PKG00265181-instructions.pdf

National Park Service

CRFA-PGC - Cultural Resources Financial Assistance

P21AS00262

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

Review and Selection Process

3. Evaluation of Applicant Risk

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration Contact

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority Legislative Authority:

54 USC 301 et seq. (National Historic Preservation Act) 54 U.S.C. 302902 (Grants to States) Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, enacted as Public Law 116-94

Federal Regulations: 2 C.F.R. § 200, 2 C.F.R. § 1402

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.904

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements Program Background Information and Objectives:

The National Park Service’s (NPS) Underrepresented Community Grant Program (URC) is intended to diversify the nominations submitted to the National Register of Historic Places to include communities that are currently underrepresented. URC grants are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), and are administered by the NPS. Projects include surveys and inventories of historic properties associated with communities underrepresented in the National Register, as well as the development or amendment of nominations to the National Register.

FY2019 Public Law 116-94 provides $750,000 for the URC Grant Program.

Department of the Interior Priorities:

This program supports the following Department of the Interior (DOI) priorities:

Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt; and Restoring trust with local communities.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding

$ 750,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 50,000 Minimum Award $ 15,000 Anticipated Federal Funding:

Based on prior years data, NPS anticipates $500,000 to $1million in available funding per fiscal year for the entire program. Appropriations from multiple fiscal years may be combined dependent on receipt of sufficient applications and timing of appropriations.

Non-Federal Entity Cost Share:

Non-Federal cost share is not required for this agreement but will be considered as a competitive factor.

Estimated Amount of Funding Available Per Award:

The award size will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds. Based on prior year data, NPS anticipates the average dollar amount of awards made under this announcement to be $15,000 to $50,000. The largest award made under this program will be $50,000.

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates Anticipated Award Date August 10, 2021 Anticipated Start Date:

Projects receiving funding through this Notice of Funding Opportunity will start once funding has been secured and awards have been made. Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer (FAAO). Do not anticipate a start date sooner than 6 months following the application deadline.

Anticipated Term of the Agreement:

Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between two to three years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

Based on prior year data, NPS anticipates between 10 and 25 agreements per fiscal year. The actual number of awards will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds.

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant Grant Agreement - A legal instrument of financial assistance between The National Park Service and a non-Federal entity that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. § 6302, 6304:

(1) Is used to enter into a relationship the principal purpose of which is to transfer anything of value from the Federal awarding agency to the non-Federal entity to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law of the United States (see 31 U.S.C. § 6101(3)); and not to acquire property or services for the Federal awarding agency’s direct benefit or use;

(2) Is distinguished from a cooperative agreement in that it does not provide for substantial involvement between the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity and the non-Federal entity in carrying out the activity contemplated by the Federal award.

Substantial Involvement:

No substantial involvement on the part of the National Park Service (NPS) is anticipated.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 01 – County governments 04 – Special district governments 11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 02 – City or township governments 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Additional Information on Eligibility In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act as amended, 54 USC §300101, this funding opportunity is limited to:

State Historic Preservation Offices Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Federally Recognized Tribes, Alaska Native

Groups, Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined by 54 U.S.C. 300300 et seq.

Certified Local Governments (list provided at http://go.nps.gov/clg )

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No http://go.nps.gov/clg

Cost Sharing or Matching:

Non-Federal cost sharing is not required to be eligible for an award under this NOFO but may be considered as a competitive factor.

C3. Other Other Information:

1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible. Each application must be for a separate phase if it is a part of a multi-phase project, and significant progress must be demonstrated on prior phases to warrant additional funding.

2. Projects funded under this program constitute “undertakings” as defined by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108). Accordingly, after the grant is awarded, the National Park Service will work with the grantee to complete the consultation process prior to drawing construction funds from their grant account. Depending on the project, additional federal reviews may be required under other laws such as, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

3. If the project is doing work to or preparing a National Register nomination for a property and the owner is different than the applicant, the applicant must include written permission from the owner to proceed with the project and any required easements or covenants. The letter of owner consent must be submitted with the application, signed no earlier than 60 days before the application due date, and pertain to and be included with this particular application. Previous letters of owner consent will not be accepted.

4. For archaeological surveys, please provide plans for curating any artifacts recovered incidentally, including any strategies for outreach and the sharing of survey reports, research, results, etc. These will also require NEPA and NPS review prior to surveying.

5. Administration costs necessary to complete and administer the program cannot exceed 25% of total cost (admin and indirect combined). This limitation for the Historic Preservation Fund is by statute, 54 U.S.C. 302902.

6. Depending on the project, information may be required that will enable the NPS to assess whether the project includes reasonable measures for protection from vandalism or other damage, including measures to protect any monuments, memorials, or other statues. This may include, as applicable, a certification that the grant recipient will implement reasonable measures to protect the project site.

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

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package All application information is available on grants.gov. Only applications submitted via grants.gov will be accepted.

1. Application Package All application materials, including photographs, become the property of the National Park Service and may be reproduced by NPS without permission but with appropriate credit given for any such use. Additional materials not specifically requested by NPS, and materials sent separately from the application, will be discarded.

The Application Package contains several mandatory forms, which must be submitted with your proposal through opportunity number P21AS00262 on grants.gov.

Documents 1 through 4 will be available within the “Manage Workspace” Page

1. SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance)

2. SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)

3. SF-424B (Assurance for Non-Construction Programs)

4. Attachments Form o This form is in Workspace and is where each applicant will attach the necessary documents listed above such as the required project description, budget justification, project images, and any other relevant documents. The attachments form is downloaded from the “Manage Workspace” page. You will then add up to the allowed 15 attachments and re-upload to your Workspace.

o All files attached to the attachments form should be in either .pdf or .doc format. No other formats will be reviewed.

Documents 5 through 8 can be found on the “Related Documents” tab within the Grants.gov opportunity- not in Workspace.

5. Project Description Worksheet

6. Budget Justification Worksheet

7. Project Images Worksheet o Provide photos of the potential affected context/sites/districts.

o Photos should show current conditions and immediate threat.

o May also be elevations, plans, or other images o Color or black and white photos are both accepted o Photographs should clearly describe the community and the historic site involved in the project.

8. Indirect Cost Statement (See D6. Funding Restrictions below)

9. Proof of Non-Profit Status, if applicable o If your organization is a non-profit, please submit proof of your current non-profit status as part of your application

10. Letters of Support, if applicable o Letters of support should be submitted if defining specific partner support or matching funds.

These letters must submitted with your application via grants.gov as part of the attachments form. Letters received in any other manner may not be considered. All letters must be addressed to: Megan Brown, Chief of State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division, NPS.

o Please do NOT mail any letters. They must be submitted with your application. Letters not submitted via grants.gov may not be considered.

11. Letter of Owner Consent, if applicable o If your project is doing work to or preparing a National Register nomination for a property and the owner is different than the applicant, then the applicant must include written permission from the owner to complete the project and any applicable easements or covenants with the application. If this is anticipated as part of the project, indicate the plan for obtaining this owner consent as part of the project.

o The Letter of Owner Consent must be submitted with the application, signed no earlier than 60 days before the application due date, and pertain to this particular application.

o Do not re-use previous letters of owner consent.

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission Project Narrative

Project descriptions must address each of the evaluation criteria and applications will be reviewed against this rubric as part of the merit evaluation process.

NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the five criteria listed in Section E. A project summary is limited to 3,000 characters including spaces, each criterion is limited to 7,000 characters including spaces, and a project timeline is limited to 7,000 characters including spaces. No additional sections will be reviewed.

A suggested Project Description Worksheet format is included under the “Related Documents” tab on grants.gov which includes all character limits.

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. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, signed, and dated. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. 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).

Complete this form as much as possible with all applicable information. Please note: You must provide your ZIP Code + 4, four zeroes (0000) is not acceptable. Your DUNS and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) must match the DUNS Number under your SAM.gov record.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative. For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200.

The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify all project costs. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items including the cost of work to be provided by contractors or sub-recipients. All costs shown in the budget documents should match what is discussed in the project description worksheet. Cost categories can include, but are not limited to, those costs items included on the SF424A.

NOTE: No more than 25% of the entire budget may be applied towards administrative costs (defined below), plus indirect costs.

Administrative costs are: Allowable, reasonable, and allocable costs related to the overall management of activities directly related to finance (accounting, auditing, budgeting, contracting), general administrative salaries and wages (grant administration, personnel, property management, equal opportunity) and other “overhead” functions (general legal services, general liability insurance, depreciation on buildings and equipment, etc.) not directly attributable to specific program areas identified in the grant agreement. All administrative costs reported must be absolutely necessary for project and/or program implementation, such as the cost items identified in the final grant agreement or items otherwise approved in writing by the NPS Awarding Officer (AO).

Any applicant organization that has not completed the financial assistance certifications and representations within their SAM.gov registration must submit the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

By downloading this form on the “Manage Workspace” page, this form will be marked as “passed” and will be considered completed and marked as “Read Only”. You do not need to re-upload it on the attachments form.

Detailed Budget Narrative The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify all estimated project costs. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items including the cost of work to be provided by contractors or sub-recipients. In addition, applicants shall include a narrative description of the items included in the project budget, including the value of in-kind contributions of goods and services provided to complete the project when cost share is identified to be included (reference section C of this announcement). Cost categories can include, but are not limited to, those costs items included on the SF424A or SF424C.

Budget Justification Worksheet:

All costs listed in the SF-424A must correspond to the activities in the Project Description and must be outlined in the Budget Justification Worksheet. However, do not include your cost breakdown as part of the narrative Project Description.

Costs must be broken out into Federal and matching funds by cost center such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, administrative costs, etc.

If matching share is included in your budget, please list the sources of non-Federal match as well as if the match is secured or unsecured.

The following questions must be answered in your budget justification:

o Do you have policies and procedures in place that meet the financial management standards in 2 CFR 200.302? NPS may ask for copies of policies if selected for funding.

o Do you have a single audit and was it submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse? If no, do you have another type of audit or other annual financial statement?

o Can you certify that there is no overlap in Federal Funding?

a) All applicants must provide a statement to identify whether or not any overlap exists between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated project(s) in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel, including any application that was submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal).

b) The statement and the description of overlap or duplication should be provided as a separate attachment to the application.

c) If no overlap or duplication exists, a sample statement to satisfy this requirement might be: “[Insert Applicant Name] affirms that no overlap or duplication exists between the proposed project in this application and any other active or anticipated project in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel, including any application that was submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal).”

d) If any overlap or duplication does exist, applicants must provide a description of the overlap including when the overlapping or duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced.

e) If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be overlapping or duplicative of the funding requested from NPS, the applicant must immediately notify the NPS point of contact. Any overlap or duplication of funding between the proposed project and other active or anticipated projects may impact selection and/or funding amount.

Attach a complete set of financial statements including:

a) Balance sheet/Statement of Financial Position

b) Statement of Revenue and Expense/Statement of Activities

c) Statement of Cash Flow

Please note: Maximum hourly wages charged to this grant for personnel and consultants may not exceed 120% of the salary of a Federal Civil Service GS-15, Step 10. Current salary tables for your location can be found on the Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

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://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1bfd0da1190f850482e94794cca23a5d&mc=true&node=20190830y1.1 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.

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.

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. The statement and the description of overlap or duplication, when applicable, may be provided within the proposal or as a separate attachment to the application. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be overlapping or duplicative of the funding requested from NPS, the applicant must immediately notify the NPS point of contact. Any overlap or duplication of funding between the proposed project and other active or anticipated projects may impact selection and/or funding amount.

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. 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. We 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 program 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 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.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 applicant. 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.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. 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.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page 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.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 03/31/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service.

Applications must be received by the date above. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline.

Application preparation time may take several weeks, so please start the application process as soon as possible. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered for award. If it is determined that a proposal was not considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified during the selection process.

D5. 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 mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ 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.

D6. Funding Restrictions 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 to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, 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, do not use this statement] 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.

https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services

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 is submitting this proposal for consideration under the “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”, which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of 17.5%. 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 per 2 CFR §1402.414. 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.

D7. Other Submission Requirements 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria Criterion 1: Significance Maximum Points: 25 Description Describe resources affected by this project.

Significance

1. Describe the community and the historic resources affected by this project.

2. Describe why the community and the historic resources are determined to be underrepresented in your jurisdiction.

3. Identify if the historic resources are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and/or designated at the State, Tribal, or local level, and if not currently listed, why they should be.

Applicants must include concurrence of eligibility from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), such as a determination of eligibility from the SHPO or a completed survey that was reviewed by the SHPO.

Criterion 2: Planning Maximum Points: 15 Description Describe how the project advances goals of relevant planning documents.

Planning 1. Describe how the project advances the goals of a local, state, or tribal preservation plan or comparable planning document for your jurisdiction.

Criterion 3: Feasibility Maximum Points: 25 Description List and describe all program tasks and their anticipated results.

Feasibility 1. Justify the timeline as provided in the Timeline section of the Project

Description Worksheet.

2. Demonstrate that the costs identified in the Budget Justification

Worksheet are necessary, reasonable, and allowable.

3. Demonstrate how the project will be accomplished within the given timeframe (2-3 years) and with the given resources, while meeting all federal requirement and guidelines.

4. Briefly describe who will be involved in managing the program and their qualifications, attach resumes/CVs as applicable.

Criterion 4: Sustainability Maximum Points: 25 Description Describe the impacts of the project after completion including long lasting effects.

Sustainability

1. Describe the public-private partnerships and community engagement involved in the project and how these partnerships will sustain and continue to support the resource(s) after the grant project is complete.

2. Describe experience with protection of grant-assisted property from vandalism or other damage and the ability to implement and manage reasonable measures to prevent vandalism and other damage.

Criterion 5: DOI Priorities Maximum Points: 10

Description Please discuss how the project will support at least one of the following Department of the Interior (DOI) priorities:

Department of the Interior Priorities

1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt.

2. Restoring trust with local communities.

E2. Review and Selection Process Prior to award, the program 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 program may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Bureau may choose not to fund the selected project.

The program 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 Bureau 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 program will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. Programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Bureau’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 Bureau is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Bureau will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Bureau 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.

Review and Selection Process Qualified NPS personnel, and in some cases independent federal reviewers, will review all proposals. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined here. A summary of reviewer comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

a. Initial Review Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review may be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied; and (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination). If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further review.

b. Comprehensive Merit Review All applications that satisfactorily pass the initial review will be eligible for the Comprehensive Merit Review. Each criteria element will be scored on the following point scale with the following suggested range:

The scoring of each criterion must be based on the strengths and weaknesses of the application materials. To assist in assigning an appropriate score, the following will be used as a guideline:

Rating Descriptive Statement

Superior Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates that it will meet the Government's performance requirements, and demonstrates no weaknesses.

Good Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates a likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements, and demonstrates only a few minor weaknesses.

Satisfactory Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains weaknesses and/or a number of minor weaknesses.

Marginal Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The Application contains significant weaknesses and/or significant minor weaknesses.

Poor The likelihood of successfully meeting the Government's requirements.

Significant weaknesses are demonstrated and clearly outweigh any strength presented.

Description Criterion 1 Criterion 2 Criterion 3 Criterion 4 Criterion 5 25 15 20 20 20 Superior 20 12 16 16 16 Good 14 9 12 12 12 Satisfactory 10 6 8 8 8 Marginal 6 3 4 4 4 Poor 0 0 0 0 0 Not Acceptable

Not Acceptable

Applicant does not address all aspects of the criterion and the information presented indicates a strong likelihood of failure to meet the Government's requirements.

c. Selection The Selection Official may consider the merit review recommendation, program policy factors, and the amount of funds available to select applications for funding. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above.

d. Discussions and Award The Government may enter into discussions with a selected applicant for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to: (1) only a portion of the application is selected for award; (2) the Government needs additional information to determine that the applicant is capable of complying with the requirements of DOI Financial Assistance Regulations, and/or (3) additional specific terms and conditions are required. Failure to satisfactorily resolve the issues identified by the Government may preclude award to the applicant.

3. Evaluation of Applicant Risk In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.205, applications selected for funding will be subject to a pre-award risk assessment which may include a review of information contained within the applicant’s proposal, past audits, Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), and/or past performance on previous Federal financial assistance awards. Negative information that leads to an applicant being designated as “Medium Risk” or “High Risk” may result in specific conditions, as identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.207, being incorporated into the final award.

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information See the National Park Service’s Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices Upon being selected for the award, successful applicants will receive notification of the selection of their application for funding. NPS anticipates funding notifications to the applicants selected https://www.fws.gov/grants/index.html for award around 6 months following the application deadline. A notice of selection is not an authorization to begin performance on an agreement. This notice will detail the next steps in the awarding process. Once all clearances and reviews have been conducted, a grant agreement will be sent for signature.

The non-Federal Entity’s proposal, including all representations of capability, proposed approaches (including those of subgrantees), and other specific undertakings upon which the non-Federal Entity was evaluated (see Section E), also shall form the basis of award.

Accordingly, these are terms and conditions (see below) for which the non-Federal Entity will be held responsible.

Work cannot begin before the non-Federal entity receives a fully executed copy of the grant agreement which contains the signature of the Financial Assistance Awarding Officer. Any pre-award costs incurred prior to the receipt of a signed agreement or written notice signed by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer authorizing pre-award costs, is at the applicant’s own risk. A grant agreement signed by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer is the only authorizing document to begin performance.

Organizations whose applications have not been selected will be advised as promptly as possible.

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

Data Availability Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315:

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) By accepting Federal financial assistance, the non-Federal entity agrees to abide by the applicable Federal regulations in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program: 2 C.F.R. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions and Audit Requirements For Federal Awards

b. Standard Award Terms and Conditions Acceptance of a Federal financial assistance award from the Department of the Interior carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.