P23AS00293.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Effects of sound on wildlife, ecosystems, and visitors in units of the National Park system.

P23AS00293

Initial

15.945 – Cooperative Research and Training Programs

NOFO Title

NOFO Number:

Announcement Type:

CFDA Number:

Issue Date: 03/01/2023 Application Due Date: 06/01/2023 Time: 11:59 PM MT

Note: Per 2 CFR 1402.204 (f) Bureaus and offices must consider the timeliness of the application submission. Applications that are submitted beyond the announced deadline date must be removed from the review process.

Program Technical Contact: Administration Contact:

Christopher Kavanaugh Steve Livingston christopher_kavanagh@nps.gov steve_livingston@nps.gov

Table of Contents

Section A: Program Description

Section B: Federal Award Information

Section C: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Section D: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Contents and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

Section E: Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. CFR – Regulatory Information

Evaluation of Applicant Risk

4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

Section G: Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

Section H: Other Information:

Section A: Program Description

Legislative Authority: Legislative Authority as cited below allows the agency to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with any State or local government, organization, institution, or other entity. A cooperative agreement may be utilized if there is substantial involvement in the project on the part of NPS. All applicants must be a partner of the CESU network prior to being considered for an award of a cooperative agreement under this announcement.

A. 54 U.S.C. §101702(a) Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds.

B. 54 U.S.C. §101702(b) Cooperative Agreements, Cooperative Research and Training

Programs.

C. 54 U.S.C. §100703 Cooperative Study Units.

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 15.945 - Cooperative Research and Training Programs

Federal Regulations: 2 C.F.R. § 200, 2 C.F.R. § 1402

Program Background, Objectives and Goals:

The National Park Service “preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” A key consideration for protecting park resource, values, and visitor enjoyment is ability to hear the natural and cultural sounds of parks. Excessive noise influences many animal species with effects that can cascade through park ecosystems, such as altering wildlife distribution and reducing the listening area for predator/prey relationships. Further, the National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA, Public Law 106-181) requires the NPS, in cooperation with the FAA, to manage air tours over NPS units. Critical to this management is ensuring compliance of air tour operations, including the number, routes, altitudes, and times of day of air tours. A key component of the Air Tour Management Planning process includes the identification of audible sounds and their sources.

The Public Purposes of this financial assistance include strengthening scientific support for NPS management of national park resources and visitor experience; increasing public awareness of national park soundscapes; stimulating scientific research and the development of emerging technologies that can reduce noise; and educating and training of students and young scientists.

Improved management of noise within parks will increase habitat availability to wildlife and increase opportunities for visitors to view wildlife in a natural setting, and experience the health benefits of spending time in nature.

The Overall Goals are to provide direct support to park managers by measuring and interpreting responses of wildlife to noise, monitoring noise levels in parks and protected areas, and quantifying the benefits of managing or mitigating noise. The Objectives are to 1) to advance sound source identification beyond its current manual state by developing and using machine learning techniques, 2) to provide scientific support to NPS staff in parks, regions, and national offices by analyzing park acoustic monitoring data, and publishing scientific reports and papers that elevate conservation, 3) to engage a cadre of trained students of varying levels to analyze, interpret, and research acoustic analyses, and 4) to support career development for young scientists.

Preference will be given to proposals that emphasize equity and inclusion, providing opportunities for historically underserved communities, in keeping with U.S. Department of Interior priorities of equity and environmental justice. Preference will also be given to proposals that describe demonstrated experience with machine learning or image/signal processing.

Expected outcomes include:

• Develop data processing workflow to optimize coding efficiency and data organization.

• Analyze data collected in parks (following established Natural Sounds and Night Skies

Division [NSNSD] protocols), identifying audible sound sources and their durations, categories.

o Improve efficiency of techniques and methods for sound source identification.

o Report on process errors and methodological weaknesses of the existing protocol.

• Quality assurance/ quality control: efficient analysis of acoustic data collected in parks, with appropriate quality control review.

o A report, summarizing analysis of the sensitivity of current and future annotation methods, inter-user variation, and software.

• Meet rapid analysis and reporting turnaround needs of NPS and develop improved workflows to enhance performance.

• Develop, test, and document new automated machine learning workflows.

• Provide multiple reports (4 - 6) per year to parks, including small customization, for parks that have incoming data following approved templates and 508 accessibility requirements.

The recipient agrees to:

Primary responsibilities:

• Maintain a laboratory or facility where undergraduate and graduate students can work collaboratively with NPS on acoustical data analyses and reporting.

• Recruit, train, and oversee staff (or research associates, temporary hourly, or student hourly personnel) conducting data analysis.

• Work collaboratively with the NPS to improve data collection and refine processing techniques for acoustic environments.

• Prepare and submit Investigator’s Annual Report to the NPS Agreement Technical

Representative [ATR] and Contract Officer.

• Principal Investigator [or designee] provides financial and performance reporting through the GrantSolutions platform.

• Organize quarterly meetings with the NPS Technical Expert [TE] and university-based project participants to discuss ongoing research and development efforts, evaluate progress, review problems, and develop plans for the next phase of work.

• Summarize results using NPS reporting templates and park-specific customizations to enhance public access to and utility of acoustic analyses in parks.

• Provide computing and listening equipment/environment sufficient to carry out acoustic analysis tasks.

o NSNSD requires Windows workstations for current data analysis workflow.

• Adhere to the agile software development paradigm.

• A minimum of 1000 hours of attentive listening for park-specific projects to be accomplished each year.

• Data are screened such that final products do not contain significant errors such as sound source misidentification, or event duration miscalculation.

• Produce training materials on any new methodology developed.

• Transfer all files, code, reports or other products developed through the project to NPS as they are completed, and no later than the end date of the project.

Secondary responsibilities

• Produce educational and outreach materials that explain new techniques for understanding and managing acoustic issues in national parks.

• Maintain a website that fosters public access to the research and educational products of the team.

• Participate in and assist NPS with maintenance of an annual literature review via a Web of Science query, using standard search terms to capture relevant papers on sounds and night skies topics.

The NPS agrees to:

• Provide information about context, approaches, and management concerns associated with acoustic data collection in each park.

• Provide access to data analysis protocols and software and technical support.

• Offer routine opportunities for discussion and technical consultation between cooperative agreement participants.

• Provide NPS data as appropriate for research.

• Provide support, specialized equipment, or software as appropriate for recipient lab when needed for specific activities or to address park-related acoustic research needs.

• Provide guidance and review deliverables to ensure compatibility with NPS mission, policies, and standards.

Secretary of the Interior Priorities:

This program supports Secretary of the Interior priorities in the following ways

Working to conserve at least 30% each of our lands and waters by the year 2030

• The project will use science and technology to inform the best practices for managing and mitigating noise, and conserving acoustic resources for current and future generations in NPS units

Identifying steps to accelerate responsible development of renewable energy on public lands and waters https://www.doi.gov/ourpriorities

• This project will ensure timely delivery of resource condition measurement summaries, which will help managers better understand impacts from proposed actions (including renewable energy development) on public lands

Centering equity and environmental justice

• The information this project provides could be used to enhance park visitor access to natural sound and its associated benefits, and preference will be given to proposals that emphasize equity and inclusion, providing opportunities for historically underserved communities

Section B: Federal Award Information

Estimated Total Funding: ($360,000) The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined once final fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations have been made. This NOFO will be cancelled if FY 2024 appropriations are insufficient to support new awards. The initial award in FY24 will be $120,000 and there will be additional funding opportunities in FY 2025 and FY 2026 of $120,000 each for year two and year three of the agreement.

Expected Award Amount:

An estimated range of $100,000 To $120,000 of funding is anticipated for each award.

The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined as part of the application review process based on applications received and funding made available through appropriations.

Anticipated Award Date:

Projects receiving funding through this NOFO will start once funding has been secured and awards have been made. Anticipated award date will be no later than Fall 2023.

Anticipated Term of the Agreement: Fall 2023 – Fall 2026 Agreement terms for funded projects can range between one and five years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work. Agreements are not effective until fully awarded by the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded: 1

Funding Instrument Type:

Stand-Alone Cooperative Agreement – A legal instrument of financial assistance entered into when the principal purpose of the relationship of the agreement is to transfer something of value from the Federal awarding agency to the non-Federal entity to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law, and substantial involvement on the part of the National Park Service is anticipated in carrying out the funded activity. Stand-alone cooperative agreements contain terms and conditions, statements of work, and funding that is obligated by the cooperative agreement.

They are not linked to task agreements or master cooperative agreements as they are fully self-contained.

Substantial Involvement for Cooperative Agreement:

Substantial involvement may include:

• NPS is involved with the non-Federal entity in describing the goals, jointly developing the scope and the activities to be accomplished. This must be combined with other substantial involvement, such as providing technical assistance or any of the statements listed below, that goes beyond Federal stewardship responsibilities.

• NPS staff will assist the non-Federal entity in selecting projects, providing orientation to park resources, overseeing assignments, teaching new skills, distributing tools and equipment and providing technical assistance and safety training.

Other Information: Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

Section C: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants State and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, public/private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and individuals. All applicants must be a partner of the CESU network prior to being considered for an award of a Cooperative Agreement under this announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or MatchingNon-Federal cost sharing or matching is not required to be eligible for an award under this

NOFO.

Excluded Parties:

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

Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Section D: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package A complete application package is described in this Section. The application package contains both mandatory standard forms (SF) and various optional templates that may be used to satisfy other stated application requirements. The application package can also be accessed and downloaded from the Related Documents tab on the Synopsis page of this announcement in Grants.gov. Applicants may also request paper copies of application materials by contacting the Awarding Agency using the information provided in Section G of this NOFO.

2. Contents and Form of Application Submission You must complete the mandatory standard forms and any applicable optional forms, in accordance with the instructions below, as required by this NOFO. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. A complete application should include:

Mandatory Requirements:

• Standard Form 424 (SF 424) - Application for Federal Assistance. Complete this form as much as possible with all applicable information.

• Standard Form 424A or C (SF 424A/C) - Budget Information. Applicants must provide an estimated cumulative budget for the total project in the proposal. The estimated budget must align with the projected scope of work presented in the application. In accordance with the CESU network base joint venture agreements, a 17.5% indirect cost rate shall be used for resulting financial assistance agreements.

• Project Abstract Summary – The project abstract form must be completed to meet

Federal award reporting requirements. Ensure the project abstract succinctly describes the project in plain language that the public can understand and use without the full proposal.

If the application is funded, this information will be made available for public access including on USAspending.gov.

• Detailed Budget – The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify all project costs. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items including the cost of work to be provided by contractors or sub-recipients.

In addition, applicants shall include a narrative description of the items included in the project budget, including the value of in-kind contributions of goods and services provided to complete the project when cost share is identified to be included (reference section C of this announcement). Cost categories can include, but are not limited to, those costs items included on the SF424A and SF424C. In accordance with the CESU network base joint venture agreements, a 17.5% indirect cost rate shall be used for resulting financial assistance agreements.

• Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D) – Assurances

This form must be signed and submitted with your application.

• Project Narrative - Proposal Submission Format The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria (see Section E). The proposal text must be no longer than 8 pages, no smaller than font size 11, and have 1-inch margins. The 8-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and resumes (Forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the statement of indirect charges are not counted as part of the page limit). Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included.

Optional Requirements:

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

Applicability.

o This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

o In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR §200.318 apply.

Notification.

o Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

o Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR §18 and 31 USC §1352.

Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict-of-interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

• Uniform Audit Reporting Statement

U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1318 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1318 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1112 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title31/subtitle2/chapter13&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=sp2.1.200.d&rgn=div6#se2.1.200_1339 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr180_main_02.tpl through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

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

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S.

Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 and 31 USC 1352 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

• Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

If the project proposed in this application is funded through another Federal financial assistance award, in part or in whole, the applicant must provide a statement detailing the potential funding overlap in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted or copy of Federal financial assistance award covering activities covered under this proposal. The statement and the description of overlap or duplication, when applicable, may be provided within the proposal or as a separate attachment to the application. Any overlap or duplication of funding between the proposed project and other active or anticipated projects may impact selection and/or funding amount. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects”.

If selected for award, NPS reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to:

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

(b) Financial capability

(c) Evaluation of risk

(d) Name and phone number of the Designated Responsible Employee for complying with national policies prohibiting discrimination (See 43 C.F.R. § 17)

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which will replace Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. It is recommended that applicants apply for a UEI at the time of proposal development to allow adequate SAM.gov processing time. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award.

Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

4. Submission Dates and Times Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service.

Applications must be received by June 1, 11:59 PM, MT. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline. Note: Per 2 CFR 1402.204 (f) Bureaus and offices must consider the timeliness of the application submission. Applications that are submitted beyond the announced deadline date must be removed from the review process.

Application preparation time may take several weeks, so please start the application process as soon as possible. If it is determined that a proposal was not considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified during the selection process.

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

5. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” Applicants subject to EO 12372 must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State’s process. The names and addresses of the SPOC’s are listed in the OMB’s home page at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

6. Funding Restrictions Costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of performance of a signed Federal award are only allowable with written approval by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

7. Other Submission Requirements Applications must be submitted via grants.gov to the National Park Service by the deadline identified in paragraph 4 above. Applications submitted by other means or not received by the deadline will not be considered.

Applications must be sent to: www.grants.gov. Applicants may be required to provide their proposal electronically, or hard copy, but not both (per Appendix 1 of 2 C.F.R § 200; paragraph D.7.).]

In the event the applicant experiences technical difficulties with submitting their application, please contact: Steve Livingston at steve_livingston@nps.gov

START THIS PROCESS EARLY DON’T DELAY!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/ http://www.grants.gov/

Section E: Application Review Information

1. Criteria NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criteria in the project Narrative application requirement. Each applicant is required to provide a detailed project narrative, in accordance with section D.2., of the following criteria elements. It is HIGHLY recommended that the project narrative has sections labeled by criterion.

Criterion 1: Subject Matter Expertise Title / Description Weight 35% The proposal demonstrates that the Partner has subject matter expertise and can draw from multiple disciplines to design and implement a data analysis program that can accomplish the stated goals and research questions.

Criterion 2: Quality of proposed study design Title / Description Weight 30% The proposal demonstrates broadly how the data analysis program would be designed to accomplish the stated goals and objectives.

Criterion 3: Technical Capacity Title / Description Weight 30% The proposal demonstrates that the Partner has the capacity (e.g., personnel, lab; partners) to design and implement workplans, or has identified sources for completing these elements.

Criterion 4: Secretary of the Interior Priorities Title / Description Weight 5% Identify which of the Secretary of the Interior priorities, noted in Section A, Program Description (i.e. Working to conserve at least 30% each of our lands and waters by the year 2030, Identifying steps to accelerate responsible development of renewable energy on public lands and waters, Centering equity and environmental justice), your project aligns with, and provide detail as to how your project meets the priorities.

2. Review and Selection Process NPS personnel, and in some cases independent reviewers, will review all proposals. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

a. Initial Review Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied;

and (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination). If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further review.

b. Comprehensive Merit Review All applications that satisfactorily pass the initial review will be eligible for the Comprehensive Merit Review. Each criteria element will be scored on a 0-10 point scale:

10 Superior (100 % of weighted average) 8 Good (80 % of weighted average) 6 Satisfactory (60 % of weighted average) 4 Marginal (40 % of weighted average) 2 Poor (20 % of weighted average) 0 Not Acceptable (No score)

The following numerical rating values may be assigned: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.

The scoring of each criterion must be based on the strengths and weaknesses of the application narrative. To assist in assigning an appropriate score, the following will be used as a guideline:

Rating Descriptive Statement 10 Superior: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates that it will meet the Government's performance requirements and demonstrates no weaknesses.

8 Good: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates a likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements, and demonstrates only a few minor weaknesses.

6 Satisfactory: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains weaknesses and/or a number of minor weaknesses.

4 Marginal: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains significant weaknesses and/or a significant number of minor weaknesses.

2 Poor: Applicant addresses some aspects of the criterion and demonstrates some doubt in the likelihood of successfully meeting the Government's requirements. Significant weaknesses are demonstrated and clearly outweigh any strength presented.

0 Not Acceptable: Applicant does not address all aspects of the criterion and the information presented indicates a strong likelihood of failure to meet the Government's requirements.

c. Selection

The Selection Official may consider the merit review recommendation, program policy factors, and the amount of funds available to select applications for funding.

d. Discussions and Award The Government may enter into discussions with a selected applicant for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to: (1) only a portion of the application is selected for award; (2) the Government needs additional information to determine that the applicant is capable of complying with the requirements of DOI Financial Assistance Regulations, and/or

(3) additional specific terms and conditions are required. Failure to satisfactorily resolve the issues identified by the Government may preclude award to the applicant.

3. CFR – Regulatory Information See the National Park Service’s Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

Evaluation of Applicant Risk In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.205, applications selected for funding will be subject to a pre-award risk assessment which may include a review of information contained within the applicant’s proposal, past audits, Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), and/or past performance on previous Federal financial assistance awards.

Negative information that leads to an applicant being designated as “Medium Risk” or “High Risk” may result in specific conditions, as identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.207, being incorporated into the final award.

Prior to making a Federal award, any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance (currently FAPIIS) will be reviewed and considered (see 41 U.S.C. § 2313). Applicants may review and comment about any information about itself in FAPIIS. The Federal awarding 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 C.F.R. §200.205

4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Estimated date of Federal Award: 10/01/2023

Estimated date notifying successful and unsuccessful applicants: 08/01/2023

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices Upon being selected for the award, successful applicants will receive a notification of the selection of their application for funding. NPS estimates it will notify the applicant selected for https://www.fws.gov/grants/index.html award by 08/01/2023. A notice of selection is not an authorization to begin performance on an agreement. This notice will detail the next steps in the awarding process. Once all clearances and reviews have been conducted, a cooperative agreement will be awarded.

Work cannot begin before the non-Federal entity receives a fully executed copy of the cooperative agreement which contains the acceptance of the Financial Assistance Awarding Officer. Any pre-award costs incurred prior to the receipt of a signed agreement or written notice signed by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer authorizing pre-award costs, is at the applicant’s own risk. A cooperative agreement awarded by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer is the only authorizing document to begin performance.

Organizations whose applications have not been selected will be advised as promptly as possible.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

Data Availability Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315:

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

3. Reporting

a. Financial Reports: All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report.

Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. The only exception to the interim financial reporting requirement is if the recipient is required to use the SF 270/271 to request payment and requests payment at least once annually through the entire award https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.315 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html period of performance. We will describe all financial reporting requirements in the Notice of Award.

b. Performance Reports: Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Final reports are due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award.

c. Real Property Reports: Recipients and subrecipients are required to submit status reports on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest. The required frequency of these reports will depend on the anticipated length of the Federal interest period. The Bureau will include recipient-specific real property reporting requirements, including the required data elements, reporting frequency, and report due dates, in the Notice of Award when applicable.

d. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Recipients must notify the program immediately in writing of any conflict of interest that arise during the life of their Federal award, including those reported to them by any subrecipient under the award. Recipients must notify the program in writing if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal funding program or who otherwise may have been involved in the review and selection of the award. The term employee means any individual engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award. Recipients may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role related to their award, whose participation put them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethics website for more information on these restrictions. The Service will examine each conflict-of-interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the project and will determine if a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service will work with the recipient to determine an appropriate resolution.

Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.339 Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of the award.

e. 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 receive a Federal award including the terms and conditions 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

200.339 Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.

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4. Reporting Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance:

If the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of this Federal award, then you as the recipient during that period of time must maintain the currency of information reported to the System for Award Management (SAM) that is made available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings in accordance with Appendix XII to 2 C.F.R. 200.

5. Significant Developments Reports:

Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates which have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify the Bureau in writing as soon as the recipient becomes aware of any 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. The recipient should also notify the Service in writing of any 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.

Section G: Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

Program Technical Contact:

Christopher Kavanaugh Branch Chief - Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division christopher_kavanagh@nps.gov

Program Administration Contact:

Steve Livingston Financial Assistance Awarding Officer steve_livingston@nps.gov

Application System Technical Support:

For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or Support@grants.gov.

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Section H: Other Information:

Payments Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by the Service program. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S.

are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Bureau will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.