NOI Final.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the U.S. Geological Survey’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

Funding

Announcement

USGS-20-FA-0067

Project Title Implementing Environmental Flows within Management Scenarios for the Middle Rio Grande Basin under a Changing Climate

Recipient University of Oklahoma

Anticipated Federal

Amount $299,135

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $299,135

New Award or

Continuation?

New

Anticipated Period of Performance 24 Months from date of signature

Award Instrument Cooperative agreement

CFDA # and Title 15.820 National Climate Adaptation Science Center/Climate Adaptation

Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact

Mike Langston, Deputy Director, South Central Climate

Adaptation Science Center, Email: mlangston@usgs.gov

Rachel Miller, Grant Specialist, Email: rachelmiller@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

“Environmental flows” describe the quantity, timing, and quality of water flows required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the humans that depend on these ecosystems.

The Middle Rio Grande Basin, defined as the portion of the basin from Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico to Presidio, Texas, exemplifies the challenge of maintaining environmental flows due to hotter and drier conditions as well as growing water use demands. In 2009, the U.S.

International Boundary and Water Commission called for a better understanding of how environmental flows can be successfully implemented and maintained in this portion of the Rio

Grande. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap. This research will evaluate various possible options for managing environmental flows in several different future climate scenarios and test them using hydrologic and economic models.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of will apply hydrologic and hydroeconomic modeling under different climate scenarios to evaluate environmental flow allocations and associated tradeoffs in this region to inform water resources management decisions.

Specific objectives:

(1) develop scenarios of surface water availability under projected climate conditions

(2) improve and integrate existing hydrologic and hydroeconomic models

(3) evaluate environmental flow allocations and associated water management tradeoffs under current and projected climate conditions

(4) convene stakeholder engagement meetings to disseminate results, address questions about environmental flows formulated by stakeholders and to seek stakeholder feedback.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part of the USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, USGS will be responsible for the following:

• The Deputy Director of the SC CASC will regularly review progress on this project and provide guidance as appropriate.

• The Federal staff of the SC CSC will work closely with the researchers to provide guidance for communications with stakeholders on this project. This includes guidance regarding points of contact and designing appropriate communication methods with

Tribal, Federal, and state agencies.

• The staff will work with the PIs to develop appropriate newsletters and other forms of media to disseminate the results of the project. The staff will also provide guidance in ensuring that the communication activities follow the Strategic Communications Plan that is being developed separately by the SC CASC.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

(6) Cooperative Agreements - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners) or DOI Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 1457b (not-for-profit organizations).

USGS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

(6) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d

Single Source Justification Description:

(4) Unique Qualifications - This research team at the University of Oklahoma is uniquely qualified to conduct this research as they have worked on a similar project funded by the United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the past four years. The current project will build on and leverage the work on the Rio Grande hydrology performed under the USDA project.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Div. F, Title I, P.L. 110-161 and

USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners).

§ 36d. Cooperative agreements: Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and

Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the United States

Geological Survey is authorized to continue existing, and on and after November 10, 2003, to enter into new cooperative agreements directed towards a particular cooperator, in support of joint research and data collection activities with Federal, State, and academic partners funded by appropriations herein, including those that provide for space in cooperator facilities.