churchill noi.pdf

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 12-2011

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 R16-NOI-DO-001

Project Title Dixie Valley Groundwater Export Study Recipient Churchill County Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Eleanor Lockwood

Anticipated Federal Amount $50,000

Cost Share $0 Total Anticipated Award Amount $50,000

New Award or Continuation? Continuation

Anticipated Period of Performance 1 Year

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority Public Law 107-171, Section 2507 CFDA # and Title 15.562 – Dixie Valley Water Export Study Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

(4) Unique Qualifications

Reclamation Point of Contact

Irene Hoiby 303-445-2025 ihoiby@usbr.gov

OVERVIEW

The Dixie Valley Ground Water Export Study is being conducted by an interagency study team consisting of representatives of Reclamation, Churchill County, Nevada, Nevada Division of Water Resources and U.S. Geological Survey. The primary purpose of the study is to quantify the amount of groundwater that could be exported from Nevada’s Dixie Valley and conveyed to other locations within Churchill County. Primary study objectives include: 1) quantifying the valley’s perennial yield based on groundwater discharge evaluations, and 2) analyzing the impacts of exporting specific quantities of groundwater.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient’s subcontractor, Interflow Hydrology, Inc., is developing a calibrated numeric flow model to be used in the evaluation of potential water supply development by Churchill County (above primary study objective 2).

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

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

• Review of groundwater model and associated documentation and sensitivity analysis results

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:

The “Potential Additional Task Item” to be performed under the proposed action was identified in the original proposal submitted by the recipient’s subcontractor in 2010 with an associated cost range. Specifically, the recipient’s subcontractor has indicated that additional modeling simulations for further well field pumping optimization for municipal water yield, water quality maintenance or /and avoidance of detrimental impacts are necessary and the recipient has submitted a formal request for the additional work.

The proposed action involves additional analyses using a numerical model developed by the recipient’s subcontractor. Until the model is complete, it remains the property of the recipient and another entity would need to develop a similar model before the proposed additional analyses could be performed by such an entity.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Public Law 107-171, Section 2507

SEC. 2507. <<NOTE: 43 USC 2211 note.>> DESERT TERMINAL LAKES.

``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer $200,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Bureau of Reclamation Water and Related Resources Account, which funds shall-- ``(1) be used by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to provide water to at-risk natural desert terminal lakes; and ``(2) remain available until expended.

``(b) Limitation.--The funds described in subsection (a) shall not be used to purchase or lease water rights.