BOR-LC-17-N004 Notice of Intent.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-LC-17-N004

Project Title Las Vegas Wash (LVW) Birds Survey Recipient Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)

Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Kathy Flanagan Management Analyst

Anticipated Federal Amount $235,589.31 (Estimated)

Anticipated Non-Federal Amount

$0.00

New Award or Continuation? Continuation

Anticipated Period of Performance Five Years

Award Instrument Grant Agreement

Statutory Authority Lake Mead / Las Vegas Wash Program, P.L. 110-161, Section 206, in furtherance of Section 529, as amended, P.L. 106-541, Section 529, as amended, S.1751, Report Number 110-127

CFDA # and Title 15.540, Lake Mead / Las Vegas Wash Program Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

(3) Legislative Intent and (4) Unique Qualifications

Reclamation Point of Contact Diana Blake (dmblake@usbr.gov)

12-2011

OVERVIEW

The Las Vegas Wash (LVW) carries more than 170 million gallons of water a day. Decades ago, the flows of the LVW created more than 2,000 acres of wetlands. By the 1990’s, only about 200 acres of wetlands remained. The dramatic loss of vegetation reduced both the LVW’s ability to support wildlife and serve as a natural filter for water that flows to Lake Mead, the source of the community’s water supply.

This project is a priority for the comprehensive management of the Las Vegas Wash (LVW) because it helps the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) meet action items in the Las Vegas Wash Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan (LVWCAMP). This project is intended to help meet the following LVWCAMP action items:

• Action Item 1 - Install erosion control structures

• Action Item 41 - Conduct additional research

• Action Item 37 - Ensure implementation of mitigation measures

The Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO) uses standard point count monitoring techniques to survey for birds and a vegetation monitoring protocol at each survey point that was developed by Gerald Braden of the San Bernardino County Museum, the contractor who managed the project during its first four years, after which time GBBO conducted the surveys.

This work is specifically listed in the Las Vegas Wash Wildlife Management Plan, which was created to partially fulfill LVWCAMP Action Item 40 - Develop long-term management and monitoring plans, as work that should be conducted. It not only helps to fulfill the recommended action to “regularly monitor the abundance and diversity of wildlife,” but functions as effectiveness monitoring, which is also recommended in the plan. This work is a continuation of work performed under Grant Agreements 04FG300026, 05FG300015 and R08AP30020, which funded surveys from 2005 to 2011.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient shall carry out the Scope of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the proposed financial assistance agreement. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall coordinate with Reclamation on all required approvals and permits.

The following are specific Recipient Responsibilities to this award:

This scope of work is to add funding and extend the expiration date of Agreement R14AP00023 by one year, to September 30, 2018, to allow SNWA to continue to contract with GBBO to conduct point counts for birds at the 31 Wash sites established during the original 2005-2011 survey period. It takes two days to complete a single survey of all points. Vegetation monitoring is conducted once at each survey point in the fall. The 31 points are spread along the length of approximately a five-mile stretch of the LVW, in areas that have undergone stabilization and revegetation, those that will in the near future and areas that will receive no treatment. The points are distributed across a variety of habitats. The geographic extent and varied habitats ensure that data are representative of the Wash bird community as a whole and can effectively track changes in that community as stabilization and revegetation activities continue.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Reclamation will monitor and provide federal oversight of activities performed under this Agreement. Monitoring and oversight includes review and approval of financial status and performance reports, payment requests, and any other deliverables identified as part of the Scope of Work. Additional monitoring activities may include site visits, conference calls, and other on-site and off-site monitoring activities. At the Recipient’s request, Reclamation may also provide technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the Scope of Work and objectives of this Agreement.

No substantial involvement on the part of Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that Reclamation’s involvement will consist of standard federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc.

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:

(3) LEGISLATIVE INTENT

Single Source Justification Description:

The Statutory authority identified for this agreement states that the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into grants agreements to carry out implementation of the Project at the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead in accordance with the LVW Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan (Plan). This identifies legislative intent for the work to be completed by conservation corps.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Statutory authority for this award is identified in Public Law 110-161, Section 206, in furtherance of Section 529, as amended, Public Law 106-541, the Lake Mead / Las Vegas Wash Program, S. 1751 Report Number 110-127. The following section, provided in full text, authorizes Reclamation to award this Financial Assistance Agreement (Agreement):

The Secretary of the Interior shall continue to participate in and delegate the authority for continued support and implementation of the Project at Lake Mead and the LVW in accordance with the LVW Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan (Plan), to provide financial assistance to the SNWA to carry out implementation of the Project at Lake Mead and the LVW in accordance with the LVW Plan: Provided, that issuance of any such grants shall not modify the 35% SNWA / 65% Reclamation cost-share requirement.

Award of this Agreement will assist the SNWA in meeting following LVW Plan action items:

• Action Item 1 - Install erosion control structures

• Action Item 41 - Conduct additional research

• Action Item 37 - Ensure implementation of mitigation measures

This Agreement supports the project as a sole source award to the SNWA, as mandated by the public law cited above which has been reviewed and approved by the Lake Mead / LVW Project Manager, who recommends the award.