USDA-NRCS-PR-CIG-23-NOFO0001262.pdf

Conservation Innovation Grants Caribbean Area Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO)

No. USDA-NRCS-PR-CIG-23-NOFO0001262

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) 2023 – Caribbean Area

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-PR-CIG-23-NOFO0001262

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listing numbers (previously referred to as the Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance (CFDA)) 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 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

Applications are accepted from eligible entities (Section C) for projects carried out in the Caribbean

Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). A total of up to $500,000 is available for the Caribbean

Area CIG competition in FY 2023. 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 2023 is $100,000.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Completing all steps required to start an application can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 23, 2023.

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.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). 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.

https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:support@grants.gov

A webinar for CIG applicants is scheduled for February 28, 2023 at 9 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

Information on how to participate in the webinar will be posted to the Caribbean Area CIG website.

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

The agency anticipates making selections by May 19, 2023 and expects to execute awards by June 16, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $25,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is

$100,000. 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).

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/cig-conservation-innovation-grants/caribbean-area/conservation-innovation https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/cig-conservation-innovation-grants/caribbean-area/conservation-innovation https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/

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

3. Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

H. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A - Instructions for Completing SF424

APPENDIX B – Instructions for Completing SF424A

APPENDIX C – Budget Narrative Guidance

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 2023, 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 2023 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 2023:

For FY 2023, NRCS is only accepting proposals that address one or more of the priorities listed below. Each proposal must clearly identify a primary priority.

Priority 1: Water Quality

Water Quality in the Caribbean continues to be a priority resource concern as most major public water sources have been identified with some level of impairment with agriculture and confined animal operations being identified as pollution sources in some of them.

Water quantity uncertainties caused by climate change also exacerbate the need for clean water sources in the islands.

Proposals submitted under this priority must propose an innovation to help farmers, ranchers, or foresters to improve water quality as it leaves their farm. Proposals must address one or more of the following sub-priorities:

i. Field testing of conservation practices to assess the benefits and/or negative effects on surface and groundwater quality and the practical implementation techniques in the Caribbean. (e.g., Infiltration ditch wastewater treatment effects on surface and groundwater quality).

ii. Community-level or landscape-level strategies that help streamline water quality solutions and management plans at the community or watershed scale including community and/or professional capacity building techniques in the territories.

iii. Development of innovative or repurposed planning tools, guidance documents, or conservation practices/scenarios that help producers manage water in their farms and encourage filtration, infiltration or other effects that affect water quality.

iv. Field testing of innovative production techniques that improve soil health, promote wetland creation and management, improve organic and inorganic fertilizer management, such as demonstration of new cover crop and conservation cover varieties that scavenge nutrients, innovative water management approaches and equipment and technology not readily available in the market for precision agriculture and variable rate application in the Caribbean.

v. Leveraging of community resources that increase cooperation among producers

(e.g., water quality automized monitoring systems, joint conservation system) to address and monitor water quality and the effectiveness of conservation measures.

Priority 2: Climate-Smart Agriculture

2a: Producer adaptation to extreme weather events

As climate change intensifies, agricultural producers are facing new obstacles to producing food and fiber while maintaining or improving their natural resource base. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and their indirect effects – such as emergence of new pests, disease outbreaks, increases in soil salinity, severe changes in rainfall patterns, increase water levels/flooding potential, and reduced availability of accessible fuels – have created new challenges.

Proposals submitted under this priority must propose an innovation to help farmers, ranchers, or foresters react and adapt in the short term to the increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events and related impacts caused or exacerbated by climate change. Proposals must address one or more of the following sub-priorities:

i. Development of innovative or repurposed planning tools, guidance documents, or conservation practices/scenarios that help producers manage increased intensity and frequency of weather extremes or other events such as flooding, drought, flash drought, and decreased water supplies.

ii. Field testing of innovative production techniques that give producers tools to adapt to extreme weather, such as demonstration of new crop varieties designed to better withstand increased drought or flooding; innovative water management approaches; or energy efficient agricultural operation tools and equipment not readily available in the market.

iii. Field testing of conservation practices to assess their benefits/weaknesses in their practical implementation in the Caribbean and the potential implication of climate change in their design requirements. (e.g., Soil Carbon Amendment)

iv. Community-level or landscape-level strategies that help multiple local producers respond to extreme weather by exploring solutions at the community or geographic scale.

v. Communication tools and strategies that help producers interpret local climate related risks so that science, metrics, and general facts can be applied to on-farm operations. For existing communication tools and strategies, applicants may propose field testing with producers to validate or update the already developed materials with new data and tools to provide producers with more reliable data (rainfall projections, evapotranspiration levels, flood plain level increases, etc.). Training approaches should not be the focus of proposals.

2b: Building resilience through emerging production systems for climate smart agriculture

The resilience of traditional agricultural operations in parts of the Caribbean is being challenged by increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events caused and exacerbated by climate change. Innovative management systems and practices, including non-traditional crops or unconventional management practices requiring fewer https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Soil%20Carbon%20Amendment.pdf inputs/resources, are needed to offer producers options for increasing the resiliency of their operations into the future.

Proposals submitted under this priority area will be focused on developing new production systems that provide long-term, lasting solutions to help landowners build resilience to climate change, increase soil health and maintain viable businesses.

Proposals must address one or more of the following sub priorities:

i. Introduction of new cropping systems or non-traditional crops (e.g., perennial plantings or rotations such as agroforestry, systems that integrate perennial grains into rotation, or transition to xeric farming)

ii. Introduction of new grazing management systems (e.g. include the integration of diverse forages including grasses and legumes population in grasslands/livestock operation.)

iii. Introduction of new forestry management systems to increase the use of trees and/or shrubs as bioremediation in high erodible soils. (e.g. to reduce soluble nutrients for high erodible areas).

iv. Improved operation management, such as innovations in fertilizer management that show potential to mitigate greenhouse gases. (e.g. innovations and/or validations of new fertilizing technologies, such as Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

(EEFs), which will promote reduction salt-based fertilizer usage, that are identified as a source of most nutrient contamination in soil and water)

v. Leveraging of community resources that increase cooperation among producers

(e.g., shared grazing or water storage and management systems) to increase resilience of individual operations.

vi. Integration of traditional farming knowledge into cropping systems, such as multi-story cropping, three sisters cropping system and introduction of native plants.

All projects awarded under this priority must include at least a partial budget analysis to demonstrate how management changes and conservation improvements impact a farmer’s bottom line. Applicants are encouraged to use farmer surveys to gauge the intangible advantages and drawbacks of producer implementation of climate-smart agricultural innovations.

Applicants are encouraged to measure the climate mitigation effects of activities implemented through their projects (e.g., potential decrease in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, or methane). Applicants who choose to propose measurement or modeling of greenhouse gas impacts as part of a project must use quantification methodologies that align with the USDA report titled Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and

Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory. Applicants are encouraged to include evaluations demonstrating the full extent of project benefits to both producers and the environment, such as a full life cycle analysis or nutrient cycling measurements.

Priority 3: Conservation in Urban Agricultural Systems https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soils/soil-health https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDATB1939_07072014.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDATB1939_07072014.pdf

It is estimated that 83 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas. In recent years, demand and supply of urban farming has increased along with interest in local foods and resilient food systems. With this increase in urban food production comes conservation challenges and opportunities.

Proposals submitted under this priority must address the conservation of natural resources on private lands within urban areas and small agricultural systems.

Proposals must address one or more of the following sub priorities:

i. Demonstration of the natural resource impacts or economic benefits (e.g., air and water quality indicators, groundwater or aquifer recharge, runoff management/reduction, community health indicators like food access metrics, or reduction in related urban planning and infrastructure costs for maintaining agricultural land) that result from increased conservation implementation in urban agricultural systems.

ii. Projects that show conservation benefits with the implementation of multistory cropping systems, urban forestry systems, or integrated systems. Examples include increasing wildlife and pollinator populations through improvements in urban forests, expanded use of water resources by combining aquaculture with plant production, integrating new crops to decrease nutrient and pesticide needs and improved air quality through expansion of urban agriculture.

iii. Development and evaluation of the effectiveness of innovative management systems or emerging and innovative technologies that can improve efficiency and effectiveness of natural resource conservation on urban farms within the Caribbean settings.

iv. Interpreting existing conservation practices (i.e., conservation practices typically used in rural agricultural landscapes) that may not render effectively to smaller and urban production systems. Projects within this sub-priority may:

• demonstrate how to improve conservation planning in urban or small acreage settings, or

• demonstrate how to modify or adjust conservation practices in urban or small acreage settings.

Proposals submitted under this priority must address a natural resource concern and not be solely focused on urban agricultural production issues. In addition, proposals may not qualify if they address urban agriculture on public lands or natural resource issues under the purview of municipal regulations (e.g., wastewater treatment).

Priority 4: Invasive Species Control

Combating invasive species is a complex, multi-scale challenge for the Caribbean producers and landowners. For example, the increase in herbicide-resistant invasive weeds in tropical settings, forest pests, and unwanted overgrow has resulted in some producers reverting to conventional practices that are energy and chemical intense, consequently losing ground on the expansion of no-till farming and other sustainable agricultural methods. Grasslands are being lost to woody encroachment and invasives such as Prosopis, and Mimosa, and Paspalum fasciculatum (Venezolana grass), impacting productive lands, changing nutrient and hydrological cycles, and increasing risks to wildlife. Invasions are exacerbated by the impacts of climate changes such as drought, changes in weather patterns, or extreme weather events, altering fire and drought cycles throughout the Caribbean.

This priority area addresses invasive species on private agricultural, grassland, and forest landscapes. The development of lasting solutions is challenging and depends on the invasive species present and the local habitat, among other factors. In some cases, engaging community groups involving both public and private land managers is essential to successfully limit or manage invasions. In other instances, private landowners and producers need options to detect and fight invasives on their own land, such as awareness and scouting, new spray programs, innovative rotations, or new cultivars that outcompete or suppress weeds.

Proposals submitted under this priority area must propose innovations for private landowners to more effectively prevent, detect, or combat invasive species to maintain healthy and productive working lands. Innovations should help prevent, control, or eliminate pest invasions or help restore land and prevent reinvasion. Each project must fit into at least one of the following three sub priorities:

i. Innovative strategic approaches - Approaches should be designed to have a high likelihood of eradication and be strategically designed to remove risk of reintroduction, targeting refuge locations and vector pathways.

ii. Reimagination of existing strategies - Proposals that combine or integrate new ideas with existing tactics to address invasive species with high transferability regionally

iii. Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) - Proposals that support proactive invasive species management, particularly addressing invasive species with broad ecological niches that are expanding their range due to climate change.

Successful proposals are likely to create or enhance effective collaborations between private landowners and public land managers or community groups to collectively address invasive species in a joint watershed or region. Please note, species that already have dedicated NRCS funding, such as feral pigs will not be considered.

Proposed projects must be performed in Puerto Rico and/or U.S. Virgin Islands.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Available Funding

a. Estimated Funding

NRCS Caribbean Area expects to award approximately $500,000 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 October 1, 2023.

c. Number of Awards

The agency expects to make 5 award(s).

2. Type of Award

a. Type of Federal Award

The agency plans to award grant agreement(s) 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 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)). Neither foreign entities nor foreign individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

All U.S. domestic, non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply for projects carried out in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and/or U.S. Virgin Islands). U.S. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply to this opportunity or impart their work to non-federal portion of the budget.

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.

Awards made pursuant to this NFO are not Farm Bill incentive contracts; therefore, the awards in and of themselves are not limited by the payment limitation in 16 USC Chapter

58. However, any agricultural producers receiving a payment through participation in a project awarded under this NFO must meet the eligibility requirements of 7 CFR Part 12 and 7 CFR Part 1400 and have control of the land involved for the term of the proposed award period.

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 2023 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.

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

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

This NFO requires applicants to share at least 50 percent of total project costs. Total project costs include Federal and non-Federal shares of the project. 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 obligations. Funds from another Federal award cannot be used as match except where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing. 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 periods 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.

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

Organizations must complete all steps below to register (c. Steps to Register i. through v.). 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 Identifier (UEI) 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

i. Obtain a UEI: All entities applying for funding must have a UEI issued by

SAM.gov. Applicants must enter the 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 UEI 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. Without this role, the organization cannot submit any applications.

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

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; 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html 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 name, address, and

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 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 documents in a-e below.

a. Application Form

(Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance) See Instructions for Completing

SF 424 located in the appendices section.

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

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 17 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 project description is posted to the CIG website a:t https://cig.sc.egov.usda.gov/.

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

i. Cover Page (1 page maximum) Applications that fail to provide a cover page will be rejected in the first stage of screening.

On a single page, provide the following information:

• The applicant entity name.

• The project title.

• The project duration in years.

• The amount of Federal funding requested.

• The amount of non-Federal cost-share committed.

• The name, phone number, and email address for the applicant’s technical contact (usually project director), this is considered the primary contact for the project by NRCS.

• The name, phone number, and email address for the applicant’s administrative contact

(usually an individual in a grants office or project manager working under a project director).

• 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.

• An estimated number of participating producers expected to be involved with the project.

• Include a declaration if the project is competing for the 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!

• List any NRCS practice standards that this project could potentially inform (if multiple exist, select the top five), if relevant.

ii. Project Abstract (1 page maximum): Provide a concise project summary (in nontechnical language) that captures the issue or problem the project will address, the project goal, the innovative approach to be employed (including the role of participating partners), the anticipated project results and key deliverables, and the predicted impact to conservation more broadly.

https://cig.sc.egov.usda.gov/

iii. 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.

iv. 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.

v. 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/.

vi. 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.

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

viii. 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.

ix. 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.

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://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/programdevelopment/logic-models/

x. 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.

xi. 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.

xii. 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 start date of October 1, 2023(TBD).

xiii. Project management: Give a description of how the project will be organized and managed, including a list/description of project partners. Include a description of how communication will be structured within the project team to ensure effective project management.

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

xv. 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). Each individual’s description should be no more than a ½ of page.

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.