PKG00254078-instructions.docx

Altar Valley Watershed Wildlife Habitat Improvement Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: F19AS00343 Federal Program: Department of the Interior (DOI), United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Region 2, National Wildlife Refuge System, Division of Biological Sciences Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.608 Authorizing Legislation: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§661-666; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. §742 et seq.; Sikes Act, 16 U.S.C. §§670(a)-670(o); Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §3101; Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act, 16 U.S.C. §§4701-4741; Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C §3376(b); Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act US Code 16 U.S.C. §941; and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, Pub.L. 114-322.

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 This agreement between the Service and the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance (AVCA) in the amount of $500,000 is hereby entered into in accordance with 505 DM 2.14 B(4). This work addresses Secretarial Order 3362, which directs appropriate bureaus to improve habitat quality in western big-game winter range as well as migration corridors. In addition, this work fulfills the Service mission of working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance populations of wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the benefit of the American people. The funding supports an ongoing partnership with Arizona Game and Fish Department and neighboring private ranch owners (AVCA) to enhance habitat and corridor restoration for the American pronghorn and other species such as desert mule deer, scaled quail, Gambel’s quail, bobwhite quail, leopard frogs, and migratory birds. The work supports AVCA’s long-term goal of protecting a working landscape, unfragmented by development, which retains ecosystem and watershed function within the historical range of resources and variability. Specifically, these funds will provide labor and support to conduct habitat improvements, monitoring, and data processing. The goal of this award is to enhance a semi-desert grassland landscape that includes Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR), habitat enhancements are expected to benefit all of the native wildlife species supported by Arizona’s Altar Valley. Additional goals are to monitor the response of restoration efforts, manage monitoring data, and conduct data analysis. Vegetation and wildlife response will be monitored using standard approaches to facilitate an adaptive management approach for this project and to better guide similar projects on other public and private lands, therefore having a greater positive impact across the larger landscape.

This agreement has a benefit to the public by providing efficiencies in the use of Federal tax dollars to improve and monitor habitat for native game and non-game wildlife species and the information and techniques derived from this agreement will be made publicly available to further the effort of grassland habitat restoration. The Secretarial Priorities this will meet are under number one (creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt) by fulfilling the Service’s mission of conserving, protecting, and enhancing populations of wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the benefit of the American people and number 10 (achieving our goals and leading our team forward) by achieving the Service’s and BANWR’s goals to restore semi-desert grassland for wildlife.

There are multiple objectives: 1) collaborate with others that share common goals in the Altar Valley to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness in managing this unique landscape across land ownership boundaries; 2) selectively remove and/or half-cut mesquite trees and Jerusalem-thorn trees to better balance a grassland-dominated landscape that is currently being impacted by encroachment of these trees and thus becoming less capable of supporting the extraordinary richness of native animals that once occupied this landscape; 3) positively influence hydrological function on the landscape by improving vegetation cover and composition, slowing/catching runoff during rain events, promoting better percolation of water into available soils, and thereby providing more opportunity for shallow groundwater recharge; 4) provide water to wildlife; 5) monitor and document the resulting vegetation and wildlife response to management actions and make the results available to promote adaptive management across a greater landscape; 6) wetland and maintenance development for endangered species and 7) utilize the best available approaches and software to plan projects, manage, process, and analyze data.

II. Federal Award Information This Single Source award up to $500,000 is being awarded to AVCA in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4) Unique Qualifications. The period of performance for the award is September 30, 2019 to September 29, 2024. AVCA has a strong partnership with the Service and has expertise in habitat restoration of semi-desert grassland. AVCA is a collaborative organization founded in 1995 and incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. The organization works through a strongly collaborative, science–based community, driven and integrated approach to conserve, promote and sustain the habitats and contemporary as well as historical way of life within the Altar Valley. This unique skills set is required for successful completion of this project. Additionally, AVCA staff is highly qualified to provide quality data collection and data management. Under this agreement, AVCA will: 1) provide highly-skilled personnel; 2) work with the Service to ensure project goals are met; 3) co-select and manage personnel; 4) provide administrative support;

5) promote partnerships and a complete understanding between private landowners within Altar Valley and the Service; and 6) ensure performance of project completion.

The Service will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. Under this agreement the Service will: 1) set project goals and direction; 2) co-select and train field technicians on specific techniques; 3) provide safety training; and 4) daily or weekly oversight to ensure project goals are being met; 5) regularly work alongside AVCA staff in the field to implement habitat restoration and monitoring activities; 6) regularly work with AVCA staff to conduct management and analysis; and 7) ensure performance of the project completion.

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.

III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4) Unique Qualifications: demonstrated broad-based collaborative efforts that involve existing working knowledge, skills, and abilities in protecting and managing a landscape, composed of multiple jurisdictions and ownerships, supported by the Altar Valley watershed to maximize ecosystem and watershed function within this largely un-fragmented location in south-central Arizona. The Recipient, AVCA, is uniquely qualified because the group already exists to focus discussions and projects involving soil, water, and vegetation conservation in the Altar Valley. The group is composed of local experts in various disciplines of collaborative conservation planning, communication, rangeland monitoring, applied research, watershed function, open space maintenance, education, and utilizing effective cross-jurisdictional partnerships. Additionally, AVCA is organized and highly qualified to assist the Service with data collection, data management, and quality control/assurance procedures.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching: No cost sharing or matching is required for this project.

C. Other Eligibility Criteria The Recipient, AVCA, will have the following criteria: 1) highly skilled habitat restoration personnel; 2) expert knowledge of the Altar Valley landscape; 3) expert knowledge of semi-desert grassland landscape; 4) expert knowledge in building partnerships with the Altar Valley; 5) the Recipient shall procure and maintain, for the life of this cooperative agreement, liability insurance in a form satisfactory to the Service. The amounts of the insurance shall be not less than as follows: $1,000,000 each occurrence and $25,000 property damage; and 6) must be able to provide staff that is able to pass the Federal background requirements for computer system access.

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 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 A. Requesting Paper Application Package Applicants may visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html in order to obtain the paper forms as well as the instructions in the grant application package.

B. Application Form and Content Requirements 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. All applicants (organizations only, no individuals) 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 the SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs for 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 Project title: Altar Valley Watershed Wildlife Habitat Improvement Description of entity(ies) undertaking the project: The Altar Valley Conservation Alliance is a collaborative conservation organization founded in 1995, and incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.

AVCA's mission statement: we work through a strongly collaborative, science-based, community driven and integrated approach to:

· CONSERVE healthy and productive working landscapes, including soil and water conservation, wildfire management, habitat conservation and protection of native species, and other environmental initiatives.

· PROMOTE a thriving agricultural economy by encouraging improved ranching and farming practices, diversification and innovation, and by supporting programs and policies that support more effective, long-term economic development.

· SUSTAIN a resilient rural community by retaining and renewing the cultural and historical traditions of the Altar Valley.

AVCA's vision: ranchers and other agriculturalists work effectively with our partners to conserve healthy and productive working landscapes, promote a thriving agricultural economy, and sustain a resilient rural community enriched by the culture and history of the Altar Valley.

Statement of Need: Altar Valley was once inhabited by large herds of pronghorn and other species such as desert mule deer, scaled quail, Gambel’s quail, bobwhite quail, leopard frogs, and migratory birds though the exact number of animals present has been disputed. By at least 1935, many species including pronghorn and masked bobwhite quail had disappeared from this landscape, largely due to drought, unregulated hunting, and declining habitat conditions. All of these factors have been, or can be, addressed in various ways. Long-term drought can be mitigated by increasing water availability through selectively placed and maintained drinkers or stock tanks. Sustainable hunting is well regulated and enforced by State and Federal wildlife management agencies. Habitat condition improvement in portions of the Altar Valley remains necessary to provide more optimal conditions wildlife. Refuge lands have suffered from neglectful maintenance of seasonal water tanks, inappropriate attention to maintaining wildlife corridors, and invasion by woody vegetation, all of which can be addressed through this project. Winter food availability, lack of favorable native shrubs, and an abundance of predators have also been identified as limiting factors for multiple species at the refuge (D. E. Brown, pers. comm. 2018). Mesquite has encroached into the once mostly open grassland, robbing water from native grasses, forbs, and shrubs and providing poor quality escape cover for some species. Scaled quail are reported to have declined throughout Arizona due to the declining acres of quality open grassland habitat with a healthy forb component (Engel-Wilson and Kuvlesky, 2002). Reducing the mesquite woodland component that has invaded grasslands, and correcting channel incision, will encourage native grasslands to increase and will provide American pronghorn and other wildlife the appropriate habitat structure and components they require. Thinning of mesquite and Jerusalem-thorn using a combination of prescribed fire, herbicides, or mechanical means has been accomplished in the past and has been partially successful. Some intermittent work to aerate soils and improve water infiltration has taken place, but was not done over a large area or for a long enough time period to have a substantial impact. Some variations of rock dam placements have been implemented with good results when done properly. While the refuge serves as one of the largest examples of publicly accessible semi-desert grassland in Arizona that is protected in perpetuity for wildlife and public use, it represents only a part of the Altar Valley, and it is crucial to address habitat restoration on a larger scale that crosses jurisdictions and land ownership boundaries.

Project Goals and Objectives: The overarching goal of this project is to enhance semi-desert grassland habitat similar to previous conditions in order to better support more diverse wildlife community over an area large enough to have a long-lasting and sustainable impact to populations. The first objective is to collaborate with others that share common goals in the Altar Valley to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness in managing this unique landscape across land ownership boundaries. The second objective is to selectively remove and/or half-cut mesquite trees and Jerusalem-thorn trees to better balance a grassland-dominated landscape that is currently being impacted by encroachment of these trees and thus becoming less capable of supporting American pronghorn and the diverse suite of native species that once occupied this landscape. The third objective is to positively influence hydrological function on the landscape by improving vegetation cover and composition, slowing runoff during rain events, promoting better percolation of water into available soils, and thereby providing more opportunity for shallow groundwater recharge. The fourth objective is to monitor and document the resulting vegetation and wildlife response to restoration work, and make the results available to promote adaptive management across a greater landscape, and the fifth objective is to utilize the best available approaches and software to help plan projects, manage, process, and analyze data.

Project Activities, Methods and Timetable: After receiving funding, collaborators will provide the necessary personnel, equipment, materials, services, facilities, and otherwise perform all things necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of this project. All activities that will occur on the refuge have been approved through the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7, and the National Historic Preservation Act as part of the BANWR Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Service 2003) and the BANWR Habitat Management Plan (Service 2010). Off-refuge activities will likely require additional environmental compliance prior to work commencing on those lands. Specifically, those involved in this agreement will:

· For objective 1, Service personnel will work in close coordination with AVCA to identify potential restoration areas on the landscape, plan activities to meet habitat objectives in ways that maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness across land ownership boundaries.

· For objective 2, mesquite and Jerusalem-thorn will be thinned using mechanical means (chainsaw, grubbing, masticating, lopping, etc.) and cut stumps and/or re-sprouts will be treated with an effective herbicide to prevent regrowth. Prescribed fire could be used to maintain mechanical work and/or to remove the accumulated slash resulting from cut trees. This remaining tree cover will be maintained in and along selected drainages, while trees in more upland areas will be removed or converted to a more shrubby structure by a method referred to as half cutting where the limbs are half cut and bent towards the ground. Some downed mesquite will be piled into brush piles to provide structure and escape cover for some wildlife until a more natural shrub component is either allowed to regenerate or could be planted and grown to appropriate size and densities.

· For objective 3, hydrologic work will be accomplished by placing rock-filled wire gabion baskets or one layer of appropriately sized rocks across small, down-cutting side-channel drainages associated with larger drainages in selected project areas to slow water runoff, catch sediment, hold moisture, and help sustain vegetation. Earthen water tanks would be cleaned or otherwise modified to catch runoff, extend the availability of water for wildlife, and assist groundwater recharge. Native vegetation maybe be planted in select areas.

· For objective 4, water sources will be provided on across the landscape. Water source will be rainwater or well.

· For objective 5, wildlife will be monitored throughout the year using various techniques that are specific to the species being monitored (example: pronghorn and quail can be monitored via either ground or aerial surveys). Vegetation monitoring will include species diversity indices measured both inside and outside of treated areas, and subsampling of mesquite/Jerusalem-thorn controlled areas to determine success of methods used.

· For objective 6, man-made impoundments will be improved or developed

· For objective 7, data collection and management will be monitored by refuge personnel and others, who will ensure quality data is analyzed using standardized methods and will be in a format easily accessible to other entities.

Proposed Timetable

Mesquite and Jerusalem-thorn thinning

Wetland maintenance and development

Report on status and outcomes (on requested dates)

Description of Stakeholder Coordination/Involvement: Service staff and AVCA have a long track record of completing these types of projects both on and off of refuge lands in south-central Arizona. Interest from partners and private landowners has been building for many years and provides a unique opportunity for regional collaboration on a grand scale in combining efforts on Federal, State, and private lands. For the planned activities of this project, Service personnel have sought advice from several different entities, including AVCA experts, Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists, U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers, Pima County personnel, and University of Arizona Extension Service Ecologists.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Project monitoring and evaluation will be based on how logistically feasible the work is conducted, results of the work, and the smoothness of administration of the project. We will use the timetable included within the agreement and routine in-person meetings/checking to assess progress. We will have daily contact with AVCA staff implementing the project.

Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: AVCA convened in 1995 as agricultural landowners in the valley originally came together due to concern about the threat of potential development leading to the loss of open agricultural grazing land, the desire to return fire to the landscape as a management tool to combat the invasion of woody vegetation, to address concerns regarding significant erosion issues, to reverse the loss of productive grasslands, and to help champion other common goals. The group became a legal. charitable not-for-profit corporation in 2000. The AVCA Board of Directors consists of agricultural landowners within the watershed as well as other community members. The group accomplishes its work through collaboration with dozens of partner organizations. The AVCA Executive Director is Ms. Mary Miller, who can be contacted at the following email address: mary@altarvalleyconservation.org.

Map of Project Area: The following map depicts only the BANWR portion of the Altar Valley, highlighting the refuge grassland unit in green, and identifying the proposed potential area targeted for priority habitat restoration work in purple. Surrounding private lands are not identified, nor are the specific project areas within these private properties identified, as the potential for such project work has not yet been specifically identified or authorized.

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.

6. 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.

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 [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 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 will charge all costs directly.

7. 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 may not solicit, obtain, or use non-public information that may be of competitive interest to the entity, including information regarding the funding opportunity, evaluation, award, or administration of an award to the entity. 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. Applicants may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role for the proposed project, whose participation puts them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethic’s website at https://oge.gov/ for more information on these restrictions. The Service will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed project and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, the Service may work with the applicant determine an appropriate resolution. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.”

12. APPLICATION CHECKLIST

· SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application

· SF-424A, Budget Information

· SF-424B, Assurances

· Project Narrative

· Budget Narrative

· Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

· Conflict of Interest Disclosure (when applicable)

· Single Audit Reporting Statement (when applicable)

· IRS Letter (non-profit status) for 501 (c) (3)

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

· Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

· Certificate of Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

· Staff that will pass Federal background requirements

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

V. Submission Requirements A. 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 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.

B. Submission Dates and Times: Applications due no later than Tuesday, August 27, 2019, by 4 p.m. MDT. This program requires that applicants submit their applications online through www.grants.gov. Follow these steps to apply through www.grants.gov.

C. Funding Restrictions: Funding restrictions include equipment rentals, construction, and pre-award costs. There will be no foreign travel associated with this agreement D. Submission Instructions This program recommends 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, 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 A. Criteria This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4) Unique Qualifications.

B. Review and Selection Process This Single Source Award is being awarded in accordance with DOI Policy 505 DM 2.14 B(4) Unique Qualifications.

Prior to award, the Service will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the Service may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Service may choose not to fund the selected project.

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.

Prior to award, the Service will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.205. Service programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Service’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Service is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Service will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Service uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied the award.

VII. Federal Award Administration A. Federal Award Notices Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

B. Award Terms and Conditions See the Service’s “Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. “Department of the Interior Award Provisions” attached to this Funding Opportunity also apply to Service awards (Attachment A).

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

D. Reporting Requirements The Service will include recipient-specific reporting requirements, including the required reports, reporting frequency, and report due dates in all Notices of Award, as applicable.

1. Financial Reports All recipients must use the SF-425, Federal Financial Report form for financial reporting. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report. Final reports are due no later than 90 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. See Service policy 516 FW 1, Monitoring Financial and Performance Reporting for Financial Assistance for more information.

2. Performance Reports Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results.

Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) other pertinent information, when appropriate, including analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs; 4) where the accomplishments of the Federal award can be quantified, a computation of the cost (e.g., related to units of accomplishment), if that information will be useful and where performance trend data and analysis would be informative, we should include this as a performance reporting requirement; and 5) any additional requirements specified in legislation or the Notice of…