G18AP00XXX_SW NOI_Jacobs .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-0082

Project Title Sustaining partners and building networks for effective climate adaptation knowledge exchange in the Interior Southwest

Recipient Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) at the

University of Arizona

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Katharine Jacobs, Director of CCASS, University of Arizona

Anticipated

Federal Amount

Year 1: $56,795, Year 2: $29,165

Cost Share $0.00

Total Anticipated

Award Amount

$85,960

New Award or

Continuation?

New

Anticipated Period of Performance April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021

Award Instrument cooperative agreement

CFDA # and Title 15.820 National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science

Center/Climate Adaptation Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact

Stephen T. Jackson, stjackson@usgs.gov and

Carolyn Enquist, cenquist@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

The project will convene working groups of climate scientists and decision-makers from the southwest to evaluate regional capacity and integrate experience to develop guidance, information summaries, and design network support mechanisms to meet information needs of natural resource managers. Developmental guidance documents will address information needs of decision-makers. The groups will develop and deliver online information summaries on priority topics.

mailto:stjackson@usgs.gov

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient involvement includes organizing a working group of scientists and resource managers that will help design and implement a regional adaptation and assessment network.

The recipient will launch this work group immediately following a Fall 2018 gathering of adaptation professionals from throughout the Interior Southwest (AZ, UT, NV), where a preliminary assessment of the state of the knowledge and practice will be conducted. Thereafter, to help close existing information gaps, the working group will develop and conduct the next generation of scientific assessments that will improve the ability of natural resource managers to use critical information for climate adaptation. In addition, the group will design network support mechanisms to improve access to core information by natural resources managers.

By building on existing DOI science investments and professional networks associated with managing fish, wildlife, and habitat in the face of ongoing drought, severe wildfire, pest and invasive species outbreaks, and temperature extremes that induce physiological-stress in species, the recipient will enable the working group to establish an effective process for assessing the state of scientific knowledge about these issues. In doing so, the recipient will help build adaptive learning capabilities relative to adaptation on a regional scale.

Project outputs include: a meeting summary within three weeks of each working group gathering; a listing of existing and proposed network partners and priorities; a list of member needs, roles and responsibilities; online database detailing network capabilities; email listserv for the adaptation network; regular updates to members; a web presence with reports, webinars, guidance on conducting participatory scenario planning to better understand uncertainty; other product priorities to be established by working group.

Projected outcomes include: establish protocols for assessing the state of scientific knowledge, enabling improved access to core information, and filling information gaps related to natural resource management in the Interior Southwest. Taken together, this will result in the improved efficiency and function of a regional network of adaptation professionals that support information flow in the face of rapid environmental change. Working group progress relative to goals will be evaluated at the end of the first year and new priorities set.

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:

The DOI SW CASC, through scientists from its partner the University of Arizona, will be substantially involved with CCASS during the term of the cooperative agreement for assuring that climate research projects are conducted in the locations in the SW Region. The DOI SW CASC will participate with and collaborate with its host institution, University of Arizona, scientists, technicians, volunteers, and/or other personnel at the host institution to carry out the scope of work, train personnel, and or identify the need for additional Federal personnel to work on project efforts.

The DOI SW CASC Director will review and approve proposed modifications, review and approve requests for supplemental project funding for new objectives, review award balances, and approve sub-grants to consortium members for funding in each Fiscal Year, prior to the award.

The DOI SW CASC will direct and/or redirect the work because of interrelationships with other related SW region climate research projects.

The DOI SW CASC has power to halt immediately an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met.

This project will be carried out in close partnership between the SW CASC and Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS), the recipient. Specifically, SW

CASC involvement will include helping organize and support a group of resource managers and experts in scientific assessment, who will connect science and management concerns relative to adaptation. Focal areas will include (1) recommendations for best practices, (2) advance preparation for extreme events, and (3) enhanced opportunities for knowledge exchange. The SW CASC-CCASS partnership will improve natural resource management in the Interior Southwest by helping ensure that scientists are asking and answering management-relevant questions, and that managers understand the scientific capabilities and uncertainties surrounding climate adaptation in the region.

This involvement is critical to the success of the SW CASC because the objectives of this cooperative agreement aim to help the CASC achieve its three basic goals of (1) working in partnership with natural resource management communities to understand their highest priority science needs regarding climate and land change-related impacts, (2) working with the scientific community to develop science products in a way that can be readily used to generate management strategies to respond to climate and land changes, and (3) ensuring delivery of relevant products in a way that is timely and useful to resource managers.

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).

Single Source Justification Description:

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 building and supporting climate adaptation and assessment at regional, national, and international scales, based on the climate adaptation science investments made by the University of Arizona.

(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

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

U.S. Code, Title 43, Chapter 2, 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.