Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Full Announcement.docx

Cooperative Agreement for Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU)-affiliated Partner with California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

# Project Title: Reducing Mercury in Fish in Hydroelectric Power Reservoirs, Managed Wetlands, and Lakes

# Funding Opportunity Description

This work will support ongoing collaborations with numerous partners representing America’s energy generation and recreations and commercial fishing industries. The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to collect data and interpret data to help reduce the concentrations of mercury in recreational and sports fish in hydroelectric reservoirs, managed wetlands, and lakes. In these three freshwater environments, mercury biomagnification in aquatic food webs is prevalent and reducing mercury concentrations in fish remains one of the biggest issues facing management efforts.

The goal of this project is to provide data in support management actions to reduce mercury concentrations in recreational and sports fish through understanding how methylmercury is formed in water and sediments. Understanding both synergistic and antagonistic effects of key processes is necessary to have a robust ability to forecast changes in the risk mercury poses to aquatic food webs due to management of reservoirs, wetlands, and lakes. The scientific community recognizes the importance of water quality conditions of dissolved organic matter chemistry and microbial processes on mercury methylation, but key knowledge gaps remain to forecast how mercury methylation will respond to management actions and how this will cascade to mercury levels in recreational and sports fish. This project aims to address these management needs using freshwater systems currently studied by the USGS, selected because they are representative of settings across the nation with urgent needs to decrease mercury levels in fish.

This funding opportunity aims to develop a research effort between the USGS and a CESU partner that brings together expertise and capabilities, respectively, to address the overall needs of the management community. The results of the project on water and sediment from a CESU partner will be used with ecological data from the USGS to provide an understanding of the risk posed by mercury to diverse freshwater environments.

Research Objectives:

The overarching objective of this agreement is to synthesize and collect data for the development of a framework to predict how methylmercury formation in water and sediments influences mercury concentrations in recreational and sports fish. An emphasis is placed on hydroelectric reservoirs, managed wetlands, and mine-impacted lakes. To achieve this overarching objective, the project involves three sub-objectives for this one-year project.

Sub-objective 1: Develop linkages between the formation of methylmercury in hydroelectric reservoirs using existing data and concentrations of mercury in recreational and sports fish. The research objective aims to identify the importance management efforts of the system.

Sub-objective 2: Develop linkages between the mercury methylation in managed subtropical wetlands (Florida Everglades), and linkages to uptake of mercury in recreational and sports fish. The research objective aims to identify land and water management efforts of the Florida Everglades that can decrease mercury concentrations in fish.

Sub-objective 3: Develop linkages between the microbial methylation of mercury in mine-impacted lakes with elevated selenium. The research objective aims to identify how selenium influences the methylation and food web uptake of mercury, to aid efforts to reduce mercury levels in recreational and sports fish.

Award information

The award instrument for this project is a cooperative agreement.

It is anticipated that one award will be made for a one-year budget period. The total estimated funding for this project is $270,000. Funds will be fully obligated at time of award. The recipient should submit the proposal to reflect the full one-year project period.

Eligibility Information

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Application and Submission Information

The USGS requires that all applications for financial assistance be posted through Grants.gov. To post your application, go to www.grants.gov, select "Applicants,” "How to Apply for Grants,” “Search for Opportunity Package” (highlighted in red on the bottom right of screen), and use the Funding Opportunity Number G26AS00100.

Questions are to be directed to Grant Specialist Katie Calder at kcalder@usgs.gov.

Content and Form of Application:

Cover page of written technical narrative:

Anticipated award recipient’s name

Project title

Proposed project start date

Anticipated Principal Investigator Name (individual who will oversee the cooperative agreement) including title, address, phone number, , and email address

Authorized Representative administrative contact (Recipient staff member(s) in the recipient’s research office who will administer the cooperative agreement) including name, title, address, phone number, and email address

Include names and affiliations of Co-PIs, and if they are funded by the project or in kind

Include names, titles, and contact information for expected USGS collaborators on the project

List any other cooperators and partners

List laboratories, equipment, study area(s), and facilities available for project work.

State experience of project staff to conduct the stated work objectives of the project

Proposal text should include the following:

a. Introduction and Statement of Problem. Give a brief introduction to the research problem. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work that has been completed or is ongoing in this area.

b. Objectives. Clearly define goals of project. Include geographic scope. State how the proposal addresses USGS goals and its relevance and impact. Explain why the work is important.

c. Procedures/Methods. This section should include a fairly detailed discussion of the work plan and technical approach to both field and laboratory techniques.

d. Planned Products, Dissemination of Research Results, and Technology Transfer. List product(s) (reports, analyses, digital data, etc.) that will be delivered at the end of the project period. The USGS considers dissemination of research data and results to potential users of those results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program. Beyond the requirements for a final report, describe your plan for dissemination of project data and results that will result in the greatest possible benefit to customers as defined by your proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to disseminate research results to the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional and Federal agencies; and the public. The USGS encourages the Recipient to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals. All products must adhere to USGS Fundamental Science Practices.

e. Schedule, Duration of Study, and Reporting Schedule. Provide anticipated project start and end dates and a project timeline of key milestones.

e. References Cited. List all references to which you refer in text and references from your past work in the field that the research problem addresses. Be sure to identify references as journal articles, chapters in books, abstracts, maps, digital data, etc.

f. Legal and Policy-Sensitive aspects (if applicable)

g. Animal Use or Human subjects (if applicable)

Budget Narrative - This information will provide details and a breakdown of funds requested on the SF 424A form. Organize the narrative by Object Class Category titles on the SF-424A and ensure the amounts correspond to the SF-424A. Break out and show all project budget years you are applying for in your budget documents (budget narrative and SF-424A). Include the following:

a. Personnel: For salaries and wages, list names, position/job title, job category/classification, rate of compensation, and how the rate was determined, or what it is based on. Include their total time/level of effort. For each personnel member also include role on the project.

b. Fringe benefits: Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures and recipient policy. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. Attach fringe benefit rate sheet or agreement or provide a link to official rates if posted online.

c. Supplies: Supplies include all tangible personal property other than those described in the equipment definition. A computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost is below the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient or subrecipient for financial statement purposes or $10,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item, which represents a significant portion of the proposed amount.

d. Equipment: Equipment means tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient or subrecipient for financial statement purposes, or $10,000. Show the cost of all equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available.

*Title to non-expendable personal property shall be vested solely with the Recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient.

e. Contractual: Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated consultant, the estimated amount of time required (level of effort), and the quoted rate per day or hour.

* Lab Analyses. Include geochemical analyses, radiocarbon age dating, etc. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work (if applicable); Could also fall under Other Direct Costs.

f. Travel: State the purpose of each budgeted trip and itemize the estimated travel costs for each trip required. Include purpose of travel, to and from locations, persons traveling by name if known, number of days for each trip, the per diem (lodging and M&IE) rates (in accordance with GSA allowable published rates and recipient travel policy), the cost of each method of transportation and how that cost was determined, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip. Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also include a justification of cost

*Field Expenses. Briefly itemize the estimated travel costs (i.e., number of people, number of travel days, lodging and transportation costs, and other travel costs).

g. Other direct costs: Itemize the different types of costs not included elsewhere; such as, shipping, computing, equipment-use charges, or other services.

*Publication costs. Show the estimated cost of publishing the results of the research, including the final report. Include costs of drafting or graphics, reproduction, page or illustration charges, and a minimum number of reprints.

h. Total Direct Charges: Totals for items a - j.

i. Indirect Charges (Overhead): Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, modified total direct cost base, and total proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the Applicant has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. Provide copy of recipient’s official negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. NOTE: CESU NEGOTIATED IDC RATE IS APPROVED AT 17.5%.

j. Total: Total items h and i.

Missing budget details will delay awarding timelines. USGS will not support any costs incurred prior to the start date established on the award by the Contracting Officer.

USGS Data Management Plan Requirements

Proposals submitted to USGS must include a supplementary document labeled "Data Management Plan" (DMP). This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to USGS policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results and associated data. A valid DMP may include only the statement that no detailed plan is needed (e.g. “No data are expected to be produced from this project”), as long as the statement is accompanied by a clear justification. This supplementary document may include:

the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced over the course of the project;

the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);

policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;

provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and

plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of free public access to them.

Additional guidance on data management plans is available from the USGS Data Management website here: https://www.usgs.gov/data-management/data-management-plans

Simultaneously submitted collaborative proposals and proposals that include subawards are a single unified project and should include only one supplemental combined DMP by the lead PI that also addresses all subaward data management needs, regardless of the number of non-lead collaborative proposals or subawards included.

Prohibition on Issuing Financial Assistance Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements.

Prohibition on Issuing Financial Assistance Awards to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements

Section 743 of Division E, Title VII of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available under that or any other Act for grants or cooperative agreements to an entity that requires employees or contractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must not require their employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

Recipients must notify their employees or contractors that existing internal confidentiality agreements covered by this condition are no longer in effect.

Biographical Sketch Common Format (Attachment A)

This Biographical Sketch Common Form provides instructions for submission of a biographical sketch by each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded research project. The biographical sketch used to assess how well qualified the individual, team, or organization is to conduct the proposed activities.

Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support1 has been created to provide helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The table includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final column identifies activities that are not required to be reported.

Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the biographical sketch. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the biographical sketch and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. The Federal research funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.

The Biographical Sketch Common Form is provided in Attachment A. DOI does not currently have a required format for this document. The format of the information is at the discretion of the applicant, however the required information and attestation with signature must be present. Templates provided by other federal agencies are acceptable.

Current And Pending (Other) Support Common Format (Attachment B)

The individual agrees to update this disclosure at the request of the Federal research funding agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award. (Refer to the Federal research funding agency’s policy on updating award support).

Instructions for Submission of the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form.

Current and pending (other) support information is used to assess the capacity or any conflicts of commitment that may impact the ability of the individual to carry out the research effort as proposed. The information also helps assess any potential scientific and budgetary overlap/duplication with the project being proposed.

This document provides instructions on submission of current and pending (other) support information for each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded research project.

A separate submission must be provided for each proposal and active project, as well as in-kind contributions using the instructions and format specified below. Note that there is no page limitation for this section of the application, though some fields have character limitations for consistency and equity.

Consulting activities must be disclosed under the proposals and active projects section of the form when any of the following scenarios apply:

The consulting activity will require the senior/key person to perform research as part of the consulting activity;

The consulting activity does not involve performing research, but is related to the senior/key person’s research portfolio and may have the ability to impact funding, alter time or effort commitments, or otherwise impact scientific integrity; or

The consulting entity has provided a contract that requires the senior/key person to conceal or withhold confidential financial or other ties between the senior/key person and the entity, irrespective of the duration of the engagement.

Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.

In accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance, senior/key persons typically do not include graduate students.

A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support2 has been created to provide helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The table includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final column identifies activities that are not required to be reported.

Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the current and pending (other) support. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the current and pending (other) support template and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. The Federal research funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.

The format for submission of the two types of support: (a) proposals and active projects; and (b) in-kind contributions are provided in Attachment B. DOI does not currently have a required format for this document. The format of the information is at the discretion of the applicant, however the required information and attestation with signature must be present. Templates provided by other federal agencies are acceptable.

Project Abstract Summary (PAS) (Attachment C)

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memoranda M-21-20 and M-22-02, Federal agencies are now required to provide complete and accurate financial assistance award descriptions within USAspending.gov. As such, the Department of the Interior is requiring its bureaus and offices to provide a Project Abstract Summary for all financial assistance awards to include the following information:

Use the following sections to format your PAS:

Project title

Include a plain language description Award purpose (avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology);

Activities to be performed;

Deliverables and Expected Outcomes;

Intended beneficiary(ies) as well as;

Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award

Project Abstract Summary character limitation as 1 page or less (no more than ~4000 characters) and use of 12 pt. font and Times New Roman is recommended.

Upon issuance of the cooperative agreement, this Project Abstract Summary will be publicly available at USAspending.gov.

Review and Selection Process

Applications are considered based on the completeness of documentation, meeting of stated basic eligibility (reference Eligibility Information above), and other category requirements. Specific evaluation factors are identified below. Budget information will be evaluated for reasonableness and appropriateness to applicant project goals.

Proposals are reviewed by U.S. Geological Survey and/or federal technical personnel.  Individual proposals are evaluated and scored.  Evaluations, scores, and recommendations will be submitted to the Contracting Officer for final award determination.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance: (25 points)

(a) How well does the proposed research clearly address measuring microbial (bacterial) communities in disturbed aquatic (lake/river/wetland) habitats?

(b) How well are the objectives defined, measurable, and realistic for the project’s anticipated timeframe?

Technical Approach: (25 points)

(a) How well does the project summary provide a description of the relationship between partners, tasks, milestones, and goals. Are the milestones are supported by a schedule that can be accomplished during the period of performance?

(b) How well does the applicant demonstrate they can address sample collection, sample processing, and analysis using proven software and methodologies?

(c) How closely do the sampling and processing methods follow established standards for mercury speciation in complex matrices?

Budget Justification and Clarity: (25 points)

(a) The staff is sufficient to accomplish proposed goals.

(b) The budget line items are appropriate and reasonable and commensurate with the level of effort needed to accomplish project objectives.

Qualifications, Experience, Past Performance: (25 points)

How well do they demonstrate their expertise in metagenomics in microbial ecology?

(b) What is their depth of experience in such research as demonstrated by scientific publications and completed projects in the research area?

(c) How does the applicant demonstrate that they are capable of doing the proposed project?

(d) How does the applicant demonstrate they have applied these methods to other species or similar ecosystems?

(e) How well does the applicants past and current assistance demonstrate they have completed project goals associated with approaches for conducting studies on the habitat and restoration of fishes in Great Lakes connecting channels?

Award Administration Information

Award recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the grant/cooperative agreements and sub-award supported activities to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements and regulations and to ensure that performance goals are being achieved.

Recipient Responsibilities Regarding Subrecipients and Contractors

Recipients who pass Federal funds to subrecipients and contractors must ensure that the entities

understand and comply with the applicable award statutes, regulations, and agency

requirements. Recipients should carefully review their official award documents for any

additional administrative and programmatic requirements. See also, 2 CFR § 200.332

“Requirements for pass-through entities.”

Progress Reports

a) The recipient must submit annual progress reports electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/) and to the USGS Project Officer via email within 90 calendar days after the agreement year (i.e., 12 months after the approved effective date of the agreement and every 12 months thereafter until the expiration date of the agreement.). For agreements with a total anticipated performance period of twelve months (12) months or less, only a final technical report will be required. A progress report is not required in the final budget year, unless the recipient requests an extension to the project period.

b) The progress reports shall include the following information:

• A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the agreement established for the budget period and overall progress in response to the performance metrics.

• The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.

• Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.

• An outline of anticipated activities and adjustments to the program during the next budget period.

c) Between the required reporting dates, events may occur which have significant impact upon the project or program. In such cases, the recipient shall inform the USGS as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

• Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the agreement. This disclosure must include a statement of the action taken, or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

• Favorable developments which enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

Final Technical Report

• The Recipient must submit the final technical report electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/) and to the USGS Project Officer via e-mail.. The final performance report will be due 120 calendar days after the period of performance end date.

• The final technical report shall document and summarize the results of Recipient’s work. The report shall include a quantitative description of activities and overall progress in response to the performance metrics which documents and summarizes the results of the entire agreement. The final report shall include tables, graphs, diagrams, sketches, etc., as required to explain the results achieved under the agreement. The report shall also include recommendations and conclusions based upon both the experience and the results obtained.

Annual Financial Reports

a) The Recipient must submit an annual SF 425, Federal Financial Report, for each individual USGS award. The SF 425 is available at grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms. The SF 425 will be due within 90 days following the end of the annual period or within 90 days following the end of each annual period coinciding with the award start date.

b) The SF 425 must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/). Recipient must include the USGS award number (see page 1, block 4 titled: Grant No.) in the subject line of all e-mail correspondence. If, after 90 days, recipient has not submitted a report, the recipient’s account in Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) will be placed in a manual review status until the report is submitted.

Final Financial Report

a) The Recipient will liquidate all obligations incurred under the award and submit a final SF 425, Federal Financial Report in accordance with C.3.b. no later than 120 calendar days after the agreement completion date.

b) Recipient will promptly return any unexpended federal cash advances or will complete a final draw from ASAP to obtain any remaining amounts due. Once 120 days has passed since the agreement completion date, USGS shall unilaterally de-obligate federal funds as reflected in the final SF 425.

c) Subsequent revision to the final SF 425 will be considered only as follows:

(i.) When the revision results in a balance due to the Government, the recipient must submit a revised final SF 425, Federal Financial Report, and refund the excess payment whenever the overcharge is discovered, no matter how long the lapse of time since the original due date of the report.

(ii.) When the revision represents additional reimbursable costs claimed by the recipient, a revised final SF 425 may be submitted to the USGS Grants Management Official with an explanation. If approved, the USGS will either request and pay a final invoice or reestablish the ASAP subaccount to permit the recipient to make a revised final draw. Any revised final report representing additional reimbursable amounts must be submitted no later than 1 year from the due date of the original report, i.e., 15 months following the agreement completion date. USGS will not accept any revised SF 425 covering additional expenditures after that date and will return any late request for additional payment to the Recipient.

Publications

Acknowledgment of Support

Recipient is responsible for assuring that an acknowledgment of USGS support:

is made in any publication (including World Wide Web pages) of any material based on or developed under this agreement, in the following terms:

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. (see page 1, block 4 titled: Grant No.).

is orally acknowledged during all news media interviews, including popular media such as radio, television and news magazines.

Disclaimer

Recipient is responsible for assuring that every publication of material (including World Wide Web pages) based on or developed under this agreement, contains the following disclaimer:

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

USGS Logo

Use of the USGS logo (also known as "visual identity" or "identifier") constitutes the recipient’s agreement to and acceptance of the following terms:

The USGS identifier is trademarked and not in the public domain.

Use of the trademarked USGS identifier is authorized by USGS for use only by recipients of USGS funding.

Use is authorized on information products that result from research funded by the financial assistance award.

Use of the USGS identifier for any other purpose without written permission from USGS is prohibited; doing so constitutes trademark infringement.

Recipient will adhere to the design requirements, which are as follows:

The USGS identifier must appear in black, white, or green only.

The USGS identifier cannot be modified in any way except for proportional sizing.

The USGS identifier should appear at the same size as logos of other agencies, if any.

If used on a digital product, the USGS identifier should link to www.usgs.gov

Publication

Publication of the results of any project carried out under this assistance award is authorized in professional journals, trade magazines, or may be made by the USGS. Such manuscripts or publications submitted to journals or professional publications for publication shall be accompanied by the following notation:

“This manuscript is submitted for publication with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes.”

Copies for USGS

Recipient is responsible for assuring that the USGS Project Office is provided a digital version, preferably as a MS Word DOCx file, of every accepted manuscript upon acceptance for publication by the journal.

Department of the Interior Requirements

Two copies of each publication produced under a grant or cooperative agreement shall be sent to the Natural Resources Library with a transmittal that identifies the sender and the publication. These copies can be in print or digital format. If a publication in a born-digital document only available online, a digital copy or a link to where the publication may be available on the Internet must be sent to <Library@ios.doi.gov>. The address of the library is:

U.S. Department of the Interior Library

1849 C Street, NW, Room 1151, MS 1151

Washington, DC 20240

Payment

Payments under financial assistance awards must be made using the Department of the Treasury Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system (www.asap.gov).

a) The recipient agrees that it has established or will establish an account with ASAP. USGS will initiate enrollment in ASAP. If the recipient does not currently have an ASAP account, they must designate an individual (name, title, address, phone and e-mail) who will serve as the Point of Contact (POC).

b) With the award of each grant/cooperative agreement, a sub-account will be set up from which the recipient can draw down funds. After recipient’s complete enrollment in ASAP and link their banking information to the USGS ALC (14080001), it may take up to 10 days for sub-accounts to be activated and for funds to be authorized for drawdown in ASAP.

c) Inquiries regarding payment should be directed to ASAP at 855-868-0151.

d) Payments may be drawn in advance only as needed to meet immediate cash disbursement needs.

Geospatial Requirements:

• The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 outlines specific requirements for federal recipients when collecting or producing geospatial data using Department of the Interior financial assistance funds. Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Due Diligence Search: Federal recipients must first check the GeoPlatform.gov list of datasets to see if the needed geospatial data, products, or services already exist.

• Use of Existing Data: If the required data is already available, recipients must use it rather than producing new data.

• Production of New Data: If the needed data is not available, recipients must produce new geospatial data, products, or services in accordance with guidance and standards established by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC), which can be found at www.fgdc.gov.

• Submission Requirements: Recipients must submit a digital copy of all GIS data produced or collected under the award to the relevant bureau or office.

• Data Format: All GIS data files must be in an open format.

• Metadata Requirements: All delineated GIS data (such as points, lines, or polygons) should be compliant with approved open data standards and include complete feature-level metadata.

• These requirements ensure that geospatial data is managed efficiently, used appropriately, and made accessible in a standardized format for future use and sharing. open data standards with complete feature level metadata.

2 CFR 1402.315 Availability of Data

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

• (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

Recipient Integrity and Performance

Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters: Appendix XII to

2 CFR Part 200. Applies to awards with a total Federal share of more than $500,000, except

for awards to foreign public entities. See also § 200.113 Mandatory Disclosures.

Terms and Conditions applicable to the Award:

The Award will contain the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Terms and Conditions, which incorporates the DOI General Terms and Conditions, available at: https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions. Full text is available upon request.

Agency Contacts

Grants.gov Help Desk available 24/7 at:

Grants.gov

Phone: 1-800-518-4726 (U.S.)

Phone (international): 1-606-545-5035

Email: support@grants.gov

USGS contact: Nikolas Lushenko, nikolas_lushenko@ios.doi.gov

Applicants are strongly urged to submit questions via e-mail to:

Katie Calder, Grant Specialist

U.S. Geological Survey

Acquisitions and Grants Branch

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 205

Reston, VA 20192

Phone : 703-648-7349

E-mail : kcalder@usgs.gov

For technical questions concerning the content, goals, and objectives, please contact:

Collin Eagles-Smith

U.S. Geological Survey

Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331

Phone: 541-750-0949

Email: ceagles-smith@usgs.gov

--End of Program Announcement --

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ATTACHMENT A -Biographical-sketch-common-form-doi-omb-3145-0279 3.pdf

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH COMMON FORM
November 1, 2023
This Biographical Sketch Common Form provides instructions for submission of a biographical
sketch by each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded research
project. The biographical sketch is used to assess how well qualified the individual, team, or
organization is to conduct the proposed activities.
Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with
participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities,
including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals
receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent
recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not
require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that
support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or
affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a
party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating
to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support1 has been created to provide
helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The table includes
the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the application, as
well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final column identifies
activities that are not required to be reported.
Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the biographical sketch.
This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or cell phone numbers; home
e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal hobbies; and the like. Such
personal information is not appropriate for the biographical sketch and is not relevant to the merits
of the proposal. The Federal research funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for
the release of such material.
The format of the Biographical Sketch Common Form is provided below. There is no page or
character limit to this section of the application.
* = required
*Identifying Information
*Name: Enter the name of the senior/key person (Last Name, First Name, and Middle Name,
including any applicable suffix).
Persistent Identifier (PID) of the Senior/Key Person: Enter the PID of the senior/key person.
The PID is a unique, open digital identifier that distinguishes the individual from every other
researcher with the same or a similar name.
*Position Title: Enter the current position title of the senior/key person.
1This table supersedes in its entirety, Table 2a and Paragraph 7 of the Disclosure Requirements and Standardization
Section of the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.

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*Organization and Location
Name: Enter the name of the primary organization of the senior/key person.
Location: Enter the City, State/Province, and Country where the primary organization is located.
If the State/Province is not applicable, enter N/A.
*Professional Preparation
A list of the individual’s professional preparation (e.g., education and training), listed in reverse
chronological order by start date. Include all postdoctoral and fellowship training, as applicable,
listing each separately. Also include the baccalaureate degree or other initial professional
education.
For each entry provide:
• the name of the organization;
• the location of the organization: Enter the City, State/Province, and Country where the
organization is located. If the State/Province is not applicable, enter N/A.
• the degree received (if applicable);
• the start date of the degree or fellowship program;
• the month and year the degree was received (or expected receipt date); and
• the field of study.
*Appointments and Positions
A list, in reverse chronological order by start date, of all the individual’s academic, professional,
or institutional appointments and positions, beginning with the current appointment (including
the associated organization and location). Appointments and positions include any titled
academic, professional, or institutional position whether or not remuneration is received, and
whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).
Senior/key persons must only identify all domestic and foreign professional appointments and
positions outside of the primary organization for a period up to three years from the date the
applicant submits the application to the agency for funding consideration.
For each entry provide:
Start date: YYYY
End date: YYYY
Appointment or Position Title:
Name of organization:
Department (if applicable):
Location of organization: City, State/Province, Country

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*Products
A list of products that demonstrate the individual’s qualifications to carry out the project as
proposed. It is up to the individual to determine how to best organize this listing to demonstrate
their ability to carry out the project. Acceptable products must be citable and accessible including
but not limited to:
• publications, conference papers, and presentations;
• website(s) or other Internet site(s);
• technologies or techniques;
• inventions, patents, patent applications, and/or licenses; and
• other products, such as data, databases, or datasets, physical collections, audio or video
products, software, models, educational aids or curricula, instruments or equipment,
research material, interventions (e.g., clinical or educational), or new business creation.
Note: Federal research funding agencies may elect to specify other types of products that may
be relevant to the mission of the agency, as well as specify any limitations on the number of
products that may be included in this section of the Biographical Sketch Common Form.
Each product must include full citation information including:
• names of authors;
• product title;
• date of publication or release;
• website URL;
• other persistent identifier (if available); and
• other relevant citation information (e.g., in the case of publications, title of enclosing work
such as journal or book, volume, issue, pages).
If any of the items specified above is not applicable, enter N/A.
Senior/key persons who wish to include publications in the products section of the biographical
sketch that include multiple authors may, at their discretion, choose to list one or more of the
authors and then "et al" in lieu of including the complete listing of authors' names.
*Certification
Each senior/key person is required to complete the following certifications regarding the
information provided in their Biographical Sketch:
I certify that the information provided is current, accurate, and complete. This includes but is not
limited to information related to domestic and foreign appointments and positions.
I also certify that, at the time of submission, I am not a party to a malign foreign talent
recruitment program.
Misrepresentations and/or omissions may be subject to prosecution and liability pursuant to, but
not limited to, 18 U.S.C. §§ 287, 1001, 1031 and 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733 and 3802.

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Signature2:
Date:
*Privacy Act and Burden Statement:
The information requested on this form is solicited under the authority of the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on this form will be used in connection with
the selection of qualified proposals. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified
reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to proposer
institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award
decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and
researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government
agencies or other entities needing information regarding Proposers or nominees as part of a joint
application review process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal
agency, court, or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party.
Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select
potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems
of Records, INTERIOR/DOI-89, Grants and Cooperative Agreements: FBMS - 73 FR 43775
(July 28, 2008);modification published 86 FR 50156 (September 7, 2021). Submission of the
information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce
the possibility of receiving an award.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an
information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control
number for this collection is 3145-0279. Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions. Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Reports Clearance Officer
Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314
2To be acceptable to the Federal research funding agency, the date of the signature must be within the past 12 months
from when the document is submitted to the Federal research funding agency.

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ATTACHMENT B - Common-form-current-and-pending-support-doi-omb-3145-0279 3.pdf

CURRENT AND PENDING (OTHER) SUPPORT COMMON FORM
November 1, 2023
The individual agrees to update this disclosure at the request of the Federal research funding
agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines
appropriate during the term of the award. (Refer to the Federal research funding agency’s policy
on updating award support).
Instructions for Submission of the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form
Current and pending (other) support information is used to assess the capacity or any conflicts
of commitment that may impact the ability of the individual to carry out the research effort as
proposed. The information also helps assess any potential scientific and budgetary
overlap/duplication with the project being proposed.
This document provides instructions on submission of current and pending (other) support
information for each individual identified as a senior/key person on a Federally funded
research project.1
A separate submission must be provided for each proposal and active project, as well as in-kind
contributions using the instructions and format specified below. Note that there is no page
limitation for this section of the application, though some fields have character limitations for
consistency and equity.
Consulting activities must be disclosed under the proposals and active projects section of the
form when any of the following scenarios apply:
• The consulting activity will require the senior/key person to perform research as part of
the consulting activity;
• The consulting activity does not involve performing research, but is related to the
senior/key person’s research portfolio and may have the ability to impact funding, alter
time or effort commitments, or otherwise impact scientific integrity; or
• The consulting entity has provided a contract that requires the senior/key person to
conceal or withhold confidential financial or other ties between the senior/key person and
the entity, irrespective of the duration of the engagement.
Consistent with NSPM-33, individuals are required to disclose contracts associated with
participation in programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities,
including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Further, if individuals
receive direct or indirect support that is funded by a foreign government-sponsored talent
recruitment program, even where the support is provided through an intermediary and does not
require membership in the foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program, that
support must be disclosed. Individuals must also report other foreign government sponsored or
affiliated activities. In accordance with 42 USC § 19232, individuals are prohibited from being a
party in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
1In accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance, senior/key persons typically do not include graduate
students.

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A table entitled, NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating
to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support2 has been created to
provide helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosures. The
table includes the types of activities to be reported, where such activities must be reported in the
application, as well as when updates are required in the application and award lifecycle. A final
column identifies activities that are not required to be reported.
Individuals are reminded not to submit any personal information in the current and
pending (other) support. This includes items such as: home address; home telephone, fax, or
cell phone numbers; home e-mail address; driver’s license number; marital status; personal
hobbies; and the like. Such personal information is not appropriate for the current and pending
(other) support template and is not relevant to the merits of the proposal. The Federal research
funding agency is not responsible or in any way liable for the release of such material.
The format for submission of the two types of support: (a) proposals and active projects; and (b)
in-kind contributions is provided below.
* = required
Identifying Information
*Name: Enter the name of the senior/key person (Last Name, First Name, and Middle Name,
including any applicable suffix).
Persistent Identifier (PID) of the Senior/Key Person: Enter the PID of the senior key person.
The PID is a unique, open digital identifier that distinguishes the individual from every other
researcher with the same or a similar name.
*Position Title: Enter the current position title of the senior/key person.
Organization and Location
*Name: Enter the name of the primary organization of the senior/key person.
*Location: Enter the City, State/Province, and Country where the primary organization is
located. If the State/Province is not applicable, enter N/A.
a. Proposals and Active Projects
In this section, disclose ALL proposals and active projects in accordance with the definition for
current and pending (other) support.
2 This table supersedes in its entirety, Table 2a and Paragraph 7 of the Disclosure Requirements and Standardization
Section of the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.

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*Proposals and Active Projects
*Title: Enter the title of each proposal/active project being reported.
*Status of Support: Select the appropriate status type as defined below:
• Current – all active projects, or projects with ongoing obligations, from whatever source
irrespective of whether such support is provided through the proposing organization or is
provided directly to the individual.
• Pending – any proposal that is being considered for funding from a potential funding
organization (including this proposal) irrespective of whether such support is provided through
the proposing organization or is provided directly to the individual.
Proposal/Active Project Award Number (if available): Enter the applicable proposal/active
project award number for each proposal and/or active project, if available.
*Source of Support: Identify the entity for each proposal and/or active project that is providing
the support. Include all Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, local, foreign, public or private
foundations, non-profit organizations, industrial or other commercial organizations, or internal
funds allocated toward specific projects.
*Primary Place of Performance: Identify the primary location where the proposal and/or active
project is being executed. Enter the City, State/Province, and Country where the organization is
located. If the State/Province is not applicable, enter N/A.
*Proposal/Active Project Start Date: Indicate the start date (MM/YYYY) of the project, as
proposed/awarded.
*Proposal/Active Project End Date: Indicate the end date (MM/YYYY) of the project, as
proposed/awarded.
*Total Anticipated Proposal/Project Amount: Enter the total award amount for the entire
period of performance, inclusive of indirect costs, rounded to the nearest dollar. If the dollar
value is not readily ascertainable, a reasonable estimate should be provided. If the support is in
a foreign country’s currency, convert to US dollars at time of submission.
*Person-Month(s) (or Partial Person-Months) Per Year Devoted to the Proposal/Active
Project: Enter how much time the individual anticipates is necessary to complete the scope of
work on the proposal and/or active project. Enter the number of person-months (even if
unsalaried) for the current budget period and enter the proposed person-months for each
subsequent budget period. If the time commitment is not readily ascertainable, a reasonable
estimate should be provided.
*Overall Objectives: Provide a brief statement of the overall objectives of the proposal/active
project. This field is limited to 1500 characters.

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*Statement of Potential Overlap: Enter a description of the potential overlap with any pending
proposal or active foreign or domestic project and this proposal in terms of scope, budget, or
person-months planned or devoted to the project by the individual. If there is no potential
overlap, enter “none” in this field.
b. In-Kind Contributions
In this section, disclose all in-kind contributions with an estimated dollar value of $5000 or
more and that require a commitment of the individual’s time. An in-kind contribution is a non-
cash contribution provided by an external entity that directly supports the individuals’ research
and development efforts. An in-kind contribution may include but is not limited to: real property;
laboratory space; equipment; data or data sets; supplies; other expendable property; goods and
services; employee or student resources. In-kind contributions with an estimated value of less
than $5000 need not be reported.
*Status of Support: Select the appropriate status type as defined below:
• Current – all in-kind contributions obligated from whatever source irrespective of whether
such support is provided through the proposing organization or is provided directly to the
individual.
• Pending – all in-kind contributions currently under consideration from potential funding
organizations irrespective of whether such support is provided through the proposing
organization or is provided directly to the individual.
*Receipt (or Anticipated Receipt) Date of In-Kind Contribution: Enter the receipt date (or
anticipated receipt date) of the in-kind contribution.
*Source of Support: Identify the entity (entities) that is providing the in-kind contribution.
Include, for example, Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, local, foreign, public or private
foundations, non-profit organizations, industrial or other commercial organizations, or internal
funds allocated toward specific projects.
*Summary of In-Kind Contribution(s): Enter a summary of the in-kind contribution not
intended for use on the proposal/active project.
*Person-Month(s) (or Partial Person-Months) Per Year Devoted to the In-Kind
Contribution: Enter how much time the individual anticipates is necessary to complete the
scope of work associated with use of the in-kind contribution. Enter the number of person-
months (even if unsalaried) for the current budget period and enter the proposed person-months
for each subsequent budget period. If there is no associated time commitment, the in-kind
contribution need not be reported.
*US Dollar Value of In-Kind Contribution: Enter the US dollar value of the in-kind contribution
with an estimated value of $5000 or more. If the dollar value is not readily ascertainable, a
reasonable estimate should be provided. If the support is in a foreign country’s currency,
convert to US dollars at time of submission, rounded to the nearest dollar.
*Overall Objectives: Provide a brief statement of the overall objectives of the in-kind
contribution(s). This field is limited to 1500 characters.

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*Statement of Potential Overlap: Enter a description of the potential overlap with any current
or pending foreign or domestic in-kind contribution and this proposal in terms of scope, budget,
or person-months planned or devoted to the project by the individual. If there is no overlap,
enter “none” in the field.
*Certification
Each senior/key person is required to complete the following certifications regarding the
information provided in their Current and Pending (Other) Support:
I certify that the information provided is current, accurate, and complete. This includes, but is
not limited to, information related to current, pending, and other support (both foreign and
domestic) as defined in 42 U.S.C. §6605.
I also certify that, at the time of submission, I am not a party in a malign foreign talent
recruitment program.
Misrepresentations and/or omissions may be subject to prosecution and liability pursuant to, but
not limited to, 18 U.S.C. §§287, 1001, 1031 and 31 U.S.C. §§3729-3733 and 3802.
Signature3:
Date:
*Privacy Act and Burden Statement:
The information requested on this form is solicited under the authority of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on this form will be used in
connection with the selection of qualified proposals. The information requested may be
disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review
process; to proposer institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal
review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors,
experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned
work; to other government agencies or other entities needing information regarding
Proposers or nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to
coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court, or party in a court or
Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal
Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to
serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records,
INTERIOR/DOI-89, Grants and Cooperative Agreements: FBMS - 73 FR 43775 (July 28,
2008);modification published 86 FR 50156 (September 7, 2021). Submission of the
information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may
reduce the possibility of receiving an award.
3 To be acceptable to the Federal research funding agency, the date of the signature must be within the past 12
months from when the document is submitted to the federal research funding agency.

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An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to,
an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control
number for this collection is 3145-0279. Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions. Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Reports Clearance Officer
Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314

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ATTACHMENT C - Project Abstract Summary Requirement.docx

PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY REQUIREMENT

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memoranda M-21-20 and M-22-02, Federal agencies are now required to provide complete and accurate financial assistance award descriptions within USAspending.gov.  As such, the Department of the Interior is requiring its bureaus and offices to provide a Project Abstract Summary for all financial assistance awards to include the following information:

Please use the following sections to organize your PAS:

• Project title

• Include a plain language description Award purpose (avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology);

• Activities to be performed;

• Deliverables and Expected Outcomes;

• Intended beneficiary(ies) as well as

• Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award

Project Abstract Summary character limitation as 1 page or less (no more than ~4000 characters) and use of 12 pt. font and Times New Roman is recommended.

Include this Project Abstract Summary alongside your proposal submitted via Grants.gov.

Upon issuance of the cooperative agreement, this Project Abstract Summary will be publicly available at USAspending.gov.

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ATTACHMENT D - Geospatial Data instructions.docx

Geospatial Requirements:

• The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 outlines specific requirements for federal recipients when collecting or producing geospatial data using Department of the Interior financial assistance funds. Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Due Diligence Search: Federal recipients must first check the GeoPlatform.gov list of datasets to see if the needed geospatial data, products, or services already exist.

• Use of Existing Data: If the required data is already available, recipients must use it rather than producing new data.

• Production of New Data: If the needed data is not available, recipients must produce new geospatial data, products, or services in accordance with guidance and standards established by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC), which can be found at www.fgdc.gov.

• Submission Requirements: Recipients must submit a digital copy of all GIS data produced or collected under the award to the relevant bureau or office.

• Data Format: All GIS data files must be in an open format.

• Metadata Requirements: All delineated GIS data (such as points, lines, or polygons) should be compliant with approved open data standards and include complete feature-level metadata.

• These requirements ensure that geospatial data is managed efficiently, used appropriately, and made accessible in a standardized format for future use and sharing. open data standards with complete feature level metadata.

2 CFR 1402.315 Availability of Data

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

• (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.