Notice of Intent To Award P20AS00065.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award financial assistance for the following project activities. Refer to Section 2. Determination.

ABSTRACT

Grants.gov Opportunity Number Project Title Recipient Anticipated Federal Funding Non- ederal Cost Share Total Anticipated Award Amount

Award Instrument

Anticipated Period of Performance

Legal Authorit

CFDA # and Title

Single Source Justification Criteria

National Park Service Point of Contact

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE

Section 1. Project Summary

NPS P20AS00065

Recovery of the Endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow in Ever Conservation InSight $1,175,000 Five Year Total Subject to Availability of Funds

NA

$1,175,000 Five Year Total Subject to Availability of Funds

May 1st, 2020 - April 30th 2025

54 U.S.C. §101702 (d)

15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship

Continuation and Unique Qualifications

Emmett Collin Johnson

The endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS) population lies entirely within the footprint of Everglades Restoration, and is sensitive to changes. This project will determine the status and resilience of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow population, and improve our understanding of sparrow population responses to hydrologic management, fire management, and restoration of vegetation communities as we begin to implement Everglades Restoration

This project will generate scientific information on how Everglades restoration and land management actions will affect the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrows, one of the rare resources that Everglades National Park was created to protect (the unique flora and fauna). This information can be used by natural resource managers as well as the public to understand the ecology of the area. The project will directly engage youth participants in the work, and provide opportunities for learning that can be shared with the public. The products of this work are ultimately expected to improve NPS management of the resources that we are charged to protect for the public and improve awareness and understanding of the ecology of the Everglades as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, one of the largest ecological restorations undertaken, progresses.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

A. The recipient shall be responsible for the following items under this agreement:

B. The NPS Responsibilities:

A agreement is proposed therefore substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will:

A grant agreement is proposed, therefore on the part of the NPS is anticipated for the successful completion of the statement of work. It is anticipated that involvement will be limited to actions related to monitoring project performance technical assistance at the request of the recipient.

This project includes 4 components: (1) it will conduct intensive demographic monitoring in CSSS subpopulation E in order to quantify the response of this core subpopulation to hydrological changes expected to occur as the result of restoration activities in the eastern Everglades. This will occur through intensive monitoring of marked sparrows within study plots arranged across a hydrologic gradient;

(2) It will monitor the response of sparrows to restoration of previously farmed habitat that is undergoing restoration; (3) It will initiate a study of the effects of prescribed and/or natural fire on CSSS populations; and (4) It will analyze historic CSSS demographic data in an attempt to relate demographic rates to recently developed landscape-scale hydrological and fire modeling results.

1. The Recipient shall carry out the Statement of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable.

2. Work collaboratively with NPS and other partners to conduct data analysis, procure additional data that could be useful in evaluating potential effects of management actions on the CSSS, and identify potential questions, methods, and assessments to conduct.

3. Prepare summaries of field observations and preliminary results during field seasons and communicate them with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, who has regulatory authority over the CSSS under the Endangered Species Act; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who has authority to implement hydrologic management that affects ENP, the CSSS, and its habitat; and other interested parties.

4. Participate in discussions with resource managers and other scientists as a CSSS expert to help consider and balance the effects of management actions on a full suite of species and vegetation communities.

1. Conduct hydrologic monitoring and provide hydrologic data and other ecological information for use in conjunction with monitoring results to consider causes of changes in sparrow occurrence and demographic parameters.

2. Provide access to all available data on Cape Sable seaside sparrows that are in NPS possession, and work collaboratively with the Recipient to compile data sets that span several studies, evaluate data sets and identify appropriate statistical analyses and summarization methods for use in meta-analysis;

3. Provide helicopter access aviation support, and appropriate training to facilitate access the remote study areas where monitoring will be conducted;

4. To the extent practicable, provide logistical and field support for the project, potentially including office space (subject to availability), assistance form NPS staff and interns, and other support.

Section 3. Single Source Justification

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable. The justification must address one of the following criteria.

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

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

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

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, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications

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.

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

Task Agreement issued under previously competed or single source master cooperative agreement per Section 2 above. Single Source Justificatio .

Continuation

Unique Qualifications

Unsolicited Proposal

Legislative Intent

Explanation of the proposed recipient’s qualifications or the criteria of the proposed project which requires use of the single source criteria cited.

Section 2. Determination

Unique Qualifications - the proposed recipient is the sole individual in the country who currently holds the required Endangered Species Act section 10 (a)(1)(A) Research and Recovery permit to work on this species, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Continuation - this work continues similar work conducted by the same principal investigator/permittee (Tom Virzi) that has been conducted since approximately 2009 through two different affiliated organizations - non-profit organization Ecostudies, Inc., and Rutgers University.

Section 4. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Priorities

This award will support the following DOI Secretary priority(ies):

Other Key Initiatives:

Employment of veterans.

Supporting DOI Infrastructure needs.

Creating jobs in the American economy.

Access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Priority 1: Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

Examine land use planning process and land use designations that govern public use and access.

Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review process while maintaining environmental standards.

Review DOI water storage, transportation, and distribution systems to identify opportunities to resolve conflicts and expand capacity.

Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing.

Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to access.

Priority 2: Utilizing our natural resources Ensure American energy is available to meet our security and economic needs.

Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare earth minerals.

Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire 'healthy forests' lifecycle.

Manage competition for grazing resources.

Priority 3: Restoring trust with local communities Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands.

Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Priority 4: Ensuring sovereignty means something Support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty.

Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories.

Priority 5: Generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests Ensure that the public receives the full market value for the natural resources produced on Federal lands.

Ensure that fees or costs levied for DOI services are reasonable and targeted to achieve cost recovery.

Consider the impact of DOI decisions on economic development and job creation.

Priority 6: Protecting our people and the border Actively support efforts to secure our southern border.

Ensure DOI law enforcement staffing addresses public safety risks anticipated on DOI land.

Promote a "public service" demeanor within our law enforcement community.

Priority 7: Striking a regulatory balance

Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S.

industry and the public.

Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Priority 8: Modernizing our infrastructure Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure.

Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate private sector efforts to construct infrastructure projects serving American needs.