G18AP00XXX_SW_NOI_Brown.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-19-FA-0039

Project Title Preventing extreme fire events by learning from historical fire events, weather, and drought

Recipient Desert Research Institute

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Tim Brown

Anticipated Federal

Amount $69,586.00 yr 1

Cost Share $0.00

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $121,843.00 total

New Award or

Continuation?

New Award

Anticipated Period of Performance April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 (2 years)

Award Instrument Grant

CFDA # and Title 15.820

USGS Point of

Contact

Stephen T. Jackson, stjackson@usgs.gov and

Carolyn Enquist, cenquist@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

There are three objectives to this study: (1) to investigate the historical role of short-term weather events in driving large fire activity, involving extreme winds, low relative humidity and elevated temperatures, using a new high resolution historical daily weather analysis; (2) to investigate the role of long-term anomalous drought events on fire size across the state of California, in concert with an evaluation of synchrony of severe fire weather and certain causes of fire ignitions; (3) using results from (1) and (2), to develop predictive models of how long term drought events and short term extreme weather will impact future fire activity.

mailto:stjackson@usgs.gov

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

This grant assesses the effects of long-term (multi-year) droughts driven by low precipitation, short-term ‘flash droughts’ driven by week-long heat waves, extreme turbulent winds, and ignition sources on extreme wildfire events in California chaparral and shrublands. It will focus particularly on the circumstances that contribute to conversion of small-scale ‘normal’ wildfires into extreme destructive wildfires of the kind that California experience in late 2017 (Thomas and Tubbs Fires). The project will help managers at DOI Bureaus (NPS, BLM, FWS), Forest

Service, tribes, and California state and municipal agencies develop short-term and mid-term forecasting capacity for conditions that contribute to catastrophic fires, reducing destruction of wildlife habitat and human habitations and loss of human lives. A PhD student will be responsible for WRF analysis and model runs. The Doctorate will be responsible for supporting the WRF regional numerical model runs and engagement with the stakeholder advisory committee. The Principal Investigator will be responsible designing meetings, facilitating virtual and in- person meetings, and follow up evaluation interviews and exit surveys as needed.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

There will be no substantial involvement by the USGS in the Recipient’s performance of this

Agreement. The project will be carried out by the recipient. New knowledge and products produced from this new project will be shared with the SW CASC.

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: select those which apply- needs to match the sole source document

(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:

Single Source Justification Description:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The recipient possesses unique capabilities for developing forecasts of weather events and climate extremes that can lead to catastrophic wildfires, which is deemed advantageous to reaching the program objectives of the SW CASC.

(2) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as technical expertise and analytical capabilities.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

43 USC 31 and Administrative Provisions of P.L. 116-6 and Consolidated Appropriations Act

2008, Div, F, Title I, P.L. 110-161