PKG00252145-instructions.pdf

Strategic Conservation Delivery through Pollinator, Monarch and R3

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number:

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region Science Applications Program

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.670 Adaptive Science

Authorizing Legislation: The Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §§742a-742j, not including §742 d-1;

National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, 16 U.S.C. §§668dd-ee; Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq.; Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act,16 U.S.C. §2901 et seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§661-666; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. §703 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 20 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Midwest Region, intends to issue a Single Source Cooperative Agreement Award without competition to Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF) to support strategic conservation delivery activities for at-risk species (e.g. pollinators) and to implement recruitment, retention, reactivation ‘R3’ activities. Conservation delivery actions will take place across the Upper Midwest and Great Plains states (MN, WI, IA, MO, IN, IL, MI, OH, KS, ND, SD, NE). In conjunction with its recently released Midwest Region Hunting, Angling and Outdoor Recreation Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Plan, the Service has identified goals and priorities for taking an active role in R3 efforts. Additionally, the Service established monarch butterfly conservation as a flagship species for other at-risk pollinator species, broadening the single species focus on monarch and aiming to prevent the need to list other species under Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. This merits a need for a coordinated and expanded approach to regional and national conservation planning and implementation of these priority conservation issues.

PF and the Service have shared goals under the umbrella of monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation as well as R3 initiatives. Both organizations have a long history of working collaboratively to implement habitat projects that benefit upland wildlife and both organizations aim to provide https://drive.google.com/file/d/16NY7YpavtLG9MBG9uzCv_cSgVyFQvntj/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/16NY7YpavtLG9MBG9uzCv_cSgVyFQvntj/view?usp=sharing opportunities to get more individuals participating in the outdoors and to become good land stewards.

Realizing good pheasant and quail habitat is also good pollinator and monarch habitat, together we aim to leverage our individual expertise and collaborate on overlapping objectives within our agency’s mission:

Pheasants Forever- dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Using monarch butterfly as a flagship species for other wildlife species, PF and the Service recognize a need to coordinate and collaborate at a scale beyond single state or other organizational borders, aligning planning and implementation efforts with appropriate regional and national goals and objectives. PF has a history and proven track record in working with local community members, conservation partners, including other agencies, nongovernmental organizations, agricultural, industry, youth, and private landowners to aid in the successful implementation of this project.

PF is uniquely qualified as a recipient in this funding opportunity due to their experience in the development and application of their No Child Left Indoors program. This initiative has four programs which include: 1) Shooting Sports, 2) Youth Habitat Projects, 3) Leadership Development and 4) Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation “R3”. Working with PF under the auspices of the No Child Left Indoors Initiative, the Service can focus on co-identified priorities where PF has expertise for implementation of R3 and pollinator conservation activities in support of the USFWS Midwest Region R3 Plan.

Department of Interior Justification- This effort directly supports the DOI S.O. 3356: to enhance conservation stewardship; increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans, including opportunities to hunt and fish; and improve the management of game species and their habitats for this generation and beyond. This project will focus on conservation delivery across the upper Midwest and Great Plains in order to address threats to fish, wildlife, and plants, providing answers needed to manage species (at-risk species such as monarch, pollinators; upland game birds such as pheasant) to healthy, sustainable, desired population levels.

Support of this project will provide funding to be leveraged by the recipient to identify and implement landscape-scale conservation solutions through local level habitat improvement projects. Support will be provided for convening partners for collaborative conservation planning and prioritization; to articulate shared priorities; and complement and build upon each other’s efforts to avoid duplication while maximizing resources, while fulfilling our public trust responsibilities for fish and wildlife conservation.

DOI Priority #1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt Working collaboratively USFWS and Pheasants Forever will implement the No Child Left Indoors initiative to get kids and families outdoors and letting them learn first-hand the importance of wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation as future conservationists. This cooperative agreement will focus on R3 (recruitment, retention, and reactivation) activities such as shooting sports and mentored hunting opportunities as well as habitat projects that will help the next generation develop a respect and appreciation for the land so they will become good stewards. This project meets the mission of the USFWS to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

DOI Priority #3. Restoring trust with our local communities This project will provide tools, training, and financial assistance to engage youth, families and local communicates in establishing pollinator habitat projects. Wildlife habitat projects will be focused on engaging the public to plant upland habitat and learn first-hand the benefits to birds, bees, and butterflies. This project will also create industry/agency partnerships and leveraging of dollars to assist state fish and wildlife agencies in R3 implementation through the help of USFWS and other NGO partners bringing quality opportunities to communities to engage in outdoor recreation.

Background and Expected Outcomes- The following four programs will be targeted to expand upon or be initiated as a result of this funding opportunity:

1. Youth Pollinator Habitat Program – The Youth Pollinator Habitat Program (YPHP) aims to engage schools, youth groups, families and communities across the country in establishing pollinator habitat projects. The objectives of this program are to increase awareness about decreasing pollinator populations, educate the general public on the importance of habitat for pollinators, and to establish quality pollinator habitat across the country. The program will provide tools for Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever chapters and partners to create habitat projects that involve youth groups, schools and community groups. Program support includes financial support, training on how to plan and conduct a pollinator project from start to finish, conservation/pollinator curriculum for classrooms, hands-on educational activities, and monitoring activities that can be conducted after the project is established. Coordination with USFWS will be performed early in planning stages to identify field installations where USFWS staff are located that possess technical expertise in habitat restoration and management. Where feasible, USFWS staff will participate in the YPHP habitat projects and programs through staff support of presentations, educational activities, and/or technical expertise.

2. Milkweed in the Classroom – The Milkweed in the Classrooms Program is a program designed to provide a classroom teacher with training, curriculum and all the materials one would need to grow milkweed plants in the classroom. Participating schools will receive a Milkweed in the Classroom Kit which will include everything needed to grow milkweed plants in the classroom.

Pheasants Forever and its partners will provide training to participating schools on how to grow milkweed plants from seed. In addition, teachers will be provided curriculum that can be used in conjunction with the interactive activity of growing milkweed plants in the classroom. Lastly, students will plant milkweed plants in their local communities and monitor milkweed plots to evaluate success. Coordination with USFWS will be performed to identify areas and maximize opportunities for students to plant habitat on their local public land management areas (e.g.

USFWS WPAs or NWRs) where feasible.

3. Learn to Hunt Program – The learn-to-hunt program provides training and financial assistance for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters to host quality learn-to-hunt events and educate individuals who have an interest in hunting but lack the opportunity. Learn-to-Hunt participants are paired with a mentor and get to experience an actual upland bird hunt in a safe environment. Coordination with USFWS will be performed to identify areas and maximize opportunities for participants to experience a mentored hunt within their local community on public land management areas (e.g. USFWS WPAs, NWRs; state WMAs) where feasible.

4. Orange Army Initiative Program – The Orange Army Initiative is a program that will provide incentives for current hunters to mentor a new hunter or reactivate a lapsed hunter. This is a new program that will be launched as part of this funding opportunity.

Pheasants Forever will provide the additional following outcomes with financial support from this funding opportunity in conjunction with leveraged resources/ matching contributions of partners:

• 100 Youth Pollinator Habitat Projects

• 7,500 Youth Pollinator Habitat Project Participants

• 10 Milkweed in the Classroom (1,125 Participants)

• 275 R3 Learn-to- Hunt Events

• Conduct 4 Hunter / Mentor Trainings

• Launch Orange Army Initiative

• Conduct 1 Mentor Training Workshop with Modern Carnivore in MN

• Conduct 1 Focus on Forever training in North Dakota

The above listed activities shall not duplicate any funded under State Hunter Education activities, Pittman-Robertson Act or other federal resources.

Substantial involvement of the Service will occur throughout all program implementation via coordinating responsibilities. A couple of specific examples from the list of outcomes include:

• Workshop coordination. To achieve shared goals between FWS and PF on R3 implementation, one specific activity includes hosting a workshop focused on “train the trainer” to learn and share best practices for delivering high quality events that engage youth and families related to outdoor traditions. The objective is to cultivate the next generation of land stewards. Workshop activities may include but not limited to mentored hunts, shooting sports clinics for beginners, coaching shotgun teams, the new hunter adoption model and hands-on habitat education.

Working with PF, they will host and organize a minimum of one Focus on Forever Workshop.

• Youth Engagement and Leadership Development. In partnership with PF, USFWS will send a representative to host a workshop at the 2019 National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) meeting on Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Conservation. Through targeting this group of young volunteer conservationists ages 12-18, information will be shared to these youth as leaders in their community, working to involve more young people and their families in outdoor activities.

• Staff technical assistance and public lands access. Service personnel will be made available to assist with implementation of habitat projects due to technical expertise in wildlife habitat restoration and management. Additionally, Service personnel will provide access opportunities for PF to host mentored hunts and training events.

II. Federal Award Information This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement in the amount of $75,000 to Pheasants Forever (PF) in accordance with the Department of Interior (DOI) Policy 505 DM 2.14 (B) (4) Unique Qualifications. Competition for this award is not practical as PF has exclusive conservation delivery experience in administering local level operations through a national network of members, chapters and partnerships to reach the scale and magnitude desired under this agreement. PF has exclusive experience in delivering high quality conservation programming for monarch, pollinator and R3 through their extensive network across the country that is implemented at a local scale and meets national priorities which are shared priorities to the Service.

Funds will be awarded in FY2019 and go through September 30th, 2020. This work is expected to be completed in phases within the activities outlined. Under this cooperative agreement a maximum period of performance will be one year.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity*. In particular, the Service will be substantially involved with the following:

Provide staff support for implementation of activities outlined (pg. 4);

Serve in coordination and advisory roles for activities to support R3 and habitat projects;

The Service will identify and coordinate use of Service lands and field installations;

Personnel will participate in workshops for R3 and/or pollinator habitat; and Service personnel will coordinate with PF to host a monarch conservation workshop at the Spring 2019 National Youth Leadership Council meeting.

*Additional details of Service involvement are described in the Background section (pg. 4).

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants This Single Source Cooperative Agreement Award to Pheasants Forever is being awarded in accordance with the Department of Interior (DOI) Policy 505 DM 2.14 (B) (4) Unique Qualifications.

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.

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

Cost Sharing or Matching This funding opportunity has no cost sharing or matching requirements.

Other Eligibility Criteria All potential applicants are eligible. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Status (IRS) must provide a copy of their Section 501(c)(3) status determination letter received from the IRS.

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 and then register https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=66668a4d924572f2b7b5feaf237a6ea0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 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.

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.

IV. Application Requirements Requesting Paper Application Package As a single source notice of funding opportunity applications shall use the grants.gov process for submission.

Application Form and Content Requirements As a single source notice of funding opportunity applications shall use the grants.gov process for submission of forms. See “Application Checklist” as listed in section IV.B.13.

All attached application packages will appear on the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity posting under the “Packages” tab. 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).

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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

Statement of Need: Describe why this project is necessary (significance/value). Summarize previous or on-going efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) 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 have received funding previously (from the Service or any other entity) for this specific project work or site, provide a summary of the funding, associated activities and products/outcomes.

Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) of the program/project. State the objectives of the project. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project objectives must be specific, measurable, and realistic (attainable within the project's proposed project period).

Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: List the proposed project activities and describe how they relate to the stated objectives. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative 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 separate attachments).

The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

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

Description of Individuals/Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis.

Sustainability & Anticipated Future Funding Needs: 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 how and at what level you expect these future activities https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html will be funded; describe future funding needs.

Map of Project Area: Map should clearly delineate the project area (states involved) under this agreement, be large enough to be legible, and identify potential for expansion.

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 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.

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 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.

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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 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 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.

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 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx

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 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.”

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

13. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

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

□ SF-424B or D, Assurances

□ Project Narrative

□ SF-424A or C, Budget Information

□ Budget Narrative

□ Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (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 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 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 http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.fsd.gov/ 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: Submit by Monday, June 24, 2019 5:00 p.m. Central

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 [Provide information on any program funding restrictions in order to allow an applicant to develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements. Examples include whether construction is an allowable activity, if there are any limitations on direct costs such as foreign travel or equipment purchases, and if there are any legislatively authorized limits on indirect costs (or facilities and administrative costs). We also must advise applicants if we will not allow reimbursement of pre-Federal award costs.]

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

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov:

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

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

https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

To submit an application by e-mail:

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

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

To submit an application by mail:

Number all pages of your printed application. Mail one, single-sided, unbound copy (do not staple or otherwise permanently bind pages) of your complete application to the Service program point of contact identified in the Grants.gov funding opportunity.

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.

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, 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 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

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.…