BOR-GP-17-N002 Notice-of-Intent-To-Award.pdf

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 02-2016

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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

ABSTRACT

Funding Announcement BOR-GP-17-N002

Project Title Youth Conservation Activities at Canyon Ferry, Montana Recipient Montana Conservation Corps Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Wendy Wigert Director of Operations Montana Conservation Corps

Anticipated Federal Amount $288,000.00

Anticipated Non-Federal Amount

$336,808.00

New Award or Continuation? New award

Anticipated Period of Performance May 1, 2017 – August 30, 2020

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC 1721-1730) and Youth

Conservation Corps Act of 1970 (16 USC 1701-07) CFDA # and Title 15.546 Youth Conservation Program Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

4. Unique Qualifications

Reclamation Point of Contact

Lindsey Nafts Ph. (406) 247-7684

12-2011

OVERVIEW

Pursuant to public Lands Corps Act of 1993 and the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with any qualified youth or conservation corps to perform appropriate conservation projects.

A partnership between the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Montana Conservation Corps provides resource benefits and public stewardship opportunities, as well as an increased awareness of environmental ethics and stewardship among young people, thereby ensuring that the next generation is aware of the necessity of restoring and enhancing a healthy public lands. Meaningful experiences such as these provide not only an opportunity for young people to develop professional and life skills, but also creates a method in which a vital resource can be utilized by land management agencies such as Reclamation provide the community and public lands with necessary conservation practices and outreach. Project work identified encompasses several Reclamation reservoirs proximate to MCC locales throughout Montana.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

In partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Conservation Corps will mobilize diverse youth crews from urban, rural, and tribal communities to participate in high value conservation projects rich with learning and training opportunities. These youth crews, along with trained, skilled leaders, will serve as land resource stewards to facilitate and implement critical work projects that benefit Reclamation resources and projects. Service contributions will include valuable services to mitigate invasive weeds, improve fencing to protect resources, plant trees, and enhance recreation facilities and visitor services. Youth crews will be responsible for installing post and rail fence; posting signage in construction areas; boundary fence repairs and boundary sign delineation; removing old fence, which will include pulling and stacking old posts in piles and removal of old wire; surface restoration work, including laying of erosion control materials and plantings; and invasive plant treatments, including hand pulling and spraying.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

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

Technical Assistance Project and Performance Monitoring Materials

12-2011

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.

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

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

Locality- Best location Proximate to Proposed Field Work

There are few operational youth programs headquartered and based in Montana communities that offer proximate distance to Reclamation reservoirs and facilities, particular to those located in more rural localities. The Montana Conservation Corps is well-established in the area, and estimated travel distances range from 0 to 281 miles from MCC headquarter offices across the state.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC 1721-1730) and the Youth Conservation Corps Act of

1970 (16 USC 1701-07).