NOI for Support For the Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable.doc

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance

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 Land Management’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

B.

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. BLM has worked cooperatively with SWRR since 2002 to bring together federal, state, corporate, non-profit, and academic sectors to advance our understanding of the nation’s water resources and to develop tools for their sustainable management.

D. Unique Qualifications – The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is uniquely qualified to performed the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability, and technical expertise.; ESA has an agreement with the SWRR to serve as group treasurer, and the funds from the BLM would go to the ESA for use by the SWRR Manager and Facilitator under the direction and approval of the SWRR Co-chairs and the Steering Committee.

OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND BLM SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

Background: The Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable (SWRR) was founded in 2002 to support efforts of the White House CEQ and Federal Agencies in developing environmental indicators. It is a subgroup of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI), which advises agencies responsible for managing water resources. The SWRR has hosted multi-stakeholder meetings on indicators, innovative initiatives, and research needs since December 2002 across the U.S., and publish the proceedings and presentations from past meetings on their website. The SWRR does not receive any Congressionally- appropriated funds but maintains its operations with funds donated by public agencies and the private sector. Since 2002, the SWRR has brought together federal, state, corporate, non-profit, and academic sectors to advance our understanding of the nation’s water resources and to develop tools for their sustainable management. Because water resources are central to the vitality of our ecosystems, society, and economy, there is great interest in understanding trends in water quality and use, and learning to manage water resources sustainably. No single organization has the mission or mandate to address the full spectrum of water resource issues including water availability, water quality, infrastructure and ecosystem needs. This fragmentation of responsibility and a widespread interest in identifying water indicators of sustainability brought about the formation of SWRR. The BLM has supported the SWRR on an annual basis for many years, and benefits from the sharing of water resources knowledge with public and private sector stakeholders, as well as having a forum to discuss issues relevant to the BLM and seek solutions to our water resource problems. The Ecological

Society of America (ESA) has an agreement with the SWRR to serve as group treasurer, and the funds from the BLM would go to the ESA for use by the SWRR Manager and Facilitator under the direction and approval of the SWRR Co-chairs and the Steering Committee.

Objective: The BLM intend is continue their partnership with Ecological Society of America to support the Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable which is a subgroup of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI) which advises agencies who are responsible for managing water resources.

Recipient: Ecological Society of America Program Goals:

1. Serve as a national forum for sharing information promoting responsibility and research for sustaining the nation’s water and related land resources;

a. Expand ties within the scientific community to ensure that SWRR employs state-of- the-art ideas in indicators development and encourage additional research into sustainable water resource management

2. Share information about data availability and data gaps, and to describe trends affecting the nation’s water and related land resources that have policy or other coordination implications;

a. Continue to revise and refine the indicators for tracking the sustainability of water resources including indicators scalable to national, regional, and local levels;

b. Support and assist agencies by describing the need for programs to collect, manage, and analyze the information necessary for generating indicators;

3. Provide material for consultation with other roundtables: forestry, rangelands, and minerals;

4. Conduct active outreach to inform other water resources stakeholders about the activities of the Roundtable and develop active participation from other groups;

a. Brief stakeholders on SWRR projects, products and related water resource information;

b. Continue meeting to involve different stakeholder groups and regions in the dissemination of data and information, and to gain knowledge about regional indicators that can be shared and used nationwide;

5. Produce an annual report on Roundtable activities, and submit it to the parent organization, the Advisory Committee on Water Information.

BLM’s Substantial Involvement: The BLM's substantial involvement in this cooperative agreement may include, but not be limited to, the following:

Joint collaboration between the BLM and recipient in carrying out management, development, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed work;

Training of recipient personnel;

Review and approval by the BLM of one stage of work prior to the start of the next stage;

Review and approval by the BLM of modifications or sub awards prior to their award;

Participation in selecting recipient project staff;

Directing or redirecting of recipient work by the BLM because of relationships to other projects;

The ability to immediately halt work because of failure to meet agreement objectives; and

Close monitoring and/or operational involvement in the proposed work.

In addition: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement through the BLM Program Officer (PO) collaborating with the Recipient & Project Officer (RPO) to manage all stages of project development, implementation, and evaluation. Recipients and the BLM will share responsibility for project management, control, and direction although the BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan if the project is not staying on schedule or technical issues arise. In addition: The recipient and BLM will work closely together to leverage the funding for any SWRR- related activities. Strategic reviews of planned spending and active development of events requiring BLM funding will be performed. BLM will actively participate in bi-weekly SWRR conference calls and will plan and attend regularly scheduled meetings. BLM will assist in providing guidance to, reviewing and commenting on SWRR documents prior to publication.

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.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreements)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

(Suggested Format)

Instructions: A Project Proposal must be submitted with the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance for all BLM Assistance Agreements. Complete each section below. Use additional sheets as needed.

Person Submitting Proposal:

Date:

Organization Name:

Agreement or Announcement No.:

Agreement or Announcement Title:

Estimated Period of Performance:

Proposed Project Location:

This work will occur on: ☐ Public Lands ☐ Private Lands ☐ Both Public & Private Lands

YOUR MISSION:

(Describe your mission. Describe why this support is being requested.)

OBJECTIVE:

(Describe your objectives and how these objectives support your mission.)

TECHNICAL APPROACH:

Describe the techniques, processes, methodologies to be used.

Describe how data collection, analysis, and means of interpretation will be accomplished.

Describe how the proposed objectives will be achieved within the proposed period of performance (POP).

Describe significant goals or milestones and how they will be measured.

Describe tasks and relationships of partners, if applicable.

PUBLIC BENEFIT:

(Describe how this project benefits the general public.)

QUALIFICATIONS & PAST PERFORMANCE:

(List key project personnel and their contact information.

Describe key personnel responsibilities, time to be dedicated to the project, and how their experience and qualifications are appropriate to success of the project.

List contractors, if known, and their qualifications

Describe any unique qualifications which support being awarded assistance for this project, such as continuation of the proposed project, technical expertise, cost-sharing ability, etc.)

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Grants & Cooperative Agreements

BUDGET DETAIL

(Suggested Format - Use Figures from SF-424A)

Instructions: Using the estimated amounts listed on your SF-424A Budget Information form, use this worksheet to provide details of those estimated costs. In the Narrative Boxes, explain the purpose of each cost and provide sufficient detail so costs may be analyzed for reasonableness.

Agreement or Funding Opportunity No.:

Date:

Organization Name:

Project Title:

A) PERSONNEL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6a.)

Estimated costs of salaries/wages, not including fringe benefits, paid to Recipient employees working directly on this agreement. Indicate Key Personnel with an asterisk (*), provide more detail in the Narrative Box if needed.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

A)

TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6a. Personnel)

Narrative:

B) FRINGE BENEFIT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6b.)

Estimated costs of fringe benefits (e.g. health insurance, vacation, FICA, etc.) paid to Recipient employees working on this agreement. List employees/positions below, and their fringe benefit rates as a percentage (%) of their salaries. List what are considered fringe benefits in the Narrative Box.

(BLM Amounts budgeted in Section A above)

(if applicable)

BLM

B)

TOTAL FRINGE BENEFIT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6b. Fringe Benefits)

Narrative:

C) TRAVEL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6c.)

SUB-TOTAL, LODGING & PER DIEM - The cost of lodging & meals while traveling for agreement activities. Give details and purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal rates may be found online at: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287.

Proposed Travel

(Lodging & Per Diem)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

From:

To:

To:

To:

Example:

Portland, OR

Eugene, OR

Day

SUB-TOTAL, MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - The cost of reimbursement for estimated mileage traveled in recipient vehicles for agreement activities. Give details and the purpose of the travel in the Narrative Box. Current Federal mileage reimbursement rates may be found online at: www.GSA.gov. NOTE: Mileage reimbursement rates include all vehicle costs, i.e. fuel, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Proposed Travel

(Mileage Reimbursement)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

To:

Example:

Portland, OR

Eugene, OR

Mile

SUB-TOTAL, OTHER TRAVEL COSTS - The costs of airfare, bus fare, car rental, etc., required for agreement activities. Explain the details and the purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box.

Proposed Other

(Travel Reimbursement)

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

To:

To:

To:

C)

TOTAL TRAVEL COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6c. Travel)

Narrative:

D) EQUIPMENT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment)

The cost of equipment purchased for use on this agreement. Equipment is defined as items with a useful life of more than one (1) year and a cost of $5,000+ per unit. If your organization has a written policy for purchasing equipment, please submit a copy with your application. Explain the need and purpose of the equipment in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

D)

TOTAL EQUIPMENT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6d. Equipment)

Narrative:

E) SUPPLY COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies) Estimated costs of materials and supplies used directly on this agreement, e.g. safety glasses, work gloves, office supplies, etc. If your organization has a written policy for purchasing supplies, please submit a copy with your application. Explain the purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

E)

SUPPLY COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6e. Supplies)

Narrative:

F) CONTRACTUAL COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6f. Contractual) Estimated costs of contracted/sub-contracted services and sub-grant/recipient awards. If your organization has a written contracting policy, please submit a copy with your application. Provide contractor names, if available, and explain the details and purposes of the costs in the Narrative Box below. NOTE: Calculation of your Indirect Costs may be affected by contracted and/or pass-through expenses. See Section J) INDIRECT COSTS, for more information.

(if applicable)

BLM

F)

CONTRACTUAL COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6f. Contractual)

Narrative:

G) CONSTRUCTION COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6g. Construction) The estimated costs of construction. "Construction" is the intent to construct, alter, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) buildings, structures, or other real property - FAR Part 2 Definitions. Explain the details and purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

G)

CONTRUCTION COST TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6g. Construction)

Narrative:

H) OTHER COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6h. Other) Estimated costs which don't fit any other Object Class Category, e.g. duplicating and printing costs, postage and freight, rental of equipment, etc. Explain the details and purpose of the costs in the Narrative Box below.

(if applicable)

BLM

H)

OTHER COSTS TOTAL:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6h. Other)

Narrative:

I) TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6i. Sum of 6a.-6h.)

The total of all direct costs applicable to this project.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

I)

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6i. Total, Sum of 6a.-6h.)

J) INDIRECT COSTS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6j. Indirect Charges)

Indirect costs are expenses which cannot be readily identified and charged to a particular project or agreement, e.g. building rent, utilities, office supplies, etc. Such costs are charged to the project as a percentage of the Direct Costs (items A through H above) and this percentage is called the Indirect Cost Rate. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) please submit a copy of the agreement with your application. If your organization has no NICRA, the BLM may allow a "de minimis" indirect cost rate of up to 10% of your Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), which are your Direct Costs excluding sub-grant and sub-contract costs in excess of $25,000. See 2 CFR 200.68 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) and 2 CFR 200.414(f) Indirect (F&A) Costs for more information.

If your organization is a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) partner, your indirect cost rate will be 17.5% of your NICRA-determined indirect cost base.

Use the Narrative Box below to explain how you calculated your indirect cost base and resulting indirect costs.

Indirect Cost Rate to be used on this Grant (%):

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

J)

TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6j. Indirect Charges)

Narrative:

K) TOTALS (SF-424A Object Class Category 6k. TOTALS) The sum total of all Direct and Indirect Costs (Sum of 6i. & 6j.) applicable to this agreement.

(if applicable)

BLM

Funds

K)

TOTAL COSTS:

(SF-424A Object Class Category 6k. TOTALS)

I certify that to the best of my knowledge the costs detailed above are correct and complete and for the purposes set forth in the associated application for Federal Assistance.

Name & Title of Person Completing Budget

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Version May 2016