PKG00254831-instructions.docx

[Attachment B]

PROGRAM TITLE:

BLM FY2020 Bureau-wide Management Studies Support Program for National Conservation Lands

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:

L19AS00106

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Request for Applications Issued (Date): September 12, 2019

CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:

15.248 – National Landscape Conservation System

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

NOTICE OF

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

for Federal Financial Assistance

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Brandon Riley, Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 202-912-7540, Email: briley@blm.gov Mara Alexander, National Conservation Lands Science Coordinator Telephone: 202-912-7096, Email: malexander@blm.gov

Version 7 18 2018

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:

This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authorities:

FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC §1737 (b), Public Law 94-579 FEDERAL NOXIOUS WEED ACT (Public Law 93-629, as amended) 7 USC §2814 Management of undesirable plants on Federal lands GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY (GNA), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 PL 113-76 and the Agricultural Act of 2014 PL 113-79, 16 USC §2113a HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2005, 16 USC 6501, PL 108-148. Section 6501NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT, 16 USC 1246, PL 90-543, as amended by PL 95-625, 96-87, and 98-11. Section 1246 PUBLIC RANGELANDS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1978, 43 USC 1906, PL 95-514. Section 9. Section 1906 SIKES ACT, 16 USC 670h and 670j. PL 86-797, Title II, Sec. 202, as added PL 93-452, Sec 2; as amended PL 97-396, Sec 4. Sec 670h TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA ACT (TPIA), Public Law 101-628, as amended, 16 USC §4601, 4605 WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (aka THE WYDEN AMENDMENT), 16 USC 1011 , PL 104-208, Section 124, as amended by PL 105-277, Section 136, as amended by PL 108-7, Section 135. Section 1011 WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT, 16 USC 1281, PL 90-542, Section 1281

Projects will be awarded under specific legislative authority that pertains to that particular project.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

November 15, 2019, 2:30 p.m. Local Time

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Description of Program

a. Background: The BLM is unique in its mission of managing the public lands for multiple use and sustained yield of resources, including conservation. More than 30 million acres of BLM land is recognized for outstanding conservation values. Designated for special management by Acts of Congress or Presidential Proclamations.

The BLM manages these special areas to maintain and enhance their conservation values with the goal to conserve, protect, and restore these important landscapes and their outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values. These areas range from broad Alaskan tundra to red rock deserts and from deep river canyons to rugged ocean coastlines and include some of America’s finest natural and cultural treasures.

The National Conservation Lands include the following unit designations:

· National Monuments and National Conservation Areas;

· Wilderness/Wilderness Study Areas;

· National Wild and Scenic Rivers;

· National Scenic and Historic Trails; and

· California Desert National Conservation Lands.

Natural, Scientific, and Cultural Benefits - The National Conservation Lands protect a myriad of rare species, diverse habitats and ecosystems, historic properties, and cultural resources. These designated lands help ensure that the Nation’s extraordinary biodiversity and cultural heritage will be sustained for present and future generations to enjoy.

Recreation Benefits - The National Conservation Lands conserve over 30 million acres of rugged landscapes for the public to explore and enjoy, and hosts more than one-fourth of all recreation on BLM lands. These diverse lands provide opportunities for recreationists of all kinds, from white-water rafters and rock climbers to hunters and fishermen, hikers and skiers to boaters and off-highway vehicle riders. The BLM manages units that include over 2,700 recreation sites and 22 visitor centers, and serves approximately 14 million visitors annually.

b. Objectives: The National Conservation Lands financially supports studies aimed at increasing our understanding of the resources present on BLM lands and the effectiveness of BLM’s resource management decisions. The program seeks to develop and maintain strong partnerships with State, local, and private stakeholders in shared conservation stewardship by engaging partners in conducting management-focused research on the National Conservation Lands. Results from these studies on National Conservation Lands will inform management strategies utilized throughout BLM as well as other land management entities.

The Management Studies Support Program for National Conservation Lands aligns with the Secretary’s priorities. In the DOI Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018-2022, it states within Missions Area 1, Goal #1, and Strategy #2: Bureaus administer their resource management and conservation programs on more than 400 million acres of upland, wetland, and aquatic lands within their jurisdiction. Many of these lands have special status as national parks, seashores, monuments, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, national conservation lands or wild and scenic rivers. Land managers utilize earth and natural science, social science, partnerships with other DOI bureau, federal, state, local and tribal entities, and other tools and resources (including its front-line managers) in managing these lands and waters.

The Management Studies Support Program for National Conservation Lands will utilize partnerships with State, local, and tribal entities to gather the best available data for BLM’s land management decisions.

The Management Studies Support Program for National Conservation lands aligns with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 which states that BLM has the ability to cooperate with partners on investigations, studies, and experiments involving the management and protection of public lands.

Sec. 307. [43 U.S.C. 1737] (a) The Secretary may conduct investigations, studies, and experiments, on his own initiative or in cooperation with others, involving the management, protection, development, acquisition, and conveying of the public lands.

c. All awards under this funding opportunity must benefit the general public:

2. Program Expected Outcomes:

A. The National Conservation Lands program requires specific performance goals and outcomes to be accomplished. Proposals must identify how the project incorporates at least one of the following themes:

i. Management-Driven Research: On-the-ground research that provides information that can directly inform a pertinent and pressing management question.

ii. Citizen-Supported Studies: On-the-ground research that engages citizens (volunteers) as assistants in data collection, compilation, or data analysis to improve BLM’s management of the National Conservation Lands.

B. Research topics should address one or more of BLM’s priorities:

· environmentally-responsible development of energy and minerals

· effective management of borderlands

· supporting working landscapes

· managing multiple-uses on public lands

· supporting traditional land uses such as grazing

· Provide access to hunting, fishing, and other recreational opportunities on the National Conservation Lands.

For more information on BLM’s management priorities, please visit our website: https://www.blm.gov/about/how-we-manage.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Award Instrument

In accordance with the Legislative Authority, awards made under this FOA will be through a cooperative agreement. The recipient should expect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement may include:

· Joint collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work;

· Training of recipient personnel;

· Review and approval by the BLM of one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage;

· Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or subawards prior to their award;

· Participation in selecting recipient project staff;

· Directing or redirecting of recipient work by the BLM because of relationships to other projects;

· The ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and

· Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in the proposed work.

3. Individual award amounts by the BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division, will be no more than $25,000 per award and could fund subsequent fiscal years depending on approved appropriation. Individual projects may be awarded additional funding utilizing BLM State Office funding. No project can be funded for more than $100,000 total (combined BLM Washington Office and BLM State Office funding).

4. Total Expected Funding to be Awarded through this Announcement: $375,000

5. Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date: April 1, 2020

6. Length of Project: In general, proposed project completion should be completed within the shortest timeframe need to meet all the expected program outcomes. Application packages for projects requiring more than a three-year timeframe will only be considered for funding under limited circumstances.

7. Additional Funding Information Funding for this project(s) is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds and evaluation of proposals is based on the criterion in this announcement. In appropriate circumstances, BLM reserves the right to partially fund proposals in discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If BLM chooses to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. Funded proposals through this competition is not a guarantee of future funding.

BLM reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement if additional funding becomes available after the original award selections are made, Any additional selections for award will be made no later than September 30, 2020.

Any additional selections must be made in accordance with the terms of this announcement and BLM policy.

Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) are authorized to obligate funds for financial assistance.

This FOA is being released prior to the passage of a Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2020 by Congress. Enactment of additional Continuing Resolutions or an Appropriations Act may affect the availability and/or level of funding for this program.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

•State, local government, Indian Tribe, Institution of Higher Education (IHE), or Nonprofit Organization

3. Other Eligibility Restrictions This financial assistance opportunity is also open to all partners under any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no more than 17.5% of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

****PRIOR TO SUBMITTING PROPOSAL****

*** PROPOSALS MUST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE EARLY COORDINATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE LEAD OR UNIT MANAGER IN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENTATION (REFER TO SECTION G OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CONTACT INFORMATION).

*** IDENTIFY IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS A CONTINUATION OF AN EXISTING BLM COOPERTIVE AGREMENT AND PROVIDE CURRENT BLM AGREEMENT NUMBER ( i.e., L18AC00000). IDENTIFY FY 2020 WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH NEW MILESTONES AND GOALS. FOLLOW ATTACHMENT A FOR SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSED WORK.

This announcement includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Paper copies may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet.

b. Entity Registration in SAM: Federal law mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Register in SAM online at http://www.sam.gov/. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly urged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure that their information is up to date and in synch with changes that may have been made to DUNS and IRS information.

c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

2. Intergovernmental Review Before submitting an application, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the following website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/) to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” E.O. 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The E.O. allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of designated entities is posted on the website. Contact your state’s designated entity for more information on the process the state requires to be followed when applying for assistance. States that do not have a designated entity listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the review process.

The period of performance for projects awarded under this program is one or more years. Project proposals must be designed and budgeted accordingly. For multi-year projects, budgets and project activities should be clearly articulated in phases/years and support for future phases/years will be contingent on project performance, satisfactory reporting and financial management, and availability of program funds. Past and present recipients of awards under this program are eligible, but must submit new proposals to compete for additional funding.

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance **If a continuation of existing cooperative agreement with the BLM mark continuation in item 2 “Type of Application” and identify current agreement number in item 5b.

SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-424B Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

Grants.gov Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form

Project Proposal (Attachment A to this document)

Budget Detail (Attachment B to this document)

Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable

Conflict of Interest Statement, when applicable

Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable)

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

a. Project Proposal (Attachment A)

1. Attachment A is a suggested project proposal template and may be used when submitting your proposal. The proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a type-face no smaller than 11-point, and have at least one (1) inch margins on all sides. The 15 page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

2. All proposals are confidential.

b. Budget Detail and Justification of costs (Attachment B- Suggested Format)

5. Required Indirect Cost Statement and Documentation:

All applicants must include in their budget justification narrative one of the following indirect cost rate statements and attach to their application any required documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

All applicants are hereby notified of the following:

4. Submission Dates and Times

See announcement cover sheet for the deadline (date and time) for submission of applications. Applications must be received by the BLM prior to the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline for submission may not be considered for award unless it can be determined the delay was caused by Federal government mishandling.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Application Selection Process

Applications eligible for merit review will be evaluated by a field review committee to review, rate, rank, and recommend applications for award using the below evaluation criteria. Evaluation teams are made up of two or more qualified personnel familiar with the program and who have been certified to have no conflict of interest with any persons or organizations applying for award. The final selection of applications will take place at the BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division.

The Government reserves the right to reject any and all proposals which do not meet the requirements of this funding opportunity announcement and which are determined to be outside the scope of the authority under which this announcement is posted.

Awards will be made to responsive, responsible applicants who submit proposals which conform to the funding opportunity announcement and are most advantageous to the Government considering the evaluation factors listed below.

The evaluation process will be comprised of the following four screening levels:

1. First Level Screening --Basic Eligibility

b. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.

2. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation. Each State will be responsible for designating a State Evaluation Committee (Committee) with appropriate expertise and professional qualifications for the Merit Review Evaluation. The BLM State Offices will evaluate proposals only for their specific State. The Committee will review, rate, and recommend eligible applications for award in an objective and unbiased manner using the below evaluation criteria. An overall consensus rating will be determined for each application and submitted to BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division.

Projects will be evaluated by the State Evaluation Committee in a two-step process.

Step 1: Assess proposal relevance to themes and coordination with BLM

a. The Project clearly addresses one or both of the themes listed above (Yes or No).

b. There is clear demonstration of early coordination with the appropriate State Lead or unit manager in project development, design, and implementation (Yes or No).

Projects that do not meet both of these criteria will not be considered for funding.

Step 2: Rate each proposal that addresses one or more theme and demonstrates BLM coordination using the following criteria

a. The project products will have direct management application, i.e. address an important conservation and management decision. (45%) There is clear demonstration of the management issue being addressed and how well the information from the project feeds back to that management issue. The form or manner in which the project products will be made available for use by decision-makers or other intended users is clearly defined (e.g., technical reports, decision support tool, new or improved management technique(s)).

b. Technical Merit (30%) Objectives are clearly stated, procedures are well designed, results are attainable, quantifiable estimates will be statistically reliable and comparable to other studies. There is a clear statement of project objectives and explanation as to how the proposed approach and methods are a technically sound and feasible way to meet those objectives.

c. The project addresses a BLM priority (15%) Maximum score is given if the proposal clearly states how it will address a BLM priority (i.e., environmentally-responsible development of energy and minerals; effective management of borderlands; supporting working landscapes; managing multiple-uses on public lands; supporting traditional land uses such as grazing; or providing access to hunting, fishing, and other recreational opportunities on the National Conservation Lands).

d. The project clearly demonstrates a public benefit (10%) Projects which clearly demonstrate dissemination of information to the public or other public benefits will receive higher scores.

3. Third Level Review – BLM Washington Office, National Conservation Lands Division. The National Office will have a national committee with membership based on expertise and professional qualification to review applications. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner with the following merit review criteria. An overall consensus rating will be determined for each application. The ratings and proposals will be submitted to the Assistant Director of the National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships for funding determinations.

a. State Evaluation Committee Ranking (75%)

b. Project’s scope has broad regional or national conservation relevance in line with BLM’s priorities (25%) Higher scores given to projects with broader regional or national application compared to projects that have significant but local application.

4. Fourth Level Review - Pre-award Clearance and Approvals

Following the described review process, BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as:

a. Risk Management. The BLM uses a risk-based approach to evaluate the risk posed by the supporting applicants’ projects before it awards Federal funds.

2) Budget review is based on the following:

If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized. If the BLM determines that a Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award

If the results of pre-award reviews and clearances are unsatisfactory, consideration of funding for the project may be withdrawn.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

a. Any award made from this announcement will be based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and will be regulated by OMB's Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

b. Award cannot be finalized until awardee finalizes their enrollment in the Department of the Treasury, Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap. If your organization is not enrolled in ASAP contact the POC on the cover-sheet of this funding opportunity.

c. Acceptance. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down of funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Costs may not be incurred before the effective date listed on the award. Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, carries with it the responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, the administrative and national policy requirements and terms and conditions of award.

2. Reporting

Periodic submission of Federal Financial reports (SF-425), Performance/Progress reports, and Youth Employment reports (if applicable) will be required under this financial assistance agreement. Submission of financial and performance/progress reports may be required either quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Submission of youth employment reports (if applicable) is required quarterly.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. By accepting additional Federal funding under the current Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreement in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. OMB guidance is available at the following web site: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=954b81d94bf127c6de3c76a3c99d8d9f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2subtitleA.tpl

b. Administrative Requirements.

1) 2 CFR Part 200 Subparts A through D - Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles.

2) 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F - Audit Requirements. Non-Federal entities that expend $750,000.00, or more, in federal awards in a single year shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default.

3) Indirect Facilities and Administration (F&A) Costs.

(a) 2 CFR Part 200.414 - Indirect (F&A) Costs

(b) 2 CFR, Appendix III to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)

(c) Appendix IV to Part 200 - Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Nonprofit Organizations

(d) Appendix V to Part 200 - State/Local Government-wide Central Service Cost Allocation Plans

(1) The provisions of 2 CFR 200.414(c) require Federal agencies to accept federally negotiated indirect cost rates. The BLM has applied the following policies, procedures and general decision-making criteria for deviations from negotiated Indirect Cost Rates for financial assistance programs and agreements.

(2) Distribution Basis. For all deviations to the Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, including statutory, regulatory, programmatic, and voluntary, the basis of direct costs against which the indirect cost rate is applied must be:

(i) The same base identified in the recipient’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, if the recipient has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement; or

(ii) The Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, with prior approval of the Awarding Agency, when the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages) and the use of the MTDC still results in an overall reduction in the total indirect cost recovered. MTDC is the base defined by 2 CFR 200.68, "Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)."

(iii) In cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, under no circumstances will the Department use a modified rate based upon Total Direct Cost or other base not identified in the federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or defined within 2 CFR 200.68. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that the reduced rate is applied against a base that does not include any potentially distorting items (such as pass-through funds, subcontracts in excess of $25,000, and participant support costs) and is based on the requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.68; 2 CFR 200.414(f); 2 CFR 200 Appendix III, Section C.2.; 2 CFR 200 Appendix IV, Section B.3.f.; and Appendix VII, Section C.2.c.

(3) Indirect Cost Rate Reductions Used as Cost-Share. Instances where the recipient elects to use a rate lower than the federally negotiated indirect cost rate, and uses the balance of the unrecovered indirect costs to meet a cost-share or matching requirement required by the program and/or statute, are not considered a deviation from 2 CFR 200.414(c) as the federally negotiated indirect cost rate is being applied under the agreement in order to meet the terms and conditions of the award.

c. Program Legislation and/or Regulations applicable to this announcement:

i. Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOI's reputation and ability to uphold the public's trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy posted to http://www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law. For more information go to URL: https://www.doi.gov/scientificintegrity.

4. Standard Award Terms and Conditions

a. Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact your program officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following):

Recipients must not require their employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must notify their employees or contractors that existing internal confidentiality agreements covered by this condition are no longer in effect

b. Payment Mechanism. Payment will be made by draw-down reimbursement through the Department of the Treasury, Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) System. See following website: http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap Treasury Circular 1075 (31 CFR 205) requires that draw-downs to a recipient organization shall be limited to the minimum amounts needed and shall be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the recipient organization in carrying out the purposes of the approved program or project. The timing and amount of cash advances shall be as close as is administratively feasible to the actual disbursements by the recipient organization for direct program or project costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs

c. Conflicts of Interest. Applicants must notify the BLM in writing of any actual or potential conflict of interest that are known at the time of application or that may arise during the life of this awards, in the event an award is made. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the recipient, the recipient’s employees, or the recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under the award an any other outside interest. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the recipient and/or recipient's employees and sub-recipients in the matter. Applicants must notify the BLM in writing in their application if any key project personnel, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are known to be related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in or associated with the program to which you are applying for funding or who otherwise may be involved in the review and selection of the applicant. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award.

5. Special Award Terms and Conditions:

a. Liability, Insurance, and Indemnification. Recipients of awards arising from this announcement will be required to agree to the following:

1) Liability. The BLM assumes no liability for any actions or activities conducted under this agreement except to the extent that recourse or remedies are provided by Congress under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2671.

2) Indemnification. The recipient hereby agrees:

(a) To indemnify the federal government, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), from any act or omission of the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, as appropriate) (1) against third party claims for damages arising from one or more activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement and (2) for damage or loss to government property resulting from such an activity, to the extent the laws of the State where the recipient is located permit. This obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement.

(b) To purchase public and employee liability insurance at its own expense from a responsible company or companies with a minimum limitation of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per person for any one claim, and an aggregate limitation of three million dollars ($3,000,000.00) for any number of claims arising from any one incident. The policies shall name the United States as an additional insured, shall specify that the insured shall have no right of subrogation against the United States for payments of any premiums or deductibles due thereunder, and shall specify that the insurance shall be assumed by, be for the account of, and be at the insured's sole risk. Prior to beginning the activities authorized herein, the recipient shall provide the BLM with confirmation of such insurance coverage. Each policy shall have a certificate evidencing the insurance coverage and identifying the assistance agreement number.

(c) To pay the United States the full value for all damage to the lands or other property of the United States caused by the recipient, its officers, employees, or (members, participants, agents, representatives, agents as appropriate).

(d) To provide workers' compensation protection to the recipient’s officers, employees, and representatives.

(e) To cooperate with the BLM in the investigation and defense of any claims that may be filed with the BLM arising out of the activities of the recipient, its agents, and employees.

(f) In the event of damage to or destruction of the buildings and facilities assigned for the use of the recipient in whole or in part by any cause whatsoever, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the BLM to replace or repair the buildings or facilities. If the BLM determines in writing, after consultation with the recipient that damage to the buildings or portions thereof renders such buildings unsuitable for continued use by the recipient, the BLM shall assume sole control over such buildings or portions thereof. If the buildings or facilities rendered unsuitable for use are essential for conducting operations authorized under this agreement, then failure to substitute and assign other facilities acceptable to the recipient will constitute termination of this agreement by the BLM.

(g) Flow-down. For the purposes of this clause, "recipient" includes such sub-recipients, contractors, or subcontractors as, in the judgment of the recipient and subject to the Government's determination of sufficiency, have sufficient resources and/or maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to achieve the purposes of this clause.

(h) Identified Activities. All activities carried out in connection with financial assistance arising from this funding opportunity announcement.

b. Recipients must successfully complete an appropriate Defensive Driving Course before operating a Government-owned vehicle (GOV).

c. Recipients must successfully complete appropriate safety and training requirements before operating Government-owned equipment, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or other Government-furnished property (GFP).

d. Recipient/Sub-recipient Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements.

1) If performance of this grant/cooperative agreement requires recipient/sub-recipient personnel to have a Federal government-issued personal identification card before being allowed unsupervised access to a DOI facility and/or information system, the Program Officer will be the sponsoring official, and will make the arrangements for personal identity verification…