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-0035

Project Title Enhanced forest monitoring with tree rings to support Navajo management of forest resources

Recipient University of Arizona

Anticipated Federal

Amount $162,495.10 Year 1; 62,381 Year 2; $225,326.10 Total

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $225,326.10

New Award or

Continuation?

New

Anticipated Period of Performance 24 months from date of signature

Award Instrument Grant

CFDA # and Title 15.820 National Climate Adaptation Science Center/Climate Adaptation

Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact

Stephen T. Jackson, Director, Southwest Climate Adaptation Science

Center, Email: stjackson@usgs.gov

Rachel Miller, Grant Specialist, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Email:

rachelmiller@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

This project will answer the question of why and how drought stress varies across the forests of the Navajo Nation, which can then be used to inform forest management aimed at increasing forest resilience. This project will provide scientific analyses and knowledge that can inform forest management in the Navajo Nation lands and in similar forests in the interior Southwest.

This project meets the USGS mission by providing reliable scientific information to manage forest habitat and resources on one the largest Native American reservations in the nation. It facilitates effective management of forest resources by delivering information to forest managers on consequences of management decisions in a changing climate, and by providing science to mailto:stjackson@usgs.gov mailto:stjackson@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov help the United States and the Navajo Nation achieve successful and sustainable management and conservation of its biological resources.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Recipient involvement includes: (1) collecting ~1000 increment cores of trees in coordination with the Navajo Forestry Department, (2) analyzing tree-rings in these samples to determine the effects of drought variability on annual tree growth, (3) informing predictions of the effects of future drought variability under different management practices, and (4) delivering scientific findings to the Navajo Nation and other resource managers in the region.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

No substantial involvement on the part of USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that USGS’ involvement will consist of standard Federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc.

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

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 University has leading experts in tree-ring analysis as applied to forest ecology, climate change, and forest management, who have also worked extensively with the Navajo Nation and other tribes to build deep knowledge and relationships of trust. The respective laboratories are fully equipped for the research; the Laboratory for Tree-Ring Research at University of Arizona is the lead institution in this field internationally.

No other US sources are known to possess the unique and essential qualifications to perform this work.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Div. F, Title I, P.L. 110-161, and 43 USC §31 and the

Administrative Provisions of Public Law 116-94 (12/20/2019), FY2020 Consolidated

Appropriations Act.