13817 ("A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals") and also supports Executive Order 14017 (“America’s Supply Chains”). In FY2022, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) funded Earth MRI efforts related to critical minerals, including specific direction to:

“accelerate efforts to carry out the fundamental resources and mapping mission of the United States Geological Survey by— (1) providing integrated topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical mapping; (2) accelerating the integration and consolidation of geospatial and resource data; and (3) providing interpretation of subsurface and above-ground mineral resources data.”

The BIL further provides for this work to be accomplished through cooperative agreements with State geological surveys.

This funding opportunity will initiate the above-ground portion of the BIL direction by supporting State geological surveys in coordinated activities to map, characterize, and assess the potential for critical minerals in mine waste.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.073

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements Guidelines and Requirements The following guidelines and requirements are provided to help the State geological surveys submit a strong, competitive proposal. The membership of the Review Panel will change from year to year and applicants should not assume that reviewers will be fully aware of relevant previous work. Following these guidelines will allow the Review Panel to assess the proposed projects efficiently and effectively.

· Provide a clear justification for proposed mine waste activities. Explain how the results of the project meet the priorities of the program, applicant’s organization, benefit stakeholders, and society. Please be specific and provide examples.

· Request funding for one, two, and/or three Priorities: Priority 1) national mine waste inventory; Priority 2) mine waste characterization, and Priority 3) travel to the annual Earth MRI workshop. All three priorities are independent of each other.

· Describe the project and the process expected to be followed (workflows, including methods and level of effort) to complete the required objectives. If proposing multiple activities to complete the project, clearly state the work that will be accomplished for each activity. Please note that if reduced funds are awarded, the scope of work may require modification.

· Briefly describe previous work or pilot projects that have informed estimates of the level of effort and/or expertise needed to successfully complete the proposed work.

· A Data Management Plan (DMP) must be provided to conform with the Executive Order of February 22, 2013, “Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research”. An example template is found in Attachment C.

· State matching funds are not required. However, if a State geological survey would like to leverage matching funds, please specify in the Budget (i.e. list any match and make note of in-kind support if provided). Priority activities must be budgeted separately and within the itemized budget for that Priority. Review and verify budget numbers prior to proposal submission.

· Include descriptions of project personnel and their experience and skills relevant to completing the proposed tasks. Extended supervisory hours performed by senior staff or other management activities for which funding is requested must be well justified. For each staff member give a brief statement of their background or curriculum vita (CV) and indicate whether the person works for the State geological survey or elsewhere (contractor or volunteer). (CVs do not count toward the proposal page limit, but please keep each CV to a 2-page limit.)

· Nonexpendable equipment funding requests are acceptable if the equipment is reasonable and necessary for the successful completion of the work funded by the MRP. A full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote are required for any proposed equipment purchase. If no justification is included the cost will be disallowed. MRP will not fund computers, database software systems, or equipment required for an organization’s IT infrastructure, operation, and maintenance. Funding requests for software may be allowed if prorated for the proposed-work and a quote is provided.

· Non-allowable expenses under the MRP include tuition, computer maintenance or travel to any other conference or workshop except the Earth MRI workshop. MRP funds may not be used to pay for USGS or other Federal services.

· If collaborating with staff from partner agencies (e.g., universities), or contractors please detail their roles and project hours as funded through the proposal or as representing optional state matching funds.

· Begin submitting proposals to Grants.gov well in advance of the due date as there is no possibility of late submissions. See Part Section D for more information on proposal submission.

Please contact the Contracting Officer, Margaret Eastman (mrussell@usgs.gov) with any questions. However, questions specific to what will or will not be funded cannot be addressed.

Program Priorities PLEASE NOTE: Proposals that do not specifically address Earth MRI Mine Waste fiscal year (FY) 2024 priorities will NOT be considered for an award.

A proposal must address at least one of three FY 2024 mine waste priorities and describe activities accordingly. States that have received funding via this opportunity in previous years may request new funding as long as the proposed project scope for Priority 1 and/or Priority 2 is different; overlapping awards are allowed. It is possible for proposed projects to receive reduced or no funding. If applicable, hiring students from underrepresented sectors, majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical fields, is strongly encouraged to educate and diversify the next generation of geoscientists.

FY 2024 Priority 1 – National Mine Waste Inventory One goal of the USGS mine waste effort is to build a national mine waste inventory that will support other State, Federal, and Tribal agencies that are responsible for land management planning and remediation decisions. Mine wastes at legacy mine sites are potential sources of many by-product commodities that are currently critical but that were previously discarded or overlooked. To date, there has been no comprehensive inventory of these mine wastes, their compositions, and the critical minerals they may contain. The inventory will be developed in conjunction with stakeholders to answer outstanding questions including:

· How many mine waste sites are there in the United States, and where are they located?

· How much material is available that may contain critical mineral resources, and what is the tonnage and grade of that material?

· What are the characteristics of that material (geological, geochemical, mineralogical) that may influence recovery of the commodities of interest and environmental impacts?

In FY2024, State geological surveys may request funding up to $50,000.00 to populate an ArcGIS geodatabase that documents the location of mine waste materials in the applicant’s state, and the geology and resources of those mine waste features. Perpetual waters are not included. Mine waste materials are limited to those from nonfuel deposits, so coal and uranium wastes are not included. For entry into the database, the areal extent of mine waste must exceed 2,000 m2.

The database has two feature classes: points and polygons; and three tables: geology, resources, and references (Figure 1). Records must be populated according to the template provided with the application materials (e.g., EarthMRI_MineWaste_DD_2024-01-26.xlsx and USGS_MineWaste_example_2024-01-26.gdb, which are included with application materials). Populated records must use data that are available in the public domain, but not necessarily peer-reviewed, and the completed database must provide citations and references for these data. Examples of publicly available data include, but are not limited to, journal articles, theses, dissertations, State and Federal agency publications, corporate technical reports, newspaper articles, etc. The type of mine waste feature (e.g., mine dump, tailings – placer) must be documented in a publicly available source, and the outline of the polygon should be refined by using remote-sensing data (e.g., satellite imagery) and/or digital elevation data (e.g., lidar). Funding for field work may not be requested.

See Attachment Priority Figures 1 and 2

Figure 1. Entity relation diagram showing the structure of the mine waste database.

Figure 2 shows the relationships between a site and mine features, and provides information about populating records at the site and feature level.

Figure 2. Schematic illustration, not to any scale, showing the relationships between a site and mine features. The site is the cluster of features. As drawn, the site contains six features: one adit, one mine dump, one open pit, one ore stockpile, one tailings – undifferentiated, and one tailings – pond. Only the four mine waste features (i.e., one mine dump, one ore stockpile, one tailings – undifferentiated, and one tailings – pond) would be entered into the mine waste database. Each of those features would have their own point and polygon feature class records, as well as their associated records in the reference and resources tables. If the geology in the open pit and underground workings is similar, the geology records can be populated at the site level, and only one record is needed that documents the geology for all four mine waste features.

Priority 1 activities include the following:

· State compilation of mine waste materials. Compile geospatial data from the state that includes feature location, geology, and resources of mine waste using existing data preserved in publicly available state-held records and in the available literature. State data must be entered into a template provided by the USGS’ mineral deposit database project (USMIN). To help state agencies populate the database, USMIN will provide training and will work closely with state agencies as described below.

1. USMIN will provide a template of the ArcGIS database and documentation (e.g., EarthMRI_MineWaste_DD_2024-01-26.xlsx and USGS_MineWaste_example_2024-01-26.gdb, which are included with application materials), and training material, and then will meet with state agencies to provide training on how to populate records. At the outset, states will be asked to populate records for five mine waste features to verify data entry and to submit those records to the USMIN project personnel to confirm the data are in the USMIN format. USMIN will check the initial five records and provide feedback to the states noting which fields are populated correctly and which fields need to be corrected. The intent is to address questions and issues at the beginning of the project before significant time and resources are expended.

2. Based on USMIN feedback of the first five records, states will then populate records for 20 additional mine waste features. USMIN will review those 20 records and provide feedback to the states noting which fields are populated correctly and which fields need to be corrected.

3. States will incorporate USMIN feedback to populate records for additional mine waste features beyond the initial 25 records. Proposals from the states must provide a minimum number of records that they shall complete. Proposals to fund only the initial 25 records will not be considered because more than 25 records are expected.

Deliverables for Priority 1 include:

· The 25 records that have been populated according to the above quality control steps, and then additional records that have been completed.

· All records must incorporate the QA/QC feedback provided by USMIN.

· All records are to be submitted as a single ArcGIS database to USMIN@usgs.gov.

· A brief (1-2 pages) report describing the process and summarizing what was submitted is required upon project completion.

· All Earth MRI deliverables, including reports, may be made available to the public.

FY 2024 Priority 2 – Mine Waste Characterization

The USGS mine waste characterization effort will evaluate nonfuel mine waste sites that potentially contain critical mineral resources. These sites may also be candidates for remediation, which would foster economic development in conjunction with environmental restoration. Whether mine waste is a potential resource, an environmental liability, or both will depend heavily on the geochemical and mineralogic characteristics of the mine waste materials. In addition, data collected on the compositional characterization of mine waste may inform future technologies to more efficiently reprocess mine waste for extraction of critical minerals. This information will be useful for accounting for the total costs and benefits of reuse, recycling, reprocessing, reclamation and restoration of ecosystem services. Basic datasets produced by this request will not only contribute to improved models of critical mineral resources in mine waste but will also improve the understanding of the environmental impact posed by mine wastes. This effort will inform the national mine waste inventory and government-wide strategies for supporting critical mineral supply chains as well as remediation of legacy mine lands.

Areas across the United States with the potential to host both subsurface and surface deposits of critical mineral resources (‘focus areas’) have been identified by the USGS and their State Geological Survey collaborators (see Dicken and others, 2019, 2021; Hammarstrom and others, 2022, 2023). Earth MRI focus areas are determined by mineral systems, deposit types, and known and potential critical mineral commodities. The mineral systems classification documents the relationship between large mineral systems that may contain multiple deposit types and the mineral commodities, including critical minerals, associated with each deposit type (Hofstra and Kreiner, 2022). Earth MRI takes a minerals systems approach for data collection efforts for both above ground and below ground critical mineral resources.

The goal of Priority 2 is to characterize mine waste to augment the internally consistent database of mine waste inventory covered under Priority 1. Priority 2 projects will focus on field-based characterization of mine waste volume estimates, geochemical composition, bulk mineralogical composition, and contained mineral commodities. Mine water may additionally be included if it represents a water source that may need treatment in perpetuity, or if the state has interests related to overall site remediation. Also important to this effort is an understanding of the orebody from which the waste was derived and how those waste materials were produced.

The USGS has developed mine waste site characterization and sampling protocols to guide this effort under Priority 2, and they are being expanded to include more mine waste types. The protocols will, in general, follow well-established protocols for geospatial mapping and common features to support the inventory effort as well as standard sampling methods to characterize the mine waste composition. For example, sampling of solid waste material will emphasize collection of individual sub-samples that can be composited to achieve representative samples that will help to characterize waste piles. Priority 2 requires as a minimum of a composite sample of each waste pile investigated, collected following prescribed protocols. A limited latitude to collect an additional number of grab samples to address scientific interests of states will be permitted. Drilling, where possible, is encouraged but not required. Water sampling protocols will follow USGS approved methods including details of sample containers, filtration, sample preservation, and holding times, and other sampling requirements.

In FY2024, State geological surveys may request funding up to $300,000.00 for mine waste characterization efforts within Earth MRI focus areas. States are required to indicate the specific mineral system(s) and their component mineral deposit types (Hofstra and Kreiner, 2020), and particular nonfuel critical mineral commodities of interest in their proposed efforts. If additional non-critical commodities are also present, then please identity as well. A State may propose sampling of a mine waste site located outside of an Earth MRI focus area as long as the mineral system(s), deposit type(s), and commodities are clearly described.

Geochemical Analyses

The USGS will support projects under Priority 2 by providing geochemical analyses on samples collected from mine waste materials. Because all data funded through Earth MRI must meet USGS quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) standards and be made public, the USGS has set aside funds to provide specific geochemical analyses at no additional cost to the State geological surveys. The types of analyses to be supported by USGS are the following:

USGS Solid phase analysis: $415.00 per sample Bulk geochemistry:

· 61-element major and trace element fusion-digestion with analysis by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Elemental analytes are Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, In, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr.

· Major elements by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF). Analytes are Al2O3, BaO, CaO, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SiO2, TiO2, SrO, V2O5, and Loss on Ignition (LOI)

· Fluorine by digestion and ion-selective electrode

· Gold, palladium, platinum assay

· Total sulfur, carbon, mercury, carbonate carbon Mineralogy:

· Quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), limited to the composited solid samples.

Water-rock interaction:

· Acid-base accounting

USGS water chemistry analysis: $280.00 per sample Composition:

· Major and trace element chemistry

· Major anions (ion chromatography)

· Cations and trace elements, including precious metals (ICP-OES/ICP-MS). Analytes include Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Tm, Ti, Tl, U, V, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr.

· Alkalinity/acidity

States are responsible for providing and budgeting for all sampling equipment, sample containers, and shipping to meet the requirements of the protocols. For water samples, multiple sample splits will be required to accommodate preservation and analysis requirements. Details on sample volumes, number of sample splits, materials, equipment, sample duplicates, and preservation requirements are provided in the USGS protocols.

As part of the analytical service, the USGS will provide additional QA/QC on samples and archive the solid phase samples. The data will be published and combined into the periodic USGS mine waste data releases listed on the Earth MRI website. If a State geological survey chooses to perform additional analyses as part of the proposed project beyond what is provided in the standard analytical package, costs for these additional analyses must be included in their project budget. Although all Earth MRI data will become publicly available on-line, any non-contract geochemical data must be flagged as “unvalidated by the USGS”. Please note, Earth MRI funds are prohibited from being used to fund analytical work at any Federal facility.

Each project is limited to a total analytical budget of $70,000.00, which is not included in, but in addition to the $300,000.00 project budget cap. The project scope will determine the distribution of solid samples ($415.00 per sample) and water samples ($280.00 per sample) submitted to the USGS for analysis, as long as the total cost does not exceed the analytical budget maximum. If, however, a State can sufficiently justify needs for additional samples above the analytical budget maximum of $70,000.00, the Program will consider this request, and States should provide request and justification in the proposal. The analytical budget does not include sampling equipment, sample containers or shipping to the USGS; these costs must be included and described in the project budget. Proposals should include a projection of the number of samples and sample type (solid or water) to be collected. Please also include in analytical estimates the requirements for field blanks and field duplicates for QA/QC with the following frequency:

· Solid samples: 1 duplicate per 20 samples, or at least one per sampling event, if less than 20 samples collected per event.

· Water samples: 1 field blank and 1 field duplicate per 20 samples, or one blank and one duplicate per sampling event, if less than 20 samples collected per event.

Project proposals for Priority 2 must discuss the following:

· Expected critical mineral commodities in the waste, based on mine history, previous analyses, mineral system and/or deposit type processed- for clarity, please include a table summarizing the names of sites planned for sampling, mineral system and deposit type, types of mine wastes present, and expected associated critical minerals;

· Size of the resource: the features should be large enough to contribute to the national assessment objectives stated above;

· Accessibility to the sites: proposed sites (active, managed, and/or abandoned) must be safely and legally available for sample collection. The state is responsible for securing access to sites in their project. States are responsible for:

· identifying, understanding and following all rules, laws, regulations and other protocols relevant to the site including but not limited to environmental protection, health, and safety.

· obtaining and coordinating access to the site with the relevant landowner(s), land management authority(ies), and/or leaseholder(s)/claim holder(s).

The status of site access must be described in the proposal, and letters of support from cooperators, land managers, tribal partners, and/or landowners are encouraged;

· Material type: Primary emphasis will be on tailings, slag, ore stockpiles, and perpetual water sources as target materials for FY24; material types may be expanded in subsequent years. Only nonfuel mine waste is considered. Perpetual water sources are those that are long-lived, such as adit flows or pit lakes.

The FY2024 Priority 2 data collection efforts/deliverables include:

· Geospatial data including waste feature boundaries that are compatible with the Priority #1 Inventory database and sample locations (latitude/longitude with defined datum) that link to National Geochemical Database (National Geochemical Database | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov).

· Volume and load estimates. Approaches for estimating volumes and masses of mine waste piles and volumes of pit lakes may vary, particularly with regards to the vertical dimension. Similarly for mine adit discharge waters, seasonal flows of mine effluent may factor into load estimates. An estimate of discharge at the time of sampling should be made so that volume and load estimates can be made for adits; direct measurement does not need to be made if estimates can be obtained with other data (such as discharges measured by site managers). However, please clearly describe the methodology for solid piles and water (if collected) in the final report.

· Geochemical (solid and water) data, which will be released by USGS in USGS data releases and used in the interpretive report published by the state.

· Resource estimate of contained critical minerals and other potential commodities.

· Brief (1-2 pages) progress reports every six months for the duration of the project.

· Final interpretive report, including methods and data sets used for calculating volume and resource estimates. Report must include site description, interpretation, geospatial data on waste piles and other sample sites, and mine waste inventory data for samples sites. Report must be provided as a peer-reviewed state publication.

· Digital archive of field sheets.

· All Earth MRI deliverables may be made available to the public.

If funded for Priority 2 activities, USGS will provide protocols and in person training for established protocols and sampling strategies that must be followed for all sampling efforts. USGS will coordinate with the project principal investigator (PI) to determine timing and location of trainings, which will occur at a mine waste site identified by the state for Priority 2 activities. The state must be prepared to start sampling during the training session. No additional resources will need to be allocated for training as training efforts will contribute to Priority 2 activities.

FY 2024 Priority 3 – Earth MRI Workshop

Annual Earth MRI workshop –

An annual Earth MRI workshop is held in collaboration with the State geological surveys and other partners to help define and evaluate focus areas, or areas that have the greatest need for future Earth MRI data collection. The Earth MRI workshops bring together technical experts from across the USGS and State geological surveys and other agencies to assess and discuss data and information relevant to the identification of focus areas across the Nation with potential for hosting critical mineral deposits. The workshops will address both subsurface and above-ground (mine waste) critical mineral resources. The October 2024 workshop is planned to be hybrid, with both in-person and virtual participation for those not able to travel to the meeting.

Mine waste efforts will be a key component of future Earth MRI annual workshops which will require State geological survey input to help define mine waste sites within each State that are important targets for Earth MRI inventory and characterization. A unified mine waste site data sampling and mapping strategy will also be discussed.

State representatives may participate in the workshop to help Earth MRI understand the national scope of Earth MRI mapping efforts, including mine waste, and help delineate the focus areas for future above and below ground data collection. The USGS will support travel for up to two participants per state, up to $2,000.00 in direct costs per participant to attend the workshop. All requests for workshop travel funds will be granted up to a total of $4,000.00 (for two travelers), regardless of whether funds for other proposed activities are requested. Requests for Priority 3 funds are not competitive and will not be subjected to panel review. The next workshop will be held in October 2024, at the USGS headquarters in Reston, VA. In the event workshops are virtual instead of in-person, the travel funds will not be awarded.

The total for Priority 3 including potential travel to critical minerals workshop shall not exceed $4,000.00. To obtain funds to support travel to the Earth MRI Critical Mineral Resources Workshops, states must:

1. Request MRP Earth MRI funds,

2. Provide travel estimates in the budget table (Attachment B),

3. Specify travelers’ names, and

4. If funds are awarded for Priority 3, States are required to use them on travel to the Earth MRI workshop only.

Funding Opportunity Goals Research for natural hazards, energy and mineral resources, ecosystems and environmental health, and water resources.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $5,000,000.00

B2. Award Amount Maximum Award $354,000 Minimum Award $2,000 The approximate range for an individual award is a minimum of $2,000.00 up to a maximum of $354,000.00. In some circumstances, funding may be less than $2,000.00 or more than $354,000.00.

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates Anticipated Award Date June 01, 2024 Proposal Announcement Date: February 6, 2024 Closing Date and Time for Proposal Submission: April 2, 2024, 3:00 pm, Eastern Time.

Proposals received after the deadline will NOT be considered for an award.

The earliest project start dates will be after the USGS receives its FY2024 BIL funding, or June 1, 2024, whichever is later. The latest start date is September 30, 2024. All deliverables are due 90 days following end of agreement performance period.

Maximum award period is 24 months.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments Additional Information on Eligibility Only State geological surveys are eligible to apply to this Notice of Funding Opportunity under the – Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law: 117-58, Sec. 40201). A university may submit a proposal on behalf of a State geological survey if the State geological survey is organized under a state university system.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No

C3. Other Non-allowable expenses under the MRP include tuition, computer maintenance or travel to any other conference or workshop except the Earth MRI workshop. MRP funds may not be used to pay for USGS services.

Excluded Parties: USGS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. USGS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

1. Electronic Delivery USGS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. USGS encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

2. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for USGS funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewingand assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required informati Organizations must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but SAM registration may take several weeks.Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Note: An entity will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) by SAM. No Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number is required after April 4, 2022.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System forAward Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register- with-sam.html

2) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

3) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multipleorganizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter UEI assigned by SAM in the UEI field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

4) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization ApplicantProfile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html 5)Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

3. How to Submit an Application to USGS via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

1) Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and UEI Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3) Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

4) Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the USGS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

a. Online Submission. All applications must be received by the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When USGS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by USGS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

D1. Address to Request Application Package Grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number G24AS00257 Program Website Link grants.gov

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, signed, and dated. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative. Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200.

All proposals must include the following documents:

1. Standard Form 424. Application for Federal Assistance (mandatory form provided in grants.gov). The person who electronically submits the SF-424 must have the authority to bind the state to the terms of the assistance award.

2. Standard Form 424A. Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

3. Standard Form 424B. Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

4. Project Abstract Summary.

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memoranda M-21-20 and M-22-02, Federal agencies are now required to provide complete and accurate financial assistance award descriptions within USAspending.gov. As such, the Department of the Interior is requiring its bureaus and offices to provide a Project Abstract Summary for all financial assistance awards to include the following information (DO NOT WRITE IN PARAGRAPH FORM. SUMMARY MUST INCLUDE BULLET TITLE AND RESPONSE):

· Include a plain language description Award purpose (avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology);

· Activities to be performed;

· Deliverables and Expected Outcomes;

· Intended beneficiary(ies) as well as

· Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award Project Abstract Summary character limitation as 1 page or less (no more than ~4000 characters) and use of 12 pt. font and Times New Roman is recommended. This abstract should be attached as a separate project narrative document in the Grants.gov application.

NOTE: Upon issuance of the cooperative agreement, this Project Abstract Summary will be publicly available at USAspending.gov.

Any applicant organization that has not completed the financial assistance certifications and representations within their SAM.gov registration must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

5. Project Description and Budget, including Attachments A and B (see explanation below).

Incomplete proposals will not be forwarded to the Review Panel and will be immediately rejected by the Contracting Officer.

Project Narrative Proposals must be arranged according to the format provided below. Following this format ensures that every proposal contains all essential information and is evaluated equitably. The proposal may be in PDF or MS Word format. The proposal and associated forms shall be submitted to www.grants.gov.Provide requested information in the correct locations within the proposal template. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of the proposal.

Proposals are limited to 11-pages, which include 1) Project Description, provided separately for Priorities 1, 2 and 3, and limited to 5 pages each for Priority 1 and Priority 2, and limited to 1 page for Priority 3. Proposals may be shorter than 11 pages. Other forms and documents, including: (1) Standard Forms 424s, (2) Project Abstract Summary, (3) project summary sheet (Attachment A), (4) budget sheets and justification (Attachment B), (5) project personnel justification and expertise table or list, (6) Curriculum Vitaes (CV; max 2 pages each), (7) letters from stakeholders, (8) DMP (see Data Management Plans | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov); example template is provided in Attachment C), (9) negotiated rate and cost agreements, and (10) equipment quotes do not count toward the 11-page limit.

1. FY 2024 MRP Proposal Information Sheet. (Attachment A). Summary sheet shall clearly list project and budget summary for all priorities. Please include e-mail addresses for the Principal Investigator and authorized institution representative. Outcome notifications will be sent via e-mail to the authorized institution representative and the Principal Investigator. The Proposal Information Sheet is NOT included in the 10-page limit.

2. Project Description for Priority 1 and Priority 2 projects only. The project description of the proposal is limited to 5 single-space pages for each Priority (including figures, tables), with no smaller than 11-point font size, and 1-inch margins. The font size in figures and tables is limited to no smaller than 8-point font size. All text, figures, and tables shall be sized to fit on 8½” x 11” paper. The project description section of your proposal should include the following:

a. Introduction: The introduction should provide a brief overview of the project activities, methods, and goals. Clearly state the societal relevance of the work, including any benefits the proposed work may have on tribal and underrepresented communities.

b. Project narrative: Follow the guidelines and requirements listed in section A2 of this program announcement. Describe the procedures and workflows that will be carried out to gather mine waste data. Include descriptions of the separate activities for the designated processes, including the quality assurance and control methods to ensure accuracy and quality of products. Guidance and best practices for managing data quality can be found on the USGS Data Management site: https://www.usgs.gov/products/data-and-tools/data-management/manage-quality. Discuss the deliverables and provide a table or list that includes information about the Principal Investigator, staff, and support positions (such as geologist, information technologist, or database developer) and detail the estimated time by objective by person. Briefly discuss each person’s role on the project so that it links to the budget. For each person, provide a brief statement of their background, define their roles and responsibilities, and provide a CV for primary personnel (no more than two pages) that includes skills and expertise relevant to the proposed activities, and indicate whether the person works for your organization or elsewhere (contractor or volunteer). If the contractor has not yet been hired, describe experience and skills necessary for completing the work. CVs do not count against the page limit. A statement of use/access or a letter of support from a stakeholder may be included (but are not required). Letters of support from stakeholders do not count against the page limit.

Detailed Budget Narrative The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify all estimated project costs.