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Applicant Webinar (Register Here<\/a>):\u00a0Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM Hawai\u02bbi Standard Time<\/strong> See full details at https:\/\/www.nfwf.org\/programs\/hawaii-conservation-program\/hawaii-conservation-program-2022-request-proposals<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to strategically protect and enhance essential habitats in Hawai\u02bbi, from mauka to makai, to reduce extinction risk and sustain resilient populations of native species. Particular species and habitats of interest include palila (finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper), kiwikiu (Maui parrotbill), \u02bbua\u02bbu (Hawaiian petrel), O\u02bbahu elepaio (monarch flycatcher), \u02bbalae \u02bbula (Hawaiian moorhen), puaiohi (small Kaua\u02bbi thrush), and Maui Nui coral reefs. The Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program anticipates awarding approximately $950,000 in grants. Major funding partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and P\u016blama L\u0101na\u02bbi.<\/p>\n To be eligible for funding, projects must occur within the areas illustrated in Maps 1-4 below. Priority geographic locations include those found on the islands of Hawai\u02bbi Island, Maui, L\u0101na\u02bbi, Moloka\u02bbi, O\u02bbahu, and Kaua\u02bbi.<\/p>\n All proposals must specifically address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of one or more of the program priorities as identified in the\u00a0Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program Business Plan<\/a>. Projects that incorporate community outreach, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management while elevating traditional knowledge that will lead to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged.<\/p>\n In 2022, the Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program will award grants to projects that address the following program priorities.<\/p>\n Bird Conservation:<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0Reduce extinction risk for a suite of endemic bird species by addressing direct threats and improving habitat conditions. Pervasive and ongoing threats for Hawaiian birds include avian malaria and other non-native pathogens, habitat loss and degradation, invasive predators and plants, and climate change. In 2022, NFWF seeks projects that support listed birds on Kaua\u02bbi, O\u02bbahu, Maui and Hawai\u02bbi with a primary emphasis on the following priorities:<\/p>\n Coral Reef Conservation<\/strong><\/u>: Foster healthy coral reef ecosystems that are resilient to current and predicted environmental stressors by reducing local threats within an interconnected network of reef tracts in Maui Nui. The program prioritizes coral reef tracts that have a lower vulnerability to environmental stressors and serve as important sources of coral larvae to neighboring reefs. In\u00a02022, NFWF seeks projects in southwest Maui watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution and advance coral reef fisheries management on the K\u012bhei and southern Moloka\u02bbi reef tracts. Priority project(s) will:<\/p>\n Kuahiwi a Kai: L\u0101na\u02bbi Watershed Conservation Program<\/strong>: L\u0101na\u02bbi is home to unique natural and cultural resources, stretching from the island\u2019s mountain to its surrounding ocean. However, the landscape faces threats from uncontrolled ungulate populations, sedimentation runoff, invasive plants, and non-native predators. Over the past 150 years, mismanagement of and overgrazing by non-native ungulates, including axis deer and mouflon sheep, has led to unnatural erosion patterns, burying historic cultural sites near the coast, smothering the island\u2019s coral reefs and white sand beaches with sediment, and destroying terrestrial habitats that are home to native fauna. Invasive plants, such as strawberry guava and fire-tolerant grasses, have changed the hydrology of the watershed, increasing soil compaction and flash flooding, and decreasing water infiltration to the island\u2019s aquifers.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Kuahiwi a Kai Program<\/a>\u00a0was launched in 2019 to protect and enhance L\u0101na\u02bbi\u2019s coral reefs, native plants and animals, endangered Hawaiian petrel habitat, and sensitive coastal cultural sites, while fostering coordinated connection between L\u0101na\u02bbi\u2019s community and the land. In 2022, the Kuahiwi a Kai Program seeks projects in the following program priority areas:<\/p>\n To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, the Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program has a list of metrics in Easygrants for full proposal applicants to choose from for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the most relevant metrics from this list for their project (all possible program metrics are shown in the table below). If you think an applicable metric has not been provided, please contact Jana Doi (jana.doi@nfwf.org<\/a>) to discuss acceptable alternatives.<\/p>\n Eligible and Ineligible Entities<\/strong><\/p>\n Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program will award approximately $950,000 in grants. Generally, grants range in size from $50,000 to $200,000, although grants greater than $200,000 can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Projects relating to bird and coral reef conservation priorities must have a minimum match of 1:1 non-federal cash and\/or in-kind contributions. Projects implemented on L\u0101na\u02bbi within the Kuahiwi a Kai program area must have a minimum match of 1:1 federal cash, non-federal cash, and\/or in-kind contributions. Projects may extend from one to three years.<\/p>\n All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria.<\/p>\n Program Goals and Priorities<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project contributes to the Program\u2019s overall habitat and species conservation goals, and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Project addresses one or more of the program priorities.<\/p>\n Technical Merit<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate technical experts throughout project planning, design and implementation to ensure activities are technically-sound and feasible.<\/p>\n Cost-Effectiveness<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation may include, but is not limited to, an assessment of either or both direct and indirect costs in the proposed budget. The federal government has determined that a de minimis 10% indirect rate is an acceptable minimum for organizations without a NICRA, as such NFWF reserves the right to scrutinize\u00a0ALL<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0proposals with indirect rates above 10% for cost-effectiveness.\u00a0<\/p>\n Transferability<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project has potential and plan to transfer lessons learned to other communities and\/or to be integrated into government programs and policies.<\/p>\n Communication<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project includes a detailed plan to communicate information about the project to appropriate audiences.<\/p>\n Funding Need<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project establishes a clear need for the funds being requested, and demonstrates that activities would not move forward absent funding.<\/p>\n Conservation Plan and Context<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The project advances an existing conservation plan or strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Monitoring<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project includes a plan for monitoring progress during and after the proposed project period to track project success and adaptively address new challenges and opportunities as they arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n Long-term Sustainability<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Project will be maintained to ensure benefits are achieved and sustained over time. This should include how future funding will be secured to implement necessary long-term monitoring and maintenance activities.<\/p>\n Past Success<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Applicant has a proven track record of success in implementing conservation practices with specific, measurable results.<\/p>\n Partnership\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 An appropriate partnership exists to implement the project and the project is supported by a strong local partnership that leverages additional funds and will sustain it after the life of the grant. If the organization does not have the capacity or history of successes needed to constitute a competitive application alone, we highly encourage organizations to identify and collaborate with partner organizations to increase capacity and improve project design and outcomes. These partnerships may include multiple organizations needed to implement the project and authentically engage local stakeholders but elevate one higher capacity organization to act as the applicant and pass-through entity for project funding if needed. Identify proposed partners, if known (including potential or contemplated subawards to third party subrecipients of the applicant), the roles they will play in implementing the project, and how this project will build new or enhance existing partnerships. (Note: a project partner is any local community, non-profit organization, tribe, and\/or local, state, and federal government agency that contributes to the project in a substantial way and is closely involved in the completion of the project.)<\/p>\n Community Impact<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The applicant organization and its partners will work collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders, community-based organizations, and other relevant entities to develop and implement the proposed project. Describe the community characteristics of the project area, identify any communities impacted, describe outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Use demographic data to support descriptions.<\/p>\n Budget<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF\u2019s\u00a0Budget Instructions<\/a>\u00a0cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with\u00a0OMB Uniform Guidance<\/a>\u00a0as applicable.<\/p>\n Matching Contributions<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Matching Contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and\/or property raised and spent for the Project during the Period of Performance. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review.<\/p>\n Procurement\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF\u2019s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively. When procuring goods and services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF\u2019s financial support for the grant in press releases, publications and other public communications. Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.<\/p>\n Receiving Award Funds<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Award payments are primarily reimbursable. Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF. A request of an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.<\/p>\n Compliance Requirements<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals. As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances.<\/p>\n Permits<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements.\u00a0<\/p>\n Federal Funding<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The availability of federal funds estimated in this solicitation is contingent upon the federal appropriations process. Funding decisions will be made based on level of funding and timing of when it is received by NFWF.<\/p>\n Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information\u00a0Hawai\u02bbi Conservation Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Full Proposal Due Date:\u00a0Monday, October 25, 2021, by 5:59 PM Hawai\u02bbi Standard Time<\/strong><\/p>\nOVERVIEW<\/h3>\n
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS<\/h3>\n
PROGRAM PRIORITIES<\/h3>\n
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PROJECT METRICS<\/h3>\n
ELIGIBILITY<\/h3>\n
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FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH<\/h3>\n
EVALUATION CRITERIA<\/h3>\n
OTHER\u00a0<\/h3>\n
TIMELINE<\/h3>\n