Collaborative NOI.doc

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

OVERVIEW

To continue and further the Earthquake Hazards Program’s collaborative research project to test and develop the ability of seismic and geodetic networks in high-risk areas of the U.S. to provide warnings of earthquakes when strong shaking has begun, so that property damage, injury, and loss of life can be reduced in affected areas. This phase will support incorporation of real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations into ShakeAlert and transitioning ShakeAlert into a Production Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system for the West Coast.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The four Institutions noted below* will continue to operate the existing earthquake early warning prototype system to improve the quality and availability of warnings; expand and improve the seismic and geodetic networks system on the West Coast; and carryout evalautions and research in order to transition the system to produce actionable warnings to users when earthquakes occur.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

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

Earthquake Hazards Program project chiefs and staff within the program’s research and seismic and geodetic monitoring projects will provide awardee with overall collaboration to convey USGS policy and the design and integration of software to eventually mesh with USGS systems that will provide warnings. USGS personnel will be primarily responsible for initiating and continuing communications with the cooperators and for leading the effort to develop an EEW implementation plan with input from the cooperators.

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 the following criteria:

(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,

(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; and

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

Single Source Justification Description:

The four Institutions operate the USGS Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) seismic networks and a geodetic network included in the prototype system on the West Coast, have the station density needed for the prototype system, and have demonstrated their abitilites to operate the prototype system and carry out and apply related research and development during the previous phases of early warning development.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The U.S. Geological Survey’s authority to fund Federal, State, and academic cooperators for research and data collection is contained in 43 U.S. Code Chapter 2 § 36d, which reads:

TITLE 43 - PUBLIC LANDS

CHAPTER 2 - UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

§ 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.

(Pub. L. 108–108, title I, Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1254.)

*EEW-ShakeAlert Institutions FY2017-2018 Support

Paul Bodin

Douglas Dreger

Margaret Hellweg

Egill Hauksson

**Pending the availabily of funds.

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