PKG00248296-instructions.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sonoran Joint Venture 2019 Awards Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00101

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Birds, Sonoran Joint Venture

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.637

Authorizing Legislation: Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. §§ 742a-754; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. §§ 661-667(e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C.

§§ 2901-2911; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 709a; and Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100 (Expiration Date: 7/31/2021)

I. Program Description The Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) Awards Program supports the investigation and conservation of birds and their habitats within SJV boundaries by providing funds through a competitive program. The SJV is a cooperative, regional partnership that works to conserve the unique birds and habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The SJV is dedicated to achieving this vision through collaborative public-private partnerships that work to protect the habitats that birds, and people, rely on for survival. We also support community-level efforts to safeguard natural spaces and reconnect people with the outdoors.

The SJV uses state-of-the art science to develop and implement best practices for land management. It brings together diverse partners including federal and state agencies, industry, counties, Tribes, academia, non-profit organizations, local communities, and private landowners to build strong, functional working relationships and create a balanced stewardship and use of public and private lands.

Projects supported by this program help create jobs in ecotourism, habitat restoration, and monitoring, among other things. They also help improve access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

This program helps meet the following Department of the Interior Priorities for Financial Assistance:

• Use science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment

• Examine land use planning processes and land use designations that govern public use and access

• Foster relationship with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands

• Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering federal lands

• Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resources offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities

• Create jobs in the American economy

• Improve access to outdoor recreation opportunities, especially on public lands

Proposals for projects that support the SJV mission and objectives and fall into the broad categories of habitat, monitoring, human dimensions, or planning, are eligible for funding. Components of your project may also include outreach, education, community involvement, research, ecotourism, or professional training, but the overall outcome must support habitat, monitoring, human dimensions, or planning.

II. Federal Award Information The Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) Awards Program supports the investigation and conservation of birds and their habitats within SJV boundaries by providing funds through a competitive program.

The total amount of funding available for the SJV Awards Program varies depending on Congressional appropriations and available funds, but tends to be $30,000-$50,000. Individual SJV Awards Program grants range from $5,000-$15,000. The SJV anticipates funding four to six awards in 2019, with an anticipated start date of September 2019. Applicants who received prior awards for a project may apply for additional funding under a new application as long as their current grant is in good standing.

Proposals that are not selected for Awards Program funding but which meet all requirements will be maintained on file in the event that an appropriate funding opportunity arises.

All Awards Program grants operate on a reimbursable basis. Payments will be made by electronic transfer to your bank.

General Project Considerations In order to be consider for Awards Program funding, proposals must (required):

• Clearly address one or more 2019 Awards Program Funding Priorities (below)

• Have budget requests from the SJV of $15,000 or less

• Focus on work conducted in or having a direct impact on birds and habitats of the SJV region

• Include the submission of all resulting data to the Borderlands Avian Data Center of the Avian

Knowledge Network (monitoring data) or eBird/aVerAves (observational data)

• Include a dissemination plan that describes how you will share the results of this project to support conservation

• Follow the described format

• Include a complete set of all required forms, correctly completed and signed

• Have a DUNS number

• Have current SAM.gov registration

• Be submitted via Grants.gov

• Come from an applicant in good standing (i.e., no outstanding reports for projects from previous years)

Proposals should (recommended):

• Be habitat-oriented or address a monitoring priority

• Have matching funds and/or in-kind contributions

• Minimize overhead and administrative costs (<10% of total project cost preferred)

• Have binational cooperation and involvement

• Be part of a larger-scale conservation effort

• Demonstrate a high likelihood of success

• Involve partnerships; new partnerships, as well as nontraditional partners, are especially encouraged

2019 Awards Program Funding Priorities In an effort to focus the Awards Program, the SJV Science Working Group has identified a set of funding priorities (see below). Proposals should address one or more of these priorities in a way that supports priority bird species as identified in the SJV Bird Conservation Plan (http://sonoranjv.org/plans/conservation-plan/.)

For 2019 we encourage proposals that address habitat, monitoring, planning, or human dimensions for the following areas:

Big Picture Priorities:

• Work with landowners and managers to use science to improve land use practices, especially through efforts like outreach biologists and improving grazing, water use, or fire management practices

• Habitat restoration and protection efforts for islands (including coordination for biosecurity efforts), coastal wetlands, grasslands, riparian, and Sonoran and Mojave desert habitat

• Coordinated Bird Monitoring for riparian, grassland, and desert landbirds; waterbirds; and seabirds, especially effectiveness monitoring for restoration activities (particularly if restoration is already funded from another source)

Special Priorities:

• Engaging birders, hunters, and other private citizens in conservation action (not including legislative advocacy)

• Human dimensions or strategic communications to support any of the above priorities

• Implementing priority actions from the Pacific Americas Shorebird Conservation Strategy

In addition, all projects must clearly help address one or more of the following Department of the Interior Priorities for Financial Assistance:

• Use science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment

• Examine land use planning processes and land use designations that govern public use and access http://sonoranjv.org/plans/conservation-plan/

• Foster relationship with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands

• Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering federal lands

• Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resources offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities

• Create jobs in the American economy

• Improve access to outdoor recreation opportunities, especially on public lands

Timetable

• February 12—Official Notice of Funding Opportunity made available. Proposals are accepted year-round and are held for evaluation during the review and ranking period.

• April 15—Proposals must be received by the SJV no later than midnight Arizona, Pacific Daylight Time.

• May 20—SJV staff and Awards Review Subcommittee complete review and ranking process and provide recommendations to Management Board.

• July 15—Applicants are notified of the outcome of their proposal.

III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants

All potential applicants are eligible. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must provide a copy of their Section 501(c) (3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service or authorizing tribal resolution. Please see the following federal mandates, however.

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

Cost Sharing or Matching There are no requirements for cost sharing or matching, although both are encouraged.

Other Eligibility Criteria State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

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In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S. are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name) or any entity with an exception approved by the Service under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must 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. The Service may not make a Federal award 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 Service is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

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

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

government FOR FREE directly in SAM.

Prohibition on Issuing Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements: Domestic (U.S.) non-Federal entities requiring their employees or contractors to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements that prohibit, or otherwise restrict, such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information are not eligible to compete for or receive a Federal award. See Pub. L. 113- 235, Title VII, Division E, Section 743 for more information.

Excluded Parties: The Service conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Service 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.

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IV. Application Requirements Requesting Paper Application Package

Access application materials on Grants.gov. To request a paper application, contact Jennie Duberstein (jennie_duberstein@fws.gov; 520-882-0837) and provide a U.S. Postal Service mailing address.

Application Form and Content Requirements To be considered for funding under this funding opportunity, an application must contain the following:

Applicants must submit the following:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box, and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

2. SF 424, Assurances Applicants must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Complete either the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The SF-424 Assurances forms include a statement that some of the assurances may not be applicable to your organization and/or your project or program. Signing the required SF-424 Assurances form does not make you or your organization subject to laws that are otherwise not applicable to you or your organization. Changing, crossing out, or making notations on the form before signing has no impact on the applicability of law.

3. Project Narrative Your proposal must include the following sections. Be thorough, but concise. The entire narrative, excluding budget table, maps, and literature cited, should be 3-5 pages long.

• Cover Sheet (use the provided form): Complete all fields. Briefly summarize the project in the space provided. Include the geographic location and a brief overview of the need for the project. Goal(s), objectives, specific project activities, and anticipated outputs and outcomes can also be included.

• Project Title: Make your project title concise and descriptive (10 words maximum)

• Statement of Need: Briefly describe the significance and value of this. Summarize previous or on-going efforts that are relevant to the proposed work. Explain the successes or failures of past efforts and how your proposed project builds on them. If you mailto:jennie_duberstein@fws.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-individual-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html received funding previously for this specific project work or site, provide a brief summary of the funding, associated activities, and products/outcomes. Be clear what new work will be conducted with this funding and how it adds on to work done previously.

• Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) and objectives of the program/project. Project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project’s proposed project period). For multi-year or ongoing projects, present your long-term goals by year/phase and clearly indicate which phase this proposal will fund.

• Project Activities, Methods, and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. These must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity. Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets, or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

• Environmental Compliance Review Requirements: For projects conducted within the United States, the narrative must provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

For projects conducted on the high seas, the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of Endangered Species Act. For projects outside the U.S. on any property on the UNESCO World Heritage List or the in-country equivalent of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the narrative should provide enough detail so that the reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation act

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

• Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Describe the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building you project objectives, identify your indicators of success and how you will measure them. Identify the products and services to be delivered and how/to whom they will be delivered. Describe any assessment tools to be used for project evaluation. If applicable, describe how project participants and beneficiaries will participate in monitoring and evaluation activities. Describe how findings will feed back into decision-making and project activities throughout the project period.

• Information on Key Project Personnel: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. If eligibility for funding is based in whole or in part on the qualifications of key personnel, provide for each key person a brief (1-2 pages) but descriptive overview of their education, experience, and other skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable

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

• Sustainability: As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and anticipated future funding needs.

• Literature Cited

• Map of Project Area: Map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative.

• Letters of support: If your project relies on participation and support from key collaborators, include official letters of support that describe details about their contributions and their commitment to participating in the work.

4. SF-424, Budget Information Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form. Complete either the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs or the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, as applicable to your project. All of the required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles as detailed in the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions”. Please note: Show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this Federal program appears on the first page of this Funding Opportunity.

5. Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

Include a detailed budget table that demonstrates exactly how the requested funds will be spent. Note whether matching and partner funds are already secured or are still pending. If they are still pending, when will you find out if you have been successful? How will you implement the project if you do not receive the pending funds?

6. Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving 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 and skip the next section.

7. Indirect Costs: Organizations https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9557df1830f0558e853e91c94dd8a3ff&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1407&rgn=div8

The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award.

Recipients must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs.

Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application to the Service, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

□ 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. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

□ A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

□ A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, please use one of the statements above or below] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

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

□ A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

□ A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

□ A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR 200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

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

8. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter that might place the recipient, including their employees and subrecipients, in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award and any other outside interests.

Conflicts of interest include direct or indirect financial interests; close personal relationships;

positions of trust in outside organizations; consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization; and decision-making authority related to the proposed project.

Conflicts of interest are those circumstances real or perceived that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the applicant, or the applicant’s employees or subrecipients, in matters pertaining to the proposed project.

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Applicants must notify the Service in writing in their application 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 program receiving this application or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of their proposal. The term employee means any individual to be engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award application. Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in the rejection or disqualification of the application.

9. Single Audit Reporting Statement 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 the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, 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.

10. 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.

11. 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 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 on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

12. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. 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, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html#sortby=1 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

□ Evidence of non-profit status: If a non-profit organization, a copy of your Section 501(c)(3) or (4) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service

□ SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

□ SF-424B or D, Assurances

□ Project Coversheet

□ Project Narrative

□ SF-424A or C, Budget Information

□ Budget Narrative

□ Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation, including NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement) (when applicable)

□ Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

□ Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

□ SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (when applicable)

□ Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

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

V. Submission Requirements Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration

These requirements do not apply to any individual applying for funds as a private citizen or any entity with an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d). All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and provide that number in the application; complete SAM.gov registration before submitting an application; and continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information at all times when the entity has an active Federal award or application under consideration. There is NO COST to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. The official website address is http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com mailto:%20SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

2. Register with SAM Register on the SAM.gov website. The official website address is http://www.sam.gov. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM” webpage also provides detailed instructions.

You can also 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 to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information. Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

Submission Dates and Times SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 15, 2019 by midnight Pacific Daylight Time

Applications must be time stamped or postmarked by this date and time to be accepted. Late applications may be accepted and considered if applicants can show a good faith effort to meet the deadline but have technical issues with the online submission process.

Intergovernmental Review

Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

Funding Restrictions The SJV Awards Program does not fund the following activities:

• Research that is not directly tied to an applied conservation need

• Education activities that are not directly tied to an applied conservation need

Submission Instructions

Proposals may be submitted by mail, by email, or via Grants.gov (strongly preferred). See below for instructions. We will send an email acknowledging receipt of your proposal package within 48 hours of submission. Applicants who submit through Grants.gov will receive immediate notification from the system.

To submit your application by mail:

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

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/

Jennie Duberstein Attn: SJV Awards Program Sonoran Joint Venture 738 N 5th Ave, Suite 102 Tucson, AZ 85705

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

To submit an application by email:

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

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov (preferred):

This program encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through Grants.gov.

1. Register with Grants.gov Applicants must first register an account with Grants.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before they can apply through Grants.gov. Grants.gov registration requires the entity to create an account, create an account profile, and establish authorized profile roles, including the applicant’s authorized representative. Registration can take three to five business days or longer, if you do not complete the required steps in a timely manner.

2. Grants.gov Workspace Application Grants.gov applicants apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace. To apply, the applicant will create, complete, and submit a Workspace application package for this Funding Opportunity directly on Grants.gov. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to allow time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

When attaching files to the Grants.gov application, please do not assign file names longer than 20 characters, including spaces. File names longer than 20 characters will prevent your application received by Grants.gov from automatically downloading into the Service’s financial assistance management system. Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, mailto:Jennie_Duberstein@fws.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html should be aware that the transmission of the application to Grants.gov takes time. Grants.gov sends either an error message or a “successfully received” message by email to the applicant’s authorized representative once the transmission is complete. Please do not end the transmission process before receiving that message.

3. Proof of Timely Submission Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique Grants.gov application tracking number to the authorized representative by email. This email from Grants.gov serves as your proof of timely submission.

VI. Application Review Information Criteria

To be considered for funding, applications must address the criteria below. The following outline describes the criteria by which the SJV will rank proposals. In order to rank high in the evaluation process, proposals should address all the questions listed below.

How does the proposal address the requested elements and program priorities? Maximum Points

Does the project address one or more of the 2019 SJV Funding Priorities? 5 Does the project benefit priority bird species as identified by the SJV Bird Conservation Plan? 3

Does the project benefit priority habitats as identified by the SJV Bird Conservation Plan or Waterfowl Management Supplement? 3

Does the project benefit a focus area identified by the SJV Bird Conservation Plan or does it have another regional, national, or international conservation designation (i.e., WHSRN, Ramsar, etc)?

Are new and innovative technologies or techniques being tested or used? 2

Does the project incorporate habitat, monitoring, planning, and/or research as secondary project component(s)? (This is in addition to the main component of habitat, monitoring, planning, or human dimensions).

Does the project incorporate human dimensions, education, outreach, community involvement,…