NOI_FINAL.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

USGS-20-FA-0070

Project Title Refugia are important but are they connected? Mapping well-connected climate refugia for species of conservation concern in the northeastern

U.S.

Recipient University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Anticipated Federal

Amount $73,747

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $73,747

New Award or

Continuation?

NEW

Anticipated Period of Performance 12 months from date of signature

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

CFDA # and Title 15.820 - National Climate Adaptation Science Center/Climate

Adaptation Science Centers (CASC)

USGS Point of

Contact

Acting Director, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, David

Reidmiller, dreidmiller@usgs.gov Rachel Miller, Grant Specialist, Email: rachelmiller@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

This project will consider 10 species that are considered vulnerable by both states and the

Federal government, identify locations of climate refugia for each species, and map how well each location of refugia is connected to other refugia locations. The project team will map the locations that are most critical to connect habitat that is important for the species today to future climate refugia. This project will aim to ensure that stakeholders can identify and prioritize land that will be accessible and effective to those species.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

This project leverages existing stakeholder partnerships and ongoing research efforts related to climate refugia in the Northeast region. The project will build on the project team’s ongoing adaptation research to identify locations of climate refugia for focal species and then map how mailto:dreidmiller@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov well each location of refugia is connected to other refugia locations. The University of

Massachusetts will produce the following:

• Landscape capability for 2020 and climate refugia 2080;

• Maps representing conservation cores in 2020;

• Maps representing refugia cores in 2080 including refugia importance, refugia resilience, and legacy connectivity attributes for each core;

• For each species, maps of conductance and connectors among 2080 refugia;

• For each species, maps of conductance and connectors between the lost 2020 conservation cores and the refugia cores.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. USGS, in particular the Northeast CASC, will be responsible for the following:

• Assuring that climate research projects are conducted in proper locations in the Northeast Region.

• Identifying collaborators to contribute to project efforts.

• Providing guidance on outreach and engagement activities.

• Reviewing and approving proposed modifications and review award balances.

• Directing and/or redirecting the work because of interrelationships with other related northeastern region climate research projects.

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 on the following criteria:

(4)UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

(6)COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d

Single Source Justification Description:

(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.

The recipient possesses a unique approach to landscape analysis to inform management options that are important for ecologists and natural resource managers in the Northeast CASC domain.

The key to this work is working with stakeholders to identify priorities and developing maps of refugia and connectivity to identify priorities for conservation. The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon pre-existing relationships with key stakeholders in the ecological research and natural resource management communities, support capacity, and technical expertise.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Div. F, Title I, P.L. 110-161 and

USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners)

§36d. Cooperative agreements: Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and

Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the United States Geological Survey is authorized to continue existing, and on and after November 10, 2003, to enter into new cooperative agreements directed towards a particular cooperator, in support of joint research and data collection activities with Federal, State, and academic partners funded by appropriations herein, including those that provide for space in cooperator facilities.