noi-fa-12-2010a.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the Bureau of Reclamation’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

Funding Announcement R11SF60004

Project Title Trail Management Plan Development and Implementation Recipient American Youth Work Principal Investigator / Program Manager

Chris Sheffield, Environmental Corps Program Director

Anticipated Federal Amount $55,337.25

Cost Share 25% Non-federal 75% Federal Total Anticipated Award Amount $73,783.00

New Award or Continuation? New award

Anticipated Length of Agreement 1 year

Anticipated Period of Performance April – December 2011

Award Instrument Grant Agreement Statutory Authority Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC 1721-1730) and the Youth

Conservation Corps Act of 1970 (16 USC 1701-06) CFDA # and Title 15.524 Recreation Resources Management Single Source Justification Criteria Cited

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;

Reclamation Point of Contact

Lindsey Nafts Grants Officer Ph. (406) 247-7684

OVERVIEW

The Oklahoma-Texas Area Office (OTAO) of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Great Plains Region is interested in providing employment opportunities for a youth corps crew at its McGee Creek and Norman Projects. The McGee Creek Project is located 13 miles east of Atoka, Oklahoma, and the Norman Project is located approximately 9 miles east of Norman, Oklahoma.

The objective of this task agreement is to assess the current trail systems, develop a written trail management plan, and begin implementing the plan upon Reclamation approval. The goal is to inventory, upgrade the existing trail system to prevent soil erosion, protect sensitive areas, create accurate trail maps, and to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for the trail users.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. The recipient is responsible for all the work and stipulations described in the scope of work.

2. The recipient shall submit performance reports in accordance with this agreement.

Recipient shall provide an eight man crew including crew leaders to create and implement a comprehensive trail management plan for two sites, McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area and Lake Thunderbird State Park, in Oklahoma. Task one will consist of an on-site trail assessment, a comprehensive GPS and photo inventory of trail and maintenance features, and the preparation of a GIS database, maps, and a narrative report that details current trail conditions as well as potential trail and safety improvements. Task 2 will consist of implementing the priority trail needs identified in the trail management plan and agreed to by Reclamation.

The Task 1 analysis and characterization of the trails shall follow the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Trail Management Objectives Guidelines. Attention should be given to local use and management objectives gleaned from Reclamation and OTRD staff. All GIS layers, photos, reports, coordinates, and final report shall be delivered to Reclamation before proceeding to Task 2.

Task 1 will include one approximate 12-day spike to assess trail conditions and collect GPS data at the two sites. After assessing the trails, a trail management plan and GIS database layers will be developed. Task 2 will consist of three additional approximate 12 day spikes to complete priority trail repairs as defined in the trail management plan and directed by Reclamation.

At a minimum, the trail management plan shall include:

1. GIS inventory of trails with links to trail photographs of all problem areas

2. Maps of trail system

3. Excel table of trail areas requiring improvement. Table shall include:

• GPS coordinates

• Problem description

• Proposed improvements

• Estimated man hours to complete improvement

• Materials required

• Priority ranking based on severity of problem (high, med., low)

4. Narrative of findings

GIS layers shall include:

1. Maps of trail systems

2. Locations of problem areas identified

3. Photos linked to the marked locations

Recipient shall provide all crews with transportation, liability insurance, and tools as well as crew leaders and additional staff support. Any fee charged for the service day shall be prorated by the actual crew number and hours worked.

All Federal, state, local, and State Park rules and regulations shall be followed at all times. The McGee Creek NSRA has restrictions on the use of fire; the use of wood fires will be restricted to fire pans or fire blankets. No fire rings or pits are allowed.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

1. Provide specific project information to the recipient through clear briefings, guidance, and oversight.

2. Collaborate to provide technical guidance and quality control for on-the-ground projects, and review and acceptance of completed projects.

3. Environmental compliance documentation.

The recipient and Reclamation both agree to meet as often as necessary to affect administration of the agreement and project in a mutually acceptable manner.

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.

Reclamation did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

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.

Single Source Justification Description:

American YouthWorks in Austin, Texas is the only youth group we could find that was able to travel to Oklahoma to contract with Reclamation. Oklahoma currently does not have a youth corps group able to provide the services required for this agreement. OTAO used American YouthWorks in our last youth corps project and this group showed they had the technical expertise to perform the trail management repairs required in this agreement. American Youth Works is also willing to provide the 25% non-federal cost share required for this project.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 USC 1721-1730) Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970 (16 USC01701-06)