BOR-MP-18-N036 RF-102_NOI DSC--CSAMP.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-MP-18-N036

Project Title Bay-Delta Collaborative Science and Adaptive Management Study Program

Recipient Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Rainer Hoenicke, Deputy Executive Officer, Science Program

Anticipated Federal Amount $2,000,000.00 / FY18: $2,000,000.00

Anticipated Non-Federal Amount

$10,398,624.00

New Award or Continuation? New Award

Anticipated Period of Performance June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2022

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority Public Law 102-575, Central Valley Improvement Act (CVPIA), Section

3406(g)(4-8) and Section 3407(e) CFDA # and Title 15.512— Central Valley Project Improvement Act Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

(4) Unique Qualifications

Reclamation Point of Contact Josh Israel / Megan Bryant

OVERVIEW

With collaboration between Reclamation and the Delta Stewardship Council, Delta Science Program (DSP), this financial assistance agreement will cooperatively leverage state and federal science efforts that enhance and accelerate critical science related to water operations, fish management, and adaptive management in the Bay-Delta. The DSP was established to develop scientific information and synthesis for the state of scientific knowledge on issues critical for managing the Bay-Delta system. The DSP undertook a collaborative scoping process, which Reclamation participated in, to define near-term science activities and described these in their Science Action Agenda (SAA).

The SAA identified five action areas that are priority science topics between 2017 and 2021 that improve the scientific understanding. These priority science actions include (1) capitalizing on existing data through increased science synthesis, (2) developing tools and methods to support and evaluate habitat restoration, (3) improving our understanding of the interactions between stressors and managed species and their communities, and (4) modernizing monitoring, data management, and modeling.

Supported science studies will aim to improve scientific understanding concerning water quality conditions and improvement alternatives and measures to restore wetland, riparian, levee, and natural channel habitats to improve anadromous fisheries. Supported science studies will aim to develop readily usable and broadly available tools and supporting data to evaluate the ecologic and hydrologic impacts of existing and alternative water operations in the Sacramento and San Joaquin watershed such as base flows, springtime flow releases, and other scenarios to improve management and operations. The studies selected for funding through the competitive science solicitation process to be managed by the DSP will provide information to inform potential adaptive management activities critical for protecting and restoring Bay-Delta habitats, modifying CVP operations, and implementing supportive measures.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

DSC Project Manager, Rainer Hoenicke, and staff will implement and oversee the Bay-Delta Science Enterprise science studies program, including support for the following program areas:

(1) Science Solicitation Administration, (2) Application Review Process, (3) Communications and Outreach, and (4) Advances to Bay-Delta Science.

DSC shall complete the following objectives:

Objective #1: Finalize solicitation guidelines in consultation with Reclamation

Objective #2: Manage and provide reports on proposal solicitation and review

Objective #3: Conduct outreach and communication through public forums and documents.

Objective #4: Administer, track, report, and close-out subawards

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement by Reclamation is anticipated during the performance of activities funded under this cooperative agreement. In support of this Agreement, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

• Consult & provide guidance on the Delta Science Program’s solicitation guidelines.

• Provide input on funding recommendations that score highly on merit reviews

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:

Dr. Rainer Hoenicke and the Delta Science Program (DSP) within the Delta Stewardship Council are uniquely qualified to carry out the particulate objectives of the Bay-Delta Collaborative Science and Adaptive Management Study Program, focused on contributing to high priority research topics of importance to the Bay-Delta system. The DSP’s expertise is in science management where they have developed the SAA, are planning a larger fall proposal solicitation with state funding, and have Environmental Scientist staff with expertise in Bay-Delta science needs. The DSP has previous experience awarding and administering science projects to inform water and environmental management issues in the Delta and is a trusted source of information within the Bay-Delta Science community.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), Public Law 102-575, Title XXXIV Section 3406 (g)(4-8) and Section 3407 (e):

SECTION 3406 (g) ECOSYSTEM AND WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS MODELS - The Secretary, in cooperation with the State of California and other relevant interests and experts, shall develop readily usable and broadly available models and supporting data to evaluate the ecologic and hydrologic effects of existing and alternative operations of public and private water facilities and systems in the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Trinity River watersheds. The primary purpose of this effort shall be to support the Secretary's efforts in fulfilling the requirements of this title through improved scientific understanding concerning, but not limited to, the following:

(4) Measures needed to restore anadromous fisheries to optimum and sustainable levels in accordance with the restored carrying capacities of Central Valley rivers, streams, and riparian habitats;

(5) Development and use of base flows and channel maintenance flows to protect and restore natural channel and riparian habitat values;

(6) Implementation of operational regimes at State and Federal facilities to increase springtime flow releases, retain additional floodwaters, and assist in restoring both upriver and downriver riparian habitats;

(7) Measures designed to reach sustainable harvest levels of resident and anadromous fish, including development and use of systems of tradeable harvest rights;

(8) Opportunities to protect and restore wetland and upland habitats throughout the Central Valley;

All studies and investigations shall take into account and be fully consistent with the fish, wildlife, and habitat protection and restoration measures required by this title or by any other state or federal law. Seventy-five percent of the costs associated with implementation of this subsection shall be borne by the United States as a nonreimbursable cost; the remaining 25 percent shall be borne by the State of California.

And

SECTION 3407(e) FUNDING TO NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES- If the Secretary determines that the State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof, an Indian tribe, or a nonprofit entity concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values is able to assist in implementing any action authorized by this title in an efficient, timely, and cost effective manner, the Secretary is authorized to provide funding to such entity on such terms and conditions as he deems necessary to assist in implementing the identified action.