oppUSDA-NRCS-IA-18-03-cfda10.931-instructions.pdf

Summary Information

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department Of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)

Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Easement Restoration.

Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-IA-18-03

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.931, Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP); 10.932 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP); 10.923 Emergency Watershed Protection Program – Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE)

Funding Opportunity Announcement Summary ACEP-WRE (and its predecessor, WRP), RCPP (easement component) and EWPP-FPE are voluntary programs to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation’s wetland and floodplain ecosystems. These programs promote the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance and management of wetland systems and adjacent land that would contribute significantly to wetland functions and values. Through easement programs, landowners may receive assistance to install or implement structural or vegetative wetland/floodplain and associated upland restoration practices on eligible land. Policy provides that the Secretary may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement conservation plans under these programs. To that end, the agency is directing resources toward the restoration of degraded wetlands and floodplains across the state of Iowa.

The NRCS is requesting proposals from qualified individuals and organizations that share a common interest in the conservation and restoration of wetland and floodplain resources throughout Iowa under the framework of a five year agreement with approximately $8 million in funding, if available.

Key Dates Applications must be received by 5 pm Eastern Daylight Time on June 25, 2018. Questions must be submitted by 5 pm Eastern Daylight Time on June 9, 2018, and answers to questions will be posted to Grants.gov by June 13, 2018. NRCS anticipates announcing selections no later than August 2018, and making awards by September 30, 2018.

Submissions Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.

Please note that the grants.gov electronic submission component has been updated. The updated component is called Workspace. Workspace is the standard way for organizations or individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. Workspace allows an applicant grant team to simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application. In addition, the forms can be filled out online or as a PDF.

Please allow extra time to register in the new Workspace. An overview of Workspace can be viewed at grants.gov. There are also several preliminary registration steps before the applicant can submit the application. To register, go to www.grants.gov, click on “Applicants”, then click on “Get Registered.”If you have completed a prior grants.gov application, you may already have completed the registration process.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audio tape) should contact the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts The funding floor for this announcement $500,000 and the funding ceiling is $3million. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded.

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

The Agriculture Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP- WRE) was authorized as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 and includes legacy easements from WRP. The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program through the following authorities: Section 216, Public Law 81-516; Section 403 of Title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, Public Law 95-334; and Section 382, Title III, of the 1996 Farm Bill Public Law 104-127. The Secretary may request the services of non-Federal entities to assist the Secretary in providing the assistance necessary to develop and implement conservation programs under this title.. The NRCS may do this through entering into cooperative agreements with an awardee or other cooperator.

B. Overview

The purpose of voluntary conservation easement programs such as ACEP-WRE (WRP & RCPP) and EWPP-FPE is to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation’s wetland and floodplain ecosystems. The program promotes the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance and management of wetland systems and adjacent land that would contribute significantly to wetland functions and values. Through conservation easement programs, landowners may receive assistance to install or implement structural or vegetative wetland/floodplain and associated upland restoration practices on eligible land. Policy provides that the Secretary may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement conservation plans under these programs. The agency is directing resources toward the restoration of degraded wetlands and floodplains across the state of Iowa.

C. Project Description

The objective of conservation easement restorationis to provide specialized assistance to landowners in planning, designing and implementing wetland and associated upland restoration plans that maximize wildlife habitat in wetland systems, as well as provide water quality improvements, reduced soil erosion, reduced impacts of flooding and provide wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species. Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS by providing specialized assistance to implement conservation easement restoration plans. Performance may include any part or all operations necessary to complete vegetative and hydrology restoration of conservation easements in a timely and effective manner. Work shall include any or all of the following activities: restoration practice implementation, implementation of management activities for various wetland restoration and enhancement practices; vegetative planting and maintenance activities and related conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. All services shall be provided in accordance with applicable NRCS policy and criteria that can be found at the following websites: NRCS Field Office Technical Guide: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/fotg/ ; and NRCS National Engineering Handbook, and National Engineering Manual References: https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?hid=41061

Awardees will perform all work in close coordination with the NRCS Restoration Specialist, Area Easement Specialist, District Conservationist (DC), and/or Area Engineer. Once a project is received, the awardee will complete the assigned project during the performance period identified in project documentation. NRCS will complete the survey, engineering design, drawings, specifications, and seeding plans which will provide the basis for the government estimate. NRCS will forward the conservation plan, schedule, and design specifications to the awardee(s) and request the submission of a cost proposal and breakdown. NRCS and awardee will collaborate on restoration plans and implementation procedures. NRCS will negotiate with the awardee(s) if the proposed costs are not fair and reasonable considering the government estimate. NRCS intends for the final project funding to be determined on a site by site basis. Conservation easements require a detailed and extensive restoration implementation process. For agreement obligation purposes, an average restoration cost per easement will be used to determine agreement funding level.

Typical wetland engineering practices and biological practices for conservation easement projects may include but are not limited to the following Conservation Practice Standards: Critical Area Planting (342), Dike (356), Fence (382), Structure for Water Control (587), Subsurface drainage (606), Underground Outlet (620), Wetland Wildlife Management (644) Wetland Restoration (657), Wetland Enhancement (658), Brush Management (314), Herbaceous Weed Control (315), Conservation Cover (327), Prescribed Burning (338), Firebreaks (394), Hedgerow Planting (422), Tree and Shrub Site Preparation (490), Tree/Shrub Establishment (612), Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645), Early Successional Habitat Development and Management (647), and Forest Stand Improvement (666) and others as deemed necessary and applicable by the Iowa NRCS. All practice standards must be met and are described in the NRCS electronic FOTG, which can be found at:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/fotg/.

The awardee will be expected to implement restoration practices and provide the inspection and quality control for each conservation easement restoration project awarded. This will require the awardee to employ the services of a licensed professional engineer (PE). NRCS staff and the awardee will collaborate as needed on the restoration planning and installation. Experience in, or possessing the expertise to provide technical assistance on wetland restoration planning and management would be beneficial qualities to this partnership with NRCS.

The awardee will provide to the NRCS a status report (no less than monthly) of work in progress and any other documentation as may be required by the NRCS standards and specifications.

Awardee will, in accordance with NRCS Standards & Specifications where applicable:

Solicit bids for implementation of restoration practices Provide administrative oversight for all aspects of the restoration implementation process Oversee day to day implementation and inspection of restoration practices Organize and conduct necessary meetings to facilitate implementation of the restoration plan Compile daily field notes on progress of implementation activities and provide them to NRCS upon completion of the project Promptly communicate to NRCS any complications encountered during implementation of restoration practices which may require modifications to the task order

Conduct final inspection/check out consistent with NRCS specifications Provide as-built documentation, signed by a licensed professional engineer (PE) to NRCS upon completion of restoration implementation in a format agreed to by both parties

These activities will occur in accordance with the NRCS provided restoration plan. A Sample Restoration Plan that NRCS will provide to the awardee per project is located in the Related Documents tab of this opportunity on Grants.gov. The restoration plan contains conservation plans, landowner contact information, restoration rationale/narrative, engineering plans/construction drawings, specifications, practice maps, planting/seeding plans, location maps, and task order detailing planned practice quantities, agreed to prices and proposed completion dates.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A. Funding All awards are subject to the availability of sufficient funds being appropriated by Congress and apportioned by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to support the addition and full cost of service to implement specialized assistance activities. The amount of funds available for this program are not fixed and may vary considerably from the current funding level. Initial obligation may be approximately $3 Million for restoration on FY2017 ACEP-WRE Enrollments and may also include funding in multiple conservation easement fund codes (WRP or EWP). Amendments to the agreement(s) may be developed upon availability of funding in future years (FY18 and FY19 ACEP-WRE enrollments) up to $8 million total. The work will be performed statewide.

B. Type of Federal Award

Cooperative agreements will be awarded competitively to applicants. Cooperative agreements have been determined to be the appropriate funding instrument because of the substantial involvement of NRCS in providing technical oversight and coordination of planning, designing and implementing wetland and associated upland restoration activities. The agency undertake activities such as the following:

Conduct an initial briefing at the Iowa NRCS State Office in Des Moines, Iowa, prior to award to discuss the goals and objectives of the specific projects and items of work to be conducted under the agreement.

Designate a liaison and responsible officials to participate in the planning and management of the cooperative agreement and coordinate activities between the awardee and Iowa NRCS.

Complete engineering drawings, specifications, and seeding plans for each restoration project and stake/layout all projects in the field.

Deliver conservation plan, schedule of operations, and project specifications to awardee(s) and request the submission of cost proposal and breakdown.

Negotiate with the awardee(s) if the proposed costs are not fair and reasonable considering the government estimate.

Identify and prioritize work assignments at the Iowa State Office level with consultation from the Iowa NRCS Field Offices.

Provide state level coordination and collaboration of technical specialists.

Conduct quality assurance reviews for services provided under the agreement.

Provide access to NRCS technology and technical tools to the maximum extent possible.

Provide necessary permits, cultural resource checks, and NEPA compliance.

Approve all new technologies and innovative practices, including applicable standards and specifications, prior to the applicant applying those practices.

The NRCS will identify and prioritize work assignments for completing activities required to implement the wetland and associated upland restoration components of each conservation plan.

The NRCS will monitor the awardee’s progress and suspend work if agreement or conservation plan requirements or NRCS standards and specifications are not met.

C. Performance Periods

The cooperative agreements will have a period of performance of five years.

Applicants should plan their projects based on a project start date of 09/30/2018.

Work under this cooperative agreement is subject to satisfactory negotiation of individual or grouped conservation plans of operation projects. There will be no minimum or maximum price on any conservation plans of operation projects. The maximum amount of reimbursement for each cooperative agreement period shall be determined by available funds. There shall be no guaranteed minimum. Multiple cooperative agreements may be awarded as a result of this announcement. Projects will be ordered on an as-needed basis beginning from the date of the award of the agreement for a period not to exceed five years.

D. Number of Awards

The agency expects to make one award(s).

E. Procurement Contratcs The agency does not expect to make procurement contracts associated with this announcement.

F. Eligibility of Renewal or Supplemental Project Applications

Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards. An application for renewal means a proposal submitted to continue an existing agreement that meets the objectives and requirements of this NFO. An application for supplementation of an existing project means a proposal to add components to an existing agreement so that it would meet the objectives and requirements in this NFO.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Applicant Eligibility

Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. This opportunity is opne to the following applicants:

County governments City or township governments Special district governments Institutions of higher education, colleges and universities Private organizations For profit enterprises Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Individuals Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

B. Cost Sharing or Matching There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

C. Other 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 (2 CFR 200.205(d)).

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

There is no pre-proposal process for this announcement. Full applications are due by the submission date identified in the Summary Information of this notice. All forms and documents necessary for submission are included in the Grants.gov application package and/or Related Documents tab of this opportunity. Applicants may request paper copies of materials by contacting the Federal Awarding Agency contacts listed in Section VII of this opportunity.

A. Content and Format

Applications must contain the content, format, and information set forth below to receive consideration for funding. If submitting applications for more than one project, submit a separate application for each project. Applicants should not assume prior knowledge on the part of NRCS or others as to the relative merits of the project described in their application. Applicants must submit a single copy of the application in the following format:

Each page must be on numbered, letter-sized (8½” x 11”) paper utilizing a white background that has one-inch margins; and

The text of the application must be typed, single spaced, black, and in a font no smaller than 12-point.

Applications that are incomplete or fail to comply with the required content and formatting requirements will not be considered for funding.

1. Project Abstract (1 page maximum)

On a single page, provide the applicant entity name, duration of project in months, amount of Federal funding requested, amount of non-Federal cost-share/match funding committed, and project title. The executive summary must include both a technical and administrative contact for the application (if both are the same person, please note this). NRCS will use the technical and administrative contacts identified as the primary applicant contacts.

2. Standard Application Forms

All forms and documents necessary for submission are included in the Grants.gov application package and/or Related Documents tab of this opportunity.

3. Project Narrative (15-page maximum)

The proposal shall include a narrative statement that addresses the following as a minimum:

A description of the resources and experience of the organization necessary to successfully perform implementation of wetland and associated upland restoration activities.

The organization’s level of commitment in terms of the staff, equipment resources, and/or funding support necessary to leverage the cooperative agreement.

A brief description of the capabilities to perform the terms of the cooperative agreement, including a brief description of the organizational entity and of the qualifications, employment status, current responsibilities, and proposed level of effort for the project coordinator, and staff responsible for implementation. Resumes for key personnel should be included in an appendix to the proposal. Similar information requested in this paragraph may also be included for sub- awardees, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers that would be beneficial for proposal evaluation.

A list of past experience providing implementation of wetland and associated upland restorations for conservation contracts.

Reference contacts at past restoration implementation projects.

The proposal shall include an appendix. Material should be included only when necessary to support information provided in the narrative. Copies of documents, brochures, etc. are encouraged to demonstrate experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Awardee will, in accordance with NRCS Standards & Specifications where applicable:

Solicit bids for implementation of restoration practices Provide administrative oversight for all aspects of the restoration implementation process Oversee day to day implementation and inspection of restoration practices Organize and conduct necessary meetings to facilitate implementation of the restoration plan Compile daily field notes on progress of implementation activities and provide them to NRCS upon completion of the project Promptly communicate to NRCS any complications encountered during implementation of restoration practices which may require modifications to the task order

Conduct final inspection/check out consistent with NRCS specifications Provide as-built documentation to NRCS upon completion of restoration implementation in a format agreed to by both parties

4. Budget Information (12-page maximum)

The budget portion of the application consists of two parts, as described in (a) and

(b) below:

a. Standard Form (SF) 424A Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs.

The SF-424A is included as part of the application package posted on Grants.gov.

b. Detailed Budget Narrative. Provide a detailed narrative in support of the budget for the project, broken down by each project year. Discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed activities. Justify the project cost effectiveness and include justification for personnel and consultant salaries with a description of duties. Statement(s) of work for any subcontractors and consultants must be included as part of the application. The budget narrative should include both the Federal funds requested and the applicant’s matching funds.

The format of the budget narrative can be in a chart, spreadsheet, table, etc. It should be readable on letter-size, printable pages. The information needs to be presented in such a way that the reviewers can readily understand what expenses are incurred to support the project.

c. As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F

Audit Requirements, 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. Therefore, any U.S. states, local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations applying under this opportunity must include one of the following statements in its budget narrative:

“My organization was required to submit a Single Audit report last year. The reporting period covered was from (insert date) to (insert date). This report, filed under EIN # (insert EIN), is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (https://harvester.census.gov/facweb/) or will be by (insert date). “

OR

“My organization was not required to submit a Single Audit report last year.”

d. Required Indirect Costs Statement - All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must complete and attach the Indirect Costs Statement located in the Related Documents tab of this announcement on Grants.gov.

5. Funding Restrictions

Funds may not be used to pay any of the following costs unless otherwise permitted by law or approved in writing by the Authorized Departmental Officer in advance of incurring such costs:

Costs above the amount of funds authorized for the project;

Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant (preaward costs);

Costs which lie outside the scope of the approved project and amendments thereto;

Entertainment costs, regardless of their apparent relationship to project objectives;

Compensation for injuries to persons or damage to property arising out of project activities;

Consulting services performed by a Federal employee during official duty hours when such consulting services result in the payment of additional compensation to the employee; and

Renovation or refurbishment of research or related spaces, the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such spaces, and the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.

This list is not exhaustive. For more details, refer to 2 CFR Part 200.

Indirect costs limitations:

a. A non-profit organization or institution of higher education will be limited to a 10% indirect cost rate in accordance with the Agency’s annual appropriations act. The 10% indirect cost rate applies to both federal and non-federal funds. Other types of entities are not subject to this statutory limitation.

b. To be eligible to recover any indirect cost under a Federal award, recipients must either 1) have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) with a Federal agency that has not expired; or 2) qualify for use of the de minimis rate authorized by 2 CFR 200.414(f). In order to qualify for the de minimis rate, the recipient must have never had a NICRA. A State, local, or tribal governmental department or agency unit that receives more than $35 million in direct Federal funding is not eligible for the de minimis rate.

c. Applicants not subject to the statutory limitation stated above, which have a current NICRA must calculate indirect costs using the rate and base specified in their NICRA. A recipient may voluntarily reduce or waive recovery of indirect costs at its sole discretion and must not be encouraged or coerced in any way to do so by the agency. If voluntarily reduced or waived, the recipient may choose to apply any unrecovered indirect costs as part of their cost share or match. Unrecovered indirect cost means the difference between the amount charged to the Federal award and the amount which could have been charged to the Federal award under the recipient's approved negotiated indirect cost rate (2 CFR 200.306(c)). A copy of the applicant’s current NICRA must be provided with the application. Indirect costs may not be recovered under an expired NICRA. However, if an applicant with a current NICRA is subject to the statutory limitation, indirect costs must be calculated as follows. First, multiply the NICRA rate by the base stated in the NICRA to arrive at Amount A. Next, multiply the statutory limit of 10% by the total of all direct costs to arrive at Amount B.

The lower of Amount A and B is the amount of indirect cost to include on the budget.

d. Entities that are eligible for the de minimis rate who already have a de minimis rate agreement must use the rate and base specified in the agreement, which is modified total direct costs (MTDC) as defined by 2 CFR 200.68 and also excluding the amount of each subcontract exceeding $25,000. Note that MTDC excludes certain costs from the base to which the rate is applied. A copy of the applicant’s de minimis rate agreement must be provided with the application. If a recipient is eligible to use the de minimis rate, but does not have a de minimis rate agreement, use an indirect cost rate of no more than 10% of MTDC when preparing the budget. If selected for award, a de minimis rate agreement will be executed along with the award.

e. Profit is not an eligible project cost. Therefore, any funds awarded to for-profit entities must be used for reimbursement of award related direct and indirect costs only.

f. 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.

6. Certifications

All proposals must include the following signed certification forms, which are available at Grants.gov:

AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.

AD-3031 Assurances Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.

SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Constrution Programs.

Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants, by signing and submitting an application, assure and certify that they are in compliance with the following Federal regulations:

2 CFR Part 417, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)

4 CFR Part 418, New Restrictions on Lobbying 2 CFR Part 421, Government wide Requirements for Drug

Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)

SF-LLL, Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable). 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 2 CFR Part 418, 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, you must also complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities located at 2 CFR 418, Appendix B. See 2 CFR, Subpart 418.110 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

B. DUNS and SAM Numbers

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a a valid unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number) in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. NRCS may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time NRCS is ready to make a Federal award, NRCS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

Entities must obtain a DUNS and register in SAM prior to registering with Grants.gov. A description of each is below. Entities are strongly encouraged to apply early for their DUNS number and SAM registration.

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number: A Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number is a unique, nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. Applicants must obtain a DUNS number. Information on how to obtain a DUNS number can be found at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling 1-866-705-5711.

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: SAM is the official Federal system that consolidated the capabilities of Central Contractor Registry, Federal Agency Registration, Online Representations and Certifications Application, and Excluded Parties List System. To register, go to: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. The Federal Service Desk is available for registration assistance, and can be contacted via the Help tab at the website listed above.

C. How to Submit an Application

Applications must be submitted through the Grants.gov web portal.

Submitting an application through www.grants.gov requires completing a variety of tasks and steps. There are also several preliminary registration steps before the applicant can submit the application. To register in the grants.gov system, go to www.grants.gov, click on “Applicants”, then click on “Get Registered.”

If you have completed a prior grants.gov application, you may already have completed the registration process.

Please allow sufficient time to register in grants.gov, and for possible system delays.

Please note that the www.grants.gov electronic application submission component has been updated. The updated component is called Workspace. Workspace is the standard way for organizations or individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. Workspace allows an applicant grant team to simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application. In addition, the forms can be filled out online or as a PDF.

Please allow extra time to register in the new Workspace. An overview of Workspace can be viewed through grants.gov.

NRCS is not responsible for any technical malfunctions or website problems related to Grants.gov. If you encounter issues with Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov help desk at (800) 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The applicant assumes the risk of any delays in application submission through Grants.gov.

D. Due Date

Proposals must be received via Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 25, 2018. Late submissions will not be reviewed or considered The agency will rely on

Grants.gov generated date and time receipt documentation for submission made both via Grants.gov and e-mail to determine whether applications meet the submission deadline.

Grants.gov provides and automatic acknowledgement when applications are received.

E. Withdrawal

Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice at any time before award execution.

Written notice of withdrawl must be signed by the applicant or an authorized representative.

F. Patents, Inventions, and Copyrights

Allocation of rights to patents, inventions, and copyrights shall be in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. This regulation provides that small businesses normally may retain the principal worldwide patent rights to any invention developed with USDA support. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, this provision will also apply to commercial organizations. USDA receives a royalty-free license for Federal use, reserves the right to require the patentee to license others in certain circumstances, and requires that anyone exclusively licensed to sell the invention in the United States must normally manufacture it domestically. With regard to copyright, the grant recipient may copyright any work that is subject to copyright and was developed, or for which ownership was acquired, under an award. USDA reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes and to authorize others to do so.

All tools produced must meet the accessibility of Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) requirements as specified in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220).

Specifically, subsection 508(a)(1) requires that when the Federal government procures EIT, it must allow Federal employees and individuals of the public with disabilities comparable access to and use of information and data that is provided to Federal employees and individuals of the public without disabilities. All EIT that is subject to the 36 CFR 1194 standards will have a Section 508 acceptance test and will be validated upon acceptance. All maintenance for EIT that requires upgrades, modifications, installations, and purchases will adhere to the Section 508 standards and 36 CFR 1194.

G. Intergovernmental Review

This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete, noncompliant, and/or proposals not meeting the formatting criteria will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

The agency intends to make a selection and award without conducting any discussions or allowing applicants to correct deficiencies or omissions in their applications. Consequently, they must ensure their applications are complete and accurate. However, while the agency intents to make a selection and award without discussions, it reserves the right to conduct discussions for the purpose of allowing applicants to revise their applications to correct deficiencies or omissions identified by the NRCS. If this is done, the agency will conduct discussions with all applicants and identify deficiencies and omissions and give applicants and opportunity to submit a revised application by a common cut-off date.

Merit/technical reviews will be conducted by a technical review board nominated by the approving official. Risk reviews will be conducted by the Grants and Agreements Service Branch. The approving official will make the final award decisions. The approving official for this opportunity is the NRCS Iowa State Conservationist.

A. Risk Criteria

The agency will check SAM to ensure the applicant is not suspended or debarred, which would preclude receiving an award. In addition, prior to making a Federal award with a total Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000), the agency must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System, FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313 and 2 CFR 200.205(a)).

To further comply with the requirements at 2 CFR 200.205, the agency has established the following risk review process and related standards that an applicant must meet to be considered for award:

1. Financial Stability. The applicant certifies that it maintains adequate financial resources or cash flow to meet its financial obligations on a routine basis and successfully complete any agreement it may be awarded.

2. Quality of Management Systems and Ability to meet Management Standards prescribed in 2 CFR Part 200. The applicant certifies it has a financial management system adequate to segregate and track federal funds. It further certifies is has adequate systems in place for proper agreement administration;

compliance with the standards outlined in 2 CFR Part 200 Section D for procurement, property, and records management; and required financial and performance reporting.

3. History of Performance. If the applicant has previously obtained Federal financial assistance award, it certifies that it has never failed to materially comply with the Federal award terms and conditions and further that it has never had an award terminated on that basis.

Submission of a proposal constitutes certification that an applicant meets these standards.

B. Merit Criteria The focus of the evaluation will be the responses to the merit evaluation criteria. The applicant is not required to submit a sample project or associated pricing. Applicants are welcome to reference NRCS restoration examples or sample projects if they choose.

Capability, not cost, is the basis of the evaluation process and following criteria.

The proposals will be evaluated using the following merit criteria that are listed in descending order of importance:

1. Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required (45%) Evaluation will be based on the extent of related experience in planning, designing, and implementing wetland and associated upland restorations. Consideration will be given to those applicants with knowledge of and direct experience in implementing wetland and associated upland restorations in Iowa. Some key areas of expertise that will be evaluated include, but are not limited to:

Organizational capabilities - The adequacy of organizational resources and experience to successfully install wetland restoration projects. Share in a common mission that supports the natural resource conservation efforts with private landowners.

Project personnel - The reasonableness and feasibility of the applicant’s approach and expertise for successfully achieving the objectives of the project within the required time frame.

Understanding the intent of conservation easement - The applicant’s recognition of the value and need of the project and the full understanding of the intent of conservation easements. Ability to demonstrate successful past history and credibility of working with private landowners.

Experience - Working on wetland restoration in the State of Iowa or similar ecosystems, to include expertise in specific types of ecozones. Examples of previous work may be documented for review.

2. Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance (20%)

Evaluation will be based upon the number of qualified personnel, their knowledge and experience associated with the requirements above, and their availability to perform work on this agreement.

3. Capacity to accomplish the work (20%)

Evaluation will be based upon the number of qualified personnel, the quantity of existing work under contract and the schedules for completion of the existing work, and the capacity to perform multiple projects simultaneously throughout the state.

4. Past performance regarding work of this nature (15%)

Past experience with other government agencies and other organizations in regards to work of this nature and the quality and timeliness of performance of work performed.

C. Selection

Each proposal will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the evaluation factors listed above. NRCS reserves the right to select more than one applicant for award.

Applicant(s) may be selected to perform work by Iowa NRCS Easement Area(s), Ecozone(s), other geographical or program area, statewide or combination(s) thereof.

After selection, NRCS will enter into negotiations with the selected applicant(s) to discuss cost and the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement to be signed. The cooperative agreement will identify the USDA Field Office(s) or locations to be served.

NRCS has the option to cancel the announcement if there are no qualified applicants or limit the number of awards made from this announcement. If multiple awards are made, NRCS reserves the right to designate what restoration projects are to be completed by which awardee. It is expected that restorations will be packaged in groups to obtain the best value to the government.

Awards Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (if applicable) Notice to applicants:

a. Prior to making a Federal award with a total Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000), the agency must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System, FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313 and 2 CFR 200.205(a);

b. An applicant may review information in FAPIIS accessible through SAM and comment on any information about it that a Federal awarding agency previously entered;

c. The agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.205, Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

NRCS anticipates announcing selections no later than August 2018. Applicants should plan their projects based on a project start date of September 30, 2018.

VI. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Federal Award Notices The agency will provide notice that an application has been selected before it actually makes the Federal award. As such, the selection notification is not an authorization to begin performance. Any pre-award costs incurred by the awardee will not be reimbursed.

The Notice of Grant and Agreement Award (form NRCS-ADS-093) signed by the authorized agency representative is the only authorizing document, and will be provided electronically to the entity’s authorized representative for signature.

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants with be notified of the award decision via letter.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements All project funds will be used in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200 and NRCS’ General Terms And Conditions Grants And Cooperative Agreements. A copy of the General Terms And Conditions Grants And Cooperative Agreements document may be obtained by contacting the Federal Agency Contacts listed in Section VII below.

C. Reporting Reporting will follow the NRCS General Terms And Conditions Grants And Cooperative Agreements, but will generally include electronic submission of semiannual progress reports, quarterly financial status reports, and final reports.

If the Federal share of any agreement awarded under this opportunity notice may include more than $500,000 over the period of performance, recipients must also comply with the post award reporting requirements reflected in Appendix XII of 2 CFR Part 200 —Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

VII. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

Administrative Contact (Primary Contact) Michele Devaney Grants Management Specialist

USDA-NRCS

125 S. State St., Room 4010 Salt Lake City, UT 84138

(801) 524-4587 michele.devaney@wdc.usda.gov

Program Contact Name : Sindra Jensen 210 Walnut Street Room 693 Des Moines, Iowa 50309

(515) 323-2480 sindra.jensen@ia.usda.gov

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Questions Questions regarding this announcement must be submitted to the Administrative Contact identified above via email with the Opportunity Number in the subject line. Questions must be submitted by 5 pm Eastern Daylight Time on June 09, 2018. A questions and answers document addressing all questions will be posted to the Related Documents tab of this announcement in Grants.gov as a modification by June 13, 2018.

B. Freedom of Information and Privacy Act

Proposals to NRCS are considered to be confidential information. Proposals are not shared with individuals or entities seeking public disclosure through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) without the consent of the applicant. More specifically, Executive Order 12600 and USDA FOIA regulation 7 CFR Part 1, Subpart A requires the NRCS to provide notice to applicants that a third party has requested copies of their business information, and requires NRCS to consult with applicants regarding the releasing their records.

C. Notice to Applicants

The Federal Government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of this opportunity. Only authorized federal officials can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call

(866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Required Indirect Cost Statement: All applicants except individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate must include in the budget 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…