NOI P15AC00827 Mod 3.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award a modification to a previously single source justified master cooperative agreement.

ABSTRACT

Funding Announcement Number NPS-17-NERO-0076

Project Title York Wild and Scenic Rivers Study Assistance

Recipient Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

Anticipated Federal Funding $60,000

Non-federal Cost Share $0

Anticipated Period of Performance Through June 30, 2019

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Statutory Authority 16 USC 1282(b)(1); PL 113-291; 54 USC

101702(a)

CFDA # and Title 15.962 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

Single Source Justification Criteria (2) Continuation

Point of Contact Patrick Reidy, Grants Management Specialist, ph 215-597-5949

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The York River, together with its estuary and tributaries, were designated for study as a potential

National Wild and Scenic River (WSR) in December 2014 pursuant to enactment of PL 113-291 (The

CARL LEVIN AND HOWARD P. ‘‘BUCK’’ McKEON NATIONAL DEFENSE

AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015). Consistent with NPS policy, and as encouraged and authorized under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it is the intent of the NPS to conduct the WSR Study in close cooperation with local stakeholders and communities.

The WELLS RESERVE is the principal non-profit conservation organization devoted to conservation, management, and public education associated with the York River and watershed.

WELLS RESERVE is dedicated to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Maine through integrated research, education, stewardship, and community partnerships, and is devoted to advancing scientific understanding and knowledge of the York River, its estuary and watershed.

WELLS RESERVE in this capacity has been the principal local sponsor developing community support to undertake the Wild and Scenic River Study based on an understanding that WELLS

RESERVE will play a central role in convening and conducting the Study. Local community votes taken in support of the Study were all based upon the commitment of the NPS to conduct the Study in this fashion, which is consistent with NPS policy and past precedent.;

The WELLS RESERVE has a long history of working with state and federal agencies on conservation, restoration and public education initiatives associated with the York River, its estuary and tributaries. They have close ties into the affected communities of the watershed. NPS has determined that the public benefit of the study will be maximized through a cooperative agreement approach to the Study. The Study will: 1) evaluate the potential to “preserve for the benefit of this and future generations” the outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational attributes of the York River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System; and 2) increase the public’s awareness and commitment to such preservation.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Convene, facilitate, and coordinate the York River Wild and Scenic River Study, including community and interest group involvement through the York Wild and Scenic River Study

Committee (Study Committee) and other committees/subcommittees as may be necessary and mutually agreed upon.

2. Provide planning, mapping, and other services to the Study and the Study Committee as mutually agreed upon and consistent with priorities established by the NPS, WELLS

RESERVE and the Study Committee.

3. Seek technical assistance from the NPS regarding Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requirements, and follow such assistance when provided.

4. Undertake, through direct support or subcontracting as necessary such other tasks and duties as may be mutually agreed upon. WELLS RESERVE shall be responsible for any subcontracting deemed necessary and mutually agreed upon.

NPS and WELLS RESERVE agree to:

1. Work together in partnership with the Study Committee to design, develop and implement

Study workplan elements to meet NPS and local community objectives related to understanding the resources of the York River, and planning for the conservation and public education related to those resources.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Work with WELLS RESERVE in the coordination of Study activities and the conduct of all mutually agreed upon tasks.

2. Assist WELLS RESERVE in successfully meeting all required study components, including findings of ‘eligibility’ and ‘suitability’ for designation. This will require the

“substantial involvement” of the NPS in design and conduct of all study activities and products.

3. Provide ongoing technical assistance to WELLS RESERVE related to the policy and legislative requirements of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to ensure that work products, processes and outcomes meet those requirements.

4. Provide funding, subject to the availability of funds, to accomplish mutually agreed upon tasks. Additional funding may be provided in modifications to this agreement.

5.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) and National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 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, for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. A single source on the basis of continuation must demonstrate that competition would result in a substantial duplicate cost to the government that cannot be recovered through competition.;

(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.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of, an activity presently being funded, for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. A single source on the basis of continuation must demonstrate that competition would result in a substantial duplicate cost to the government that cannot be recovered through competition.

This is a continuation of Cooperative Agreement P15AC00827, which was signed July 14, 2015.