NOFO_SaharaMustardControl_YL_20180521.docx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Supporting Invasive Plant Control in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.652

Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. Description of Funding Opportunity This funding opportunity funds scientific and technical support to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to implement and refine an integrated pest management plan for controlling invasive plants, especially Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii) in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Primary duties of the work will include: 1) providing technical support to refuge staff to detect and monitor the distribution of invasive plants in the refuge using a cloud-based GIS system (GISCloud); 2) performing field surveys in the growing season of Sahara mustard (December– February) to confirm the abundance and distribution of this invasive species reported by refuge staff via the GISCloud system and to investigate invasion in areas less frequently visited by refuge staff; 3) providing technical recommendations of treatment strategies, which include selection of priority locations for treatment based on invasive plant distribution, selection of manual versus chemical treatment based on density and location of local populations of Sahara mustard, and herbicide application rates that ensure treatment effectiveness; 4) providing on-site technical support and advises to refuge staff to direct chemical, manual, and other means of treatment of invasive plants in the refuge; 5) coordinating treatment efforts between the refuge and the adjacent Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) so as to minimize invasion from sources outside the refuge; 6) assessing the effectiveness of treatments by performing annual population censuses between treated and adjacent untreated sites; and 7) providing technical input to any necessary revision of the Integrated Management Plan for Sahara Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) on Cabeza Prieta NWR and to support the preparation of other documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to manage invasive plants on the refuge.

The Service will be substantially involved in the tasks by providing labor for implementing actions on the ground to control Sahara mustard under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will provide staff for spraying and other recommended control actions developed concurrently during the term of this project. The Service will also take the lead in drafting an invasive plant control plan and environmental assessment concurrent with this project.

The authorizing statute is: Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §742 et seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C.§§661-666; and National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, 16 U.S.C. §§668dd-ee. The objectives are to encourage coordination and integration of efforts between the Service and interested parties to accomplish successful prevention or management of invasive species. Projects must conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife and plants for the continuing benefit of the American people.

II. Award Information This Notice of Intent, for a single source award, up to $48,000.00 is reserved for the University of Arizona (UofA) under a Cooperative Agreement with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (DSCESU).

Dr. James Malusa, with UofA, has mapped a large portion of the region adjacent to the refuge including several hundred thousand acres of the refuge itself. It is for this reason we wish to continue and complete the mapping with Dr. Jim Malusa. Consistent data collection and mapping methods are important to the refuge as well as being as cost effective as possible. Also, data consistency over the larger landscape beyond jurisdictional boundaries will aid the current efforts of the refuge to work with adjacent land managers and biologists to develop landscape level inventory and monitoring programs.

The DSCESU is a cooperative network of 10 Federal, 8 university, and 7 nongovernmental agencies studying and managing natural and cultural resources across the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Formed in 2000, and encompassing the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts, the DSCESU has been involved in more than 400 projects, with funding totaling over $19 million. The DSCESU is hosted by the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the UofA in Tucson, Arizona. As a member of the DSCESU, the Service benefits from a collaborative partnership in research, education, and technical assistance. Collaboration is facilitated by a streamlined task agreement process, and a 17.5 percent indirect cost rate.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants:

UofA is an Institution of Higher Education.

U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.

Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). See Title 2of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25 for more information. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

A. DUNS Registration Request a DUNS number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at: govt@dnb.com, or by calling the Government Customer Resource Center at voice phone: 866-705-5711 or TTY line: 877-807-1679 (hearing impaired customers only). Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

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

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

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

D. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required for this award.

IV. Application Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A. Completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance forms SF-424, 424a and 424b.

Do not include other Federal sources of funding, requested or approved, in the total entered in the “Federal” funding box on the Application for Federal Assistance form. Enter only the amount being requested under this program in the “Federal” funding box. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the total funding entered in the “Other” box.

B. Project Summary: The removal of the invasive winter annual plant Sahara mustard is the top pest management priority on Cabeza Prieta NWR due to its displacement of native vegetation on the refuge’s sensitive habitats. The success of meeting this management priority requires sound scientific inputs to carry out an effective monitoring and treatment program. The goal of this project is to achieve population reduction and control of Sahara mustard on the refuge through scientific and technical support to the management program.

The main objectives of this project include 1) producing and maintaining properly curated GIS data of known Sahara mustard distribution in the refuge; 2) providing technical advisory that ensures the effectiveness of Sahara mustard treatment efforts in the refuge; 3) producing written documentation of treatment efforts on the refuge and quantitative evaluation of their effectiveness; and 4) producing written recommendation to the refuge regarding refining the monitoring and treatment program and if necessary, the integrated management plan to improve the effectiveness of controlling Sahara mustard in the refuge.

Project activities include 1) supporting the use of a cloud-based GIS system by refuge staff to detect and monitor the distribution of Sahara mustard; 2) performing field surveys of Sahara mustard to record the distribution of this invasive species on the refuge comprehensively; 3) providing technical recommendations of treatment strategies including prioritizing treatment areas and selecting appropriate treatment methods; 4) providing onsite technical support to refuge staff to implement treatment of Sahara mustard; 5) coordinating treatment efforts between the refuge and the adjacent BMGR so as to minimize invasion from sources outside the refuge; 6) assessing the effectiveness of treatments by performing annual population censuses between treated and adjacent untreated sites; and 7) providing technical input to support any revision of Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Sahara Mustard on the refuge and to support the preparation of other documents required by NEPA to manage invasive plants in the refuge.

C. Project Narrative

1. Statement of Need: Sahara mustard is an invasive winter annual plant that poses serious threats to native fauna and flora of the aridlands of the southwest (Barrows et al. 2009; Van Devender et al. 1997). In response to its displacement of native vegetation on the Cabeza Prieta NWR, especially in certain areas where it forms large-scale monocultural stands (Pinta Sands and Las Playas areas), the refuge recently developed an IMP for this species and listed the removal of Sahara mustard as the top pest management priority on the refuge (Slone, Malusa and Li, 2017). The success of implementing this IMP requires scientific and technical inputs from experts to achieve three key elements of an effective monitoring and treatment program: 1) comprehensive knowledge of the dynamic distribution of the invasive plant species, 2) sound determination of areas of highest management priority to maximize the cost effectiveness of controlling the invasion over the refuge, and 3) reliable evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Given these requirements, it is necessary to gain support from a scientific team that can provide expertise in these areas and support the refuge staff to effectively implement and, if necessary, refine the IMP.

2. Project Goals and Objectives: the goal of this project is to achieve population reduction and control of Sahara mustard on the refuge through scientific and technical support to the management program. In line with this overarching goal, this project aims to achieve four objectives: 1) producing and maintaining properly curated GIS data of known Sahara mustard distribution in the refuge; 2) providing technical advisory that ensures the effectiveness of Sahara mustard treatment efforts in the refuge; 3) producing written documentation of treatment efforts on the refuge and quantitative evaluation of their effectiveness; and 4) producing written recommendation to the refuge regarding refining the monitoring and treatment program and if necessary, the integrated management plan to improve the effectiveness of controlling Sahara mustard in the refuge.

3. Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: The research team will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Providing technical support to refuge staff to detect and monitor the distribution of invasive plants in the refuge using a cloud-based GIS system (GISCloud).

2. Performing field surveys in the growing season of Sahara mustard (December– February) to confirm the abundance and distribution of this invasive species reported by refuge staff via the GISCloud system and to investigate invasion in areas less frequently visited by refuge staff.

3. Providing technical recommendations of treatment strategies, which include selection of priority locations for treatment based on invasive plant distribution, selection of manual versus chemical treatment based on density and location of local populations of Sahara mustard, and herbicide application rates that ensure treatment effectiveness.

4. Providing onsite technical support and advises to refuge staff to direct chemical, manual and other means of treatment of invasive plants in the refuge.

5. Coordinating treatment efforts between the refuge and the adjacent BMGR so as to minimize invasion from sources outside the refuge.

6. Assessing the effectiveness of treatments by performing annual population censuses between treated and adjacent untreated sites.

7. Providing technical input to any necessary revision of the IMP for Sahara Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) on Cabeza Prieta NWR and to support the preparation of other documents required by NEPA to manage invasive plants on the refuge.

Activity 1-6 will be performed annually between October 2018 and October 2022. Activity 7 will be performed if a need for revising the IMP or preparing NEPA documents is identified within the project period.

4. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: The implementation of this project involves coordination with invasive plant management efforts on the adjacent BMGR, which is managed by the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Luke Air Force Base. Both military agencies have been informed of the initiation of this project during the BMGR Executive Committee Meeting. The research team has extensive working relationship with the two military agencies and has been supporting the two agencies to manage invasive plants on the BMGR since 2011. The two agencies will incorporate the outcomes of this project into their own management plan wherever appropriate to achieve inter-agency coordination and regional control of Sahara mustard in southwestern Arizona.

5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: The following procedures will be followed to monitor and evaluate the implementation of this project: 1) the GIS data will be evaluated on an annual basis to ensure that the data reflect the most up-to-date knowledge of the distribution of Sahara mustard on the Cabeza Prieta NWR; 2) written documentation will be evaluated on an annual base to ensure that technical advisory is given to the refuge staff in terms of the priority areas and specific methods for treatment, and that all treatment efforts occurred within each fiscal year are recorded; and 3) written documentation will be evaluated toward the end of the project period to ensure that a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment efforts is included, and that recommendations of refining the invasive plant monitoring and treatment program are included. Moreover, if the need for revising the IMP or preparing NEPA documents related to Sahara mustard control is identified, the project evaluation process will also ensure that written inputs to IMP revision or NEPA document preparation are provided by the research team.

6. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project:

Project Principal Investigator: Jim Malusa, PhD University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources and the Environment Email: malusa@email.arizona.edu Phone: 520-621-6424 (office)

Dr. Malusa will oversee the operation of the project and ensure the quality of the project outcomes. Dr. Malusa received his PhD from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UofA. He is a principal research scientist at the UofA. He has been the Principal Investigator (PI) of the vegetation mapping project in Cabeza Prieta NWR, the adjacent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and BMGR. He is also the PI of the existing project of Modelling, Surveying and Control of the Invasive Sahara Mustard on the BMGR West. He is the co-author of the IMP for Sahara mustard on the Cabeza Prieta NWR and has been providing technical support to Sahara mustard treatment efforts in the refuge since 2016.

Project Senior Personnel: Yue Li, PhD University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources and the Environment Email: liyue@email.arizona.edu Phone: 510-529-8243 (mobile)

Dr. Li will be the primary personnel to carry out project activities and to produce outputs that meet the project objectives. Dr. Li received his PhD from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the UofA. He is the senior personnel of the ongoing project of Modelling, Surveying and Control of the Invasive Sahara Mustard on the BMGR West. He is also the co-author of the IMP for Sahara mustard on the Cabeza Prieta NWR and has been providing technical support to Sahara mustard treatment efforts in the refuge since 2016. Dr. Li has published three peer-reviewed papers regarding Sahara mustard invasion in North America.

7. Sustainability:

Controlling Sahara mustard and other invasive plant species is a long-term management priority on the refuge. This project will result in a well curated GIS database and a refined management program to address this priority. Long-term success of achieving the management goal will rely on continuous scientific and technical inputs from experts in the field of plan invasion. Management of Sahara mustard beyond the proposed project period will benefit strongly from the continuation of Activity 2-7, which will ideally be carried out by the same research team.

8. Literature Cited

Barrows, C.W., Allen, E.B., Brooks, M.L., Allen, M.F., 2009. Effects of an invasive plant on a desert sand dune landscape. Biol. Invasions 11, 673–686. https://doi.org/DOI 10.1007/s10530-008-9282-6

Slone, S., J. Malusa, and Y.M. Li (2017) Integrated management plan for Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii) on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 33 pages.

Van Devender, T.R., Felger, R.S., Búrquez, A., 1997. Exotic plants in the Sonoran Desert region, Arizona and Sonora, in: Proceedings of the California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Berkeley, CA, pp. 1–6.

9. Map of Project Area:

Fig. 1. Estimated abundance of Sahara mustard in Cabeza Prieta NWR. First 5-year treatment will focus mainly in non-wilderness area of Pinta Sands West and East, Custom and Border Patrol Camp Grip, and San Cristobal Wash.

D. Budget Form Complete the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) or Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. Use the SF 424A if your project does not include construction and the SF 424C if the project includes construction or land acquisition. The budget forms are available on the Internet at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet at http://www.ecfr.gov/.

Note on Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program on the budget form separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding. Enter the funds being requested from this Federal program in the first row of the Budget Summary section of the form, and then enter funding related to other Federal programs in the subsequent row(s). Be sure to enter each Federal program’s CFDA number in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number for this Federal program appears on the first page of this funding opportunity.

E. Budget Justification In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

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

“We are:

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements: As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) and provide the EIN under which that report was submitted. Include these statements at the end of the Project Narrative in a section titled “Single Audit Reporting Statements”.

G. Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D) for construction and land acquisition projects. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) for all other projects. The form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

H. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this proposal AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form available at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

I. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the application. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officerprogram, in consultation with their Ethics Counselor, will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

J. Required Overlap/Duplication Statement: Applicants must provide a statement that addresses if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, applicants must provide a description of the overlap in their application. Applicants must also state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is/is not in any way duplicative of any proposal that was/will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal). If such a circumstance exists, applicants must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be duplicative of the funding requested from the Service, applicants must notify the Service point of contact for this funding opportunity immediately.

Application Checklist

· SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF 424-Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual form.

· Project summary

· Project narrative

· Timetable

· Description of key personnel qualifications

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

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

· Budget justification

· Indirect cost statement

· NICRA: When applicable, a copy of the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

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

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

· Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable.

· Overlap/Duplication statement

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

V. Submission Instructions SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, June 14, 2018, by 4 p.m. MDT

Intergovernmental Review: Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc) to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” E.O. 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

Download the Application Package linked to this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov to begin the application process. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Completed applications may be submitted by mail, by email, electronically through Grants.gov, or as otherwise described in the Grants.gov funding opportunity. Please select ONE of the submission options:

To submit an application by e-mail:

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

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov:

Go to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html) for an overview of the process to apply through Grants.gov. You/your organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Registration can take between three to five business days, or as long as two weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Important note on Grants.gov application attachment file names: Please do not assign application attachments file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. Assigning file names longer than 20 characters will create issues in the automatic interface between Grants.gov and the Service’s financial assistance management system.

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria: This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(2) and B(4). See Additional Information of Eligibility Section.

Review and Selection Process:

This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(2) and B(4). See Additional Information of Eligibility Section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recipient Reporting Requirements:

Financial and Performance Reports:

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

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

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

Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results.

Significant Developments Reports: Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates that have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Service in writing as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

· Problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

· Favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

The Service will specify in the notice of award document the reporting and reporting frequency applicable to the award.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Recipients are responsible for notifying the Service Project Officer in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under this award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the Recipient, the Recipient’s employee(s), or the Recipient’s Subrecipient(s) that could reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of this award.

Other Mandatory Disclosures: The non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)

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

VIII. Agency Contacts U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cabeza Prieta NWR

James Atkinson

1611 North Second Avenue

Ajo, AZ 85321

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cabeza Prieta NWR

Sid Slone

1611 North Second Avenue

Ajo, AZ 85321

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