_Recreation FOA.pdf

Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Funding Opportunity

FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho (ID) Recreation and Visitor Services

Funding Opportunity Number

L25AS00069

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: L25AS00069

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.225

Estimated Total Program Funding: $200,000

Expected Number of Awards: 5

Award Ceiling: $100,000

Award Floor: $10,000

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date for Applications: 02/03/2025

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected by the following rounds:

Open from November 13, 2024 through February 3, 2025.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

Have Questions?

The State Recreation & Visitor Services Lead is Shannon Bassista, sbassista@blm.gov, 208-373- 3825. If the project crosses multiple states or is national in scope, applicants are also encouraged to contact the HQ Recreation & Visitor Services Lead Cory Roegner at croegner@blm.gov.

Executive Summary Program Strategic Goals: The Recreation and Visitor Services Program provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities that benefit the public and local communities. The program is also responsible for implementing Administration and Department priorities, including projects to improve racial equity, diversity and inclusion; help strengthen the U.S. economy; and reduce impacts to the environment and climate. The program is also prioritizing implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act; the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the Great American Outdoors Act; the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act;

Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

In fiscal year 2025, the BLM will support the Department’s priorities by focusing on projects that build healthy communities and economies, advance environmental justice, address the climate crisis, and provide safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. These projects will:

• Connect with youth, tribes, and underserved communities to foster public lands stewardship.

• Enhance access to quality outdoor recreation activities while promoting climate resiliency.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/

• Identify and remove barriers to outdoor recreation and expand recreation opportunities for all.

• Provide an enhanced, more sustainable recreational experience by delivering up-to-date and engaging visitor information online and in person.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Special district governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.

This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II- Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than

17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicant’s should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so which CESU Network should be considered as host.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts application through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow for 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• Connect with youth, tribes, underserved, and nature-deprived communities to enhance access to quality recreation opportunities and foster public lands stewardship.

• Improve climate resiliency on public lands while enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities and activities.

• Identify and remove outdoor recreation barriers, expand recreation opportunities for all, and provide an enhanced, more sustainable recreation experience by delivering up-to-date and engaging visitor information online and in person.

Program Description The BLM’s Recreation and Visitor Services Program oversees a broad and complex set of recreation related programs that provide a multitude of recreation opportunities and experiences.

These recreation resources and visitor services support strong local economies and public land conservation. As the BLM works to enhance recreational opportunities, we strive to remain a good neighbor and partner.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Public lands managed by the BLM provide exceptional and one-of-kind recreational experiences that invite all to share in the enjoyment and stewardship of their public lands and waters. These lands are located near urban centers and towns, attracting over 82 million visitors annually. The BLM currently provides a wide range of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities that are accessible to the public at low cost. The BLM manages approximately 1 of every 10 acres in the US for multiple use; spanning Recreation Areas, Off-Highway Vehicle areas, and other management designations. In addition, over 37 million acres are managed as National Conservation Lands including National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic & Historic Trails.

Recreational use on public lands is increasing every year, as are the challenges from increased activity. New technologies and information sharing are constantly changing visitor use patterns.

To tackle these challenges head-on, the BLM has developed a new strategy called “Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation.” The strategy is based on four key pillars that aim to transform recreation management across the agency: 1) Grow and Diversify Resources for BLM Recreation, 2) Prioritize and Embrace Partnerships, 3) Expand Outreach and Establish a Culture of Inclusion, and 4) Meet the Demand, Protect Resources, and Improve Access. These pillars will guide investments, partnerships, outreach, and program development to respond to current demand and chart a course to meet future needs.

This program supports projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Section 40804 (b) Ecosystem Restoration. This program supports projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Sections 50221 Resilience, 50222 Ecosystems Restoration.

Program Strategic Goals: The Recreation and Visitor Services Program provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities that benefit the public and local communities. The program is also responsible for implementing Administration and Department priorities, including projects to improve racial equity, diversity and inclusion; help strengthen the U.S. economy; and reduce impacts to the environment and climate. The program is also prioritizing implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act; the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; the Great American Outdoors Act; the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act;

Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

In fiscal year 2025, the BLM will support the Department’s priorities by focusing on projects that build healthy communities and economies, advance environmental justice, address the climate crisis, and provide safe and equitable access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. These projects will:

• Connect with youth, tribes, and underserved communities to foster public lands stewardship.

• Enhance access to quality outdoor recreation activities while promoting climate resiliency.

• Identify and remove barriers to outdoor recreation and expand recreation opportunities for all.

• Provide an enhanced, more sustainable recreational experience by delivering up-to-date and engaging visitor information online and in person.

The BLM’s Blueprint will help achieve these priorities by guiding investments, partnerships, outreach, and program development. The Blueprint is the first of many steps to solidifying the BLM as a premiere outdoor recreation agency.

BLM Idaho (ID) has an opportunity to work with partner organizations to assist with the following:

• Increase and enhance access to BLM public lands and waters, with a focus on, and not limited to, underserved, Tribal, and low-income youth.

• Reduce or remove transportation barriers for youth to access public lands.

• Increase and enhance recreational opportunities.

• Enhance public satisfaction at BLM recreation sites and areas.

• Collect visitor and recreation resource data by conducting inventories and visitor assessments.

• Conduct inventory, monitoring, data management, assessment and planning on BLM public lands and waters.

• Locate, inventory, monitor, survey, and nominate significant caves on BLM public lands.

• Provide enriched visitor services, information, interpretation and education, including websites.

• Protect visitor health and safety.

• Improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

• Improve motorized and non-motorized trails including trail construction and maintenance, comprehensive travel and transportation inventory and assessment, planning, management, and monitoring.

• Enhance community-supported partnerships in tourism, marketing, and conservation.

• Strengthen relationships with sovereign Tribal nations by elevating indigenous voices on our public lands through the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.

• Engage with diverse stakeholders and traditionally underserved populations to achieve a better understanding of how recreation contributes to their lives.

• Enhance and increase responsible recreation messaging.

• Develop and provide training and education, including workshops, webinars and public outreach.

• Advance responsible recreation values.

• Trail maintenance, construction, and rehabilitation.

• Recreation site improvements.

• Travel management implementation.

• Interpretative/education outreach programs.

The following program legislation authority and BLM handbooks are applicable to this program:

1. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-19)

2. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Title VIII (Public Law 117-58)

3. Great American Outdoors Act (Public Law 116-39)

4. John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, Title VII (Public Law 116-9)

5. Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

6. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – BLM Handbook 1790-1

7. Planning for Recreation and Visitor Services – BLM Handbook 8320-1

8. Wild and Scenic Rivers – Policy and Program Direction for Identification, Evaluation, Planning, and Management (BLM Manual Section 6400)

9. Wilderness Resource Management (BLM Manual Sections 6340, 6330, 6320 and 6310)

10. National Monument, National Conservation Areas, and Similar Designations (BLM

Manual Section 6220)

11. National Scenic and Historic Trails (BLM Manual Sections 6250/6280)

This program continues to advance the Department of the Interior’s priorities to increase environmental protections, pursue environmental justice, and honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes.

Project must assist BLM in meeting one or more of the Department of Interior priorities, as well as one of the following priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration:

• Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

• Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved

Communities Through the Federal Government

• Executive Order 14002: Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 pandemic

• Executive Order 14005: Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of

America’s Workers

All proposed projects submitted under this funding opportunity must state a benefit to the public.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act Priority Language

Legislative Authority Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 USC § 1737(b)

Take Pride in America Act, 16 USC Ch. 66 § 4605

Type of Award Projects will be funded through:

Funding Instrument CA (Cooperative Agreement) Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

The recipient should expect Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to have substantial involvement in the project. Prior to submitting an application, applicants are encouraged to https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.blm.gov/services/financial-assistance-and-grants contact the recreation program lead at the BLM district or field office where the work is proposed to take place to discuss proposed projects in order to determine eligibility under the BLM priorities and criteria described in this NOFO. Substantial involvement may include, but not be limited to, such things as:

• 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 sub-awards 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.

• Ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and

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

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose, Required from all applicants https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award) DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Current and Pending (Other) Support Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Biographical Sketch Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

Project Narrative (Suggested format, Attachment A Project Proposal template may be used when submitting your proposal.) The project proposal must be no longer than 15 pages, with a typeface 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).

Application narrative requirements may include:

• Project title

• Statement of need

• Goals and objectives

• Public and program interest of the BLM

• Activities

• Methods

• Timetable or milestones

• Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. (NOTE: Projects under wildlife management, the native plant program, threatened and endangered species habitat conservation - the narrative should provide enough detail so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973)

• Description of stakeholder coordination or involvement

• Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, including how you will measure project performance and assessment tools to be used

• Information on key project personnel

• Anticipated future funding needs

• Details and supporting documentation on the project location

• Other program or project-specific narrative requirements

All proposals are confidential.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance https://www.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

This program has a mandated cap on indirect costs or approved rate deviation.

CESUs are partnerships with a purpose to promote, conduct, and provide research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement which is consistent with the CESU purpose, indirect costs are limited to a rate of no-more-than

17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicant’s should specify if their proposal furthers the purpose of the CESU program, and if so which CESU Network should be considered as host.

Refer to Budget Detail and Narrative, Attachment B as a suggested format.

Other Required Information

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112.

Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Other documentation may include curriculum vitae or other biographical information for key personnel, project location maps, any documentation to support an eligibility determination (e.g., proof of certain tax status, authorizing tribal resolution), third-party references, letters of support, or letters of cost sharing or other commitments to the project, independent audit report, or negotiated indirect cost rate letter.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through www.Grants.gov. Contact Kayla Blades, Grants Management Officer, at kblades@blm.gov for any additional questions.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 02/03/2025

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due dates.

Applications will be reviewed, rated, ranked and selected by the following rounds:

Open from November 13, 2024 through February 3, 2025.

Extensions to NOFO close dates will be unallowed, except in extenuating circumstances.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Depending on the specifics of the funding opportunity, screening may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Submission is timely;

• Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; and

• Complete and properly executed required application package documents are included.

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

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205

Proposals will be evaluated on strengths or weaknesses for each merit review criterion and rated “Exceeds” “Meets” or “Does not meet” expectations with highest importance on Public Benefit.

Each of these ratings is defined as follows:

Exceeds – The proposal exceeds the criteria factors without any deficiencies.

Meets – The proposal meets criteria factors with few, or only minor, deficiencies.

Does not meet – The proposal does not meet the criteria factors, or there are significant deficiencies identified.

APPLICANT STATEMENT OF NEED

• Mission and objectives, including what the project is expected to achieve and how it relates to Recreation and Visitor Services

• Objectives of the project

• DOI priorities met

APPLICANT TECHNICAL APPROACH

• Development and management plans

• Techniques, processes, and methodologies

• Data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation

• Significant anticipated accomplishments

• Clear milestones and measurement criteria

• Tasks to be performed by other partner organizations, subrecipients, contractors and/or consultants

• Environmental compliance plan

• Project monitoring and evaluation plan including monitoring of subrecipients, contractors, consultants, volunteers, etc.

• How project performance will be measured and assessment tools to be used

• Measurable expected outcomes

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND PROGRAM INTEREST OF THE BLM

• Direct Public Benefit

• Projects in which the BLM receive the indirect benefit of recreation activities.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/PAST PERFORMANCE

• Key project personnel experience and qualifications

• Stakeholder coordination or involvement

• Qualifications of any contractors, subrecipients and/or consultants

• Experience with federally funded assistance agreements within the last three to five years

• Similar successfully completed projects

• Unique qualifications

LEVERAGING OF RESOURCES

(Will be considered in the review process as a tiebreaker among applications with equivalent scores after evaluation against all other factors)

A proposal that demonstrates effective partnerships to share resources and expertise.

Review and Selection Process This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

Budget review is based on the following:

• Budget line items must be allowable, allocable, reasonable in price, and appropriate for the level of effort needed to accomplish the project.

• Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost.

• Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project.

• Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from Federal sources.

Final Review of Selected Applicants:

Final review will be made by management to determine if the selected proposed project(s) are in line with DOI and BLM current priorities. This process may take a few months to finalize.

Risk Review Prior to making an award, the program assesses the risk posed by the applicant per 2 CFR

200.206. If an award will be made, the program may apply special conditions corresponding to the risk assessed. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the program reviews eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant’s SAM.gov records per 2 CFR 200.206(a). The program also assesses financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges.

Prior to award, the BLM will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR 200.206.

BLM programs document applicant risk evaluations using the DOI “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards, the BLM is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The BLM will consider this information when completing the risk review. The BLM uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.206(a) 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.

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.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. If the program allows pre-award costs per 2 CFR 200.458, beginning performance before receiving a Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Anticipated Project Start Date: 07/01/2025

Anticipated Project End Date: 06/30/2030

Proposals will have a start date in FY2025 and a maximum end date of 09/30/2030.

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI Standard Terms and Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

BLM Standard Terms and Conditions

See the Award Term - Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials:

Geospatial Data

If you receive financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata. Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.211 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.458 https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.blm.gov/services/financial-assistance-and-grants https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/blm-wo-800/blmfa/PREAWARD%20(Req%20Templates_FA%20New%20Award_Mod%20checklist/Pre-Award%20Templates/03%20NOFO%20IIJA%20BABA%20Terms%20Conditions.pdf https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/blm-wo-800/blmfa/PREAWARD%20(Req%20Templates_FA%20New%20Award_Mod%20checklist/Pre-Award%20Templates/03%20NOFO%20IIJA%20BABA%20Terms%20Conditions.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=2019&path=%2Fprelim%40title43%2Fchapter46&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2019-title43-chapter46&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTQzL2NoYXB0ZXI0Ng%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0My1jaGFwdGVyNDY%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

Reporting The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e),

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2 CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per

Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).

Other Information https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.330 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/