NOI-LampreyWSR-08222014.docx

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

The Lamprey River is a nationally recognized Wild and Scenic River designated by Congress for its free-flow, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values. The National Park Service manages the River in partnership with the State of New Hampshire, the towns of Epping, Lee, Durham, and Newmarket, the Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC), and the Lamprey River Watershed Association.

This agreement continues the on-going work begun under CA1600-95-010 (1995-2000) and furthered under CA4520-B-0022 (2001-2006) and H45070600064 (2006-2011), and which have established a fifteen year track record of collaboration between NPS and LRWA on behalf on the Lamprey Wild and Scenic River, and in support of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee. The NPS and LRWA have established a cooperative working relationship over this period of time in implementing the designation of the Lamprey River in New Hampshire as a National Wild and Scenic River. This Cooperative Agreement will further solidify this cooperative working relationship, and will advance the objectives of both organizations in their mutual desire to conserve the resources of the Lamprey River.

The Lamprey River Watershed Association (LRWA) was formed in 1980 to promote the restoration, conservation, wise development and use of the natural resources of the Lamprey River Watershed. Conserving fish and wildlife, forests, soil and water resources along with pollution abatement are key goals of the Association. Through education and research, the LRWA works to increase the understanding among citizens about the importance of water and land conservation in the watershed. The Lamprey River Watershed Association works in partnership with other conservation organizations and citizen groups to maintain or improve the natural health and beauty of the watershed. The Lamprey Watershed Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

The objective of this agreement is to facilitate the continued implementation of the Lamprey National Wild and Scenic River designation by furthering an established partnership between the LRWA and NPS as outlined in the Lamprey River Management Plan (2007). Within this overall objective, sub-components include: facilitating the transfer of appropriated funds to the LRWA for expenditure in accordance with the Lamprey River Management Plan and on behalf of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee representing the towns of Epping, Lee, Durham and Newmarket; facilitating the undertaking of specific projects approved by the Lamprey River Advisory Committee by acting as the LRAC’s fiduciary agent. Projects as outlined in the Lamprey River Management Plan include: Water Quality, Instream Flow, Wildlife and Ecology, Land Protection, History and Archeology, Recreation, Project Review and Comment, and Outreach and Public Education.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Lamprey River Watershed Association agrees to:

1. Work cooperatively with NPS, Lamprey River Advisory Committee, and the Towns of Lee, Epping, Newmarket, and Durham, New Hampshire in the development of specific workplans to implement this Agreement and achieve the mutually agreed upon objectives of the Lamprey River Management Plan.

2. Work closely with the NPS and Lamprey River Advisory Committee to develop specific plans to publicize and educate the public about the Lamprey River Management Plan (2007) and its recommended actions.

3. Serve as the fiduciary agent for the Lamprey River Advisory Committee in the expenditure of funds provided subsequent to this Agreement, and to not expend any funds under this Agreement without approval of the LRAC (Epping, Lee, Durham and Newmarket members) and NPS.

4. Provide such other support as mutually agreed upon and specified in amendments to this Agreement.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial Involvement on the part of the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the NPS will be responsible for the following:

1. Provide professional staff to work in partnership with the LRWA in the design and completion of specific projects and initiatives undertaken as a result of this Agreement.

2. Provide funding as available through appropriations for the execution of agreed upon objectives and the undertaking of mutually agreed upon projects.

3. Recognize LRWA participation and give appropriate credit in all efforts which benefit from this collaboration.

4. Review and analyze program results regularly with LRWA.

5. Provide such other support as mutually agreed upon and specified in amendments to this Agreement.

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.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION

Single Source Justification Description:

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. The subject activity to be funded is a modification to existing Cooperative Agreement P11AC40845.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The “Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Act of 1996” amended the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (PL 90-542) to include a segment of the Lamprey River in New Hampshire as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

PL 90-542 authorizes and encourages the cooperative planning for conservation of existing and potential components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

16 U.S.C. § 1g authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS-appropriated funds State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private non-profit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs.

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