A16_JOFOCJustPalmyraTNCCM_1.pdf

FWS Form (Rev. 2020) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS

Acquisitions Operations

None. The remote nature, over a 1,000 miles from other US facilities, of the site and the extreme expense of the available transportation options require personnel to be deployed and remain on site for extended periods.

However, there are no Service facilities on the Refuge itself. and there is no suitable area to build on available on the low lying islets of the Refuge. To create a field station at Palmyra NWR would be environmentally destructive which goes against the Refuge's mandated purpose. Establishing and maintaining a field station would also be an expensive multi-million dollar effort to build with a high annual operating costs thereafter. Refuge operations could be run from a ship anchored in the lagoon but this poses a higher safety risk to staff, would incur higher cost then using the TNC facilities, and would not allow staff to be present year round hindering staff's ability to fulfill mission

TNC maintains facilities, services and staffing for users of their preserve and research laboratory. These facilities and services are suitable for allowing Service personnel to fulfill USFWS mission at Palmyra. TNC station facilities, including runway and boat dock, are the only support facilities within several hundred miles of the refuge. The annual cost of operating The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Palmyra Preserve is $1.5-1.9M. Twenty to twenty-five seasonal TNC staff and volunteers are required to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations.

For the Service to proceed with its mission without using TNC facilities would require the Service to create duplicate efforts at matching or higher costs. It is in the best interest of the refuge and a prudent use of taxpayer funds to make use of the facilities currently in place.

Facilities and services to support mission operations on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, including; room and board for Refuge personnel; office, lab, storage space; utilities; material and equipment management and maintenance; transportation access; Refuge personnel health and safety services. There are no Service facilities on the Refuge itself with the only suitable U.S. facilities within ~1000 miles existing on neighboring property owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

Limitations to competition are based on the geographical isolation of the Refuge from the United States, the lack of suitable land for building on both the Refuge and other privately held land in the area, need for experienced contractors with expertise operating remote field stations and transportation facilities, and prior knowledge of Palmyra and FWS's operating needs.

Program / Project Officer

Contracting Officer

The anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable. TNC is a non-profit organization and is uniquely positioned to offer the necessary services, so there is no competition.

Susan Allie Hunter Digitally signed by Susan Allie Hunter Date: 2021.06.14 12:59:52 -10'00'

TNC has successfully maintained professional level facilities, services and staffing for users of their preserve and research laboratory since they acquired the property in 2000. These facilities and services are suitable for allowing Service personnel to fulfill USFWS mission at Palmyra. TNC station facilities are the only support facilities within several hundred miles of the refuge. TNC is a well established conservation partner with the USFWS They are fully supportive of the Service's mission at Palmyra and have worked on numerous past and