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-0069

Project Title Assessing the Impacts of Rapid Shifts between Droughts and Floods on

Water Resource Management Decisions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Recipient University of Oklahoma

Anticipated Federal

Amount $170,337

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $170,337

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 (SC CASC), Email: mlangston@usgs.gov

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

OVERVIEW

The goal of this project is to use an integrated climate-hydrology-ecosystem approach to understand impacts to freshwater mussels from precipitation variability in Central Texas along the San Saba and Llano River to provide guidance to conservation, adaptation, and protection efforts. The focus will be on precipitation whiplash (e.g. dry-wet) and boomerang (e.g. dry-wet-dry) and their implications for natural resource management and climate adaptation challenges.

The research team’s collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Austin Ecological Services Field

Office) will enable project-generated results and reports to be communicated to those working on protection of mussel species.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Oklahoma will provide answers to the following questions:

mailto:mlangston@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov

• How often do precipitation whiplashes and boomerangs occur in the Colorado watershed?

• To what extent will the frequency and intensity of precipitation whiplash and boomerang events change in the future?

• How does the San Saba River respond to wet events that occur rapidly after drought events and vice versa?

• Their responsibilities include conducting the investigation, analyzing the data, drawing conclusions based on their expertise, and writing any resulting reports or publications.

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

• The staff of the SC CASC 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 investigators to develop appropriate newsletters and other forms of media to disseminate the results.

• The staff will also provide guidance in ensuring that the communication activities follow the SC CASC Strategic Communications Plan.

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 - The University of Oklahoma (OU) is uniquely qualified as their research team will make use of recently completed high resolution climate projections using techniques specifically selected for their applicability to this unique region. They are the only researchers with such projections. Furthermore, the OU team has significant experience working with the rapid shifts in precipitation from extreme drought to extreme flooding which is also unique.

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.