(a) The following may qualify as partners for purposes of the ranking criteria:

(1) A non-Federal entity, including a subgrantee.

(2) A Federal agency other than the Service.

(b) The partner must commit to a financial contribution or an in-kind contribution, or to take a voluntary action during the period of performance.

(c) In-kind contributions or actions must be necessary and contribute directly and substantively to the completion of the project. You must explain in the grant application how they are necessary and contribute to completing the project.

(d) A governmental entity may be a partner unless its contribution to completing the project is a mandatory duty of the agency, such as reviewing a permit application. A voluntary action by a government agency or employee is a partnership.