FY 2018 Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") recognizes the unique importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native Organizations (hereinafter, "ANOs") and values ongoing efforts by Alaska Native Tribes and ANOs to conserve and protect subsistence species under NMFS' jurisdiction. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. §1388, NMFS may provide Federal assistance to ANOs to conserve marine mammals and to promote co-management of Alaska Native subsistence use of such mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of cooperative agreements, may be used to support conservation of...

Eligible applicants are limited to Tribally-Authorized ANOs with an existing marine mammal agreement for co- management with NMFS and are in "good standing" with NMFS. An applicant is considered to be in "good standing" if the ANO meets the following criteria: 1) No pending enforcement actions under the MMPA or ESA. 2) Progress and financial reports on current Federal assistance awards are up-to- date and/or completed in a timely manner. 3) Satisfactory past performance. This includes completion of proposed projects and objectives in a timely manner and as stated in previous proposals. Unsatisfactory performance under prior or current Federal awards, including delinquency in submitting progress and financial reports, or failure to complete products and meet proposal objectives and tasks within the project period, may result in proposals not being considered for funding or affect the final funding recommendation under the 2018 Alaska Native Co-Management Funding Program. 4) Ability to operate within the purpose and goals described within the agreement for co- management with NMFS. ANOs meeting the eligibility criteria above may choose to apply under another entity acting as a fiscal agent for the ANO, provided the application contains a thorough description of the relationship between the ANO and the fiscal agent entity and the responsibilities undertaken by each party. The ANO will be the lead entity/organization as named in the application. Any ANO not holding an existing agreement for co-management but is in good standing with NMFS may collaborate with and apply as a sub-recipient under an eligible applicant as defined above for this program. Eligibility must be met at the time of application.

If you have any questions regarding this solicitation, please contact Jenn Hall-Brown, at the NOAA NMFS Alaska Regional Office, Phone: (907) 586-7273; or Email: jenn.hall-brown@noaa.gov. Mailing Address: PO Box 21668, Juneau Alaska 99802-1668 (USPS); 709 9th Street, Suite 323A, Juneau Alaska 99801 (FedEx/UPS).