pfw nofaandapplicationinstructions fy16 v2.docx

Notice of Funding Availability & Application Instructions Fiscal Year 2016

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.631

I. Description of Funding Opportunity The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas are where the PFW Program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. Projects must advance our mission, promote biological diversity, and be based upon sound scientific biological principles. Program strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the program strategic plan and also contact the regional PFW Program office prior to submitting an application for funding.

II. Award Information Project funding is generally limited to $25,000.00 USD or less. Higher amounts may be requested, but may not be awarded without appropriate justification and approval. The period of performance for the majority of projects funded under this program is one year, starting on the date the award is signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Projects must be designed accordingly. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new projects to compete for funding each year. This program uses cooperative agreements as the primary assistance instrument. Projects are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from our field staff.

III. Basic Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: To receive funding, PFW projects must be implemented on private lands. IN GENERAL, the term private lands include tribal and Hawaiian Homelands and lands or waters owned by non-Federal or non-State entities.

The PFW Program actively identifies potential projects throughout the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). PFW Program staff work collaboratively with potential applicants to identify common habitat conservation priorities. We strongly suggest that all potential applicants work with the local PFW Program staff to ensure that their project meets the project selection criteria. Projects are considered for funding throughout the year, depending on the availability of funds.

Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Central Contractor Registry and Data Universal Numbering System) mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR functionality was consolidated into the System for Award Management (SAM) in September 2012. Exemptions: The SAM registration requirement does not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, State, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

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

U.S. and U.S Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711 Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1) For Hearing Impaired Customers Only call: 1-877-807-1679 (TTY Line) Once assigned a DUNS number, entities are responsible for maintaining up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet.

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

Entities that had an active record in CCR have an active record in SAM. Such entities do not need to do anything in SAM unless a change in business circumstances requires updates to your Entity record(s) or the Entity record is due to expire. SAM will send notifications to migrated Entity users via email 60, 30, and 15 days prior to expiration of the Entity record. To update or renew your Entity records(s) in SAM your Entity user(s) will need to create a SAM User Account and link their account(s) to your migrated Entity record(s). Entities migrated from CCR can find complete instructions on accessing their SAM Entity records online at http://www.sam.gov/.

C. Excluded Entities Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program

D. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Cost sharing is not required, although we strive to achieve a 1:1 cost share on selected projects. Cost share may be monetary or in-kind contributions from the applicant or other partners and will vary from project to project.

IV. Application Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain:

A. A completed, signed, and dated Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424). Individuals (private citizens) must use SF-424-Individual. The SF-424 form is available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15.

C. Project Narrative In no more than six (6) pages text and two (2) pages maps/photos, please provide the following information (Use 12-point font, standard margins and spacing. You may delete italicized text):

1. Project Location:

a. County:

b. Identify the sub-watershed, stream, and/or habitat where the project will occur. Include river mile and/or road mile where appropriate.

c. List the Township, Range, Section, and Quarter Sections containing the project location. Example: T45N, R5W, S15, SE 1/4.

d. Map showing project location

3. Degradation/Ranking: Identify and describe all of the major factors limiting the healthy function of the watershed/habitat. Specifically identify where and how your proposed project fits into the supporting documentation (Endangered/Threatened Species Recovery Plan, Species Action Plan, Road Maintenance and Abandonment Plan, Watershed Restoration Plan, or other similar types of documents). Describe how your proposed project addresses the causes of degradation rather than the symptoms, or how your project addresses species recovery needs or other species conservation needs. If the document(s) prioritizes actions, then identify the ranking for the proposed project.

4. Fish Passage Barriers: Are there any complete or partial fish barriers down-stream of the project location? How far away is the closest barrier upstream? Identify if they are natural or manmade. Give the Length (miles) and area (acres) of potential fish bearing water upstream of the project.

5. Project Objectives and Benefits: Identify the project’s objectives and benefits. The objective(s) should describe what you are going to do. The benefit(s) should be quantifiable; that is, you can measure or count the amount of habitat and/or species benefited, or the result of your project (examples: Remove 4 culverts and open fish passage to 3.7 miles of stream habitat. Propagate 1,500 endangered plants from seed and re-establish 1,000 of these plants to Site A. Install 8 signs, distribute 2 newsletters, and conduct 1 workshop.)

Habitat assessment or other activities

7. Species Present: Write in all species or stocks that will benefit or be affected by your project (reference Species List). Indicate whether the project effect on the species is direct (on-site) or indirect (in the project vicinity).

*Federal status: endangered (E), threatened (T), candidate (C), species of concern (SOC), or trust species (TR).

8. Climate Change: Please describe whether your project benefits species/habitats in light of the expected effects of climate change.

9. Project Description: Describe what you are planning to do. Is it part of a multi-year project? If so, explain what year(s) the funding you seek will cover, and how other years of the project will be funded. Photos of the project area are encouraged.

10. Partners: List and briefly describe the involvement of partners with this project.

11. Monitoring: Describe any monitoring plan (implementation, effectiveness) associated with this project.

12. Outreach: Describe any outreach or education efforts associated with this project (may include: public workshops, tours, signs, newsletters, scientific journal articles, scientific conference presentations, educational forums, etc.).

13. Budget: List the anticipated amount of:

a. Direct costs requested:

b. Administrative costs requested List the dollar amount and the percentage of (a):

c. Total funds requested (add a + b):

d. Cost share. List the dollar amount and percentage of (e):

e. Total project cost (add c + d):

D. A completed Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A). Use the SF-424A if your project does not include construction. The budget forms are available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15.

When developing your budget, keep in mind the following:

· Cost Principles: Financial assistance awards and sub-awards are subject to OMB Circulars A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (2 CFR Part 230), A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (2 CFR Part 220), and A-87, Cost Principles for States and Local Governments (2 CFR Part 225), as applicable to the recipient organization type. These OMB circulars are available online at http://www.doi.gov/pam/financialassistance/resources/index.html.

· Federally Funded Equipment: Applicants cannot attribute equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government under another award as matching or in-kind contributions. Do not include this type of equipment in your budget! Instead, provide a separate list of any equipment paid for by the U.S. Federal Government that will be used for the project, including the name of the Federal agency that paid for the equipment.

· Indirect Costs: An applicant without an established indirect cost rate agreement with a Federal agency may not charge indirect costs to Federal financial assistance awards and must charge all costs directly. Individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, state, local or tribal government, academia or other type of organization must charge all costs directly.

If indirect costs are included on budget form, the applicant must submit copy of their most recently submitted/approved indirect cost rate agreement. Non-profit organizations that have received, or expect to receive, the greatest amount of Federal funding in direct awards from the Department of the Interior, should go to http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/Services/ICS.aspx for online guidance and tools for submitting an indirect cost rate agreement proposal to the Department of the Interior. Organizations may also contact the National Business Center directly at:

Indirect Cost Services Acquisition Services Directorate, National Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior 2180 Harvard Street, Suite 430 Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone: 916.566.7111 Fax: 916.566.7110 Email: ics@nbc.gov

All other types of applicants except individuals should contact the USFWS program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity with any questions on how to establish an indirect cost rate agreement with a Federal agency.

E. Assurances Include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15. Use the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) if your project does not involve construction.

F. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, applicants must complete and submit with their application the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (available online at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SFLLL-V1.1.pdf ) when they have made payment or have agreed to make payment to any lobbying entity for 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 in connection with the awarding of or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. Recipients may not use funds awarded under a Federal grant or cooperative agreement to conduct such lobbying activities.

G. Statement Regarding A-133 Single Audit Reporting: Following OMB Circular A-133 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf), domestic entities expending $500,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in a year must submit an A-133 Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. State if your organization was/was not required to submit an A-133 Single Audit report last year (either your organization is a non-U.S. entity or a domestic entity that did not spend $500,000 USD or more in Federal funds last year). If your organization was required to submit an A-133 Single Audit report last year, state if that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website (http://harvester.census.gov/sac/).

Application Checklist

· A complete, signed and dated SF 424-Application for Federal Assistance

· Project Summary and Narrative text and attachments

· A complete SF-424A Budget Information form

· If Federally funded equipment will be used for the project, a list of that equipment as described in section D above

· If indirect costs are included in proposed budget, a copy of the organization’s current approved indirect cost rate agreement or proposal

· Signed and dated SF-424B Assurances form

· If applicable, completed SF-LLL form

· Statement regarding applicability of and compliance with OMB Circular A-133 Single Audit Reporting as described in section G above

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

V. Submission Instructions Applications may be submitted by mail, by email, electronically through Grants.gov, or as otherwise described in the Grants.gov funding opportunity. Please select ONE of the submission options.

To submit an application by mail:

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one copy of your complete application to the USFWS program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

To submit an application by e-mail:

Format all of your documents to print on Letter size (8 ½” x 11”) paper. Format all pages to display and print page numbers. Where possible, save scanned documents in .pdf format. E-mail your application to the USFWS program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

To submit an application in Grants.gov:

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

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

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW

Each year, we receive more requests from cooperators for financial assistance than we can fund; therefore, we must use a priority system to make selections.

Priority Selection Criteria. Conservation activities and projects do not have to meet all of the selection criteria; however, field staff will give the highest funding priority status to proposed projects that meet more of the following criteria (sequence of listing does not imply order of preference):

(1) National Wildlife Refuge System. PFW Program staff will favor conservation activities and projects that are on private lands near National Wildlife Refuge (Refuges) lands. Activities or projects that complement conservation practices on Refuges or resolve problems on Refuges that are caused by off-refuge land use practices will be given higher priority.

(2) Federal trust or other priority species. Proposed conservation activities and projects must improve habitat for migratory bird species; interjurisdictional fish; endangered, threatened, or candidate species or species proposed for listing; other species of special concern (e.g., focal or surrogate species) and/or other declining species, as identified by the Service and/or in other strategic plans. Activities or projects that benefit multiple federal trust resources will be given higher priority.

(3) Expand priority habitats, reduce habitat fragmentation, establish conservation buffers, and provide wildlife movement corridors. Our staff will give preference to habitat improvement projects near protected land, including land owned or controlled by the National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forests, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, tribal, state agencies, or nongovernment entities.

(4) Regional strategic plans and priorities. PFW Program regional and field staff work with conservation partners to identify habitat conservation priorities and delineate geographic focus areas in our Regional strategic plans. The geographic focus areas represent an integration of shared habitat conservation priorities among the Service, conservation partners, and stakeholders. We will concentrate our technical and financial resources in these focus areas to conserve priority habitat. Habitat improvement projects that meet region-specific priorities and are located within geographic focus areas will receive higher priority. However, field staff are not prohibited from implementing high-value habitat improvement projects outside of these geographic focus areas.

(5) Self-sustaining projects. Priority will be given to habitat improvement projects that establish a self-sustaining system and are not dependent on artificial structures. If artificial structures are necessary for project success, they must be designed to blend with the natural landscape and minimize future operational and maintenance costs.

Review and Selection Process:

All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the local PFW Program staff prior to developing an application. Most PFW Program projects are developed collaboratively with the landowner, PFW Program local staff, and other conservation partners. PFW Program staff are able to provide technical biological information and are knowledgeable about state-of-the-art techniques to restore, enhance, and protect fish and wildlife habitats for the benefit of federal trust species. If an applicant chooses to prepare an application independently, the application will be reviewed to determine if the potential project is consistent with the goals of the PFW Program Strategic Plan, and if the potential project meets the Eligibility Requirements and Criteria as stated in the full announcement.

PFW Program field staff are responsible for identifying and selecting habitat conservation projects, with concurrence from the field station Project Leader, or other appropriate authority. At a minimum, our conservation activities and projects must advance the mission of the Service and be based on sound ecological principles. Field staff also use the project selection criteria to identify projects that maximize benefits to federal trust species, and use program resources in the most effective and efficient manner.

Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. Cost sharing is the PFW Program’s strategy to leverage program funds with funds from other federal and non-federal partners to deliver habitat conservation cost effectively. All proposals should strive to secure a cost share ratio of one partner dollar for each PFW Program dollar.

If other considerations are equal, priority for funding will be given to projects that have agreements longer in duration, involve greater partnership support and cost sharing, and have the greatest cost effectiveness.

Please also see the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Policy for further information, at: http://www.fws.gov/policy/640fw1.html VII. Award Administration Award Notices: Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before a final award can be made. Successful applicants will receive written notice in the form of a Notice of Award document. Notice of Award documents are typically sent to recipients by e-mail. If e-mail notification is unsuccessful, the documents will be sent by courier mail (FedEx, DHL, Airborne Express). Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or receiving the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the USFWS. Applicants whose projects are not selected for funding will receive written notice, most often by e-mail, within 30 days of the final review decision.

Domestic Recipient Payments:

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

Domestic applicants subject to the SAM registration requirement (see Section III above) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP must enter and maintain current banking information in SAM. Domestic applicants exempt from the SAM registration requirement (see Section III above) who receive a waiver from receiving funds through ASAP will be required to submit their banking information directly to the USFWS program. However, do NOT submit any banking information to the USFWS until it is requested from you by the USFWS program!

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

The Notice of Award document from the USFWS will include instructions specific to each recipient on how to request payment. If applicable, the instructions will detail any additional information/forms required and where to submit payment requests.

Standard Award Terms and Conditions:

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of award. The text of all standard award terms and conditions are available online at http://www.doi.gov/pam/TermsandConditions.html. Acceptance is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by DOI and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

· Program legislation/regulation

· Special terms and conditions

· Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable:

· 2 CFR Part 25 Central Contractor Registration and Data Universal Numbering System

· 2 CFR Part 170 Reporting Sub-awards and Executive Compensation

· 2 CFR Part 1400 Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)

· 2 CFR Part 1401 Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)

· 2 CFR Part 175 Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

· 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart C Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards

· 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D – Post Federal Award Requirements

· 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E Cost Principles (including Special Considerations for States, Local Governments and Indian Tribes; Special Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education; and Lobbying)

· 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F Audit Requirements

· 2 CFR Part 200 Appendices I-XII

· 305 DM 3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities and 217 FW 7, Scientific Integrity and Scholarly Conduct. Grant and cooperative agreement recipients must ensure quality project results. Results must consist of unbiased assessments through proper management and enforcement of scientific integrity standards, which includes avoiding conflicts of interest as defined in USFWS policy 212 FW 7 (complete text available online at http://www.fws.gov/policy/212fw7.html).

Recipient Financial and Performance Reporting Requirements:

Interim financial reports and performance reports are required for awards with a period of performance of more than one year. Interim reports will be required no more frequently than quarterly, and no less frequently than annually.

A final financial report and a final performance report will be required and are due within 90 calendar days of the end date of the award. Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. The USFWS will specify the performance reporting frequency applicable to the award in the Notice of Award document.

VIII. Agency Contacts If you have a proposed project that meets the VI. APPLICATION REVIEW criteria, we strongly encourage you to contact your regional PFW office below before submitting an application.

Pacific Region (ID, OR, WA, HI, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa and Guam,): 503-231-6156

Southeast Region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, NC, SC, TN, Puerto Rico, U.S.

Virgin Islands): 404-679-7138 Northeast Region (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV):

413-253-8614 Mountain Prairie Region (CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD, UT, WY): 303-236-4316 Alaska Region (AK): 907-786-3925 Pacific Southwest Region (CA, NV): 530-889-2317 Headquarters (national): 703-358-2031

Or, visit our website to find the nearest Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program office: http://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html image2.png image1.png