U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service White-nose Syndrome Grants for States

WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME GRANTS TO STATES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP):Information and Guidance for Fiscal Year 2011 Program Overview Information.

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)Ecological Services, Division of Endangered Species (ES) and Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR)

Funding Opportunity Title:White-nose Syndrome Grants to States

Announcement Type: Announcement of availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and request for proposals (RFP)

Funding Opportunity Number: WNS-2011-R5

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.657 – Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation Funds

Dates: Email or paper applications are due to Region 5 Fish and Wildlife Service WSFR Office by Monday, May 2, 2011, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) at the Regional Office.

Email applications should be incorporated into a single .pdf file and paper applications should include a .pdf copy of the application on CD. See table at the end of this RFP for mail and email addresses. Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will be accepted up until Monday, May 2, 2011, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

Purpose: The goal of the White-nose Syndrome Grants to States is to provide needed assistance to state agencies in addressing the spread of WNS, the resultant loss of cave bat populations, and the threat to federally listed bat species. The Service acknowledges the key role of state agencies in addressing WNS, including responding to the public; collecting data to monitor disease progression; engaging in research activities; and implementing actions to curtail the spread of WNS. The Endangered Species Program in Region 5 is responsible for leading the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service response and the allocation of funds and has determined that funding is needed for state agencies to help build their capacity to address this crisis. Priority may be given to states most directly affected, or susceptible to WNS, as determined by proximity to known affected sites. As of April 7, 2011, states confirmed with WNS are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Missouri and Oklahoma confirmed the presence of the presumed causative fungus, Geomyces destructans. States considered susceptible due to proximity include: Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas. Given that the rate and mode of spread of this disease is not fully understood, grants may also be available for states beyond these areas that have significant cave bat resources, should funding be available.

Award Information: Up to $200,000 in funds is currently available; additional funding may become available depending on FY2011 appropriations. Grant requests between $1,000 and $50,000 will be accepted. We expect to announce the awards by May 31, 2011.

The Endangered Species program will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program within each of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regions to competitively fund state agencies to meet their staffing, equipment, and outreach needs to address WNS. Awards will be based on requests and availability of funds. If requests exceed funds, priorities may be set based on other factors such as level of threat of WNS (e.g., distance to occurrence, number of bats/hibernacula) and need (e.g., staff, other funding sources).

Eligibility and Match Requirements: Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include state fish and wildlife agencies with significant cave bat resources and are established grantees with the USFWS WSFR program in their region. An eligible proposal is a plan of action supported by grant funds to address WNS in the applicant state; it must contain a grant request with a target completion date within one year of the date of award. Funds may be used to support activities addressing WNS including response planning, monitoring, sample collection, containment, and outreach. This proposal may include costs for personnel, equipment and supplies, and outreach materials. While these activities may support research, primary research projects are not eligible for these funds. No state match is required.

Proposal Submission:An email or hard copy application must be received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Office by 4:30 p.m. EDT May 2, 2011 (See contact information below).

Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will be accepted up until 11:59 p.m. EDT May 2, 2011. It must include: a statement of need, description of proposed funded activities and purchases, and budget. The statement of need should be state-specific and must include: estimated numbers of potentially affected cave bat species, populations, and hibernacula in the state; current state agency staffing and funding levels to address WNS; and status of management plans for the state agency to address WNS. Activities and associated budgets should be prioritized in case of partial awards. A letter of support from the appropriate Service Ecological Services Field Office is strongly recommended. The application should not exceed ten pages in total.

Administration, Compliance and Reporting: An award letter to successful applicants will be sent out from the Service by May 27, 2011, requesting a complete proposal package be submitted to the appropriate regional WSFR office no later than July 1, 2011 for grant review and approval. A complete proposal package will include a signed SF-424, narrative, budget, and full compliance documentation. Grant periods will not exceed one year and a final performance and financial report will be required 90 days after the grant ending date.

Contacts: Potential applicants may contact Alison Whitlock, the Region 5 White-nose Syndrome Coordinator and WNS grant program lead to discuss eligibility of project proposals prior to the deadline (Phone: 413-253-8536, email: Alison_Whitlock@fws.gov).

Applications will be received through the Grants.gov web site, or via hard copy or email to the Region 5 Regional Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program office. Below is a full list of contact information:
States by Fish and Wildlife Service Region, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Contact Information ; Endangered Species/WNS Contact Information

Region 5: CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV Primary Contact: Alison Whitlock, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589
Ph: (413) 253-8536
Email: alison_whitlock@fws.gov
Email for submitting applications: FW5FAReports@fws.gov
Contact: Alison Whitlock U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center DriveHadley, MA 01035 Ph: (413) 253-8536 Email:Alison_Whitlock@fws.gov

Region 4: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, Contact: Christine Willis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service1875 Century BoulevardSuite 240Atlanta, Georgia 30345Ph: (404) 679-7310Email: Christine_willis@fws.gov Contact: Mike ArmstrongU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceJ.C. Watts Federal Building, Rm. 265330 W. BroadwayFrankfort, Kentucky 40601Ph: (502) 695-0468Email:Mike_Armstrong@fws.gov

Region 3:IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI Contact: Mike Sweet/Lisa Mandell WSFR / Ecological ServicesU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceBishop Henry Whipple Federal Building1 Federal DriveFort Snelling, MN 55111Ph: (612) 713-5129/612-713-5343Email: Mike_Sweet@fws.gov/Lisa_Mandell@fws.gov Contact: Richard GeboyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 620 South Walker StreetBloomington, IN 47403 Office: (812) 334 4261 Dial: 1 then Ext.: 210Fax: (812) 334 4273Email: Richard_Geboy@fws.gov

Region 2:AZ, NM, OK, TX Contact: LeAnne BonnerU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceP.O. Box 1306Albuquerque, NM 87103Ph: (505) Email: LeAnne_Bonner@fws.gov Contact: Paul BarrettU. S. Fish & Wildlife Service P.O. Box 1306Albuquerque, NM 87103Ph: (505) 248-6281Email: Paul_Barrett@fws.gov

Region 1:ID, OR, WA Contact: Barb BehanU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service911 NE 11th AvenuePortland, OR 97232-4181Ph: (503) 231-2066Email: Barbara_Behan@fws.gov Contact: Don CamptonU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 911 NE 11th AvenuePortland, OR 97232-4181Ph: (503) 231-2386Email: Don_Campton@fws.gov

Region 6: CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD,WY, UT, Contact: Amanda HorvathU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicePO Box 25486, Denver Federal CenterDenver, CO 80225Phone: (303) 236-4414Email: Amanda_Horvath@fws.gov Contact: Christopher ServheenU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service University Hall 309University of MontanaMissoula, Montana 59812Ph: (406) 243-4903Email:Chris_Servheen@fws.gov

Region 8: CA, NV; Contact: Jill WrightU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606Sacramento, CA 95825Ph: (916) 978-6182Email: Jill_Wright@fws.gov Contact: Damian HigginsEndangered Species ProgramU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606Sacramento, CA 95825Ph: (916) 414-6548Email: Damian_Higgins@fws.gov

Information and Guidance for Fiscal Year 2011

Program Overview Information

Federal Agency Name:
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
Ecological Services Division of Endangered Species (ES) and
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR)

Funding Opportunity Title:
White-nose Syndrome Grants to States

Announcement Type:
Announcement of availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and request for proposals (RFP)

Funding Opportunity Number: WNS-2011-R5

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.657 � Endangered Species Conservation � Recovery Implementation Funds

Dates:
Email or paper applications are due to Region 5 Fish and Wildlife Service WSFR Office by Monday, May 2, 2011, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) at the Regional Office. Email applications should be incorporated into a single .pdf file and paper applications should include a .pdf copy of the application on CD. See table at the end of this RFP for mail and email addresses. Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will be accepted up until Monday, May 2, 2011, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

Purpose:
The goal of the White-nose Syndrome Grants to States is to provide needed assistance to state agencies in addressing the spread of WNS, the resultant loss of cave bat populations, and the threat to federally listed bat species. The Service acknowledges the key role of state agencies in addressing WNS, including responding to the public; collecting data to monitor disease progression; engaging in research activities; and implementing actions to curtail the spread of WNS. The Endangered Species Program in Region 5 is responsible for leading the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service response and the allocation of funds and has determined that funding is needed for state agencies to help build their capacity to address this crisis. Priority may be given to states most directly affected, or susceptible to WNS, as determined by proximity to known affected sites. As of April 7, 2011, states confirmed with WNS are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Missouri and Oklahoma confirmed the presence of the presumed causative fungus, Geomyces destructans. States considered susceptible due to proximity include: Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas. Given that the rate and mode of spread of this disease is not fully understood, grants may also be available for states beyond these areas that have significant cave bat resources, should funding be available.

Award Information:
Up to $200,000 in funds is currently available; additional funding may become available depending on FY2011 appropriations. Grant requests between $1,000 and $50,000 will be accepted. We expect to announce the awards by May 31, 2011. The Endangered Species program will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program within each of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regions to competitively fund state agencies to meet their staffing, equipment, and outreach needs to address WNS. Awards will be based on requests and availability of funds. If requests exceed funds, priorities may be set based on other factors such as level of threat of WNS (e.g., distance to occurrence, number of bats/hibernacula) and need (e.g., staff, other funding sources).

Eligibility and Match Requirements:
Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include state fish and wildlife agencies with significant cave bat resources and are established grantees with the USFWS WSFR program in their region. An eligible proposal is a plan of action supported by grant funds to address WNS in the applicant state; it must contain a grant request with a target completion date within one year of the date of award. Funds may be used to support activities addressing WNS including response planning, monitoring, sample collection, containment, and outreach. This proposal may include costs for personnel, equipment and supplies, and outreach materials. While these activities may support research, primary research projects are not eligible for these funds. No state match is required.
Proposal Submission:
An email or hard copy application must be received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Office by 4:30 p.m. EDT May 2, 2011 (See contact information below). Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will be accepted up until 11:59 p.m. EDT May 2, 2011. It must include: a statement of need, description of proposed funded activities and purchases, and budget. The statement of need should be state-specific and must include: estimated numbers of potentially affected cave bat species, populations, and hibernacula in the state; current state agency staffing and funding levels to address WNS; and status of management plans for the state agency to address WNS. Activities and associated budgets should be prioritized in case of partial awards. A letter of support from the appropriate Service�s Ecological Services Field Office is strongly recommended. The application should not exceed ten pages in total.

Administration, Compliance and Reporting:
An award letter to successful applicants will be sent out from the Service by May 27, 2011, requesting a complete proposal package be submitted to the appropriate regional WSFR office no later than July 1, 2011 for grant review and approval. A complete proposal package will include a signed SF-424, narrative, budget, and full compliance documentation. Grant periods will not exceed one year and a final performance and financial report will be required 90 days after the grant ending date.

Contacts:
Potential applicants may contact Alison Whitlock, the Region 5 White-nose Syndrome Coordinator and WNS grant program lead, to discuss eligibility of project proposals prior to the deadline (Phone: 413-253-8536, email: Alison_Whitlock@fws.gov). Applications will be received through the Grants.gov web site, or via hard copy or email to the region 5 Regional Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program office. Below is a full list of contact information:

States by Fish and Wildlife Service Region Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Contact Information Endangered Species/WNS Contact Information
Region 5:
CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV Primary Contact: Alison Whitlock
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035-9589
Ph: (413) 253-8536
Email: alison_whitlock@fws.gov
Email for submitting applications: FW5FAReports@fws.gov
Contact: Alison Whitlock
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035
Ph: (413) 253-8536
Email:Alison_Whitlock@fws.gov
Region 4:
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN
Contact: Christine Willis
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1875 Century Boulevard
Suite 240
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
Ph: (404) 679-7310
Email: Christine_willis@fws.gov Contact: Mike Armstrong
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
J.C. Watts Federal Building, Rm. 265
330 W. Broadway
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Ph: (502) 695-0468
Email:Mike_Armstrong@fws.gov
Region 3:
IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI Contact: Mike Sweet/Lisa Mandell WSFR / Ecological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Ph: (612) 713-5129/612-713-5343
Email: Mike_Sweet@fws.gov/
Lisa_Mandell@fws.gov Contact: Richard Geboy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
620 South Walker Street
Bloomington, IN 47403
Office: (812) 334 4261 Dial: 1 then Ext.: 210
Fax: (812) 334 4273
Email: Richard_Geboy@fws.gov
Region 2:
AZ, NM, OK, TX Contact: LeAnne Bonner
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Ph: (505)
Email: LeAnne_Bonner@fws.gov Contact: Paul Barrett
U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Ph: (505) 248-6281
Email: Paul_Barrett@fws.gov

Region 1:
ID, OR, WA Contact: Barb Behan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232-4181
Ph: (503) 231-2066
Email: Barbara_Behan@fws.gov Contact: Don Campton
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232-4181
Ph: (503) 231-2386
Email: Don_Campton@fws.gov
Region 6:
CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD,WY, UT, Contact: Amanda Horvath
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
PO Box 25486, Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
Phone: (303) 236-4414
Email: Amanda_Horvath@fws.gov Contact: Christopher Servheen
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
University Hall 309
University of Montana
Missoula, Montana 59812
Ph: (406) 243-4903
Email:Chris_Servheen@fws.gov

Region 8:
CA, NV Contact: Jill Wright
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606
Sacramento, CA 95825
Ph: (916) 978-6182
Email: Jill_Wright@fws.gov Contact: Damian Higgins
Endangered Species Program
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606
Sacramento, CA 95825
Ph: (916) 414-6548
Email: Damian_Higgins@fws.gov