financial assistance notice of intent.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

Funding Announcement

G15AS00003

Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Rick Gulizia/Glenn Henz

Award Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

USGS Point of Contact

Ted Peck/tpeck@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

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:

Through this cooperative agreement, the USGS is fostering collaborative research with SDSU/SDSURF that seeks to develop new and alternative concepts, technologies, and methodologies for evaluating natural resources; provide information resulting from collaborative studies to USGS national databases; provide opportunities for students to become involved in research projects; contribute to the training of earth and environmental scientists and assist in the transfer of knowledge to the faculty and students of SDSU; jointly conduct seminars, courses, and other symposia; and engage its senior managers with SDSU/SDSURF faculty and staff to promote, review, and administer cooperative research and academic activities.

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:

(4) Unique Qualifications

There are no GSA-controlled facilities in the area that are available that meet the space requirements (wet laboratory, instrument repair and specimen examination ears, and secured parking for the field buildings).

Convenient access to freeways and around-the-clock access to work space and vehicles is necessary to field crews should they be required to respond to emergencies. SDSU offers such access.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 43 USC 31, 43 USC 36c and 36d

�THIS DOCUMENT IS USGS’ TEMPLATE FOR SINGLE SOURCE ANNOUNCMENTS – Comment Balloons provide guidance. Remove all comments prior to Posting.

�FOA Number on Grants.gov (e.g. G15AS00001, G15AS00002 or G15AS00003)

�Recipient’s PI or Program Manager - Must be indicated in every NOI

�Grant or Cooperative Agreement

�Should match Synopsis POC

�The overview should be succinct (1-2 paragraphs) and provide the reader a summary of the proposed project – including such information as location, if part of a larger project or effort – a brief background, need / problem this project is designed to address, etc.

�This section should provide a summary of the recipient’s activities to be funded by the award. It must be detailed enough for the public to understand, yet CANNOT include any proprietary information.

�This section must communicate USGS’ responsibilities under the award. If the proposed award is a cooperative agreement, then this section should explain, in sufficient detail, USGS’ substantial involvement. If a grant – may just state technical assistance when requested and federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, etc

�Required Language. Immediately following this statement, the NOI must indicate the number and short title of the criterion or criteria.

�This section must cite the statutory authority as well as provide the language from the particular section cited.

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