Updated 4.14.22 Foa_Content_of_F22AS00212.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Ecological Services www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes 2022 Fiscal Year: 2022

F22AS00212

Due Date for Applications: 05/02/2022

Table of Contents A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description Authority:

Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §1531 et. seq.; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 661-666; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. § 742 et seq.; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133, 116th Cong. Div. G, Title I

Assistance Listing Number:

15.684 Background, Purpose and Program Requirements:

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease of hibernating bats caused by the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). WNS is confirmed in at least 12 bat species in North America, including three that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. The disease’s impacts vary among affected species and its impact to multiple recently or not yet exposed species is uncertain. The work funded through the WNS Grants to States and Tribes is expected to assist partners in their efforts to combat the disease and conserve affected or vulnerable species. In addition, the projects funded will provide information that strengthens the scientific information needed to support decisions for management and conservation of bats.

2022 Priorities The goal of this funding opportunity is to help our State and Tribal partners fulfill information needs, implement management actions for WNS and susceptible bat species, and actively engage in the National Response to WNS.

We intend to award funds that support the following activities:

1. Conduct bat population monitoring and disease surveillance, with a focus on:

a. developing and maintaining long-term data streams for monitoring bats, especially through use of winter and summer colony counts, mobile and stationary acoustics and capture records in line with NABat protocols and data archiving standards;

b. processing and uploading legacy data to NABat for use in population analyses;

c. performing disease and/or pathogen surveillance in concert with National and

State WNS management plans or priorities.

2. Implement conservation strategies for WNS-affected or WNS-vulnerable species with the goal of improving survivorship or resilience. For example:

a. rehabilitation, reinforcement, or improvement of important bat roosts (see below);

b. management or conservation agreements to protect bats from disturbance, predation, disease or other harm;

c. conservation and restoration of roosting locations for WNS-affected and WNS-vulnerable bats, with a focus on long-term protection and resilience to climate change.

3. Participate in and provide support for WNS-related management and research projects.

4. Curtail the spread of Pd through implementing decontamination and containment strategies or managing risk at bat roosts.

5. Build and maintain local expertise and partnerships for long-term capacity to advance management and monitoring of bats.

6. Engage with working groups, committees, workshops, and meetings of the WNS

National Response Team

Proposals for this program will be plans of action responsive to the current status of WNS in the applicant’s location, and will address context-specific conservation needs of bats as well as the ecosystem as a whole. These priorities are intended to address relevant projects in State or Tribal jurisdictions whether WNS is already affecting resident bats or the fungus has not yet arrived.

Successful applications to this funding opportunity will meet the following objectives:

Aim to benefit bat species that are known, assumed, or anticipated to be affected by

WNS.

Advance the priorities of this funding opportunity and the WNS National Plan.

Build upon or advance the current state of knowledge of bats under their management jurisdictions.

Awards are not guaranteed. Proposals will be reviewed based on the following considerations:

responsiveness to described management needs, relevance to combatting WNS and conserving vulnerable species, geographic scope, project need and feasibility, cost efficiency, project design, species and colonies benefitted, degree of benefit to species or habitat, and extent and importance of area monitored for population or disease status. Partial funding may be awarded.

Project Categories The proposed actions and related budget must meet the following conditions:

1. Proposed activities must be consistent with the WNS National Plan and must clearly address at least one of the “2022 Priorities” stated above. All proposed activities should represent a logical and appropriate progression of actions conducted in preparation for or in response to WNS in the action area. Applications must include clear project descriptions for how proposed activities address local and national management objectives for bats.

Project descriptions must clearly articulate the activities, methods, and timetables for each identified goal and objective, justify these goals and objectives, and identify anticipated outcomes.

2. No more than $50,000 may be requested for each of the two categories below (2.a. and 2.b.), including direct and indirect costs. No more than $100,000 may be requested in total, including direct and indirect costs. Furthermore, proposals must adhere to the sub-caps for category 2.a., as described below.

a. Up to $50,000 may be used to address data needs that inform management decisions and help implement bat conservation strategies to:

i. conduct population monitoring

1. < 5 grid cells sampled – Max $7,500

2. 6-15 grid cells sampled – Max $15,000

3. >15 grid cells sampled – Max $25,000

*A sampling event is a survey using one or multiple aspects of the NABat monitoring strategy, or equivalent: (1) summer colony count; (2) winter colony count; (3) mobile acoustic transect; and/or (4) stationary acoustic surveys in at least two quadrants

ii. Max$15,000: conduct disease and pathogen surveillance

iii. Max $7,500: purchase monitoring equipment to accomplish sampling described in 2.a.i.

iv. Max $15,000: participate in and provide support for WNS-related research and treatment projects

v. Max $10,000: curtail the spread of Pd

vi. Max $30,000: build and maintain local expertise

vii. Max $3,000: engage with the WNS National Response Team, including travel to WNS annual meeting and regional bat working groups.

b. Up to $50,000 may be used by the applicant to enact conservation actions at significant bat roosts used by WNS-affected or WNS-vulnerable species through restoration, protection, and enhancement. These actions may include the following activities:

i. prohibiting unauthorized entry/vandalism, gating or fencing, stabilizing entrance portals, and correcting historic airflow;

ii. ensuring long-term integrity or resilience of established roosts to degradation, climate change, or other negative influences;

iii. improving suitability of the roost for seasonal or year-round use by bats;

iv. developing agreements such as cooperative conservation agreements, conservation easements or contracts with cave and wildlife conservation groups, land trusts, and local advocacy groups to conserve caves, mines, and other significant roost locations that fulfill important life history functions for bats; or

v. installing signage or camera and acoustic monitoring systems.

Note: Bat roost conservation supported through this funding opportunity may not occur on Federally-owned or managed land. This portion of funding may not be used for land purchases, general forestry actions, fulfilling consultation and permitting requirements, offsetting costs of curtailment or construction, or development of management plans.

Collaborations are encouraged. Collaborative projects that describe the contributions of multiple partners to enact conservation strategies will be more competitive than projects conducted by a solitary organization or agency.

NOTE: As a condition of any award for bat population monitoring (section 2.a.i. above), grantees will use the data management infrastructure of NABat for relevant funded activities prior to completion of the grant reporting period. Proposed population monitoring activities are not required to occur with the specific monitoring protocols of NABat, nor in the highest priority grid cells of a state or jurisdiction, but those activities are preferred. Completed upload of all appropriate monitoring data is, however, a requirement for meeting the terms of the grant agreement. Contribution of data entails providing locations only at the resolution of the NABat grid cell (10 km x 10 km), and not precise locations of data or descriptive site names. Standard reports including data visualization outputs generated by NABat are accepted to fulfill award reporting requirements for project activities funded through this opportunity.

Proposed projects should aim to be completed within 1 year but may be planned for up to 2 years.

The use of grant funds requires adherence to established protocols and methodologies developed or espoused by the national WNS working groups for surveillance, diagnostics, population monitoring, conservation and recovery, and disease management (for more information contact the appropriate Service WNS coordinator), as well as the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. In 2022, all proposed actions must be in line with the most current guidance, policies, information related the COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2.

Some proposed WNS mitigation and treatment actions may entail significant workload by the applicant to comply with regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. These requirements must be completed prior to funds becoming available for the proposed actions.

The Service is committing internally directed funds for this open funding opportunity, which accompanies two additional funding opportunities from the Service’s WNS National Response in 2022: 1) WNS Research for Conservation Grants (Spring 2022), and 2) Bats for the Future Fund (with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Spring 2022), www.nfwf.org/bats. Contact the Service’s WNS coordinator in your region (below) for more information about these funding opportunities.

The Service’s White-nose Syndrome Program is coordinated and funded through the branches of Ecological Services and Science Applications, and will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR) to administer grants to State agencies and Tribes that engage in the collaborative national response to WNS. Grants will be competitively awarded based on merit review of proposed actions for their applicability and feasibility to advance the priorities identified in this notice and for their overall contribution to meeting the objectives of the WNS national plan (White-Nose Syndrome Response Plans).

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $1,800,000 http://www.nfwf.org/bats https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/response-plans/-a-national-plan-for-assisting-states-federal-agencies-and-tribes-in-managing-white-nose-syndrome-in-bats-the-national-wns-plan

The Service has targeted up to $1.8 million (up to $1.5 million for States and up to $400,000 for Tribes) for this funding opportunity in 2022 to help States and Tribes develop and implement strategies to conserve species of bats that are affected by or vulnerable to WNS.

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $100,000 Minimum Award $10,000 Most awards will be $50,000 or less. Some awards may be as high as $100,000, pending availability of funds and strength of proposals for category 2.b. Enacting conservation strategies at bat roosts. More information about cost limits for certain types of projects is provided in section A2.

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $45,000 Expected Award Date July 01, 2022

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 04 – Special district governments 07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include fish and wildlife or natural resources agencies in all States and the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Tribes.

Applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded Federal grant agreements, with no outstanding reports or obligations, and a record of successful use of funds from previous awards from the Service’s WNS funding opportunities (if applicable). When an applicant is carrying two or more active WNS projects while applying for another, the Service has an administrative obligation to verify that there are no correctable problems in implementing the existing awards.

The Service will review the reasons why those grants are still open before proceeding with further consideration. State agencies or Tribes that demonstrate their effective use of WNS funds will not be affected. Applicants that have taken no significant action on any one of their two or more preexisting awards will not be considered eligible to apply for new funds from the WNS program until the problem is resolved.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement

C3. Other Foreign Entities or Projects:

State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Excluded Parties:

The DOI conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The DOI cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package The Application Package can be found at the following locations:

GrantSolutions https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ - Search for the funding opportunity using the Program name and/or CFDA Number 15.684. Or, search for the funding opportunity https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ name: "White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes"

Forms required for the application can also be found here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html or requested from Shelley DiBona, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, 413-253-8509 or Shelley_DiBona@fws.gov.

Program Website Link www.WhiteNoseSyndrome.org

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except individuals and commercial entities, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44- 4444.” Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1 “

SF 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate, and entities waived from the SAM.gov registration requirements by the funding bureau or office must submit the signed and dated SF-424B, Assurances for Non-https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:Shelley_DiBona@fws.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337

Construction Programs form. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. All other financial assistance applicants must complete the “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations” as part of their SAM.gov entity record.

SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs Any applicant requesting support for a construction projects must submit as signed and dated SF- 424D, Assurances for Construction Programs form. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS- GMM): Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

Project Narrative Proposals must not exceed 6 pages in length (excluding required forms, letters of support/collaboration, and literature cited) and must have a minimum font size of 11 pt.

The project narrative should include:

a. Statement of Need: The statement of need should be a concise paragraph describing why the applicant is requesting funds and how the funds will advance the State’s or Tribe’s objectives for managing bats affected by, or vulnerable to, WNS. This section must include a summary of other non-Federally funded activities for bat conservation research and management that are being conducted by the applicant within the project period. In particular, if the applicant is using different funding to contribute to the objectives stated for this funding opportunity, those activities and funds should be described.

b. Project Goals and Objectives: State the long-term, overarching goal(s) of the program/project seeking funds, and the specific objectives to be addressed with the proposed funding. Objectives are the specific outcomes to be accomplished in order to reach the stated goal(s). The project’s objectives must be clear and specific with measurable outcomes, and deliverable within the project’s proposed timeline. Include a description of how the objectives prepare for or advance implementation of strategies that address the priorities of this funding opportunity. For monitoring and surveillance activities, clearly identify the number and locations of sites involved, timing of activities, methods used, and partnering researchers of laboratories involved (if any). This section should also include a description of how the proposed activities build upon previous work to advance the applicants long-term goals.

c. Species and Locations: Identify the species affected by the proposed activities. Clearly describe the geographic scope of the proposed activities.

d. Results: Anticipate the conservation benefits to be accomplished through the proposed goals and objectives. If appropriate, estimate the area of habitat or number of bats/colonies affected by the proposed work.

e. Project Activities, Methods, and Timetable: Identify the proposed activities to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) to be used to carry out each activity.

Provide a timetable indicating when activities will be accomplished and project milestones met.

The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month or season over the project period. For applicants proposing population monitoring, data should be entered into the NABat database prior to annual deadlines set by the program for including data in annual status and trends analyses.

g) (If applicable) Proposals that seek funds for the enhancement, restoration, or protection of important bat roosts must provide the following information:

i. a clear description of the estimated abundance of all species present and the conservation need or problem at hand;

ii. a clear description of the enhancement or protection measures proposed and how the action mitigates that problem;

iii. a quantified estimate of the benefit from the proposed action, e.g., linear feet of subterranean habitat restored or protected, number of bats protected, etc.;

iv. justification for cost of the project and an analysis of cost efficiency;

v. names and affiliations of the partners that will contribute to the work;

vi. and the project’s timeline and future monitoring.

vii. In proposals where an easement will be purchased, describe who will hold title the easement, manage the easement, and if it is ready to implement.

Include a copy of the letter from the willing seller. landowners supplied willing seller letters?

viii. If Federally Endangered or Threatened species are present in the site(s) to be protected, coordinate with the relevant Service Species recovery lead.

Note: Bat roost conservation supported through this funding opportunity can occur on non- Federal, publicly-owned or managed land or on private property. Applicants seeking funds to meet this priority on Federally-owned or managed land should contact the WNS regional coordinator in their area to discuss options.

This portion of funding may not be used for land purchases, general forestry actions, fulfilling consultation and permitting requirements, offsetting costs of curtailment or construction, or development of management plans.

f. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: Provide a brief description of the applicant’s organization and all participating entities and/or individuals collaborating to complete the project. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. Provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis. If subcontracting to consultants outside of the applicant’s organization is planned to complete proposed activities, explain why this approach is the most effective way to complete the work and how the agency will utilize the outcomes in the future.

g. Environmental Compliance: Provide sufficient detail about site locations, species, and methods so that reviewers are able to determine project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

When acquiring real property (Conservation Easement) you and any of your subrecipients are responsible for complying with the requirements of 49 CFR 24 and 2 CFR 1402.329. If a person knowledgeable of the local real estate market determines that the property has a low value and the valuation is not complex, the acquisition may qualify for the use of a waiver valuation under 49 CFR 24.102. If it doesn’t qualify for a waiver valuation, an appraiser must develop an opinion of market value in an appraisal that conforms to both the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition, 6th edition, 2016 (Yellow Book), and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The appraisal must be recommended by a qualified real property appraiser. The appraiser and review appraiser must be either licensed or certified by the State or States where the real property is located, and the license or certification must qualify them for the scope of work in their assignments.

h. Permitting: All participants working in conjunction with the proposed activities must be covered by necessary Federal, State, and local permits, and landowner permissions prior to project initiation. Applicants submitting proposals to support animal-based experiments, whether in conjunction with universities or not, will be expected to demonstrate compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act with satisfactory review of animal use protocols by an established Animal Care and Use Committee or related State wildlife veterinarian (as appropriate). Treatment and decontamination actions also require demonstrated compliance with FDA, EPA, and other relevant regulatory agencies.

a. Sustainability: Identify how the actions to be completed in the project period contribute to complementary or long-term management objectives for bats in the jurisdiction where the project is located.

SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A Budget Information form for Non- Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov or in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In “Section A – Budget Summary” on the SF-424A form enter the funding requested from this Federal program in the first row. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Program Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424C Budget Information form for Construction Programs or Projects. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. Identify any other Federal funding sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below).

SF-429 Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. The SF-429 forms are not available with this announcement on Grants.gov; they are available on the Grants.gov Post-Award Reporting Forms page. Please submit these completed forms as attachments to your application.

Budget Narrative Applicants must include a budget narrative that describes and justifies requested budget items and costs. In your budget narrative, describe how the SF-424 Budget Information, “Object Class Category” totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays). Describe any proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal award cost principles, including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any third-party cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR §200.306 for more information.

Budgets must clearly distinguish between categories described in A. Project Categories 2.a. and 2.b., above, and clearly show that requested funds adhere to maximum request amounts indicated for each subcategory of activity.

A table in the budget narrative should be used to clarify use of requested funds more specifically.

This table should include at least these budget categories:

a. Salaries and benefits (include names, responsibilities, and time commitments);

b. Project related expenses (such as: travel, communications, supplies, consultants etc.);

c. Equipment (purchases of tangible, personal property over $5,000.00 that will be used for a year or more); and https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306

d. Indirect costs (if any).

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

a. Applicability.

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

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

b. Notification.

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

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

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

USC §1352.

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

Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B 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-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title31/pdf/USCODE-2019-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regard to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”. If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regard to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

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

This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html as a financial assistance recipient in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). Entities already registered in SAM.gov should review their registration to confirm that they are registered as a financial assistance recipient, which requires completion of the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations”. See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration.

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 05/02/2022 Application Due Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date.

D5. Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required for applications submissions from a U.S. state or local government prior to submission. Applicants must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. The State Single Point of Contact list is available on the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website.

D6. Funding Restrictions Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior (DOI) is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center (IBC) will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the IBC by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients may not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted by Organization:

U.S. state or local government entities receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding must include the following statement in their application and attach a copy of their most recently negotiated rate agreement:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. Attached is a copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement/certification.

U.S. state or local government entities receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding must include the applicable statement from this list:

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We prepare and retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR 200, Appendix VII. Our current indirect cost rate is [insert rate], which is charged against [insert a complete description of the direct cost base used to distribute indirect costs to the award].

We are a U.S. state or local government entity receiving $35 million or less in direct Federal funding. We have not prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and documentation per 2 CFR §200, Appendix VII and elect to charge the de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.1. We understand we must use this methodology consistently for all Federal awards until we choose to establish a rate per 2 CFR §200. We understand we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a rate that changes the methodology used to charge indirect costs during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

All other organizations must include the applicable statement from this list and any related documentation in their application. Please note, an organization with a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may not elect to charge the 10% de minimis rate of Modified Total Direct Costs during the period covered by their current negotiated rate.

https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/contact-us https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/icrna

We are an organization with a current negotiated indirect cost rate. In the event we receive an award, we will charge indirect costs per our current negotiated rate agreement.

Attached is a copy of our current rate agreement.

We are an organization with a negotiated indirect cost rate that has expired. Attached is copy of our most recently negotiated rate agreement. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.