rfa blm wy soil salinity.docx
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BLM WY Soil Salinity Announcement
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[Attachment C] Budget Detail Page 7
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:
BLM Wyoming Soil Salinity Risk Mapping. Analysis and Assessment RMCESU
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER:
L15AS00105
ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:
Request for Applications Issued : 30 April 2015
CFDA NUMBER & TITLE:
15.236 – Environmental Quality and Protection Resource Management
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY:
Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, as amended; P.L. 94-579 (43 USC 1743) Section 307 (b)
Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements (Wyden Amendment), Public Law 104-208, Section 124, as amended Public Law 105-277, Section 136
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:
29 June, 2015, 11:59 p.m. MDT
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
for Federal Financial Assistance
| BLM Funding Opportunity |
| No. L15AS00105 |
| BLM Wyoming Soil Salinity Risk Mapping. Analysis and Assessment RMCESU |
| Page 3 of 30 |
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bob Tichac , Grants Management Specialist Telephone: 307-775-6313, Email:rtichac@blm.gov
Version 1 1/2015
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
| 1. | Authority |
| This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: |
Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, as amended; P.L. 94-579 (43 USC 1743) Section 307 (b)
WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (WYDEN AMENDMENT), Public Law 104-208, Section 124, as amended Public Law 105-277, Section 136
2. Description of Program and/or Project
a. Background:
Assessment and planning for land and water resource management is becoming increasingly more complex. Issues involving the impact of regionally extensive energy development necessitate analyzing potential impacts under a range of spatial and temporal scales. Spatially distributed hydrologic models that simulate changes in runoff, erosion and water quality at a range of scales can assist resource managers in addressing these spatial complexities and validate sound management decisions.
Work to address this need was initiated in 2009 through a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the University of Wyoming (UW)[BLM-WY-NOI09-9024]. That initial agreement was limited to a 5 year term that ended in 2014. This collaborative effort involved the BLM and two departments at the UW; the Wyoming Geographic Science Center, or WyGISC, and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. The BLM was engaged at all levels within Wyoming, including interaction with the State Office, District Offices, and numerous Field Offices. This work included development of the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment tool (AGWA) and provided an associated toolkit. Expanded adoption of the AGWA modeling tools and associated Application for Permit (APD) NEPA Analysis Toolkit has been successfully used on two energy development projects (LaBarge and NPL), and on two proposed project areas (Moneta Divide and Bird Canyon) currently under review.
b. Objectives:
The objective for this agreement is to develop and provide hydrologic and geospatial support for the utilization of numeric models (and additional tools) as a defensible mechanism for sustainable resource management. Research and related tasks focus on two main topics of interest: (1) understanding of salinity transport / monitoring and modeling and (2) hydrologic modeling in support of APD / effects of surface disturbance on runoff.
Initially, there are three principal objectives for the current set of tasks:
1) Develop a modeling component for stream water quality to be utilized for modeling of various constituents with an emphasis on salt loading,
2) Provide technical expertise and training: more general use of the AGWA tool and an associated modeling toolkit, for assessing the current and potential hydrological impacts due to surface disturbance of energy development,
3) Continued AGWA toolkit enhancement and publically accessible database development with additional development based on user feedback.
A principal objective embedded in these goals is to develop and provide monitoring and assessment of pending proposed projects. Three project areas that will be considered are Hiawatha, Blacks Forks, and the Dry Piney Deep. Assessment will include data monitoring and analysis of the watersheds or basins that these projects are proposed within.
c. Public Benefit:
The Federal Financial Assistance partnership will provide for more efficiency and greater cost effectiveness within the recipient’s organization. This will increase contributions to science-based investigations and make for better informed management of soil and water resources in Wyoming. Issues of public concern will be investigated and detailed through this joint work effort. In particular, understanding of the fate and transport of salts within the Green River, upper Colorado River, and other Wyoming basins will be expanded. Hydrological and salinity transport data availability and exchange will be greatly enhanced through a publically available database. The development, trial, and application of new modeling/analysis systems will be used in undergraduate and graduate programs. These new approaches, processes, and predictive tools will be available to the public and energy companies for use in obtaining permits and authorizations required by state and federal agencies for resource development projects. Wyoming, its citizens, and other public land users will benefit from the enhanced quality of management and protection of the state’s soil and water resources.
3. Program/Project Performance Goals
a. Ensure environmental compliance and the safety of energy development.
Continued support for environmental impact assessment of the Bird Canyon and the Monita Divide proposed energy development areas in Wyoming. This support will focus on the use of AGWA for predictive modeling related to surface disturbance effects from runoff, sedimentation, water quality, and salt mobilization. The results will be used to inform planning and mitigation decisions for coal bed natural gas and conventional oil and gas development activities in Wyoming.
This support will include research, data assessment and collection, tool enhancements and new tool development, model calibration and project area modeling, technical analysis and support.
Measurement of accomplishments will be in acres of watershed, or in linear miles of stream/waterway assessed.
b. Provide Shared Landscape-Level Management and Planning Tools.
Establish runoff and salinity monitoring sites in support of model validation. This would include installation and development of up to two monitoring sites for the Bird Canyon and/or Hiawatha proposed energy development areas. These will serve as sources of localized precipitation and flow data to test and validate the AGWA modeling system. They will also provide real-time monitoring of data to help assess the extraneous impacts of energy development on the hydrologic systems being monitored. Additionally, the information collected will provide data for comparison with existing long-term monitoring data from the Muddy Creek drainage and assess whether the salt transport models being developed in Muddy Creek are transferrable to other areas in the State. The goal is to improve the salinity transport analysis, modeling, and mapping applications across the Upper Green River Basin as a tributary to the Colorado River.
This will involve purchase and installation of runoff and rainfall monitoring stations in the targeted watersheds, collection and processing of the data, and the development of a shared database. Data collected in this effort will include runoff height, discharge, electrical conductivity, stream temperature, air temperature, rainfall depth, and rainfall intensity.
Measurement of accomplishments will be in acres of watershed, or in linear miles of stream/waterway monitored.
c. Improve land and water health Data collection and maintenance of the existing Muddy Creek monitoring network. The Muddy Creek drainage area monitoring sites were established to provide preliminary data for modeling and to develop an understanding of the mechanical processes governing the fate and transport of salts in areas affected by energy development in Wyoming. Hydrological data, along both undeveloped and developed internal drainages, has been collected since 2007.
Data for surface runoff, groundwater height, surface water quality and groundwater quality will be collected throughout the year. Runoff and groundwater stage are to be continually recorded via a datalogger, while water quality samples are to be taken on a monthly basis.
Measurement of accomplishments will be in acres of watershed, or in linear miles of stream/waterway monitored and in acres of watershed, or linear miles of stream/waterway assessed.
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
1. Award Instrument
a. Successful applicants may be awarded either a Financial Assistance Grant or Cooperative Agreement.
b. If a cooperative agreement is used, substantive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) involvement will consist of the following: The BLM Program Officer (PO) will collaborate with the recipient's Project Manager/Principal Investigator (RPM/PI) to manage all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. Responsibility for project management, control, and direction will be shared by the recipient and the BLM, however the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule and/or technical issues arise.
| 2. | Expected Number of Awards |
| One (1) Cooperative Agreement. |
| 3. | Total Funding Expected to be Awarded through this Announcement |
| $82,510.12. |
| 4. | Expected Individual Award Amounts |
| $. |
5. Anticipated Start Date 15 July 2015
| 6. | Anticipated Period of Performance (five (5) years maximum) Five Years |
| From: 15 July 2015 | |
| To: 14 July 2020 |
7. No Obligation to Award The BLM is under no obligation to award funds for this project. Only BLM Grants Management Officers (GMO) may obligate funds for financial assistance.
C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
| 1. | Eligible Applicants |
| The following types of entities are eligible to apply for award under this announcement. Failure to meet eligibility requirements will result in precluding the BLM from making an award. Eligible applicant types are: | |
| • | This financial assistance opportunity is limited to institutions of higher education within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. |
| 2. | Cost Sharing or Matching |
| This program has no cost sharing or matching requirements, however, cost sharing or matching using non-Federal funds would be considered a significant benefit. |
3. Other Eligibility Restrictions
This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Under a CESU agreement recipient indirect costs are limited to a rate of no more than 17.5% of direct costs under the terms and conditions of the Rocky Mountain Master CESU agreement.
D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
1. Application Package 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.
| 2. | DUNS Number and SAM Registration |
| Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to: |
a. Provide a valid DUNS number (Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System) on its application. DUNS numbers are nine-digit numbers established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. DUNS numbers may be obtained free of charge from Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling them at (877) 930-5228.
b. Be registered in SAM (System for Award Management, www.SAM.gov) before submitting its application. SAM is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register at this site. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at: http://www.sam.gov.
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.
| 3. | The Application Package |
| Applications must include all required Standard Forms (SF) shown below, a Certification for Federal Assistance (Attachment A) if applicable, a Proposal (Attachment B), a Budget Detail (Attachment C), and a copy the applicant's approved federal agency Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. Non-governmental organizations that have not previously received award funds or have not had an active award within 3 (three) years must complete a Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire may be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed on the application coversheet. |
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
Form Name and Number
| SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance |
| X |
| SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs |
| X |
| SF-424B Assurances - Non-Construction Programs |
| X |
| Certification For Federal Assistance (Attachment A, required only for awards totaling over $100,000.00) |
| X |
| Project Proposal (Attachment B) |
| X |
| Budget Detail (Attachment C)X |
| X |
Federal Agency-approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA, if applicable)
| Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable) |
| X |
a. Project Proposal (Attachment B)
1) Attachment B 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 C).
2) All proposals are confidential.
b. Budget Detail (Attachment C)
1) Use the Budget Detail form (Attachment C) to present the breakdown of your estimated costs by category needed to accomplish project activities. Estimated costs should be described in sufficient detail so that they may be checked for reasonableness. Include a description of any cost share (cash, in-kind, etc.) listed. Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category. No profit or fees are allowable.
2) Budget details should be broken down into the following categories:
(a) Personnel Costs. Salaries or wages of employees working directly on this agreement project, indicate program manager and other key personnel by name and title. Other personnel may be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries or wages and estimated hours or percent of time to be spent on the agreement.
(b) Fringe Benefit Costs. The costs of fringe benefits of employees working directly on this agreement project. Indicate rates/amounts, what costs are included in this category, and the basis of the rate computations. Federally approved rate agreements are acceptable for compliance with this item.
(c) Travel Costs. The estimated costs for travel related to agreement activities. Include the purpose of trip, destination, number of persons traveling, length of stay, and all travel costs including airfare, per diem, lodging, and miscellaneous travel-related expenses. For local travel, include mileage and rate of compensation. If applicable, indicate that the costs are per your organization's written travel policy. Current Federal per diem rates (the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel) may be found at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877.
(d) Equipment Costs. Equipment is defined as expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one (1) year and an acquisition cost of more than $5,000.00, or a value which reaches the capitalization threshold level established by the organization for financial statement purposes.
(e) Supply Costs. The costs of consumable supplies and materials to be used for agreement activities. List each item and quantity individually.
(f) Contractual Costs. Include estimated costs of proposed professional and technical consultants and contractors participating on the project. Identify all work that will be accomplished, including a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate of time, rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. Any changes or additions will require a request for approval. Procurement procedures must comply with 2 CFR Parts 200.317 through 200.326.
(g) Construction Costs. The cost of any construction directly related to the project activities.
(h) Other Costs. The cost of items not listed above and which do not fit in any other category, such as the cost of duplicating and printing, equipment rental, postage, etc. No profit or fee will be allowed.
(i) Total Direct Costs. The sum of categories (a) through (h).
(j) Indirect Costs.
(1) If indirect costs will be charged to the project, complete this section and show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for allowable indirect costs. It is not acceptable to simply incorporate indirect rates within other direct cost line items.
(2) Include a copy of any federally approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).
(3) If your organization has never had a NICRA, the BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO) may allow an indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your base modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC includes all salaries and wages, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subgrants and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each. Include the computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation base for your rate.
(4) Information on obtaining a NICRA, "Preparing and Submitting Indirect Cost Proposals," is available from the Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Indirect Cost Section, at http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/services/ICS.aspx.
(k) Total Costs. The total of both direct and indirect costs estimated to be expended on this agreement's activities.
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.
| 5. | Application Submission via www.Grants.gov |
| The Bureau of Land Management participates in the Grants.gov initiative which provides the Grant Community with a single website, www.grants.gov, to search for and apply for all federal grant opportunities. |
a. All applicants should register at www.Grants.Gov and all applications should be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov unless other arrangements are made and approved of in advance of the submission deadline. If you have any questions or problems with the registration or application submission process, contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726, or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/troubleshooting.html for online help.
b. Applications submitted through www.Grants.gov are considered to be electronically signed applications.
E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
| 1. | Application Screening |
| Applications and proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity announcement will be screened to determine they meet basic eligibility, completeness, and timeliness requirements (see D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION) before being reviewed for risk and merit. |
2. Basic Eligibility Screening
| a. | Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Depending on the specifics of the opportunity, screening may include, but is not limited to, the following: |
| 1) | Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; |
| 2) | Submission is timely; |
| 3) | Complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents (see D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION) are included; |
b. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review.
3. Risk Management and Merit Review Evaluation
a. Risk Management.
1) The BLM uses a risk-based approach to evaluate the risk posed by supporting applicants' projects before it awards Federal funds.
| 2) | Prior to making a Federal award, the BLM is required to review information available through OMB-designated eligibility and/or financial integrity databases, such as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). The BLM considers factors such as: |
| (a) | Financial stability; |
| (b) | Quality of management systems; |
| (c) | History of performance managing Federal awards, timeliness of compliance with reporting requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, etc.; |
| (d) | Reports and findings from audits performed; and |
| (e) | The applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities. |
3) 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.
b. Merit Review Evaluation. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the following merit review criteria using numerical scoring based on a 100 point maximum score.
| 1) | Purpose and Objectives (Maximum score _20_/100 Points): |
| (a) | Describe the applicant's mission and objectives |
| (b) | How this project will provide a benefit to the public |
| 2) | Technical Approach (Maximum score _30_/100 Points): |
| (a) | Describe how the proposed objectives will be achieved in accordance with the Project Management Plan in Section I |
| (b) | Detail development of the project plans |
| (c) | Describe the tasks and relationships of the partners |
| (d) | Detail significant milestones and ultimate objectives |
| (e) | Describe the techniques, processes, methodologies to be used |
| (f) | Detail the data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation |
| (g) | Describe how the work will be accomplished within the proposed period of performance |
| (h) | Describe how milestones will be evaluated using BLM performance measures |
| 3. | Qualifications, Experience, Past Performance (Maximum score _50_/100 Points): |
| (a) | List key project personnel and their contact information |
| (b) | Describe their responsibilities, time to be dedicated to the project, and how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to success of the project |
| (c) | List contractors and consultants, if known, and their qualifications |
| (d) | Describe previous experience with the development of a scientific understanding of salinity transport / monitoring and modeling and hydrologic modeling in support of APD / effects of surface disturbance on runoff. |
| (e) | Describe previous experience with the development of a modeling component for stream water quality to be utilized for modeling of various constituents with an emphasis on salt loading. |
| (f) | Describe previous experience with providing technical expertise and training: more general use of the AGWA tool and an associated modeling toolkit, for assessing the current and potential hydrological impacts due to surface disturbance of energy development in Wyoming. |
| (g) | Describe previous experience with the AGWA tool, AGWA toolkit enhancement, and publically accessible database development. |
| (h) | Describe previous experience with geospatial data as applied to hydrologic problems and research in Wyoming. |
| 4. | Budget (Not scored): |
| (a) | Budget line items must be allowable, allocable, reasonable in price, and appropriate for the level of effort needed to accomplish the project |
| (b) | Budget details and narrative must provide adequate explanation of, and justification for, each estimated cost |
| (c) | Requested equipment must be justified and necessary for completion of the project |
| (d) | Cost Sharing/Matching funds must not come from Federal funds and would be considered a significant benefit. |
4. Application Selection Process (Please read)
a. Applications eligible for merit review will be evaluated by an ad hoc evaluation team assembled to review, rate, rank, and recommend applications for award using the above 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.
b. Reviews are treated as confidential documents. Once award decisions are made, applicants may request in writing a written summary of the evaluation of their application/proposal.
F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
1. Uniform Guidance (Effective December 26, 2014) On December 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published its Final Rule for the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards with guidance for agency implementation (see 2 CFR Part 200 and Federal Register Volume 78, No. 248). The Uniform Guidance streamlines the Federal Government's administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards including grants and cooperative agreements. The Uniform Guidance supersedes OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122; Circulars A-89, A-102, and A-133; and the guidance in Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up.) The Uniform Guidance provides a government-wide framework for Federal awards management, and is a key component of a larger Federal effort to more effectively focus Federal resources on improving Federal awards performance and outcomes while ensuring the financial integrity of taxpayer dollars in partnership with non-Federal stakeholders. This OMB guidance reform will reduce the administrative burden for non-Federal financial assistance recipients while reducing the risk of waste, fraud and mismanagement.
2. 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
a. Office of Management and Budget Circulars. By accepting Federal assistance, your organization agrees to abide by the applicable OMB Circulars in the expenditure of Federal funds and performance under this program. OMB circulars are available at the following web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/
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.
5. 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):
| 1) | 2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and Central Contractor Registration |
| 2) | 2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation |
| 3) | 2 CFR Part 175, Award Term for Trafficking in Persons |
| 4) | 2 CFR Part 1400, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) |
| 5) | 2 CFR Part 1401, Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance) |
| 6) | 43 CFR 18, New Restrictions on Lobbying: Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A, Certification Regarding Lobbying. |
| 7) | 41 USC §4712, Pilot Program for Enhancement of Recipient and Sub-recipient Employee Whistleblower Protection: This requirement applies to all awards issued after July 1, 2013 and shall be in effect until January 1, 2017. |
| 8) | 41 USC §6306, Prohibition on Members of Congress Making Contracts with Federal Government: No member of or delegate to the United States Congress or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of this award, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom; this provision shall not be construed to extend to an award made to a corporation for the public’s general benefit. |
| 9) | Executive Order 13513, Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging while Driving: Recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving, including conducting initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the order. |
b. Funding.
1) Awards shall be funded subject to availability of BLM funding. Initial funding does not guarantee additional funding in subsequent years.
2) Once the grant or cooperative agreement is signed by a BLM Grants Management Officer (GMO), funding is obligated and the recipient may incur approved costs beginning on the effective date of the award and as specified in their submitted and approved budget.
c. Payment Mechanism. BLM requires the use of the United States Department of the Treasury, Financial Management System, Automated Standard Application for Payment system (ASAP). The ASAP system (https://www.asap.gov) is a recipient-initiated, on-line payment and information system. 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 reimbursable costs and the proportionate share of any allowable indirect costs.
d. Conflicts of Interest. The Recipient must establish safeguards to prohibit its employees and sub-recipients from using their positions for purposes that constitute or present the appearance of a personal or organizational conflict of interest. The Recipient is responsible for notifying the Grants Management Officer (GMO) in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may 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.
| 6. | 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) Insurance. The recipient will be required to (1) obtain liability insurance or (2) demonstrate present financial resources in an amount determined sufficient by the Government to cover claims brought by third parties for death, bodily injury, property damage, or other loss resulting from one or more identified activities carried out in connection with this financial assistance agreement.
3) Insured. The federal government shall be named as an additional insured under the recipient's insurance policy.
4) Sovereign Immunity. The State of Wyoming and the Bureau of Land Management do not waive sovereign immunity by entering into this agreement, and specifically retain immunity and all defenses available to them as sovereigns pursuant to W.S. 1-39-104(a) and all other state and federal law. Each entity is liable for its own employees, subcontractors, and agents under this agreement subject to the liability and tort laws of its respective jurisdictions.
(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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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) 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 and card issuance.
| 2) | At least two weeks before start of grant/cooperative agreement performance, the recipient will identify all recipient and sub-recipient personnel who will require [physical and/or logical] access for performance of work under this grant/cooperative agreement. The recipient and sub-recipient must make their personnel available at the place and time specified by the Program Officer in order to initiate screening and background investigations. The following forms, or their equivalent, may be used to initiate the credentialing process: |
| (a) | OPM Standard Form 85 or 85P |
| (b) | OF 306 |
| (c) | Fingerprint card (local procedures may require the fingerprinting to be done at a police station; in this case, any charges are to be borne by the recipient or sub-recipient, as applicable) |
| (d) | Release to Obtain Credit Information |
| (e) | PIV card application (web-based) |
3) Recipient and sub-recipient employees are required to give, and to authorize others to give, full, frank, and truthful answers to relevant and material questions needed to reach a suitability determination. Refusal or failure to furnish or authorize provision of information may constitute grounds for denial or revocation of credentials. Government personnel may contact the recipient or sub-recipient personnel being screened or investigated in person, by telephone or in writing, and the recipient agrees to make them available for such contact.
4) Alternatively, if an individual has already been credentialed by another agency through OPM, and that credential has not yet expired, further clearance may not be necessary. Provide the sponsoring office with documentation that supports the individual’s status.
5) During performance of the grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will keep the Program Officer apprised of changes in personnel to ensure that performance is not delayed by compliance with credentialing processes. Cards that have been lost, damaged, or stolen must be reported to the Program Officer, Grants Management Officer, and Issuing Office within 24 hours. Replacement will be at the recipient’s expense. If reissuance of expired credentials is needed, it will be coordinated through the Program Officer.
6) At the end of grant/cooperative agreement’s performance, or when a recipient/sub-recipient employee is no longer working under this grant/cooperative agreement, the recipient will ensure that all identification cards are returned to the Program Officer. Before starting work under this agreement, a National Agency Check (NAC) will be conducted to verify the identity of the individual applying for clearance. Upon successful completion of the NAC process, an identification card will be issued and access granted.
7) Simultaneously, a NAC with Inquiries (NACI) will be initiated to determine the individual’s suitability for the position. If the NACI adjudication is favorable, nothing more needs to be done. If the adjudication is unfavorable, the credentials will be revoked. In the event of a disagreement between the recipient and the Government concerning the suitability of an individual to perform work under this grant/cooperative agreement, DOI shall have the right of final determination.
8) This requirement must be incorporated into any sub-grants/cooperative agreements that require sub-recipient personnel to have unsupervised access to a Federally controlled facility for more than 180 calendar days or unsupervised access to a Federally controlled Level 3 or 4 information system.
9) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Training. Before the recipient, or any of its employees or sub-recipients, are granted access to the BLM Federal computer system they must first successfully complete the U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) Federal Information Systems Security Awareness Online Course. This course was designed specifically for users of Federal computer systems. The course is a Web-based training product that explains the importance of Information Systems Security and takes approximately one hour to complete. This course is mandatory for all Department of the Interior employees, contractors, recipients, and all other users of DOI computer resources. Topics covered in the course include: threats and vulnerabilities, malicious code, user responsibilities, and new developments affecting Information Systems Security.
G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS
For questions, contact one of the individuals listed:
For administrative questions contact:
Bob Tichac BLM Wyoming State Office 5353 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82009-4178 Phone: 307-775-6313 Fax: 307-775-6317 Email: rtichac@blm.gov
For programmatic questions:
Peter Godfrey BLM Wyoming State Office 5353 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82009-4178 Phone 307-775-6484 Fax: 307-775-6042 Email: pgodfrey@blm.gov
END
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
| BLM Funding Opportunity |
| No. L15AS00105 |
| BLM Wyoming Soil Salinity Risk Mapping. Analysis and Assessment RMCESU |
| Page 2 of 30 |
Version 1 1/2015
ATTACHMENT A
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Certification Regarding Lobbying - Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements. Applies to recipients of awards exceeding $100,000.
This certification is required by Section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code, entitled "Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions."
The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:
(1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
(2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard FormLLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.
(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all sub-awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify accordingly.
This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by Section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.
As the authorized certifying official, I hereby certify that the above specified certifications are true.
Signature & Date
Typed Name and Title
Applicant/Recipient Name
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office Grants & Cooperative Agreements
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Financial Assistance for all Financial Assistance Agreements. A new proposal must be included with any request for modification which involves a revision to funding, project scope, period of performance, or key personnel.
Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:
Date:
Organization Name:
Project Title:
| Current Funding Estimated Period of Performance (PoP): |
| Date of Award* |
| to |
Name & Title of Person Submitting Proposal:
* If a specific start work date is needed, contact your BLM Program Officer. Do not start work without prior approval from the Grants Management Officer.
| 1. | Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance: |
| (Describe why the project is needed, the applicant's objectives, how the applicant's objectives support their mission, and how this project benefits the general public.) |
2. Technical Approach:
(Describe how the project will be conducted. The project design must contain enough detail to show the development of the project, including the relationship between the partners, milestones, and objectives. Clearly describe the techniques, procedures, and methodologies to be used; the data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation; the expected results and/or outcomes; and the procedures for evaluating project effectiveness, including appropriate performance measures and the probabilities of obtaining them.)
3. Qualifications, Experience, and Past Performance:
(Describe who will carry out the project activities. List all project personnel, including consultants, contractors, sub-recipients, etc., and their contact information. Describe their responsibilities and the amount of time each will dedicate to the project. Briefly describe how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to successfully achieve the stated objectives.)
[Attachment B]
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office Grants & Cooperative Agreements
BUDGET DETAIL
Instructions: Starting with the same budget amounts as listed on the SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to show details of the estimated costs. Provide enough information that costs may be analyzed for reasonableness as compared to costs or work of similar size and scope. Use the Narrative boxes as necessary to explain each cost.
Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:
Date:
Organization Name:
Project Title:
A) PERSONNEL (SF-424A Object Class Category 6a.)
The cost of salaries & wages, not including fringe benefits, paid to Recipient employees working directly on this agreement. Indicate Key Personnel with an asterisk (*). Provide more detail in the Narrative Box if needed.
| Name & Title or Position Title |
| Salary or Wage |
| Months or Hours |
| Matching Funds |
(if applicable)
BLM
Funds
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