SCA Funding Opportunity Announcement RLP final.docx

Funding Opportunity Announcement Natural Resource Management

Raystown Lake Project 6145 Seven Points Road Hesston, PA 16647

Program Title: US Army Corps of Engineers, Raystown Lake Project, Natural Resource Management

Overview:

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, (USACE) intends to enter into a sole source cooperative agreement with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for assistance in the management and enhancement of natural resources at the Raystown Lake Project. Requirements include activities in wildlife management, threatened and endangered species monitoring, fisheries management, wildlife habitat enhancement and forest management. This agreement is an opportunity to provide training and education opportunities for Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns with fish and wildlife, forestry, or environmental studies backgrounds.

This agreement is entered into pursuant to 33 USC 2339(a) - Assistance Programs.

Contents of Full Text Announcement

Contact Information: Questions relating to Grants.gov including the registration process and system requirements should be directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. For assistance with the requirements of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, please contact jeffrey.b.may@usace.army.mil.

Instructions to Applicants:

The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov.

Applications in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement shall be submitted by the application due date. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or via the internet through Grants.gov.

Applicants shall have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR), and if submitting application via the internet, register with Grants.gov.

See Section IV of the Funding Opportunity Announcement for complete application submission information.

Section I: Funding Opportunity Description

1. Introduction. One goal of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (USACE-NAB) Environmental Stewardship Mission for the Raystown Lake Project (RLP) is protection and enhancement of the project’s natural resources. An SCA intern will provide assistance in the management and enhancement of the projects natural resources. Duties may include the requirement to: collect, prepare, review and verify routine documents and field data; locate and compile data from office files and published sources; and perform other support tasks such as assembling reports, delineating resources on project maps and summarizing information in charts and tables. Daily tasks will include activities in wildlife management, threatened and endangered species monitoring, fisheries management, wildlife habitat enhancement, and forest management. This agreement provides an opportunity for the recipient’s intern to support the environmental stewardship effort and gain valuable work experience in wildlife, fisheries, and forestry management.

2. Background. The Raystown Lake Project is a federally operated facility located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District. Raystown Lake is a flood control facility that maintains a conservation pool of approximately 8,300 acres surrounded by approximately 21,000 acres of land. Stretching over 28 miles in length with 118 miles in shoreline, the operation of Raystown Lake provides flood protection, general recreation, the enhancement of downstream fisheries through maintenance of minimum flows (water quality), wildlife mitigation, and hydropower.

3. Responsibility of the Parties.

A. The Recipient will:

a. Provide intern candidates (or allow for local recruitment) from which the USACE-NAB filed office staff will select a qualified applicant. The candidate will be selected to start approximately 1 April 2015 for a 26 week term. The successful applicant will have an education background in biology, forestry, or natural resource management.

b. Interns will be responsible for: providing their own housing and personal transportation to the RLP. The intern will report to RLP each morning upon which he/she will check in with their assigned Corps supervisor to receive their work assignment.

c. Generally work will be conducted Monday through Friday under the supervision of the Lead Ranger or his/her designee. The work schedule may be variable to suit the education or additional work requirements of the intern.

d. Interns will be required to wear the uniform as prescribed and provided through the SCA account. Any personal protective equipment that is necessary as part of the job requirement will be provided by the RLP.

B. USACE will:

a. Provide orientation and safety training for the intern. Instruction on specific tasks, use of equipment data entry and protocols will be covered. Additional training, guidance, and quality control will be conducted by the Corps supervisor or his/her designee.

b. Provide the following equipment: Corps vehicle, work related radio communication, work station, all necessary supplies and personal protective equipment.

4. Statutory Authority. Funds will be awarded pursuant to 33 USC 2339(a)-Assistance Programs.

Section II: Award Information

1. Type of Award Instrument - USACE intends to award to a single cooperative agreement on a sole source basis the to the Student Conservation Association (SCA).

2. Substantial Involvement – USACE will provide a unique opportunity for an intern to gain valuable work experience in the field of natural resource management. USACE will provide equipment needed to collect field data, use of latest GIS programs and GPS device use.

3. Estimated Funding – Estimated funding for the 26 week position is $13,181.18.

4. Period of Performance – The term of the agreement will be from 1 April 2015 through 30 September 2015 or 26 weeks from the start date of the intern.

Section III: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants – Eligible applicants under this statutory authority are non-federal and nonprofit entities. The cooperative agreement is entered into solely with SCA.

2. Cost Sharing – 100% USACE funded.

Section IV: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov. USACE is not responsible for any loss of internet connectivity or for an applicant’s inability to access documents posted at the referenced website. The administrative point of contact is Nicholas Krupa (814) 658-3405, Nicholas.E.Krupa@usace.army.mil.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission. All mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms must be completed in accordance with the instruction on the forms and the additional instruction below.

A. SF 424 – Application for Federal Assistance (Required).

B. SF 424A – Budget information for Nonconstruction Programs (Required).

C. SF 424B – Assurances – Nonconstruction Programs (Required).

D. Program Narrative (detailed narrative demonstrating how applicant will accomplish goals and objective of the program).

3. Application shall be submitted NO LATER THAN 11 February 2015.

4. Submission Instructions. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or via the internet. Choose ONE of the following submission methods:

A. Mail one unbound copy of your complete proposal to:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District

ATTN: CENAB-CT

Jeffrey May 10 S. Howard Street Baltimore, MD 20201

B. Email all documents formatted to print on letter (8 ½ x 11”) paper to:

Jeffrey May @ jeffrey.b.may@usace.army.mil

C. Applicants are not required to submit proposals through Grants.gov. However, if applications are submitted via the internet, applicants are responsible for ensuring that their Grants.gov proposal submission is received in its entirety. The Government bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission of conversion processes associated with electronic submissions. The Government will bear no responsibility for delays in submissions due to technical difficulties at or with the Granst.gov website.

Section V: Application Review Information

1. Criteria. The following criteria shall serve as the standard against which any response to this announcement will be evaluated.

A. Initial Review: The Government will perform an initial review to determine that the applicant is (1) eligible in accordance with Section III of the announcement; (2) all information required by Section IV has been submitted; and (3) all mandatory requirements are satisfied.

B. Merit Review: The application and program narrative will be evaluated on whether the applicant demonstrates the ability to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Specifically, the narrative will be evaluated to ensure the Applicant demonstrated the ability to: (1) Provide a qualified pool of interns for selection with an educational background in fish and wildlife, marine mammals or environmental studies and/or experience in these fields. Or allows for the selection of a local intern. (2) Successfully administer the agreement to include all reporting requirements.

2. Anticipated Award Date.

A. Announcement Issue Date: 04 February 2015 B. Announcement Due Date: 11 February 2015 C. Estimated Award Date: 27 February 2015 D. Intern Start Date: 1 April 2015

Section VI: Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices. Written notice of award will be given in conjunction with issuance of a cooperative agreement signed by a Grants Officer. The cooperative agreement will contain the effective date of the agreement, the period of performance, funding information, and all terms and conditions. The Recipient is required to sign and return the document before work under the agreement commences. Work described in this announcement SHALL NOT begin without prior authorization from a Grants Officer.

2. Administrative Requirements. The cooperative agreement issued as a result of this announcement is pursuant to the administrative requirements in 32 CFR 215 (A-110) and cost principles in OMB Circular A-122.

3. Governing Laws and Regulations. This is an agreement with the Federal Government, and thus is subject to federal law as well as applicable state and local law. Federal law requires specific statutory authority for Federal agencies to enter into this agreement with non-federal persons and entities.

4. This agreement will be administered in accordance with and Recipients shall comply with the applicable requirements of the DGARS, DOD Directive 3210.06, dated 06 Feb 2014, 32 CFR Part 21, et seq. Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this agreement and other governing documents, the conflict shall be resolved by giving precedence in descending order as follows: (1) Applicable federal treaties and statues; (2) The DGARS; (3) The articles of the agreement; and (4) The attachments to the agreement if any.

5. Reporting.

A. Recipient will be required to submit progress, financial, and property reports quarterly, semiannually, or annually as stipulated in the terms and conditions fo the final cooperative agreement.

B. All reporting shall be in accordance with 32 CFR Part 32.

Section VII: Other Information