Notice of Intent.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

G20AS00001

Project Title Aftershock Monitoring of the 6.5 Stanley, Idaho Earthquake

Recipient Boise State University

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Lee Liberty

Anticipated Federal

Amount $49,261.00

Cost Share 0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $49,261.00

New Award or

Continuation?

New

Anticipated Period of Performance 4/20/2020 to 4/19/2021

Award Instrument Grant

CFDA # and Title 15.807 – Earthquake Hazards Program Assistance

USGS Point of

Contact Jill Franks

OVERVIEW

The March 31, 2020 M6.5 Stanley earthquake was felt throughout the US Pacific Northwest.

This was the largest earthquake in Idaho since the 1983 M6.9 Borah Peak event 37 years ago.

Large earthquakes within this province only occur about once per decade, therefore capturing the aftershock data will significantly aid in understanding this earthquake and the faults of central Idaho.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The proposed work will monitor and collect data from the aftershock sequence of the M6.5

Stanley earthquake. It is critical to assess the aftershock earthquake sequence through a seismic monitoring campaign. Seismic aftershock data from stations deployed around the Stanley earthquake epicenter for a 6-month observation period. Data will be uploaded to a USGS approved data repository that will be made publicly available.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

After a major earthquake sequence such as this one, NEHRP (National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program) requires post-earthquake investigations and the USGS is the lead agency within NEHRP for post-earthquake investigations. Some of the priorities of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program are to improve earthquake hazards identification and risk assessment methods, and their use, and to improve the understanding of earthquakes and their effects. This proposal is well aligned with USGS EHP priorities for post-earthquake investigations.

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 the following criteria:

(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; and

(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

Single Source Justification Description:

Boise State University is uniquely qualified to carry deployment of sensors that record the aftershock sequences because the epicentral location is only a four hour drive to the Boise State

University campus, and the Department of Geosciences has an expert team ready to complete the aftershock deployment and data reteival with modern instrumentation.

The USGS requests to fund Boise State to complete the sensor deployment as it is critical to accurately and immediately assess the aftershock earthquake sequence through a seismic monitoring campaign. The need for this award to be acted upon urgently is because the rate of aftershocks decreases quickly with time after the mainshock, which occurred on March 31, 2020.

The resulting aftershock data will allow for new research that will ultimately help reduce the risks of life and property from future earthquakes in this region. The USGS is motivated to understand this earthquake and the faults of central Idaho because this event was likely related to

Basin and Range style faulting, and data from large earthquakes within this province only occur about once per decade.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The U.S. Geological Survey’s requirement to provide notifications of earthquakes and monitor earthquakes and their effects is established in the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act, 42 U.S.

Code 7701-7709, as amended through P.L. 115-307.