USDA-NRCS-ID-CIG-22-NOFO0001166.pdf

Conservation Innovation Grants Idaho State Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program National Funding Opportunity (NFO)

No. USDA-NRCS-ID-CIG-22-NOFO0001166 Date Issued:

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO)

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 – Idaho

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-ID-CIG-22-NOFO0001166

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings on SAM.gov under 10.912, Environmental Quality Incentives Program

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Idaho. A total of up to $300,000.00 is available for the Idaho CIG competition in FY 2022. All non-federal entities (NFE) and individuals are invited to apply, with the sole exception of federal agencies. Projects may be between one and three years in duration. The maximum award amount for a single award in FY 2022 is $65,000.00.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 8, 2022. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518- 4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.) Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the NRCS CIG website to learn more about the CIG program.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 8, 2022 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2022. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig/

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $25,000.00, and the estimated funding ceiling is $65,000.00. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

Table of Contents

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1) Legislative Authority

2) Overview

3) Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities

4) State Component

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1) Available Funding

2) Type of Award

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1) Eligible Applicants

2) Other

3) Cost Sharing or Matching

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1) How to submit an application

2) Information for New Users of Grants.gov

3) Electronic Application Package

4) Content and Form of Application Submission

5) Submission Dates and Times and Correspondence

6) Intergovernmental Review

7) Funding Restrictions

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1) Review and Selection Process

2) Merit/Technical Criteria

3) Administrative and Risk Criteria

4) Awards Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (if applicable)

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1) Federal Award Notices

2) Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3) Patents, Inventions, and Copyrights

4) Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

H. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: Application Checklist APPENDIX B: Budget Narrative Guidance APPENDIX C: Sample Commitment Letter APPENDIX D: SF424 and SF424A Instructions

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1) Legislative Authority The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is authorized as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8). The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority for the administration of EQIP, including CIG, to the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP is funded and administered by NRCS under the authorities of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).

2) Overview The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production.

CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into government technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches or private forest lands.

3) Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities CIG funds the development and field testing, on-farm research and demonstration, evaluation, or implementation of:

• Approaches to incentivizing conservation adoption, including market-based and conservation finance approaches; and

• Conservation technologies, practices, and systems.

Projects or activities under CIG must comply with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project; and

• Use a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success;

• Demonstrate, evaluate, and verify the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field;

• Adapt and transfer conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption;

• Introduce proven conservation technologies and approaches to a geographic area or agricultural sector where that technology or approach is not currently in use.

Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in a project’s geographic area using an EQIP contract for an established conservation practice standard are ineligible for CIG funding, except where the use of those technologies and approaches demonstrates clear innovation.

4) State Component For FY 2022, NRCS accepts proposals that address one or more of the State priorities listed below.

At least 10 percent of the total funds available for CIG in FY 2022 is set aside for proposals from Historically Underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers, or community-based organizations comprised of or representing these entities (see Section D. 4 (f)).

CIG Priorities for FY 2022:

Soil, Water, Air, Plants Animals and Energy. A full listing of the categories under all these resource concerns can be found at:

https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=44299.wba

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1) Available Funding

a. Estimated Funding NRCS Idaho expects to award approximately $300,000.00 through this opportunity.

However, the agency retains the discretion to award a larger or lesser amount.

b. Start Dates and Performance Periods Projects may be between 1 and 3 years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of September 30, 2022.

c. Number of Awards The agency expects to make five awards.

2) Type of Award

a. Type of Federal Award

The agency plans to award grant agreements pursuant to this opportunity.

b. Procurement Contracts The agency does not expect to award procurement contracts associated with this

NFO.

c. Eligibility of Renewal or Supplemental Project Applications Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards. An application for renewal means https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=44299.wba an application submitted to continue an existing agreement that meets the objectives and requirements of this NFO. An application for supplementation of an existing project means an application to add components to an existing agreement so that it would meet the objectives and requirements in this NFO.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1) Eligible Applicants Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or excluded from receiving Federal contracts and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program (2 CFR 200.206(d)).

All U.S.-based non-Federal entities (NFE) and individuals, with the exception of Federal agencies, are eligible to apply for projects carried out in Idaho. The following entity types are eligible:

a. City or township governments

b. County governments

c. For profit organizations other than small businesses

d. Independent school districts

e. Individuals

f. Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

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

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

i. Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

j. Private institutions of higher education

k. Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

l. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

m. Small businesses

n. Special district governments

o. State governments

2) Other Any award made pursuant to this NFO will be made to a single entity. Applicants that apply as “partnerships” or other similar groupings must clearly describe the relationship between the applicant and the “partner” parties. In all but exceptional cases, it must be reflected in the award as an awardee/sub awardee relationship.

An applicant organization may submit more than one application for different projects or proposing different approaches. In the case of applications submitted as revisions or corrections to a previously submitted application under this NFO, the agency will consider the last application submitted prior to the established deadline.

a. CIG Specific Eligibility and Technical Assistance for CIG Projects

Conservation Innovation Grants are Grant Agreements and as such do not provide for substantial involvement between NRCS and the grantee in carrying out the activity contemplated by the federal award. The technical assistance required to carry out a project is the responsibility of the grantee. NRCS designates an NRCS employee as a Technical Contact for each grant award. Technical contacts provide oversight activities during the project, such as site visits, reviewing performance reports, financial reports, and audits to ensure that standards, objectives, terms, and conditions for the projects are accomplished, but will not be substantially involved in carrying out the activity contemplated by the federal award.

All CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers that meet EQIP’s eligibility requirements listed in 7 CFR § 1466.6(b)(1) through (3):

• Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions (7 CFR Part 12).

• Be a person, legal entity, joint operation, Indian tribe, or native corporation who is engaged in agricultural production or forestry management or has an interest in the agricultural or forestry operation as defined in 7 CFR Part 1400.

• Have control of the land involved for the term of the proposed contract period.

b. EQIP Payment Limitation and Duplicate Payments

The following provisions apply to CIG funding:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2017-title7-vol10/pdf/CFR-2017-title7-vol10-sec1466-6.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2005-title7-vol10/CFR-2005-title7-vol10-part1400

• CIG funds are awarded through grant agreements. These grant agreements are not EQIP contracts; thus, CIG awards in and of themselves are not limited by the payment limitation found at section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985, 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7, which imposes a $450,000 payment limitation for all payments made to persons or legal entities under an EQIP contract entered into between FY 2019 and FY 2023.

• All agricultural producers receiving a payment through participation in a CIG project must meet the eligibility requirements of 7 CFR § 1466.6(b)(1) through (3) noted above. In addition, all CIG payments are subject to the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitation. All agricultural producers receiving a payment through participation in a CIG project must have an AGI that does not exceed $900,000. If awarded a grant, grantees must self-certify and maintain records showing that participating producers receiving payments using CIG funding meet the EQIP eligibility and AGI requirements. Section 1704 (a)(3) of the 2018 Farm Bill states the Secretary may waive the AGI limit on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that environmentally sensitive land of special significance would be protected as a result of such waiver. CIG grantees may request waivers once their project commences.

• Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985, 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2, prohibits duplicative payments. Accordingly, direct or indirect payments cannot be made for a practice for which an individual or legal entity has already received funds or is contracted to receive funds through any USDA conservation program (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program, EQIP, Agricultural Management Assistance, Conservation Stewardship Program). If awarded a grant, grantees must self-certify that payments to producers using CIG funding are not duplicative.

c. Historically Underserved Producers and Veteran Farmers or Ranchers

For the FY 2022 CIG award process, at least 10 percent of the total funds available for CIG are set aside for proposals from Historically Underserved producers, veteran farmers or ranchers, or community-based organizations comprised of or representing these entities. The regulatory definitions of a Historically Underserved producer and a veteran farmer or rancher may be found at 7 CFR 1466.3.

To compete for set-aside funds, the applicant must signal their intent by following the instructions in Section D. 4 (f). These applicants must meet all other requirements of this announcement, including addressing at least one CIG priority listed in this notice.

Funds not awarded through this set-aside will revert to the pool of non-set-aside funds.

3) Cost Sharing or Matching This NFO requires applicants to share at least 50% of total project costs. Special considerations exist for some historically underserved applications. For these special circumstances, please see Section D. 4(f). Applications that do not include the required level of cost-sharing will be ineligible for award. Cost sharing may be achieved with contributions of cash, services, materials, equipment, or third-party in-kind contributions.

Recipients with unrecovered indirect costs may also use those to meet cost-sharing https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2017-title7-vol10/pdf/CFR-2017-title7-vol10-sec1466-6.pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2010-title16/USCODE-2010-title16-chap58-subchapIV-partIV-sec3839aa-2 https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2016-title7-vol10/pdf/CFR-2016-title7-vol10-sec1466-3.pdf obligations. Refer to section D of this NFO for information about any required submittals related to match or cost-share requirements. While the pace of cost-sharing/matching may vary throughout the award period, the agency will actively monitor cost-sharing/matching levels as it receives payment requests to ensure the total cost sharing/matching requirement is met by the award period of performance end date.

Additional details about cost sharing or matching funds/contributions are located at 2

CFR 200.306.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1) How to submit an application Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov (see Section D.2.).

Submissions must be received by the time and date due. Late submissions will not be reviewed or considered. The agency will rely on system generated date and time receipt documentation for submission made.

2) Information for New Users of Grants.gov

a. Overview

While a Grants.gov account is not required to download an NFO and related documents, it is required to submit an application. If your organization has never submitted an application via Grants.gov, please be aware that there are several steps you must take to register your organization before you can submit an application. Completing those steps can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.

For information about the Grants.gov pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html.

b. Register to Apply through Grants.gov Carefully review the registration steps and gather information requested prior to beginning the registration process to avoid last-minute searches for required information.

For assistance with the registration process, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1- 800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Organizations must complete all steps to register (steps i. through v. below). Complete organization instructions are included on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

Although creating a Grants.gov account online can take only minutes, SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, organizations should begin the process early to ensure they have sufficient time to complete registration and meet required application submission deadlines.

Individuals are not subject to the Unique Entity Identified (UEI)/DUNS or SAM requirement and may begin with step iii., Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

(Note: Individuals are not eligible for all opportunities.)

c. Steps to Register:

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

i. Obtain a DUNS Number or UEI: All entities applying for funding must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) or a UEI issued by SAM.gov. Applicants must enter the DUNS Number/UEI in the data entry field labeled "UEI" on the SF-424 form.

ii. Register with SAM: All organizations must register with System for Award Management (SAM) to apply online through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Part of the SAM registration process includes designating an Electronic Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC). The EBiz POC plays an integral part in the organization’s Grants.gov registration and application process. The individual in that role must authorize all other roles in Grants.gov. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

iii. Create a Grants.gov Account: From the Grants.gov webpage (https://www.grants.gov/), click “Register” in the top right-hand corner and follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

iv. Add an Organization Applicant Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

v. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, you must establish roles for individuals in the organization. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role is critical; it gives an individual permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. Please be aware that the EBiz POC and the person with AOR Role cannot be the same individual; they must be different people. Without this role, the organization cannot submit any applications. The request for role assignment will be routed to the organization’s EBiz POC for approval. Once approved, the AOR can submit an application online. For more detailed instructions about creating a EBiz POC authorized profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

d. Electronic Signature. When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. Please be aware that the EBiz POC and the person with AOR Role cannot be the same individual;

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html they must be different people. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role. This step (step c.v. above) is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

e. Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NFO, you can create individual instances of a workspace. An applicant can start an application in Workspace and return to work on it later within Workspace.

f. Apply for an Opportunity. Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

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

ii. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the status of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

• Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

• Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

• Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and DUNS Number/UEI. Once it is completed, the information will transfer (i.e., prepopulate) to the other forms.

iii. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24- 48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

iv. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

3) Electronic Application Package Applicants interested in submitting an application in response to this NFO must submit it via Grants.gov; the agency will not accept applications submitted via email or any other method. Applicants are urged to submit early to the Grants.gov system.

For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518- 4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

Address to Request Application Package All information necessary to apply for this opportunity is included in the Grants.gov opportunity announcement.

4) Content and Form of Application Submission The agency may choose not to consider applications that fail to comply with the required content, format, and page limits, or those that are incomplete.

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the following:

a. Project Abstract (1 page maximum)

Describe in nontechnical language the issue or problem, the objectives to address the issue or problem, the innovative approach to be employed (including the role of participating partners), the main project deliverables and anticipated project results, how the results will be quantified, and the predicted benefits to conservation more broadly.

b. Project Narrative Each page must be numbered and have one-inch margins. The text of the project narrative must be single spaced and typed in a standard typeface (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Courier) with no smaller than 12-point font. The project narrative must not exceed 16 pages, including a mandatory 1-page Cover Page, described below. This page limitation applies to the project narrative only.

The project narrative must cover all activities proposed to be carried out with both the Federal and non-Federal matching funds. Activities related but beyond the scope of the CIG project budget should be described in the background section only. A sample https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html http://www.grants.gov/ project description is posted to the CIG website at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/cig/ ?cid=stelprdb1046235.

The project description must include the following information, in this order:

i. Cover Page (1 page maximum) On a single page, provide the following information:

• The applicant entity name.

• The project title.

• The proposed start and end dates and the project duration in months.

• The amount of Federal funding requested.

• The amount of non-Federal contributions committed.

• The applicant’s technical contact (usually project director). (Provide name, phone, email.)

• The applicant’s administrative contact (provide name, phone, email) (usually an individual in a grants office or project manager working under a project director. The administrative contact often handles the budgetary and reporting requirements for a CIG project. NRCS will use the applicant’s technical and administrative contacts identified as the primary applicant contacts throughout the life of the project, unless notified of personnel changes).

• The geographic location of the project.

• The state priority that is addressed by the project. List only one priority from

Section A. 4. If the proposal addresses more than one priority, you must select a primary priority for your application to be considered under.

• Include a declaration if the project is competing for historically underserved set aside (see section D.4 (f) for further instructions and qualifications).

• A brief description (1–3 sentences) of the innovative conservation approach or approaches that is the focus of the project—please be concise!

ii. Project background: Describe the issue or problem driving the need for the proposed innovation. Provide evidence that the proposed innovation has been studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success.

iii. Project goal/objectives: State the main goal of the project and then outline the supporting objectives to reach this goal. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART1). Provide supporting information that describes the innovative nature of the project and how this innovation could advance the field of conservation. If the project is addressing innovation of an NRCS conservation practice standard, or proposing a new standard, state this explicitly and identify the standard.

1 SMART objectives are described by several organizations. Here is an example from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/phcommunities/resourcekit/evaluate/smart_objectives.html https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/cig/?cid=stelprdb1046235 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/cig/?cid=stelprdb1046235

iv. Project design and methods: Describe clearly the methodology of the project and the tools or processes that will be used to implement the project. (We encourage new grant writers to consider using a logic model approach to improve clarity of this section.) For more on the logic model, see https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/programdevelopment/logic-models/.

v. Project outcomes and benefits: Identify the expected results and outcomes of the project and the anticipated impact on conservation and society and any other benefits derived from the project. Forecast the lasting impact of project results. Identify project beneficiaries, (i.e., agricultural producers) by type, region, or sector; historically underserved producers and communities; rural communities; and/or municipalities.

vi. Geographic location and size of project or project area: Identify the geographic location and the estimated size and scope (e.g., acres, farm types, demographics) of the project area. Maps are recommended.

vii. EQIP-eligible producer participation: Estimate the number of EQIP eligible producers involved in the project and describe the extent of their involvement.

Describe whether these producers have been identified, and if not yet identified clearly articulate the process that will be carried out to identify and attract producer participation. If competing in the set aside for historically underserved projects, include an estimate on the number of historically underserved producers scheduled to participate in the project.

viii. Project deliverables/products: Provide a list of specific deliverables and products that directly relate to the project objectives, outcomes, and benefits that will allow NRCS to monitor project progress and approve payments. The proposal must include a set of technical deliverables that reflect the performance and broader applicability of the project.

Note: In addition to project-specific deliverables, CIG grantees are responsible for:

a) Participating in at least one event (e.g., conference or workshop) during the grant period where the grantee presents on the activities of the project.

b) A final factsheet.

c) Closing event—this could be a webinar, field day, training event, etc., used to disseminate project results.

d) Provide a one-page final report suitable for publication.

ix. Project action plan and timeline: Provide a bulleted list of project actions and deliverables relative to timeframes and associated project milestones through to project completion. Applicants should develop their timelines based on a project September 30, 2022.

x. Project management: Give a description of how the project will be organized and managed, including a list/description of project partners. Include a https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/programdevelopment/logic-models/ description of how communication will be structured within the project team to ensure effective project management.

xi. Technology transfer: Describe how the results will be transferred to producers and stakeholders through communications and outreach activities.

xii. Project evaluation: Describe the methodology used to evaluate the project and describe how results will be quantified. It should be clear to the reviewers how project objectives relate to the evaluation.

xiii. Graphics, including pictures, charts, graphs, and similar items count towards the 16-page maximum.

xiv. References, bibliographies, and citations, if included, do not count towards the 16-page maximum.

The following documents do not count toward the above stated page limit.

c. Team Qualifications Provide brief descriptions of key technical and administrative personnel qualifications, their experience managing Federal awards, and their anticipated contributions to the project. This does not count towards the 16-page maximum. Do not include resumes or curriculum vitae (CVs).

d. Assessment of Environmental Impacts.

If implementation of the proposal is anticipated to have physical, chemical, or biological impacts on the environment, please describe the impacts and their extent.

The description of the potential environmental impacts must address both beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed action. The length of the description should be commensurate with the complexity of the project proposed and the natural environmental resources impacted directly, indirectly, or cumulatively. Where possible, information on environmental impacts should be quantified, such as number of acres of wetlands impacted, amount of carbon sequestration estimated, etc. Natural environmental resources include soil, water, air, plants, and animals, as well as other resources protected by law, regulation, executive order, and agency policy. NRCS may choose not to approve funding for projects that may result in unacceptable adverse environmental impacts.

Every funded CIG project that involves ground disturbance activities is subject to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). NRCS must complete an environmental review of each awarded project before project commencement.

Applicants may be required to prepare and pay for preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), should the environmental review find that an EA or EIS is required.

In addition, a National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 review and consultation by NRCS State or area office with consulting parties (such as the pertinent State Historic Preservation Officer and federally recognized Indian Tribes) may be required prior to the implementation of project activities that have the potential to impact cultural resources. NHPA Section 106, its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800), and other related authorities, require federal agencies to determine if a project has the potential to cause an effect to historic properties and, if so, if they are adverse and how the effects may be addressed. The NHPA review and compliance in accordance with Section 106 of NHPA and implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 800 must be completed by NRCS and applicants may be required to pay for any cultural resource surveys needed for NRCS to assess CIG project effects. More information on the applicants role in NHPA Section 106 process can be found on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation website at https://www.achp.gov/digital-library-section-106-landing/section-106-applicant-toolkit.

e. Declaration of previous CIG projects involvement and past performance.

If the applicant has previously received a CIG award (either at the National or State levels), list the following for each award and give a short summary of the completed project’s results and impact. If the project is ongoing, provide the anticipated results.

Each description should be no more than a half page:

• Project title

• CIG agreement number

• Award funding amount

• Year of award expiration

f. Declaration of Historically Underserved and veteran farmers or ranchers.

The CIG program provides special consideration to projects substantially involving or benefitting historically underserved producers or groups of producers. For the CIG Classic component, at least 10 percent of the total funds available for the CIG Classic may be set aside for applications from:

i. An historically underserved producer;

ii. A community-based organization comprised of, representing, or exclusively working with historically underserved producers on a CIG project;

iii. An entity developing an innovative conservation approach or technology specifically targeting historically underserved producers’ unique needs and limitations; or

iv. An 1890 or 1994 land grant institution (7 U.S.C. 3222 et seq.), Hispanic-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1101a), or other minority-serving institution, such as an historically Black college or university (20 U.S.C. 1061), a tribally controlled college or university (25 U.S.C. 1801), or Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving institution (20 U.S.C. 1059g).

https://www.achp.gov/digital-library-section-106-landing/section-106-applicant-toolkit https://www.achp.gov/digital-library-section-106-landing/section-106-applicant-toolkit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/outreach/slbfr/

An applicant seeking to qualify for the historically underserved set-aside must provide a self-certification declaration on the application cover page. An example of a self-certification statement is: “I/(entity name) qualify to compete in the historically underserved set aside as a (select the appropriate option in section D4(f) i-iv.)”

The EQIP rule published in October 2020 provides the Chief with authority to reduce the matching funds requirement for CIG Classic for individuals or entities applying as part of the HU set-aside. Therefore, any project that applies to the HU set aside and qualifies as an organization outlined in Section D4(f) i-iv will be required to meet a match of at least 50% of their federal funding request.

If your proposal will include information collection from non-Federal sources, ensure the collection meets the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Surveys of individuals or entities are generally prohibited without prior approval from the Office of Management and Budget. For additional guidance about allowable and unallowable activities, please visit the following website: https://pra.digital.gov/do-i-need-clearance/.

g. Application Form: (Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance) See Instructions for Completing SF 424 located included as Appendix D of this document.

h. Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs.

Fill in all spaces as appropriate. Section B, Item 6, Column 1 should reflect the agency funds, and Column 2 should reflect the applicant’s matching funds. This form is the summary budget for the project and should include the full project totals on pages one and two. See Instructions for Completing SF 424A located included as Appendix D of this document. Refer to Section D of this opportunity for information regarding indirect costs.

i. Federal Budget

i. In a separate document titled “Budget Narrative,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. Detail how the totals on the SF-424A were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities. For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project.

Describe any item that under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the agency’s approval and estimate its cost. The pages included as the budget narrative do not count toward the page limit. Cost sharing/matching must be committed at the time of application submission. The budget narrative must show the amounts and sources of match or cost share (including both cash and in-kind contributions. Budget guidance along with a sample budget narrative and table can be found in Appendix B of this announcement.

ii. For third-party contributions, a letter is required for each contribution, signed by the authorized organizational representative of the contributing organization and the applicant organization, which must include: (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the contributor, (2) the name of the applicant organization,

(3) the title of the project for which the contribution is made, (4) the dollar amount of the contribution, and (5) a statement that the contributor will pay the contribution no later than the end of the award period. The agency may conduct reference checks to ensure that organizations identified are supportive and involved with the project. Cost sharing/match letters should be addressed to the Federal Awarding Agency Contact in section G of this NFO and uploaded under Other Attachments (listed separately under Optional Forms) in Grants.gov. A commitment letter template has been included as Appendix C of this NFO.

iii. Any non-Federal entity (except State and local governments that receive more than $35 million per year in Federal funding) that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely.

No documentation is required to justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate. As described in 2 CFR 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time.

iv. Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

v. Note: Please include $3,000 in the budget for any travel undertaken by your project team that may be required by NRCS, such as conference travel. These funds can be part of the Federal portion, the applicant’s matching funds, or a combination of both. Any additional travel required for completion of the project must be considered additional to this $3,000.

vi. As required in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Subpart F

Audit Requirements, all U.S. states, local governments, Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 or more in Federal award funds in a fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.403

j. Cost Share or Matching Funds.

Selected applicants may receive CIG grants of up to 50 percent of their total project cost.

CIG recipients must provide a non-federal funding match or cost-share amount at least equal to the amount of federal funding requested. For example, if an applicant requests $50,000 in CIG funding, at least $50,000 in non-federal cost-share or matching funds must be committed by the applicant.

Applicants applying for the historically underserved set aside are only required to contribute 50% of the federal request as in-kind or cash match.

Matching funds may be committed by the applicant, project partners, or both and can be a combination of cash and in-kind contributions. Examples of in-kind contributions include work done by unpaid volunteers and donations of supplies, facilities, or equipment.

In-kind contributions identified in the project budget must be quantifiable, verifiable, and necessary to accomplish program activities.

Cost sharing/matching must be committed at the time of application submission. Cost sharing or matching funds must meet the criteria stated at 2 CFR 200.306 and be valued in accordance with 2 CFR 200.306(d). Additional details about cost sharing or matching funds/contributions are located at 2 CFR 200.306.

All matching funds must be identified in both the SF-424A and budget narrative components of the application. Project partners (other than the applicant) must provide commitment letters for all cash and in-kind matching contributions. A separate commitment letter is required for each cash and/or in-kind match contribution.

Commitment letters must be signed by the authorized organizational representative of the contributing organization and the applicant organization and must include: (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the project partner; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project for which the contribution is made, (4) the dollar value of the contribution; and (5) a statement that the contributor commits to furnish the contribution during the grant period. A sample commitment letter is included as part of the application package on grants.gov.

Applications without signed written commitments covering the full value of the matching contribution are deemed incomplete.

The value of applicant contributions to the project is established according to federal cost principles. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR 200.306 for additional guidance on matching funds, in-kind contributions, and allowable costs.

k. Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-sec200-306.pdf an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 2 CFR Part 418, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with this application AND the Federal share exceeds $100,000, you must also complete and submit the SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities located at 2 CFR 418, Appendix B. See 2 CFR 418.110 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

l. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) (if applicable).

If charging indirect costs (including for cost share), upload the NICRA under Other Attachments (listed as an Optional form) in the Grants.gov Opportunity Application Package. See Section D for information regarding indirect costs.

m. Letters of support

Letters of support for the project from individuals or entities that are not project partners may be submitted and should be uploaded under Other Attachments (listed as an Optional form) in the…