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-0085

Project Title Assessing Future Changes to Spring Phenology and False Springs in the

South Central United States

Recipient University of Oklahoma

Anticipated Federal

Amount $47,029

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $47,029

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

USGS Point of

Contact

Mike Langston, Deputy Director, South Central Climate Adaptation

Science Center (SC CASC), Email: mlangston@usgs.gov

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

OVERVIEW

This project will make use of previously developed climate projections for the south central

United States to investigate changes to date of first leaf and first bloom as well as the occurrence of false springs. Available results and data from this project will inform ecologists with critical interest in spring phenology and false springs, improving impact assessments and adaptation decision making in the south central United States.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Oklahoma (OU) will identify specific climatic and ecological data sets to be analyzed, conduct the analysis and model the phenologic changes in the region. OU will also assess the sensitivity of these ecologically-relevant indices to climate components. Finally, OU will provide guidance for ecologists and natural resource managers regarding the appropriate use of climate projections with respect to spring phenology and false springs based on this sensitivity analyses.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part of the 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:

• The Deputy Director of the SC CASC will regularly review progress on planning this project and provide guidance as appropriate.

• The staff of the SC CASC will work closely with the researchers to provide guidance for communications with stakeholders on this project. This includes guidance regarding points of contact and designing appropriate communication methods with Tribal, federal, and state agencies.

• Federal staff will work with the Principal Investigators to develop and arrange appropriate presentations and other forms of media to disseminate the results. The staff will also provide guidance in ensuring that the communication activities follow the SC CASC

Strategic Communications Plan.

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 research conducted under this project is related to the US Geological Survey’s South Central

CASC research supported under an existing cooperative agreement with University of

Oklahoma. This research team has recently completed a project that developed climate projections using techniques specifically selected for their applicability to this unique region.

They are the only researchers with such projections. Furthermore, both researchers have significant experience evaluating the appropriateness of the techniques used by climate modelers which is rather unique in the climate discipline.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

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

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

§ 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.