oppF18AS00236-cfda15.667-instructions.pdf

Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program Fiscal Year 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity – Competitive Funding

Notice Overview

Federal Agency Name

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR)

Funding Opportunity Title

Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program - Funding Opportunity No: F18AS00236

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

15.667

Announcement Type

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2018

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information in accordance with the Highlands Conservation Act (H.R.

1964, 2004), Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3901). Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a review and determine if projects are eligible for funding. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that it will take applicants under this program about 37 hours to complete an application. We estimate it will take recipients under this program about 8 hours to complete required reporting including time for required recordkeeping. All burden estimates include the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather data needed and complete and review the submission. 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

1018-019

I. Description of Funding Opportunity

The Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901) is designed to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania in conserving land and natural resources in the Highlands Region through Federal assistance for land conservation projects in which a State entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to permanently protect resources of high conservation value. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) has identified lands that have high conservation value through the “New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study:

2002 Update” and the “Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update.”

Subject to availability of funds through Federal appropriation, each year, Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region. Proposed projects must be consistent with areas identified in the Study and Update as having high resource value.

This program funds land conservation by State agencies in the Highlands Region. Such acquisitions help create a conservation stewardship second only to Teddy Roosevelt by creating opportunities for more public access to lands. State land acquisition increases access for recreational opportunities for the public, including hunting and fishing. Additionally, the first purpose of the program (listed above) exemplifies the priority of utilizing our natural resources, such as drinking water, by recognizing their importance and conserving their utility for current and future generations of Americans. Lastly, this program restores trust with our local communities through partnering with State agencies to fund state and local projects.

II. Award Information

Funding appropriated under the Highlands Conservation Act has been divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for Competitive Funding in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. A separate Notice of Funding Opportunity was posted for Base Funds. A property cannot be proposed for funding from both the base and competitive funding opportunities.

This funding opportunity follows funding opportunity F18AS00147, and distributes additional competitive funding. For this funding opportunity, $473,000 in competitive funding will be available for grants to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We anticipate receiving up to 4 proposals, and anticipate awarding up to 2, although the number of proposals awarded will depend heavily on the costs in the top-ranked proposals. The earliest anticipated project start date is November 1, 2018. Project periods will be no longer than 4 years.

Competitive funding will be distributed through ranking of individual parcels based on the ranking criteria included below in Section VI (Application Review Information). Parcels submitted for competitive funding must also meet the basic eligibility requirements. Each individual parcel will be ranked and scored by a panel of USFWS and USFS staff with biological/natural resources and land acquisition expertise.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants

Only the lead State Agency for the Highlands Conservation Act, as determined by the Governor of each Highlands State, is eligible to apply for funding under the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program. Only one application will be accepted for each State.

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

DUNS Registration

Request a DUNS number here. For technical difficulties, contact Dun & Bradstreet by email at:

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

Entity Registration in SAM

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

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

government FOR FREE directly in SAM.

Excluded Entities

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

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:govt@dnb.com http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

Cost Sharing or Matching

The Federal share requested may be no more than 50% of the total project cost.

IV. Application Requirements

Standard Form (SF)-424

To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain a completed, signed and dated Application for Federal Assistance form. 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.

Project Narrative

The narrative description of your project proposal should specifically address each parcel proposed for acquisition. For each parcel, address the eligibility and evaluation criteria described in Section VI (Application Review Information). Parcel descriptions that clearly address the specific evaluation criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review. We recommend the following format for the project narrative:

Need Why is the proposed land acquisition needed?

Applicants must identify how projects will both be in keeping with the requirements of the Highlands Conservation Act and meet the Department of the Interior priorities of creating opportunities for more public access to lands and/or utilizing our natural resources (see information in Section I: Description of Funding Opportunity).

Objective What is to be accomplished during the period of the project pursuant to the stated need? Specify fully what is to be accomplished within the time and money allocated. Specify the end point.

Proposed acquisitions should occur within a reasonable and predictable time frame.

Expected Results or Benefits How will the project conserve and protect high priority conservation land in the Highlands Region? Try to provide quantifiable or verifiable resource benefits.

Approach How will the objective be attained? Include specific procedures, schedules, key cooperators and respective roles.

Location Describe and show the parcel proposed for acquisition, including all the evaluation criteria found in Section VI.

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

Estimated Cost Provide a breakdown of costs for acquiring the targeted property. Indicate whether partial funding is practicable.

Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities.

Description of Entities 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. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide for each key person a brief (1-2 pages) but descriptive overview of their education, experience and other skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project.

To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, do not include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics on the description of key personnel qualifications.

Budget Form

Complete the Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF 424C) form. The budget forms are available on the Internet here. When developing your budget, keep in mind that financial assistance awards and subawards are subject to the Federal cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, as applicable to the recipient organization type. Links to the full text of the Federal cost principles are available on the Internet here.

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

Budget Justification

In a separate narrative titled “Budget Justification”, explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the SF 424 Budget Object Class Category totals were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/ directly charged to the project. Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the Service’s approval and estimate its cost.

If Federally-funded equipment will be used for the project, provide a list of that equipment, including the Federal funding source.

Required Indirect Cost Statement

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

“We are:

1. A 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]. [Insert either: “A copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement is attached. 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 “A copy of our current, approved rate agreement(s) 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 and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%.

Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. 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 indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] of [insert a clear 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 220.68]. We understand that we must notify the

Service in writing immediately if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

6. 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, 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 minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR

200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing immediately if we do establish an approved 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 such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

7. A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that the basis for direct costs will be the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”.

We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement, and that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

8. 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 a flat de minimis rate as a condition of award is an approved rate.

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

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

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

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

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

For more information on indirect cost rates, see the Service’s Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements guidance.

Negotiating an Indirect Cost Rate with the Department of the Interior

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

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-930-3803 Email Web

Single Audit Reporting Statements

As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F, all U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System.

All U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government and non-profit applicants must provide a statement regarding if your organization was/was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the organization’s most recently closed fiscal year and, if so, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website 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”.

https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/ibcfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services http://www.ecfr.gov/ https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/

Assurances

Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs (SF 424D). The form includes a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing this form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

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

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Applicants must notify the Service in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this award, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests.

Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, the applicant’s employees, or the applicant’s future subrecipients in the matter. Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the application. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service 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 disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the project not being select for funding.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 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

Required Overlap/Duplication Statement

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

Application Checklist

Items to include in Grant Application

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance: A complete, signed and dated SF 424, SF 424- Mandatory, or SF 424-Individual form Project narrative Timetable Single Audit Reporting statement: If a U.S. state, local government, federally-recognized Indian tribal government, or non-profit organization, statements regarding applicability of and compliance with Single Audit reporting requirements.

A complete SF 424C Budget Information form.

Budget justification Indirect cost statement NICRA: When applicable, a copy of the organization’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

Signed and dated SF 424D Assurances form.

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

Conflict of Interest disclosure, when applicable Overlap/Duplication statement

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

V. Submission Instructions

Submission Deadline

August 17, 2018

Intergovernmental Review

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

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov (PREFERRED METHOD)

Go to the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page (http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp) for an overview of the process to apply through Grants.gov. You/your organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting an application through Grants.gov. Registration can take between three to five business days, or as long as two weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

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

To submit an application by e-mail

Format all of your documents to print on Letter size (8 ½” x 11”) paper. Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Scanned documents should be scanned in Letter format, as black and white images only. Where possible, save scanned documents in .pdf format. E-mail your application to FW5FAReports@fws.gov.

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

To submit an application by mail

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one, single-sided, unbound copy (do not staple or otherwise permanently bind pages) of your complete application to:

Dr. Sadie Stevens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035-9589

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

VI. Application Review Information

Criteria

The following criteria will be used by the project review team to determine eligibility of all proposed parcels, and to rank parcels submitted for competitive funds. Proposals should be submitted with the criteria, as described below, addressed. Each proposal must meet at least the minimum criteria. Clearly addressing the specific ranking criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review.

Minimum Criteria for all parcels (Base and Competitive funds)

1) Parcel is in a High Conservation Value area. A parcel will be eligible for funding consideration if it is in a high conservation value area in the composite resource map, or ‘high’ or ‘highest’ value in any of the individual (water, forest, biological, agricultural, cultural/recreational) resource value maps. Source: NY-NJ Highlands Regional Study: 2002 Update – pages 129-132, and the Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update. For spatial data to determine parcel eligibility, please contact kyle_welsh@fws.gov; tel: 413-253-8709.

2) 1:1 Cost Share. Provide documentation to show match commitment.

Ranking Criteria for Competitive Funds

1) Water Quality

a) Does parcel contain or buffer streams or a river? Provide documentation to show location of streams. More points for perennial streams/rivers, and higher number of streams/rivers. (Up to 15 points).

b) Does parcel contain wetlands or ponds? Provide documentation to show location of wetlands/ponds and, if possible, provide documentation to show that wetlands are on the National or State Wetlands Inventory. More points for vegetated wetlands, more wetland area, higher number of wetlands, and wetlands or wetland types that have special mailto:kyle_welsh@fws.gov recognition by federal, state, or local conservation groups. Examples include Important Birding Areas (Audubon Society), unique wetland community (Natural Heritage Program), National Natural Landmark, etc. (Up to 15 points.)

2) Biological Resources (Wildlife, Plants, and Biodiversity)

a) Does parcel contain or benefit Federal and/or State threatened or endangered species or candidate species (not just a flyover species)? If so, indicate and document which species and/or species habitats. More points for multiple species and for parcels that have known occurrences of species as opposed to suitable habitat with unknown occurrences. (Up to 20 points).

b) Connectivity - Does parcel improve connectivity among natural or undeveloped lands?

Show connectivity to protected lands. More points if connected to State, Federal, local, or private lands that are already under permanent protection. (Up to 20 points).

c) Is the parcel, or a species/ecological community within the parcel, considered a priority within the State’s Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)? Provide documentation from SWAP or similarly named plan. More points for how comprehensively the parcel acquisition fulfills SWAP objectives. (Up to 15 points).

3) Forest Resources

a) Describe how this parcel aligns with the State’s Forest Action Plan (SFAP)? Provide documentation from SFAP. More points for how comprehensively the parcel acquisition addresses the “Issues, Threats, and Opportunities” and aligns with the strategies identified in the SFAP. (10 points).

4) Recreational Resources

a) Does the parcel conserve or add nature-based recreational or aesthetic/scenic/cultural value to a park, wild and scenic river, trail, wildlife refuge, nationally significant resource, or another national investment (other than the Highlands Conservation Act)?

Provide documentation showing adjacency to nationally significant resources. (Up to 10 points).

b) Does project meet recreational objectives at regional or state level, or does parcel contain recreational resources of state significance? More points given for the level of contribution to recreational objectives. (Up to 10 points).

5) Planning Resources

a) Cost-share. Does project contribute more than the minimum 1:1 match? (Up to 10 points).

b) Is threat of parcel development or conversion to other uses likely or imminent? If possible, provide documentation from landowner, planning board, etc. demonstrating conversion threat. (Up to 20 points).

c) Project Readiness – Is acquisition ready for implementation and/or does applicant have a strong track record of similar projects and is expected to carry project out in a timely fashion? More points if the applicant can demonstrate due diligence work has begun or all parties are lined up and ready to begin that work, less points if applicant cannot demonstrate that the project is poised for successful implementation. (Up to 10 points).

Review and Selection Process

Each proposed acquisition will be reviewed for eligibility by a panel of representatives with both land acquisition and scientific/natural resource experience from the US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

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

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

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

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

CFR 200.212).

VII. Award Administration

Award Notices

Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a notice of award document. Notices of award are typically sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (e.g., FedEx, DHL or UPS). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document.

Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Service. The notice of award document will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within three weeks of the final review decision.

https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action

Domestic Recipient Payments

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

Transmittal of Sensitive Data

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

Award Terms and Conditions

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

Special Award Terms and Conditions

After project awards are made, awarded agencies must provide the Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration with all of the items listed on the “Document Checklist for Acquisition Projects Funded under the Highlands Conservation Act.” All acquisitions must be compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Sufficient detail to document compliance with Regulations will be required as part of the grant package. Awardees should not acquire an interest in land until they have received the final approval from US Fish and Wildlife Service. A project begins and ends on the specified date noted on the grant award document between the awardee and an authorized representative of the U.S. Government. The HCA-funded acquisition must occur within this time period.

Lands purchased under HCA must be managed using Best Management Practices (i.e. consistent with the goals of HCA “to protect nationally significant natural resources in the Highlands region”).

https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html

Highlands Conservation Act Competitive Funds must be used within 4 years from the date of a signed award document from the Service. A one-year extension may be requested under extenuating circumstances. However, an additional level of approval will be required, and clear justification of the need for the extension, including explanation of how the extension will affect the use of other obligated base funds, will be required. The State must be able to provide strong evidence that the project will be completed during the one-year extension. If sufficient evidence that completion of the project during the one-year extension is not provided, the extension will not be approved. Extension requests should be made at least one month in advance of the grant end date.

Recipient Reporting Requirements

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

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

Recipients must use the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report for financial reporting.

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

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

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

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

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

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

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

Other Mandatory Disclosures

The non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non- Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM.

Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR

200.338 Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C. 2313.)

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

VIII. Agency Contacts

Sadie Stevens, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 413-253-8677 or sadie_stevens@fws.gov

Review and Selection Process