NOFO Sturgeon Spawning Habitat Mapping.pdf

Gulf Sturgeon Spawning Habitat Mapping in the Pearl and Pascagoula River Systems

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00358

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Deepwater Horizon Gulf Restoration Office

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

15.678 Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU)

Authorizing Legislation:

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§661-666 Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §2901 et seq.

Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §742 et seq.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C §703 et seq.

Coastal Barrier Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. §3501 et seq.

Public Lands Corps Act - Public Lands Corps, 16 U.S.C. §§1721-1726.

15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration, and Implementation

Authorizing Legislation:

Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C §§1251-1387 Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. §2701 et seq.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C §9601, et seq.

Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C §742 et seq.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100 (Expiration Date: 7/31/2021)

I. Program Description The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to award one single source cooperative agreement to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) through the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Through this agreement, Dr. Michael Andres and Dr. Mark Peterson and their staff will assist the

Service with efforts to restore the injury sustained by Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) by the 2010 oil spill caused by the fire and explosion of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drilling platform.

This project is funded by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (TIG), which is one of 7 TIGs established as part of the DWH Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). The Open Ocean TIG is responsible for restoring injured resources not likely to be restored by other TIGs which may be more restricted by geopolitical boundaries.

Effective Gulf Sturgeon restoration requires a better understanding of habitat use, an ability to identify and prioritize habitats most in need of restoration, and a framework for monitoring the results of habitat restoration in an adaptive management context. Information on the location and extent of important spawning habitat, patterns of accessibility and use of this habitat by adult Gulf Sturgeon, and origins of juvenile sturgeon is extremely limited for the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems, where populations are believed to comprise only a few hundred individuals. This critical information deficit impedes our ability to identify and assign priority to restoration projects that target spawning habitat like barrier removal or spawning habitat enhancement. In the Pearl system, 2 low-head dams (i.e., sills) intermittently impede access to upstream reaches thought to contain the necessary hard-bottom substrates suitable for sturgeon spawning. Removal of these barriers has been a longstanding priority for Gulf Sturgeon restoration, yet we cannot predict the outcome of sill removal, nor rank the relative importance of removing one sill or the other, given our current state of knowledge. Furthermore, knowledge of where adult fish will go to spawn once a barrier is removed is completely lacking.

Identifying important spawning habitat in the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems is not only crucial to restoration decision making, but this information is essential to guiding Federal regulatory actions (i.e., Section 7 consultation) and species recovery within these basins. Filling these knowledge gaps is paramount to Gulf sturgeon restoration planning and implementation, and is essential to species recovery as described in the Gulf Sturgeon Recovery Plan.

The importance of focused efforts in the Pearl and Pascagoula systems to Gulf Sturgeon recovery cannot be overstated; the 2 populations are genetically distinct from those to the east, seem to occupy different estuarine and marine habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and seasonal migratory patterns, and face different threats. Moreover, the current status and abundance of both populations is uncertain, as assessments have not been recently conducted. This study will contribute data necessary for conducting an updated stock assessment for both populations. Given the high priority assigned to spawning habitat restoration, this project represents a fundamental first step toward achieving the overarching goal of improving the status of Gulf Sturgeon in habitats most likely to have been affected by the Gulf Oil Spill.

This project is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1) Identify and characterize the potential spawning habitat occurring within the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems

2) Describe habitat accessibility and patterns of habitat use during spawning periods

3) Determine the river reach of origin for juvenile sturgeon occurring in both populations

4) Synthesize the data needed to evaluate and prioritize spawning habitat restoration projects such as in-stream barrier removal, spawning reef creation, and/or riparian restoration

By objective, this project includes the following activities:

Objective 1 Accomplishing Objective 1 will involve collaboration among several implementation teams and partners.

One of the project teams will be stationed at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL). This team will include 2 full-time research technicians and 2 research scientists (Drs. Peterson and Andres). To aid in the identification of sturgeon spawning habitats, the GCRL team will conduct field surveys to obtain the sonar data necessary to prepare maps of major substrate classes and morphological features of the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers. The Service and project partners at Northern Arizona University (NAU) will work with the GCRL team to design a survey plan for both river systems, and will train the technicians in all aspects of sonar data collection and handling.

The scope of the proposed mapping effort includes the entire main stem of the Pearl River system, including navigable portions of the Bogue Chitto River tributary (~700 km), and the entire main stem of the Pascagoula River system and major upstream tributaries (i.e., Leaf, Bouie, Chickasawhay Rivers;

~850km) (see Figure 1). The scope of effort shall include other navigable tributaries and distributaries depending on time available and interest in such areas as important habitat for adult or juvenile Gulf Sturgeon.

Sonar data will be collected by the USM team during field surveys of navigable portions of the study rivers during periods of elevated discharge that inundate the entire channel (typically late Fall-early Spring). Surveys will require at least 1 navigational pass along the major river channels, but may require multiple parallel passes to maintain high image resolution. The surveys will be carried out using equipment (boat, trailer, vehicle, and side scan sonar) provided by the Service, as well as a multi-beam sonar and associated sensors (inertial motion unit, sound velocity probe) provided by NAU. Some field assistance during surveys will be provided to the GCRL team by the Service support team and the NAU team. However, the GCRL team will be responsible for collecting the majority of the sonar survey data in both river systems. Sonar surveys of both systems are expected to be completed within the first two years of the project (2020-2021).

Upon survey completion, all data will be transferred to the NAU team who will undertake the processing of sonar data and mapping of substrates and habitat features. Prepared maps will depict patches of coarse, rocky substrate that may serve as spawning habitat for adult Gulf Sturgeon.

Once maps are drafted, map accuracy assessment surveys shall be conducted by the GCRL team.

Training, guidance, and some field support during this phase will be provided by the Service and NAU teams. Accuracy surveys will require visiting randomly selected reference sites and obtaining ground-truth data on substrate composition in the field. Data will be collected using a combination of techniques including snorkeling and diving, drop cameras, and/or probes to assess and characterize substrate features. Surveys will be conducted during periods of low discharge and enhanced water clarity, typically occurring between mid-Summer and Fall. Ground-truth surveys are expected to be completed during the second and third years of the project (2021-2022). Field-collected reference data will be sent to the NAU team to complete the analytical steps of the accuracy assessments.

Objective 2 To accomplish this objective, the USM team will capture and tag 30 adult sturgeon (fish >125 cm total length) with internal acoustic transmitters (made by VEMCO®). Sturgeon fishing and tagging will be conducted each year between Spring and Summer using standard protocols and procedures (e.g., 5-inch stretch mesh gill nets) approved by the project manager (Adam Kaeser, USFWS) until all 30 tags are deployed in each system. Tagging effort will be distributed between the Pearl and Pascagoula populations with emphasis on balancing the tagging rates over time. Standard measurements, fin clips, and fin ray samples will be obtained from each sturgeon captured, in addition to recording any existing or added PIT and floy tags. Field data will be entered into the Gulf Sturgeon Tagging Database via a field tablet or office computer workstation, within 1 month of the end of each tagging season if not sooner.

The timing of movements and approximate location of tagged sturgeon will be monitored each year using an array of 30 passive acoustic telemetry monitoring devices (VEMCO® VR2Ws) strategically deployed throughout each system. The design of each array will ultimately be informed by the distribution and extent of potential spawning habitat identified in the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems via sonar habitat mapping. However, in year 1 of the study, each array will be designed to provide information on the choices made by adult sturgeon among tributaries available during ascending spawning migrations and to determine the full extent of upstream movement. As the habitat maps materialize, the array design will be refined by the project team leads in order to increase the resolution of habitat use at finer scales.

Receiver arrays will be deployed in year 1 of the project according to the design plan (i.e., spatial location and mooring technique) developed and approved by the project lead investigators (i.e., Drs.

Andres, Buscombe, Kaeser, Peterson, and Joe Heublein). Arrays will also be maintained and downloaded by the USM team on a periodic schedule developed by the PIs over the 4-year study duration. All telemetry data collected from the receiver arrays will be provided to the team at NAU to conduct the analyses of spatiotemporal patterns of adult sturgeon habitat use during each year of river residence.

Objective 3 To accomplish this objective, juvenile sturgeon will be captured each year from both the Pearl and Pascagoula using gills nets with smaller mesh than used to capture the adult fish (i.e., 2-4 inch stretch mesh). Effort will be apportioned between the 2 study systems to balance the number of fish sampled each year. Fin clip, fin spine, and second marginal fin ray samples will be obtained from all juvenile sturgeon captured (i.e., fish <90 cm total length) during these efforts, in addition to collecting standard measurements and PIT tagging. Any juvenile sturgeon in the age 1 or 2 cohort (i.e., fish (<70 cm fork length) will also be tagged internally with small, V7 acoustic transmitters, to aid in accomplishing objectives of a complementary Gulf Sturgeon research project underway in the study systems. At least 2 months of field sampling is anticipated in each system to accomplish the objectives of tagging and sampling adult and juvenile Gulf sturgeon during each year of the project.

Fin spines samples will be sent to Dr. Peter Allen (Mississippi State University) for isotopic microchemistry analyses. These analyses will help to identify the reach of origin of each juvenile fish based on similarities between isotopic signatures in the fish spine tissue relative to water chemistry signatures observed via water sampling throughout the river systems.

Second marginal fin ray samples will be processed and read to determine the age of juvenile and adult sturgeon sampled during the project by the USM technician team, with assistance provided by graduate assistants in the USM-GCRL who will be working on a companion Gulf Sturgeon research project.

Training on fin ray preparation and aging techniques will be provided by the Service.

Objective 4 The USM principal investigators (Drs. Andres and Peterson) will provide substantial intellectual contribution to data interpretation and synthesis aimed at providing management recommendations to the Service and its partners. Recommendations regarding restoration projects aimed at improving access and/or availability or quality of spawning habitat in each of the study river systems will be made in the project final report. The synthesis and recommendation phase of the project will be undertaken by a diverse committee comprised of all project collaborators, providing the opportunity for all involved to contribute insights and perspectives. Peer-reviewed reports, conference proceedings and scientific journal articles will serve as final project deliverables.

Expected Benefits The results of this project will help inform restoration prioritization and strategies associated with improving access to, or enhancing the quality of Gulf Sturgeon spawning habitats in both the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems. This information has been deemed critical to habitat conservation and recovery of Gulf Sturgeon in the western Gulf of Mexico portion of the species range.

II. Federal Award Information The Service intends to award a single source cooperative agreement to USM to implement a component of the NRDA-funded project entitled “Characterizing Gulf Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Habitat Use, and Origins of Juvenile Sturgeon within the Pearl and Pascagoula River Systems” (hereafter Spawning Habitat Project). The intent of the Service is to issue as single source award to USM as the only institution possessing the unique qualifications to perform the necessary activities of this project. The unique qualifications of USM and its collaborators include (but are not limited to): geographic location of the research lab and proximity to both study systems, field expertise associated with sturgeon capture and tagging and telemetry investigations in the study systems, demonstrated experience supervising and coordinating the activities of field crews working within the geographic context of the project, academic experience that includes publishing numerous, peer-reviewed research articles relating to population dynamics and habitat use of Pascagoula River sturgeon, and a long-standing professional relationship working with USFWS, NOAA, and other partners towards the recovery of Gulf sturgeon.

Dr. Mark Peterson and Dr. Michael Andres are the two principal, academic partners who will oversee the collaborative activities of the project that involve USM. For decades, Dr. Peterson and staff at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) have mentored and supervised graduate students and support staff on projects involving Gulf sturgeon in freshwater, estuarine, and marine settings. Their depth of experience guiding staff on complex research projects is deemed crucial to the successful execution of the Spawning Habitat Project.

Dr. Peterson is a professor emeritus of USM, having recently retired after contributing decades of service to the ongoing Gulf sturgeon recovery effort. His publication record, and field experience with Gulf sturgeon is extensive. Dr. Michael Andres is a junior, assistant professor at USM, who has spent the last several years securing funding for, and orchestrating the conduct of multiple Gulf sturgeon research projects. Both are reputable, and regular participants in the Gulf Sturgeon Partnership, a network of academic, state, federal, and NGO partners who work together toward recovery of the Gulf sturgeon through research, restoration, education and outreach.

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, located in Ocean Springs, MS, is just miles from the mouth of the Pascagoula River. Spawning Habitat Project activities involving capture and tagging of sturgeon are less than a 1-hour drive of GCRL. Sonar survey and telemetry array work throughout the Pascagoula system can be conducted as day trips from the GCRL lab if necessary. Likewise, project activities occurring in the lower Pearl River system (i.e., sturgeon tagging) are within about an hour drive of GCRL. Overall, the geographic location of the GCRL is most ideal in terms of positioning the technician team within close distance to project field sites in both study systems. This proximity minimizes project costs associated with travel and lodging. Furthermore, the GCRL lab is exactly a 4-hour drive from the Panama City Field Office where USFWS project managers are stationed. This means that necessary trips to the lab for training and field support can be made efficiently, and if necessary, involve single, overnight stays, further minimizing travel costs.

Direct supervision of the day-to-day activities of the research technicians will be specified in the cooperative agreement to be conducted by Drs. Peterson and Andres who are stationed at GCRL. Daily oversight at this level would be difficult, if not impossible to achieve remotely from the Panama City Field Office, where the USFWS project manager and support staff are located. Given that Andres and Peterson also have additional ongoing Gulf sturgeon research projects, their ability to coordinate field activities of the technician team synergistically with staff who are supporting the other sturgeon projects is also deemed critical, and an identified benefit of the collaboration with USM.

In summary, the prospect of collaborating with seasoned field researchers with an established record of successful Gulf sturgeon research, and staging project activities at the strategically-located Gulf Coast Research Lab, are reasons underpinning our intent to award funds to USM through the Gulf Coast CESU.

The Service expects to make a single award of up to $560,000 over 4 years.

The Service will be substantially involved. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following:

• Selection and training of key personnel

• Provide technical assistance in the development of the project and project implementation oversight and monitoring

• Provide field support and training to field crews

• Provide technical guidance on spawning habitat identification and sturgeon spawning behaviors

• Work collaboratively with the recipient to accomplish project tasks

• Work in collaboration with USM staff to interpret and synthesize research findings

• Review and approve each phase of the project before the next phase begins

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants Applicants must be associated with a CESU Network institution. Associated institutions must be:

Federal, State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, other public institution/organization, State, Native American Organizations (includes Indian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations).

Cost Sharing or Matching

There is no cost sharing or matching requirement

Other Eligibility Criteria Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. The Service may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements: Domestic (U.S.) non-Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See Pub. L. 113- 235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

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

IV. Application Requirements Application Form and Content Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

2. SF 424, Assurances Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ235/PLAW-113publ235.pdf https://www.congress.gov/113/plaws/publ235/PLAW-113publ235.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing the required SF-424 Assurances 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.

3. Project Narrative Applicants must submit a project narrative that includes the following information:

• Project title

• Goals and objectives

• Activities

• Methods

• Timetable or milestones;

• Information on key project personnel

• Roles and responsibilities

• Anticipated future funding needs

4. SF-424, Budget Information

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and sub-recipients are subject to Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions”.

Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

6. Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving 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 and skip the next section.

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7. Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs.

Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

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

□ A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

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

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

□ A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

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

□ A University that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network, which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of 17.5%. 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 we must charge indirect costs against 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 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand 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.

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

8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and sub-recipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests.

Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests; close personal relationships;

positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision-making authority related to the proposed project.

Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or sub-recipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project.

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Applicants may not solicit, obtain, or use non-public information that may be of competitive interest to the entity, including information regarding the funding opportunity, evaluation, award, or administration of an award to the entity. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term employee means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Applicants may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role for the proposed project, whose participation puts them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethic’s website at https://oge.gov/ for more information on these restrictions. The Service will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed project and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

9. Single Audit Reporting Statement 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 the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

10. Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

11. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5

12. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

□ SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

□ SF-424B or D, Assurances

□ Project Narrative

□ SF-424A or C, Budget Information

□ Budget Narrative

□ Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

□ Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

□ Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

□ SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

□ Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

V. Submission Requirements Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration

These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application; complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. There is NO COST to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

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1. Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

2. Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions.

You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

Submission Dates and Times Opens on XX/XX/2019, closes 5 days later

Intergovernmental Review

Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

Funding Restrictions None

Submission Instructions

This program encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

2. Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

3. Proof of Timely Submission Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria The successful recipient must have extensive experience conducting Gulf Sturgeon capture, tagging, and telemetry investigations; coordinating and supervising field crews; and investigating and publishing in peer-reviewed journals studies related to population dynamics and habitat use of Gulf Sturgeon in the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems. The recipient must also have access to an aquatic research lab near the study site.

Review and Selection Process During the planning process for restoration The Open Ocean Restoration Plan 1, the TIG’s initial screening process removed project ideas that were already funded, required to meet other legal obligations, duplicated other project ideas, or provided insufficient information for evaluation. The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) regulations allow trustees to establish additional incident-specific evaluation and selection factors to use in developing a reasonable range of alternatives and restoration projects (15 CFR §990.54).