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-0066

Project Title Developing a National Perspective for DOI Climate Change Refugia

Conservation

Recipient University of Massachusetts Amherst

Anticipated Federal

Amount $278,033

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $278,033

New Award or

Continuation?

New

Anticipated Period of Performance 24 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

Madeleine Rubenstein, National Climate Adaptation Science Center, Email: mrubenstein@usgs.gov

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

OVERVIEW

One primary climate adaptation tactic is the conservation of climate change refugia, areas that remain relatively buffered from contemporary climate change over time and enable persistence of valued physical, ecological, and socio-cultural resources. Recent advances are making refugia identification more realistic and relevant by considering many other components of global change biology and incorporate novel research tools. This project will develop a framework for how to incorporate refugia into climate change adaptation, which will benefit various stakeholders, including natural resource managers at the federal, state, and tribal level, as well as the general public, all of which benefit from sustainably managed public lands. Ultimately, this project will inform and improve natural resource decisions related to land protection, invasive species treatment, recreation management, and a host of other conservation challenges.

mailto:mlangston@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Massachusetts will be responsible for the following:

• Collecting, managing, and analyzing data on climate change refugia for a number of focal species and other natural resources, at both regional and national scales.

• Hosting and facilitating workshops at national and regional scales to identify climate change refugia and identify research needs.

• Producing scientific synthesis products to support decision-making at national and regional scales related to incorporating climate change refugia into natural resource management.

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 advise the recipient on the selection of topics and criteria for climate change refugia mapping, advise and assist on the theme and focus of workshops, and ensure that synthesis products are appropriately relevant to natural resource decision making processes.

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 Principal Investigators (PIs) have a unique set of professional experiences and scientific expertise in the field of climate change refugia modeling, and in supporting natural resource decision making through scientific synthesis and analysis. The PIs have extensive expertise in conducting climate change refugia models, including in local-to-regional scale syntheses, which render them uniquely suited to provide this national-scale assessment of refugia information. In addition, the PIs have previously demonstrated the capacity to effectively synthesize technical and scientific products for a management audience, and to apply such findings to the needs of natural resource managers. Finally, the PIs have a demonstrated track record of effectively conducting and organizing the types of workshops and engagement with managers necessary to achieve the goals of this project. When considered together, the previous work and experience of the PIs render them uniquely qualified to conduct this work.

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.