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-0019

Project Title Research Symposium: Culturally Significant Plants and Climate Change

Recipient University of Oklahoma

Anticipated Federal

Amount $35,000

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $35,000

New Award or

Continuation?

NEW

Anticipated Period of Performance 12 months from date of signature

Award Instrument Cooperative agreement

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

Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact

Mike Langston, Deputy Director, South Central Climate Adaptation

Science Center, Email: mlangston@usgs.gov

Rachel Miller, Grant Specialist, Email: rachelmiller@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

Many plant species that are culturally significant to tribes in the South Central region of the U.S.

face threats under a variable climate. This project will support the University of Oklahoma and their partner the Chickasaw Nation in planning and implementing a research symposium that will bring together a large group of tribal environmental managers and others regarding the implications of climate change on these plants and the science needed to better understand and adapt to these impacts. This symposium will result in new working groups and research projects to further this work after the symposium ends, and will focus on tribal interests, needs, and priorities for climate science.

mailto:mlangston@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Oklahoma will:

• Prepare a schedule, recruit speakers, select participants, and carry out all logistical arrangements (secure a venue, develop the agenda, provide for facilitation of discussions, and record meeting notes) for the symposium.

• Prepare written materials provided to the participants.

• Prepare a meeting summary and redact or obscure privileged information as necessary.

• Identify gaps in our knowledge of how climate change will affect these plants.

• Develop a list of research project topics to address the knowledge gaps.

• Compose and deliver a summary report.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part of the 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 Director of the SC CASC will regularly review progress on planning this project and provide guidance as appropriate.

• The Federal staff of the SC CASC will work closely with the project team to plan and host the symposium, and ensure that the outcomes of the workshop clearly identify research projects that the USGS (or others) can fund and/or conduct.

• Federal staff will assist in promoting and disseminating the results of the project and ensuring alignment with SC CASC strategic plans.

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 on the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

(6) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d

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 of Oklahoma (OU) is uniquely qualified based on their strong partnership with the Chickasaw Nation regarding climate change science developed over eight years of working together through the South Central CASC. Over this time, OU has carefully developed an equal partnership with the Chickasaw Nation based on trust and respect. Such an unusual relationship is found nowhere else in the south central U.S. region and is essential for successfully working with a sovereign tribal nation. Furthermore, this unique relationship provides the entrée to working with the other sovereign tribal nations involved. These other tribal nations have unique sets of cultural and natural resources that are significant to them. They are very protective of knowledge of these resources (where and when they are located, how they are used, and why).

Often they will not share this information with government or other outside organizations, but will do so with other tribal nations and trusted partners like OU. Finally, OU, which hosts the

South Central CASC, employs two full-time tribal liaisons to build relationships with tribes. One of these is also a member of the Chickasaw Nation and has been instrumental in building and maintaining this relationship.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

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

USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners)

§ 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.