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-200084

Project Title Informing policy response to declining water supply in the Colorado

River basin: linking water supply management with outcomes for fish communities

Recipient University of Arizona

Anticipated Federal

Amount $149,998.92 Year 1; 139,990 Year 2; $289,988.92 Total

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $289,988.92

New Award or

Continuation?

NEW

Anticipated Period of Performance 4/1/2020 – 5/31/2022

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

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 fill an important gap in water management planning in the Colorado River basin: how reservoir storage and release decisions made under declining precipitation and discharge will affect ecosystems of the river, and particularly populations of Federally endangered fish species and sport fish species. This project will provide scientific analyses and knowledge that can inform future negotiations about Colorado River water supply distribution.

This project meets the USGS mission by providing reliable scientific information to manage water, biological, and energy resources essential to maintaining quality of life for more than 40 million people across western North America. It facilitates effective management of the

Nation’s water resources by delivering information to water managers on consequences of mailto:stjackson@usgs.gov mailto:rachelmiller@usgs.gov management decisions in a changing climate, and by providing science to help the United States achieve successful and sustainable management and conservation of its biological resources.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Recipient involvement includes: (1) synthesis of existing information on biological responses to ecosystem drivers (flow, sediment load, water temperature), (2) evaluation of alternative water-storage scenarios for reservoirs across the basin relative to changes in watershed runoff, (3) identification of ecosystem impacts of alternative water storage scenarios, (4) development of simple models to make river segment-specific predictions for fish and other biota under alternative water storage scenarios, and (5) organization of a workshop to discuss scientific findings with relevant stakeholders.

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:

• USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) will collaborate with University of

Arizona personnel on the project. The SBSC will provide expertise in the area of aquatic ecology, particularly in developing population models to forecast response to management alternatives using available data.

• Specifically, USGS SBSC personnel will work closely with University of Arizona personnel to develop and apply appropriate population models to predict fish population responses to alternative flow regimes and management decisions.

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 applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on technical expertise. The science team includes the most knowledgeable and experienced hydrologists and biologists in the

Colorado River system to address this important, complex problem.

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.