NOFO National Trails 11-2-2017.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary Information

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition and Grants Management

(HCFA)

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Mail Drop: E62-204 Washington DC 20590

Attn: Rob Miller, HCFA-32

Funding Opportunity Title: “National Trails System Information, Corridor Protection, and Training”

Announcement Type: This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: Notice Number: 693JJ318NF00006

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

20.219 Recreational Trails Program

Key Dates: Notice Issue Date is November 2, 2017

Application Due Date/Time is January 9, 2018 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time

Question Due Date/Time is December 4, 2017 at 5:00pm Eastern Time

Primary Point of Contact: Rob Miller 202-366-9167 Rob.Miller@dot.gov

Secondary Point of Contact: Rick Murray 202-366-4250 Rick.Murray@dot.gov

693JJ318NF00006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE

A

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

B

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

D

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

E

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

G

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

H

OTHER INFORMATION

Attachments:

1) Deliverable Schedule

NOTE: The FHWA uses www.grants.gov for receipt of all applications. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this Notice. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to monitor for any updates to this Notice.

http://www.grants.gov/

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hereby requests applications for assistance to result in the award of a new Cooperative Agreement, entitled, “National Trails System Information, Corridor Protection, and Training.”

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this proposed Cooperative Agreement (Agreement) is to assist the Recipient in providing National Trails System Information, Corridor Protection, and Training to build capacity to better administer, manage, and sustain National Trails. The primary focus is to support National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The authority to enter into a Cooperative Agreement using Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds is found under 23 U.S.C. 133(h)(5)(B), as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Section 1109. FHWA is authorized to use up to 1 percent of the funds reserved to the States for recreational trails projects for administration of the program:

(h) STP Set-Aside—

(5) Continuation of Certain Recreational Trails Projects.—For each fiscal year, a State shall—

(A) obligate an amount of funds reserved under this section equal to the amount of the funds apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2009 under section 104(h)(2), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of MAP-21, for projects relating to recreational trails under section 206;

(B) return 1 percent of those funds to the Secretary for the administration of that program; and

(C) comply with the provisions of the administration of the recreational trails program under section 206, including the use of apportioned funds described under subsection (d)(3)(A) of that section.

23 U.S.C. 133

This section does not define “administration,” but earlier versions of Section 104 of Title 23 clarified the Secretary’s authority to enter into cooperative agreements to carry out “Administrative” work related to the RTP:

(h) Recreational Trails Program.—

(1) Administrative costs.—Before apportioning sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out the recreational trails program under section 206, the Secretary shall deduct for administrative, research, technical assistance, and training expenses for such program $840,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009. The Secretary may enter into contracts with for-profit organizations or contracts, partnerships, or cooperative agreements with other government agencies, institutions of higher learning, or nonprofit organizations to perform these tasks.

23 U.S.C. 104

This language was codified in 1998 in Section 104 of Title 23 and remained until 2013 when the RTP program was modified in Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Section 1122 but the specific instructions on administering the program were not included.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Section 1524, required the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to encourage States and regional transportation planning agencies to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified youth service or conservation corps to perform appropriate projects eligible under the Federal-aid highway program. It states:

SEC. 1524. USE OF YOUTH SERVICE AND CONSERVATION CORPS.

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall encourage the States and regional transportation planning agencies to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified youth service or conservation corps, as defined in sections 122(a)(2) of Public Law 101-610 (42 U.S.C. 12572(a)(2)) and 106(c)(3) of Public Law 103-82 (42 U.S.C. 12656(c)(3)) to perform appropriate projects eligible under sections 162, 206, 213, and 217 of title 23, United States Code, and under section 1404 of the SAFETEA-LU (119 Stat.

1228).

(b) Requirements.—Under any contract or cooperative agreement entered into with a qualified youth service or conservation corps under this section, the Secretary shall—

(1) set the amount of a living allowance or rate of pay for each participant in such corps at—

(A) such amount or rate as required under State law in a State with such requirements; or

(B) for corps in States not described in subparagraph (A), at such amount or rate as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the maximum living allowance authorized by section 140 of Public Law 101-610 (42 U.S.C. 12594); and

(2) not subject such corps to the requirements of section 112 of title 23, United States Code.

This NOFO will use administrative funds to enter into cooperative agreements to provide National Trails System Information, Corridor Protection, and Training to build capacity to better administer, manage, and sustain National Trails.

3. BACKGROUND

The National Trails System is the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968 (https://www.nps.gov/nts/). These trails provide for https://www.nps.gov/nts/ outdoor recreation needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation, and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourage public access and involvement.

FHWA signed a National Trails System Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, effective 2017 through 2027, to support the interagency coordination and collaboration necessary to implement the National Trails System Act. (See the MOU at https://www.nps.gov/nts/National_Trails_System_MOU_2017-2027.pdf.) For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “National Trails” refers to trails recognized under the National Trails System Act, with a primary focus on congressionally designated National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails.

Although FHWA does not administer National Trails, FHWA funds may be used to benefit National Trails through the Federal-aid program; especially through the RTP (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/), and through the Office of Federal Lands Highway (https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/). Some States give extra credit to designated National Trails when they evaluate project applications for funding (especially under the RTP).

This Agreement will assist FHWA in the administration of the RTP because it will provide National Trails System information and resources to the States that administer the RTP, Federal land management agencies (FMLAs) responsible for National Trails, and nonprofit organizations interested in National Trails. These resources will support more effective program management, project delivery, and build capacity to better administer, manage, and sustain National Trails.

Note: Other Federal agencies listed in the MOU support similar activities. This Agreement is not intended to duplicate or replace the efforts and interests of other Federal agencies, but to complement and extend the benefit to FHWA and its primary stakeholders: State departments of transportation and State resource agencies responsible for the RTP.

4. GOALS

The goal of this Agreement is to build capacity to better administer, manage, and sustain National Trails, with the primary focus to enhance the ability to protect and complete National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. The Recipient shall collaborate with the FHWA to accomplish the goal of this project.

5. STATEMENT OF WORK

Tasks 1 and 2 fulfill National Trails System awareness and corridor protection. Tasks 3 and 4 fulfill training to assist in current and future National Trails System stewardship.

https://www.nps.gov/nts/National_Trails_System_MOU_2017-2027.pdf https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/ https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/ https://www.nps.gov/nts/National_Trails_System_MOU_2017-2027.pdf

Note: For Tasks 1 and 2, the Recipient’s application shall propose methods to support awareness of National Scenic and Historic Trails, build capacity to better manage and sustain National Trails, protect and enhance National Scenic and Historic Trail corridors, and enhance the ability to complete these corridors. The Recipient’s application shall propose topics to support this goal, including topics listed below.

Note: It is not necessary to cover all of these topics in each Task, but the Recipient’s application shall propose how to cover these topics within both Tasks 1 and 2 combined.

• Corridor protection — to protect National Scenic and Historic Trail surface integrity and rights-of-way on the ground, and the scenic and historic views along the trail corridors. Propose cost-effective methods to (1) document trail corridors and significant nearby features, (2) provide information to the public about trail corridors,

(3) work with potential land and project developers to mitigate impacts to trail corridors, and (4) develop creative methods to protect trail corridors.

• Data collection — to document trail awareness and to enhance trail corridor protection. Propose cost-effective methods to collect and manage trail use data, trail corridor data, lessons learned, and best practices.

• System resiliency and sustainability — to protect trails over time. Propose cost-effective methods for trail planning, design, maintenance, and operation; to manage scenic and historic landscapes; to perform risk assessment including potential threats to National Scenic and Historic Trails; and to enhance training in recognizing and resolving these challenges.

• Project delivery improvements — to expedite cost-effective project delivery and to protect the trails when threatened with negative impacts. Propose methods to improve environmental review, better materials, and contracting methods.

• Multimodal transportation connectivity — to demonstrate how National Trails benefit the traveling public and to improve trail access for the general public. Propose topics including how National Trails can help overcome barriers caused by transportation infrastructure; how to improve access to National Trails for people who cannot or choose not to use private automobiles (including pedestrian, bicycle, and transit options); and access to services to support trail users.

• Wayfinding and Awareness — to improve trail awareness and access while limiting negative impact to trail corridors. Propose methods using technology to help users traverse the trails and become aware of a trail’s historic and scenic context and also protect the trail corridors.

• Technological challenges and opportunities — to educate National Trails interests about challenges and opportunities that technological advances offer; ranging from benefits to enhance trail reconnaissance, offering virtual tours to reduce land impact or offer historical perspective, and transporting trail construction materials, to possible negative impacts to trail resources, such as disturbance to trail users or threats to cultural resources.

Task 1: National Trails System Awareness

With a focus on National Scenic and Historic Trails, the Recipient shall describe, at a minimum, how the Recipient proposes to identify, develop, and/or disseminate information to support National Trails through the following:

• Newsletter or Magazine: Propose a series of quarterly newsletters or a magazine to support awareness and understanding of National Trails.

o Provide sample topics or themes.

o Propose a target audience.

o Propose methods for distribution.

• Case studies: Propose a series of 2 to 4-page case studies to support awareness and understanding of National Trails.

o Provide sample topics or themes.

o Provide one or more sample case study outline(s).

o Propose a quantity and frequency of case studies (number and/or frequency per year).

• Best practices: Propose a series of 10 to 20-page best practice papers or reports to o Provide sample topics or themes.

o Provide one or more sample best practice report outline(s).

o Propose a quantity and frequency of best practice papers or reports (number and/or frequency per year).

• Audiovisual resources: Propose a series of audiovisual and social media resources to o Provide sample formats and sample topics or themes.

o Provide one or more sample video outline(s).

o Propose a quantity and frequency of resources (number and/or frequency per year).

Ensure that each product developed is posted on the Recipient’s website or other publicly available website. Information posted on websites must meet Federal accessibility standards (see Section F below). An accessible edition must be posted simultaneously with a PDF edition.

Task 2: National Trails System Corridor Protection

The Recipient shall identify, develop, and distribute information to protect and enhance National Scenic and Historic Trail corridors and enhance the ability to complete these corridors. The Recipient shall describe, at a minimum, how the Recipient proposes to identify, develop, and/or disseminate:

• Methods to document, protect, and enhance National Scenic and Historic Trails corridors.

• Methods to educate agencies and the public about resources along National Trails.

• Best practices for involving stakeholders, landowners, and resource managers.

• Model agreements: Develop model agreements that agencies and trail organizations can use to enhance the ability to protect and complete National Trail corridors.

o Propose sample model agreement topics to be covered in this Agreement.

o Propose a schedule for developing these agreements and making them publicly available.

o Propose a schedule for updates and/or new topics that may be covered in this

Agreement.

Ensure that each product developed is posted on the Recipient’s website or other publicly available website. Information posted on websites must meet Federal accessibility standards (see Section F below). An accessible edition must be posted simultaneously with a PDF edition.

Task 3: Youth Apprentice Program

This Agreement will support a Youth Apprentice Program to help youth corps members perform work eligible under Federal-aid programs that benefit trails and enter into careers related to National Trails. Topics for the apprentice program include, but are not limited to:

• Recreational trail construction and maintenance techniques, including basic understanding of outdoor area and public rights-of-way accessibility guidelines;

• Sustainability of trails networks, improving livability, connectivity, and the local economy;

• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety, with emphasis related to schools;

• Vegetation management practices, including invasive species removal; establishing pollinators, native plants, and forbs; controlling roadside erosion; and establishing living fences to control windswept soil and snow;

• Archaeological activities and historic preservation related to transportation infrastructure and recreational trails;

• Stormwater management and wetlands protection related to surface transportation;

• Wildlife habitat connectivity related to surface transportation; and,

• Management of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants, with special emphasis on agreements for States and regional transportation planning agencies to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified youth service or conservation corps to perform appropriate transportation-related and recreational trail projects.

Qualified youth service and conservation corps include any program established by a State or local government or nonprofit organization that can provide meaningful, full-time, productive experiences for individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 in an urban or public works or transportation setting. These programs give participants a mix of job and life skills, education, training, and support services in addition to providing participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their communities and their country.

The Recipient shall support a Youth Apprentice Program that will help youth service and conservation corps members participate in National Trails training and educational activities;

including workshops and conferences.

The Recipient shall propose methods and options for:

• Reaching out to, inviting, and selecting youth apprentice participants;

• Training and workshop formats (videoconference, webinar, in-person, etc.);

• Number and frequency of training opportunities;

• Training location examples (virtual, regional, national conferences, etc.); and,

• Methods to archive training materials during the period of performance of the

Agreement. (Provide the electronic files to FHWA upon completion of the agreement’s period of performance for archival purposes.)

The Recipient shall, on its website or other associated website, provide and moderate a listserv, or forum, for youth apprentices to share training activities and experiences.

Ensure that information is posted on the Recipient’s website or other publicly available website. Information posted on websites must meet Federal accessibility standards (see Section F below). An accessible edition must be posted simultaneously with a PDF edition.

Task 4: National Trails System Training and Workshops

The Recipient shall convene and coordinate conferences, workshops, and/or other training focused on National Scenic and Historic Trails. The Recipient shall briefly describe the proposed event(s) with possible formats (in-person, videoconference, webinar, etc.), general dates or frequency, and possible locations (national, regional, specific locations, or virtual).

Over the period of performance of this Agreement, the Recipient shall:

• Host not less than one national conference relating to National Scenic and Historic Trails;

• Host not less than one national workshop focused on National Scenic Trails; and

• Host not less than one national workshop focused on National Historic Trails.

The Recipient also shall propose other possible methods and venues to provide training for National Scenic and Historic Trails, which may include options such as:

• Webinars focused on topics of interest to National Scenic and Historic Trails.

• Regional training venues focused on specific groups of National Trails.

• Other training methods to accomplish the goals of this Agreement.

Additional Notes:

• Events should target leaders involved in National Scenic and Historic Trails.

• No one event may use more than $6,000 in Federal funding attributable to this

• The Recipient shall propose methods and options for cost-effective events.

Task 5: Transition

The Recipient shall prepare a transition plan to close out the Agreement not less than 90 days prior to the termination of the agreement. The Recipient shall transfer all conference, workshop, webinar and website material developed under this Agreement to the FHWA. If there is a subsequent agreement, the Recipient of this agreement shall support a seamless transition to the Recipient of a subsequent agreement.

<end of section>

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. FUNDING AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

The FHWA anticipates making one award as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to a total amount of $200,000 may be made available for this Agreement subject to the availability of funds.

2. TYPE OF AWARD

The planned award type is a Cooperative Agreement.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this Agreement will be twenty four (24) months from the effective date of the Agreement.

4. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

The FHWA anticipates substantial Federal involvement between it and the Recipient during the course of this project. The anticipated Federal involvement will include:

• Technical assistance and guidance to the Recipient;

• Close monitoring of performance;

• Involvement in technical decisions; and

• Participation in status meetings including kick off meeting and annual technical and budget reviews.

• Coordination of information with other FHWA offices and activities as needed.

• Participation in training and workshops as needed.

• Participation in status meetings, annual meetings, and other discussions as needed.

• Review and comment on draft documents as appropriate.

The FHWA will partner with the Recipient and provide the necessary guidance to help complete all work under the Agreement. The Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) will participate in the planning and management of this Agreement and will coordinate activities between the Recipient and the FHWA.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

This competition is open to government agencies, institutions of higher learning, or nonprofit organizations.

2. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

For this cooperative agreement, cost sharing or matching will NOT be required as the scope of work furthers the administration of the RTP, but cost sharing or matching is encouraged. If proposed, the Government will evaluate cost share as part of the cost/budget review. The degree of cost share and leveraging of non-Federal funds will be considered beneficial to the extent the cost share is considered feasible and demonstrates a furtherance of the goals of the program.

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Applicants may obtain application forms at grants.gov under the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number cited herein.

The Applicant must complete and submit all forms included in the application package for this Notice as contained at www.grants.gov.

Please Note: the Grants.gov system has undergone recent updates that affect the application submission process. All applicants will be required to submit their application using the Grants.gov Workspace process. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Grants.gov website and familiarize themselves with the submission process. To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must have the following information:

a. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number:

b. Register with the SAM at www.sam.gov;

c. Create a Grants.gov username and password; and

d. The E-business Point of Contact (POC) at the applicant’s organization must respond to the registration email from Grants.gov and login to authorize the POC as an Authorized Organization Representative. Please note that there can only be one Authorized Organization Representative per organization.

The Grants.gov registration process usually takes 2–4 weeks to complete. Late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner will not be considered. For information and instruction on each of these processes, please see instructions at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html. If interested parties experience difficulties at any point during the registration or application process, please call the Grants.gov Customer Service Support Hotline at 800- 518–4726, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

a. Applications must be prepared on 8½ x 11 inch paper except for foldouts used for charts, tables or figures, which must not exceed 11 x 17 inches. Foldouts must not be used for text, and will count as two pages.

b. A page is defined as one side of an 8 ½ by 11 inch paper. Therefore, a piece of paper with printing on both sides is considered two pages.

c. Text must be printed using a font size no less than 12 point font (Arial or Calibri).

d. Tables are permitted and text in tables must be doubled spaced.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html

e. Text in captions below charts, tables or figures must be not less than 10 cpi, and can be 2 lines of text long (limited by the width of the chart, table or figure) and single spaced.

f. Page margins must be a minimum of 1 inch top, bottom and each side.

g. Page numbers may be located within the 1 inch margins

h. A Header or Footer identifying the Applicant/Team and the Volume, may be located within the 1 inch margins

i. No cost/price data will be included in Volume I, but must be included in Volume II.

The application package must consist of the following in this order:

1) Volume 1 – Technical Application as described below – 20 single-spaced pages limit

• Part I – Technical and Management Approach (included in the pages limitation)

• Part II – Experience (included in the pages limitation))

• Part III – Staffing Approach (included in the pages limitation; resumes are not included in the pages limitation and can be an Attachment to Volume I)

2) Volume 2 – Budget Application as described below - no page limit

• Part I – Application Forms

• Part II – Cost Information and Other Financial Information

Submit your application in the following format:

Volume 1 - Technical Application

Volume 1 – Technical Application as described below (see page limitations above)

OPTIONAL: An Applicant may include, at their option, to facilitate displaying the organization of their application, a one-page cover page, and a second page to include both a Table of Contents and/or a Listing of Tables/Figures. These pages are for orienting evaluators to the contents of the application package and will not be evaluated and are not included in the Volume I page limitation.

In the event a technical application exceeds the page limitation, the Government will evaluate only the first pages identified within the limitation above.

a. Part I – TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT APPROACH: A detailed technical and management plan describing in detail how you would proceed if awarded this Agreement. Discuss and describe the ability of the proposed project to meet the purpose and objectives of this program, and the manner in which they will be addressed by your project. Tasks include:

• Identifying, developing, and distributing information to:

• Support awareness of National Scenic and Historic Trails;

• Build capacity to better manage and sustain National Trails;

• Protect and enhance National Scenic and Historic Trail corridors; and,

• Enhance the ability to complete these corridors.

• Supporting a youth apprentice program that will help youth service and conservation corps members participate in National Trails training and educational activities; including workshops and conferences.

• Convening and coordinating a national conference, workshops, and other possible methods and venues to provide training related to National Scenic and Historic Trails.

• Creating a transition plan to close out the Agreement.

Discuss and describe proposed performance metrics/milestones/deliverables. Provide a table listing all proposed milestones/deliverables and estimated dates, based on time from award.

b. Part II – EXPERIENCE: A summary of the Applicant’s experience relevant to this project, listing projects of similar size and complexity over the past five years, and show which of the named key staff, were involved in those projects. List the following information for a minimum of three specific past projects in which the Applicant participated as project leader and/or member of project team:

Project title, description, value, and dates;

Sponsor/customer point of contact to include sponsor/customer name, title, organization, email address, phone number;

Role of Applicant in project;

Explanation of why or how the project is considered relevant or similar to the effort required by this Notice of Funding Opportunity; and Note: In determining relevancy, consideration should be given, but not limited to, such things as product/service similarity, size and complexity, Agreement type, division of company proposing, and sub-recipient interaction.

Explanation of the project goals accomplished and any cost growth or schedule delays encountered. For any projects which did not/do not successfully achieve its goals, a brief explanation of the reason(s) for such shortcomings and any demonstrated corrective actions taken to avoid recurrence.

NOTE: Prior to award, FHWA may contact past sponsor/customers to support the agency’s risk assessment of the application.

NOTE: If an Applicant does not have a history of relevant experience, or if past performance information is not available, the Applicant’s experience will be considered to be neutral.

c. Part III – STAFFING APPROACH: Provide a project organizational chart identifying proposed staff members assigned to the project. The chart must be supported with narrative text to include the title and a brief description of each position’s responsibilities, as well as the proposed level of effort and allocation of time (% in relation to their other duties) for each position on a yearly basis and in summary format. The level of effort may be displayed (single spaced) in a table format. One table can be presented if the level of effort will be constant over all years, and the table is annotated as such. The hours in this table must be consistent with the information presented in Volume II, Parts I and II, as part of the detailed budget plan.

Provide brief tailored resumes for the proposed Program Manager/Principal Investigator and other key personnel to include name, experience, education and proposed role in project.

Volume 2 - Budget Application

Volume 2 – Budget Application as described below - no page limit

OPTIONAL: An Applicant may include, at their option, to facilitate displaying the organization of their application, a one-page cover page, and a second page to include both a Table of Contents and/or a Listing of Tables/Figures. These pages are for orienting evaluators to the contents of the application package and will not be evaluated and are not included in the Volume I page limitation

a. Part I - APPLICATION FORMS

1. SF424

Note: Applicants may leave fields 5a, 5b, 6, 7, and 13 blank on the form.

2. SF424A

Note: Section A:

- Block 1(a): Print opportunity title listed on page 1;

- Block 1(b): Print CFDA number listed on page 1;

- Block 1(c): Print Total Federal Funds Requested in dollars; and,

- Block 1(d): Print Total Cost Share in dollars, and leave columns (e), (f), and (g) and rows 2, 3, and 4 blank.

3. SF424B

4. SFLLL

Note: The form must be completed and submitted even if no lobbying to report. If no lobbying to report insert none or n/a in the relevant blocks.

b, Part II – COST INFORMATION AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Provide a separate detailed budget plan for each year and summarize the information for all years for all activities. Spreadsheets can be formatted similarly to the format in DOT Form 4220.44, located at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/pdfs/frm4220_44.pdf.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/pdfs/frm4220_44.pdf

The detailed budget plan must include each of the following items/sub-items:

1. Detailed excel (or compatible) workbook containing spreadsheets/tabs (formatted to be printed out) and supporting information clearly delineating and supporting all estimated costs: with columns for Federal Share, Cost Share (if applicable) and Total Costs (per year and in summary form) as follows:

a. Labor Rates- Direct labor-by-labor categories to include hours, rates and escalation. Anticipated promotions for any personnel must be included with the escalation calculation. The annual direct labor escalations rate and its basis should be clearly stated with the proposal. Discuss your proposed rate as compared to historical experience and include when and how escalation will be calculated/implemented.

b. Indirect Rates- Discuss your proposed rates for all years. Identify all the various specific indirect rates including what they are (pool and base), and what they are based on (e.g.; labor overhead based on direct labor dollars) and how they are applied/calculated. Provide dollar values as well as percentages. Please also provide any audit information to support these rates (for example, a copy of signed Department of Health of Human Services rate agreement).

Note: Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), Indirect (F&A) Costs, an Applicant may elect to propose a de minimis indirect rate of 10% of modified total direct costs.

c. Other Direct Costs- Applicants must provide a breakout and justification of Other Direct Costs by Category (travel, equipment, etc.)

d. If subcontractors/sub-recipients (lower-tiered organizations and/or individual consultants) will be used in carrying out this project, the following minimum information concerning such, must be furnished:

i. Name and address of the organization or consultant.

ii. Description of the portion of work to be conducted by the organization or consultant.

iii. Cost details for that portion of work.

iv. Applicant’s cost/price analysis of each sub-recipient/contractor(s) showing how their price is fair and reasonable; and Applicant’s cost/price analysis of each sub-recipient/contractor(s) showing how their price is fair and reasonable (this includes any sub-recipient/contractor(s) that will be included in the Federal share or the non-Federal share); and

v. Letter of commitment from each sub-recipient/contractor(s) (this includes any sub-recipient/contractor(s) that will be included in the Federal share, the non-Federal share or in a non-paid (volunteer) capacity).

e. Provide detail and support for cost share as part of overall project budget.

f. Clearly delineate cost share match versus Federal share.

2. Identify any exceptions to the anticipated award terms and conditions as contained in Section F, Federal Award Administration Information. Identify any preexisting intellectual property that you anticipate using during award performance, and your position on its data rights during and after the award period of performance.

3. The use of a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is required on all applications for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. Please provide your organization’s DUNS number in your budget application.

4. A statement to indicate whether your organization has previously completed an

A-133 Single Audit and, if so, the date that the last A-133 Single Audit was completed.

5. A statement regarding Conflicts of Interest. The Applicant must disclose in writing any actual or potential personal or organizational conflict of interest in its application that describes in a concise manner all past, present or planned organizational, contractual or other interest(s), which may affect the Applicants' ability to perform the proposed contract in an impartial and objective manner.

Actual or potential conflicts of interest may include but are not limited to any past, present or planned contractual, financial, or other relationships, obligations, commitments or responsibilities, which may bias the Applicant or affect the Applicant’s ability to perform the agreement in an impartial and objective manner. The Agreement Officer (AO) will review the statement(s) and may require additional relevant information from the Applicant. All such information, and any other relevant information known to DOT, will be used to determine whether an award to the Applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the AO may (a) disqualify the Applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the United States to contract with the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the agreement pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

6. A statement to indicate whether a Federal or State organization has audited or reviewed the Applicant’s accounting system, purchasing system, and/or property control system. If such systems have been reviewed, provide summary information of the audit/review results to include as applicable summary letter or agreement, date of audit/review, Federal or State point of contact for such review.

7. Terminated Contracts - List any contract/agreement that was terminated for convenience of the Government within the past 3 years, and any contract/agreement that was terminated for default within the past 5 years. Briefly explain the circumstances in each instance.

8. Describe how your organization will obtain the necessary resources to fund and fulfill the proposed cost share, as applicable.

9. The Applicant is directed to review Title 2 CFR §170 (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl) dated September 14, 2010, and Appendix A thereto, and acknowledge in its application that it understands the requirement, has the necessary processes and systems in place, and is prepared to fully comply with the reporting described in the term if it receives funding resulting from this Notice. The text of Appendix A will be incorporated in the award document as a General Term and Condition as referenced under this Notice’s Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.

10. Disclose any violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 entitled Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180 and 31 U.S.C.

3321).

11. If the Applicant has nonprofit or not-for-profit status, please provide evidence of this status preferably from the Internal Revenue Service

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD (SAM)

The Applicant is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

(ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an Applicant until the Applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements.

If an Applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the Applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another Applicant.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

The application must be received electronically through www.grants.gov by the application due date/time listed on page 1 of this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The deadline stated on page 1 is the date and time by which the agency must receive the full and completed application, including all required sections.

A late application will not be reviewed or considered unless the AO determines that doing so is in the FHWA’s best interest.

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

An application under this Notice of Funding Opportunity is not subject to the State review under E.O. 12372.

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

The FHWA will not reimburse any pre-award costs or application preparation costs under this proposed Agreement.

7. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In the event of system problems or technical difficulties with the application submittal, Applicants should contact the FHWA point of contact designated on page 1. If Applicants are unable to use the system due to technical difficulties, Applicants must e-mail applications to the FHWA point of contact listed on page 1 no later than the application deadline cited above.

http://www.grants.gov/

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA

The Government will evaluate applications on the following criteria:

MERIT: FHWA will evaluate and rank the applications against the following technical evaluation criteria. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria (see Section C) that are addressed before an application is accepted for review.

• Demonstration of a sound, adequate, clear and realistic technical approach to performing the work required in Section A, Statement of Work, Tasks 1 through 4. In particular:

o Adequacy of the technical approach to complete the tasks/ including the timeline to complete the tasks.

o Adequacies of the technical approach to identify, develop, and/or disseminate materials, training, and events to be developed under this Agreement.

o Demonstrated ability to develop information resources such as newsletters, magazines, case studies, and best practice documents related to National Scenic and Historic Trails.

• Demonstration of staff with the relevant experience, education, and expertise to perform the work required in Section A, Statement of Work, Tasks 1 through 4.

o Demonstrated experience with National Scenic and Historic Trails at the national, State, and local levels.

o Demonstrated experience working with national, tribal, State, regional, local agencies and other potential project sponsors.

o Demonstrated capability to form and guide relationships with national, tribal, State, regional and local agencies and other potential project sponsors.

o Demonstrated experience with Federal assistance agreement requirements.

• Demonstration of a management and staffing plan to recruit and retain experienced and qualified Key Personnel, management and staff support including a risk mitigation strategy for replacing staff.

o Demonstrated qualifications relating to transportation, recreation, conservation, service corps, and/or other areas related to this Agreement.

o Ensure adequate replacement potential for all key personnel.

COST: Relative cost will be considered in the award decision. The budget application will be analyzed to assess cost reasonableness and conformance to applicable cost principles. This evaluation factor will not be rated.

If applicable, the degree of cost share and leveraging of non-Federal funds will be considered in the award decision. Applicants must provide the required matching funds, and supporting detail for these funds. Additional cost sharing will be considered beneficial to break ties among applications with equivalent ratings after evaluation against all other factors.

Funding availability will also be considered in the award decision.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

FHWA will utilize the following merit review process to evaluate applications:

A panel of agency experts will evaluate all eligible technical applications using the merit criteria listed above. The panel will individually evaluate the technical applications. The panel will then collectively assign an adjectival rating to each eligible technical application using the following merit ratings: Exceptional, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory.

Agency personnel from the FHWA Office of Acquisition and Grants Management will evaluate the cost criteria listed above, and conduct a risk assessment of the Applicant prior to award as described below.

The Government will accept the application(s) that is (are) considered the most advantageous to the Government using the criteria cited above, and subject to the results of an Applicant risk assessment. Applications selected for possible award using the criteria cited above, will undergo the following risk assessment prior to award. The Government reserves the right to not make an award to an Applicant based on the results of the risk assessment.

The AO is the official responsible for final award selection. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice.

Risk Assessment

The Government will assess the risks posed by an Applicant before they receive an award. This Risk Assessment will include evaluation of some or all of the following items relative to the Applicant and/or sub-applicants as applicable:

(1) Applicant’s financial stability;

(2) Applicant’s quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in 2 CFR Part 200;

(3) Applicant’s history of performance;

Note: History of performance includes the Applicant's record in managing Federal awards, if it is a prior Recipient of Federal awards, including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and if applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards. The Government will evaluate the relevant merits of the Applicant’s history of performance based on its reputation and record with its current and/or former customers with respect to quality, timeliness and cost control. The history of performance will be reviewed to assure that the Applicant has relevant and successful experience and will be considered in the risk assessment. In evaluating history of performance, the Government may consider both written information provided in the application, as well as any other information available to the Government through outside sources.

(4) Applicant’s audit reports and findings from audits performed on the Applicant pursuant to 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F—Audit Requirements or the reports and findings of any other available audits;

(5) Applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities;

(6) Applicant’s potential for conflict of interest if applicable; and

Note: The FHWA will review information provided by the Applicant, and any other relevant information known to DOT, to determine whether an award to the Applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the AO may (a) disqualify the Applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the United States to award to the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the Agreement pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

(7) Applicant’s eligibility to receive Federal funding. Per the guidelines on government-wide suspension and debarment in 2 CFR Part 180, the Government will confirmation that the Applicant and any named sub-applicants are not debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal programs or activities.

Pursuant to 2 CFR Part 200.205, prior to making a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency is required to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Dun and Bradstreet, and “Do Not Pay.” At a minimum, the information in the system for a prior Federal award recipient must demonstrate a satisfactory record of executing programs or activities under Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement awards; and integrity and business ethics.

If FHWA does not make a Federal award to a non-Federal entity because the official determines that the non-Federal entity does not meet either or both of the minimum qualification standards as described in 2 CFR 200.205, the FHWA will report that determination in FAPIIS.

Note: If determined to be high risk, then additional reporting requirements may be applicable.

3. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND FEDERAL AWARD DATES

The FHWA anticipates making award on or about April 20, 2018.

SECTION F – FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. FEDERAL AWARD NOTICES

If your organization’s application is selected for award, you will be notified and sent an award document for signature. Applicants not selected for award will be notified in writing by FHWA.

Only the AO can commit the FHWA. The award document, signed by the AO, is the authorizing document. Only the AO can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

Notice that an Applicant has been selected as a Recipient does not constitute approval of the application as submitted. Before the actual award, FHWA will enter into negotiations concerning such items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and administrative systems, if necessary. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, the FHWA reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the Applicant.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

General terms, conditions, and governing regulations that apply to this agreement are available online at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/generaltermsconditions.cfm

The online list dated March 6, 2015 of “General Terms and Conditions for Assistance…