oppF18AS00090-cfda15.640-cidF18AS00090-instructions.pdf

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Division of International Conservation International Affairs

Western Hemisphere Program (South America Regional Program)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.640 Funding Opportunity Number: F18AS00090

Submission Deadline: 11 May, 2018, 23:59 EDT

Notice of Funding Opportunity Carefully read this notice as recent changes have been incorporated!

Program Authorizing Statute: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-43)

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

South America is home to an unparalleled number of plant and animal species, ecosystem diversity, and species endemism making it unique among continents. South America’s wildlife and ecosystems are among the most threatened with some of the highest land conversion and deforestation rates in the world spurred by unsustainable resource and land management, illegal wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict, and limited conservation incentives.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) directly supports the following Secretary of the Interior’s priorities:

• Create a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt

• Achieve our goals and lead our team forward

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) works with national governments, U.S. agencies, civil society, and a range of other partners to ensure a results-based approach to conserving priority species, habitats and ecological processes across landscapes with high biodiversity value in South America.

USFWS is providing this funding opportunity to reduce threats to key species and ecosystems in South America and to strengthen the requisite local individual and institutional capacity to sustain conservation programs in the long-term through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders at the local, national, regional, and/or international levels. Project activities should take place in the focal countries in South America (see Geographic Eligibility). If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear impact on biodiversity conservation in South America to be eligible.

Geographic and programmatic priorities are described below, including what USFWS wants to achieve through its funding support (i.e., Desired Results). Proposals may address more than one geographic and programmatic priority. Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should make clear the direct link to conservation action on the ground and explain how the data collection will be used in the immediate future to achieve conservation results.

Please note that government endorsement is required for all proposals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with relevant government authorities prior to preparing applications for USFWS funds

Due to other grant programs supported by the USFWS, the South America Program WILL NOT FUND projects related to:

• Central America (Wildlife Without Borders – Central America)

• Mexico (Wildlife Without Borders – Mexico)

• Neotropical migratory birds (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund)

• Marine turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Fund)

For information on how to apply for these other funding opportunities please visit our grants webpage (http://www.fws.gov/grants/programs.html).

Geographic Eligibility:

The USFWS seeks to support conservation of the large-scale terrestrial ecosystems that are viable for long-term wildlife conservation and critical to protecting regional watersheds and environmental services. Because existing protected areas alone are not sufficient to maintain ecosystem functions and large scale processes, this funding opportunity seeks landscape-scale approaches to conserve the region’s unique ecosystems and iconic wildlife that can also serve as umbrella species for the rest of the region’s biodiversity.

Consideration will be given to projects that address one or more of the programmatic funding priorities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru.

Programmatic Funding Priorities:

A) Promoting sustainable land and natural resource use

Description: The USFWS will support projects that benefit landscapes that are clearly justified to be of high conservation value and under immediate and direct threat from unsustainable land use practices (i.e., expansion of agricultural activity, unmanaged grazing practices, deforestation, etc.). Through targeted ecosystem and/or landscape-level conservation actions, projects shall directly link identified threats to key stakeholders. Projects should seek to create or promote actions amongst key stakeholders to work cooperatively to identify conservation problems, diagnose causes and jointly identify and implement best practices for conservation and management solutions through a participatory and inclusive process that acknowledges the legitimacy of partner needs and goals and the advantages of concerted collaborative action to address complex resource management challenges.

The USFWS seeks to support activities to: 1) improve compliance with protected area legislation and reduce/eliminate livestock production in core protected areas, 2) promote alternatives or more sustainable http://www.fws.gov/grants/programs.html farming and grazing systems for communities in buffer areas, multiple use zones and biological corridors, 3) improve zoning for agricultural and livestock production, and 4) ensure coherent policies and incentives that support the maintenance of forests and functional landscapes rather than degrade them.

Desired results related to management of high conservation value areas: Increased conservation and management of threatened landscapes of high conservation value including protected areas and multi-functional landscapes. Proposals should address one or more of the following:

• Reduction of unsustainable land use activities and/or illegal incursions within management area (e.g., habitat degradation or loss due to the expansion of agriculture and/or livestock ranching, deforestation for pastures) that lead to improved alternative livelihoods, environmental resilience, and/or sustainable food production systems in the project area;

• Reduction of threats to highly endangered wildlife and plant species (e.g., poaching, habitat destruction, wildfires, other);

• Increase areas under biodiversity-friendly production systems;

• Increase number of community members engaged in wildlife conservation-related activities through sustainable livelihoods, incentive agreements (e.g. community conservation agreements) or other mechanisms;

• Integration of both human and biological dimensions into conservation policies and programs at the local, national, and/or regional level;

• Legal declaration of conservation areas (if not formally protected);

• A management plan implemented by relevant wildlife authorities and other stakeholders who have the requisite capacity and authority;

• Illegal activities curtailed at the conservation area, and public use of the site is consistent with local laws and conservation goals;

• Produce benefits for other species and/or habitats within the project area.

Desired results related to policy and enforcement:

• Integration of both human and biological dimensions into conservation policies and programs that promote sustainable agricultural and livestock production at the local, national, and/or regional level, including more coherent fiscal and regulatory incentives;

• Capacity to identify illegal deforestation and other land conversion practices within management areas for livestock and/or agricultural production and the capacity and political will to enforce applicable laws.

B) Addressing illegal wildlife trafficking and/or illegal wildlife pet trade

Description: Illegal wildlife trafficking in South America poses an increasing threat and a looming crisis according to past trends registered in Africa and Asia. The USFWS will support local, national and regional (transnational) activities designed and implemented to reduce the illegal trafficking of species (wildlife, plant and/or timber) and illegal pet trade. Proposals should focus on reducing the availability of and markets for wild animals, plant and/or timber resources that are illegally and unsustainably harvested.

This opportunity will consider projects that are either field-based and/or that address gaps and weaknesses in the effective application of existing laws and increase national political will and legal capacity to improve compliance with anti-trafficking laws and law enforcement. Example activities include disruption of illegal trade networks and control of illicit trade routes; support to national judicial systems and law enforcement offices to apply wildlife-related law; augmentation of the national government’s capacity to protect high value sites and species, including protected area management or establishment; and reduction of threats and/or targeted recovery of species that are clearly identified to be threatened.

In the project narrative section, proposals should describe current conditions that will enable proposed activities to be successful, including the status of government resources and political will to support field protection missions and/or wildlife law enforcement, existing intelligence and informant networks, and existing project strategies that support good governance and ensure the legal process is not undermined by corruption.

Overall desired results: Reduced illegal and/or unsustainable distribution of species (wildlife, plant, and/or timber resources). Decreased availability and commercial activities relating to illegal species. Increased application of wildlife protection laws by in-country decision-makers and law enforcement agents. Regional, transnational and/or international actions that lead to direct cooperation and communication to combat wildlife trafficking. Effective messaging in the media and development community regarding the link between wildlife declines and illegal trade. Proposals should address one or more of the following:

Develop cross-sectorial national strategies with all relevant agencies involved with wildlife protection and management to combat illegal wildlife trafficking;

• Improve and strengthen the design and implementation of existing national strategies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking;

• Improve and strengthen communication and coordination among relevant authorities to implement national strategies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and impose applicable laws to the fullest extent;

• Identify and share with relevant wildlife law enforcement authorities information regarding trafficking routes, number and type of species being trafficked, in order to assist in the disruption and prosecution of illegal activities;

• Identify and address the key human behavior(s) related to the unsustainable or illegal trade;

• Define credible measure(s) demonstrating effectiveness of project activities, and

• Produce benefits for other species and/or habitats within the project area.

Additional desired results related to the legal system:

• Address ‘perceived’ v. ‘actual’ limitations to applying existing wildlife trafficking laws to identify potential gaps and weaknesses and if/how they can be amended to more effectively deter wildlife traffickers.

• Sufficient investigative capacity to identify wildlife traffickers and the evidence that can be used to assist their arrest and prosecution that will lead to the elimination and disruption of future activities;

• Increased application of wildlife protection laws by in-country decision-makers and law enforcement agents.

• Arrests and prosecutions of suspected wildlife traffickers, and appropriate legal penalties for convicted traffickers;

• National and/or international news and media related to wildlife trafficking law enforcement, and a public awareness that wildlife law is being enforced;

• Items confiscated during anti-trafficking efforts do not re-enter wildlife trade and are stored securely.

Additional desired results related to field missions:

• Tactical deployment of field missions to detect and deter illegal activities, including apprehension of poachers and perpetrators of other illegal activities.

• Items confiscated during field activities are appropriately destroyed and/or do not re-enter wildlife trade or poaching activities.

• Reduction in poaching activities for the illegal trade in wildlife.

C) Reducing human-wildlife conflict

Description: The USFWS will support local, national and regional (transnational) activities designed to mitigate and reduce conflicts between people and wildlife due to predation on livestock, domestic animals and game species, wildlife disease, and overall damage to human lives and livelihoods in agricultural and multi-use areas located within or near protected areas.

Desired results: Reduction or elimination of conflicts between humans and wildlife, including livestock predation, and damage to human lives and livelihoods. Proposals should address one or more of the following:

Improved land use planning and pre-emptive techniques to reduce or eliminate conflicts between humans and wildlife;

• Improved management capacity and/or expansion of wildlife conservation units and/or corridors;

• Reduction of retaliatory attacks and killings of wildlife;

• Engagement of relevant constituencies (e.g. ranchers, decision-makers, community or opinion leaders) for peaceful co-existence with wildlife through education, outreach and social marketing campaigns,

• Integration of sustainable mechanisms and/or policy incentives for owners to prevent livestock predation and damage to human lives and livelihoods at the local, national, and/or regional level;

● Improved conservation for other species and/or ecosystems (e.g. natural prey);

● Improved land use planning to proactively reduce interactions between cattle and jaguars.

II. Award Information This program uses grants and cooperative agreements as financial assistance instruments. The type of assistance instrument to be used is the decision of the USFWS depending on the scope of the activities, the anticipated results, and the length of the project period.

The anticipated amount of funding available under this program in fiscal year 2018 is $1,000,000 USD. Based on program experience, it is anticipated that 15 to 25 awards will be granted this fiscal year. The amount of funding requested must be fully justified by the scope of the activities, the anticipated results, and the length of the project period.

Cooperative Agreements Under cooperative agreements, substantial involvement by the USFWS should be expected and may include participating and collaborating jointly with the recipient or other personnel in carrying out the scope of work including: training recipient personnel or detailing Federal personnel to work on the project effort; reviewing and approving one stage of work before the next stage can begin; reviewing and approving, prior to recipient action, proposed modifications or sub-awards; assisting in the select project staff or trainees; informing the direction of the work due to interrelationships with other projects; immediately halting an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; and limiting recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under the award. To submit a proposal for consideration as a cooperative agreement, provide a justification statement in the project proposal as to the type and duration of assistance requested by the USFWS and a rationale for why involvement of USFWS is needed to fulfill the project objectives.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Individuals are not eligible to apply under this Notice of Funding Opportunity. In addition, tuition for individuals and field projects carried out in support of masters, doctorate degrees, and post-doctorate research are not eligible under this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Central Contractor Registry and Data Universal Numbering System) 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).

A. DUNS Registration Request a DUNS number online (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform). U.S.-based entities may also request a DUNS number by telephone by calling the Dun & Bradstreet Government Customer Response Center, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM CST at the following numbers:

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711 Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1) For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line)

Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

B. Entity Registration in SAM Register in the System for Award Management online. (http://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.

C. Excluded Entities

Applicant entities 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.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required. If cost share or match is included, it may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Only verifiable contributions should be included as a match. Applicant and partner contributions cannot be included as contributions for any other federally assisted project or program. Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another USFWS award cannot be reported as matching contributions http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov/ but should be noted and explained in detail. A match shown during one year may not be repeated as a match in a subsequent proposal.

IV. Application Requirements

Proposals should be ten pages or less. Pages should be numbered and text should not be smaller than 12 font.

Application cover page, project summary, figures, tables, maps, brief bios, and required forms do not count toward the ten-page limit.

Failure to comply with Application Requirements may result in proposal disqualification.

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain:

A. SF-424 and SF-424b Forms:

1. Completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form (SF-424). 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.

Additional instructions for completing the SF-424 can be found on our website (http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf).

2. Completed, signed and dated Assurances - Non-Construction form (SF-424b).

The SF-424 and SF-424b forms are located here: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1. Look for the form name - Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B).

For U.S. recipients applying through Grants.gov, downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer make the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable.

For foreign recipients, your organization’s authorized official MUST sign required forms.

B. Project Summary:

This section should answer the question, “What is the purpose of this project?” Summarize your project in 300 words or less. This section should be a stand-alone summary of your project and it may be shared with the public.

The following 3 sentence format is recommended:

Sentence #1 identifies where the project will take place and its key intended result(s) The purpose of this project is to support a conservation effort in [insert place name and country] by [active verb] [key intended result(s)].

Sentence #2 identifies what is the conservation target and direct threats This project is intended to conserve the [insert species, habitat, or other biodiversity] by addressing the impacts of [direct threats addressed by project].

http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sf-424-instructions.pdf http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1

Sentence #3 identifies what will be done Specific activities include: (1) [activity 1]; (2) [activity 2]; [and so on].

where [activity] = [nominalization] to [active verb]+[intended result].

Example: The purpose of this project is to support a conservation effort in central Peru by establishing a private wildlife conservation area. The project is intended to conserve the yellow tailed woolly monkey (Oreonax flavicauda) by addressing the impacts of illegal hunting and habitat encroachment by slash-and-burn farmers.

Specific activities include: (1) completion of the government application for the Los Chilchos Private Conservation Area, including responding to modifications and field data requested by national authorities; (2) participative workshops with local communities to create a management plan and to establish usage rules for the protected area;

and (3) an education campaign and sustainable development program to maintain support for the protected area among local communities.

C. Project Narrative

1. Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is this project located?” Provide a map showing the location of your project site at the regional or national level. Ensure that the sites that you have referred to in the proposal are labeled on the map.

Provide the latitude and longitude coordinates of a representative geographic location for your project in decimal degrees format (NOT degree-minute-seconds format). For example, USFWS in Arlington, Virginia, USA, would be provided as 38.8825, -77.1145 (latitude, longitude). Please correctly enter north and east coordinates as positive values, and south and west coordinates as negative values.

2. Statement of Need:

This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?” In three pages of text or less, the statement of need should clearly identify the conservation goal(s), a description of the direct threats that adversely affect biodiversity conservation at the project site(s), how specific threats will be addressed by project activities, and how key stakeholders will collaborate/participate in the proposed project activities.

Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of your organization and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them.

In addition to the text, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a table that summarizes past USFWS support, if any, to the project or applicant. This table does not count toward the three page limit. A table should include columns for: (1) year of grant, (2) USFWS grant number, (3) amount funded in US dollars, and (4) bullet points of major activities, outcomes, or products. Former recipients of USFWS support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

3. Project Goals, Objectives and Activities:

This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it? As an example, the following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1 Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2 Activity 3.3

A goal is the long-term biological outcome that you want to achieve in order to successfully conserve the target species or ecosystem. The strongest goals will be directly related to species status or habitat quality.

Objectives are the specific outcomes that you want to achieve in order to reach your stated goal(s), and should reflect a desired change in capacity, threat, or species status. Your proposal will be strengthened if the objectives align with the desired results identified in the Description of Funding Opportunity section. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, capable of being measured, realistic, and results-orientated. Objectives should form the basis for the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation section. A recommended reference for identifying and developing appropriate objectives and measures of success is the Conservation Measures Partnership website (Internet link:

http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for- project-management).

Activities are the specific actions that you undertake to fulfill your objectives and reach your goal. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) for each activity. This section should answer the question, “How are you going to achieve your objectives?” State the proposed project activities and describe how implementation will enable the project team to achieve the stated objectives. The equipment used/requested and personnel conducting the work should be clearly articulated in this section, and proposed activities should correspond with the Project Budget Table. For activities that develop capacity, the intended audience must be identified, and quantified, and a description provided of how the capacity development will be applied to conservation activities on the ground. Activities in which no USFWS funds are being requested should be clearly identified as such, and described concisely.

4. Timetable:

This section should answer the question, “Over what time period will project activities be implemented?”

Provide a timetable indicating roughly, when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments).The timetable should not propose specific dates, but rather list activities described in Section 3, for each month over the proposed project performance period. Projects should have an estimated start month of September 2016. View a sample project timetable. (http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-timetable.pdf).

5. Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement:

This section should answer the question “Who are you going to be working with?” Describe how you have coordinated/cooperated with local resource managers, local communities, governments, and other relevant organizations or individuals in planning your project, and how they will be involved in conducting project activities and disseminating project results. You should state the activity for which each group or individual is responsible. If applicable, provide information on the amount of funds (cash or in-kind) to the project that will be contributed by these partners. If multiple groups are working in the same site, or are listed as stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal, and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization, will strengthen your proposal, and may be requested by reviewers.

6. Project Monitoring and Evaluation:

Project monitoring should answer the question, “How will project implementation and impacts be understood?” Describe how you (or others) will monitor project progress and measure the project’s results and impact.

http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management http://www.conservationmeasures.org/initiatives/standards-for-project-management http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/sample-timetable.pdf

For USFWS grants, project monitoring and evaluation involves two components:

(1) Anticipated outputs that document project implementation. Identify all expected outputs (also known as products) of key project activities. Examples include management plans, brochures, posters, training manuals, number of people trained, workshops held, hours of training provided, and equipment purchased.

(2) Conservation outcomes that are the intended results of the project. Identify all conservation outcomes intended to be achieved by this project. Examples include reduction of wildlife trafficking or unsustainable land use activities, reduced impacts of extractive industries on wildlife and habitat destruction. Outcomes should directly relate to, or even be synonymous with, your Proposal Objectives identified above. To track your progress toward achievement of each objective, identify what you will measure (i.e., indicators), and how will you will measure it (i.e., methods, sample sizes, survey tools).

Note that outputs (or products) should NOT be used as indicators, including USFWS performance reports, materials produced, number of management plans generated, etc. Indicators should reflect a change in capacity, human behavior, threat, or status of the target species or landscape. If the current status of the indicator is known, and the applicant identifies the indicator’s desired status or qualitative condition, providing this information will strengthen the proposal. The following format is suggested:

Objective Indicator

(i.e., what you will measure to track your progress toward achieving the objective)

Measure (i.e., how you will measure the indicator)

Current Status

(if known)

Desired Status

The USFWS values projects that report both the success and failures of efforts as a means by which an applicant can improve their performance and provide lessons learned to improve our efforts to conserve wildlife.

7. Description of Organization(s) Undertaking the Project:

Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. Include a brief (1-page maximum) curricula vitae for key personnel, focusing on the qualifications (education, experience and skills) to meet the project objectives. DO NOT include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, photographs, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics.

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

9. Governmental Endorsement: Non-governmental applicants must include a RECENT letter of support (no older than one year) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should make specific reference to the project by its title, as submitted on the applicant’s proposal.

D. Budget Form

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 (2 CFR 200), as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet (http://www.ecfr.gov/).

Multiple Federal Funding Sources: If the project budget includes multiple Federal funding sources, you must show the funds being requested from this Federal program separately from any other requested/secured Federal sources of funding on the budget form. For example, 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.

Instructions for Budget Table: Begin your project budget table on a new page. The budget table should include a column for all cost categories/items for the project. One column to show the cost calculation, a column for the total costs, one column for the requested USFWS funding, one or more columns for applicant and partner contributions, and, if applicable, a column for any program income that will be used to conduct project activities as demonstrated below:

BUDGET: (Do not present the budget in any other form.)

Category/ Budget Item Cost Calculation Total Cost USFWS Applicant Partner

X Partner Y

Program Income (if applicable)

Personnel:

Project Leader

$30,000 annual salary x 80% time for 1 year

$24,000

$x,xxx

Project Assistant

$20,000 annual salary x 50% time for 1 year

$10,000 $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx

Local Services

Field Assistants

$600/month x 6 months x 2 assistants

$7,200

Travel

Round trip from A to B for Project Leader

4 trips x $200/airfare

$800

$xxx http://www.ecfr.gov/

Lodging and Meals

Project Leader travel

4 trips x 10 days x $35/day $1,400 $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx

Workshops

Transportation assistance

Materials

10 people x 2 workshops x $5/participant

Printing 12 manuals at $10/manual

$100

$120

Other

Phone, internet

Office rent

$100/month for 1 year

5% of local office rent

$100

$1,000

TOTAL $44,720 $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx $x,xxx

*Present all amounts in U.S. dollars

The Budget Table should provide enough information for reviewers to be able to understand the cost basis and calculation at a glance. For example, a $3,300 line item for lodging costs should include the formula for how the cost was calculated: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15/night = $3,300.

For any salaries, staff time or contractors for which USFWS funds are requested, the person should be identified and their qualifications described in Section 6 (Description of Entities Undertaking the Project). For any training, a description of the training should be included in the Activities section. For any meetings, a description of participants, a draft agenda and desired outputs should be provided.

Wherever possible, cost calculations should be included in the Budget Table. Where necessary, additional description should be provided in the Budget Justifications. If the Budget Table requires more than one page, verify that the column headings and row titles appear on all pages.

Things to consider when developing your Budget Table:

● Federally Funded Equipment: If the U.S. Federal Government has paid for equipment for another award, applicants cannot claim it to be a matching or in-kind contribution and SHOULD NOT include it in the budget table. Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

● Program Income: Your project may include activities that will generate program income.

Program income earned as a result of activities supported with Federal funding includes, but is not limited to the following: income from fees for services, the use or rental of property, the sale of commodities or fabricated items, license fees and royalties on patents and copyrights, and interest on loans. Program income does not include interest earned on advances of Federal funds. Income earned during the project period of an approved award shall be retained by the recipient and used in at least one of the following ways:

1. added to the funds requested from USFWS for the project in addition to those committed by the recipient/other partners, and later used to conduct additional activities that will further the project objectives; OR

2. used to finance the non-Federal share of the project.

If your project will generate program income, provide: (1) a description of how the income will be generated,

(2) an estimate of how much income will be made during the project duration, and (3) a description of how the funds will be used. If the income is to be used to conduct additional activities, you must include a Program Income column in your budget table and include all cost categories/items and associated amounts that the program income will cover.

E. Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Each budget line must demonstrate a clear connection to the project activities, and show how line item amounts were determined. For expensive items or large single purchases, provide detailed technical specifications or a pro-forma invoice. 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 USFWS’s approval and estimate its cost.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: Applicants that do not have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) cannot claim indirect cost. All applicants must include in the budget justification one of the following statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

“We are:

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

A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is attached.

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

3. A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement is attached.

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

5. A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. However, in the event an award is made, we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimus indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, section 200.68.

(www.ecfr.gov) We understand that the 10% de minimus rate will apply for the life of the award, including any future extensions for time, and that the rate cannot be changed even if we do establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. 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 USFWS to use the MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that USFWS 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.

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

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

• Recipients without an approved indirect cost rate are prohibited from charging indirect costs to a Federal award. Accepting the 10% de minimus 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.

• Only the indirect costs calculated against the Federal portion of the total direct costs may be charged to the Federal award. Recipients may not charge to their USFWS award any indirect costs calculated against the portion of total direct costs charged to themselves or charged to any other project partner, Federal and non- Federal alike.

• Recipients must have prior written approval from USFWS 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.”

For more information on indirect cost rates, see USFWS’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance document on the Internet. (http://www.fws.gov/grants/).

http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.fws.gov/grants http://www.fws.gov/grants

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior:

For organizations without a NICRA, you must have an open, active Federal award to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to your 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 IBC at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430 Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: 916-566-7111; Email: ics@nbc.gov Internet address: http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx

F. Single Audit Reporting Statements (Foreign Applicants Excluded): 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 (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/) 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”. Do not include your audit report in the proposal or application.

Assurances: Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form.

(http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15). Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B). Signing this form does not mean that all items on the form are applicable. The form contains language that states that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program.

G. Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Foreign Applicants Excluded): 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 project AND the project budget exceeds $100,000, complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

mailto:ics@nbc.gov file://ifw-hqskyfs1/ia-shared/DIC-New/PROGRAMS/GRANTS-Staff%20Resources/Jean_Kvasnicka/Documents/POLICY/New%20Award%20Guidance/Round%204%20FY15%20updates/As http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://harvester.census.gov/sac/ http://harvester.census.gov/sac/ http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15

H. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Applicants must notify USFWS 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 USFWS Program, in consultation with their Ethics Counselor, will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the applicant to reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the USFWS may result in the project not being select for funding.

Application Checklist

□ SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance

□ SF-424B Assurances form

□ DUNS Number

□ System for Award Management (SAM) registration

□ Project Summary (1 paragraph)

□ Map…