NOI P17AC01198.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 financial assistance for the following project activities without competition.

ABSTRACT

Funding Announcement Number NPS-17-NERO-0111

Project Title Sudbury, Assabet, Concord (SuAsCo) Wild and

Scenic River Assistance

Recipient Sudbury Valley Trustees

Anticipated Federal Funding $100,000

Non-federal Cost Share No

Anticipated Period of Performance Through August 1, 2022

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Statutory Authority 54 U.S.C. §101702(a); 16 U.S.C. §1281(e); PL

106-20

CFDA # and Title 15.962 – Wild and Scenic River Assistance

Single Source Justification Criteria Legislative Intent; Unique Qualifications

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A. Background – This Agreement replaces P12AC30966 and continues the work program begun under that Agreement to implement the community-based management plan for the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord River (SuAsCo), a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers

System. Sudbury Valley Trustees has an established history of planning for the conservation and wise use of the SuAsCo Wild and Scenic and its natural, cultural, and recreational resources, and is the established agency charged with local planning assistance to the affected SuAsCo River communities. SVT has been selected by the SuAsCo River Stewardship Council to serve as fiscal agent for the receipt and expenditure of NPS funds through cooperative agreements, as specified in the SuAsCo Conservation Plan (the official Comprehensive River Management Plan for the

SuAsCo Wild and Scenic River designation).

B. Objective – The objective of the Cooperative Agreement is to build the long-term capacity of

Sudbury Valley Trustees and the communities that SVT represents to plan for the conservation and management of the SuAsCo Wild and Scenic River and its natural cultural and recreational resources, consistent with the purposes of Section 11(b)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and as specified in PL106-20, March 16, 1995, which established the SuAsCo Conservation Plan as the Comprehensive River Management Plan for the SuAsCo Wild and Scenic River, to be implemented through cooperative agreements as specified in said Plan. SVT is uniquely positioned as a local planning entity that ties the SuAsCo River communities together, and has a longstanding history of planning in concert with those communities for the future of the region.

This Cooperative Agreement will serve to both bring the best available planning and conservation expertise to the implementation of the Wild and Scenic River designation, and to strengthen the long-term capability of SVT, the local communities, and the other partner organizations of the

SuAsCo River Stewardship Council to plan for and protect the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord

Rivers.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Work cooperatively with NPS and the SuAsCo River Stewardship Council and its member entities in the development of specific workplans to implement this Agreement and achieve the mutually agreed upon objectives of the River Conservation Plan.

2. Serve as the fiduciary agent for the SuAsCo River Stewardship Council in the expenditure of funds provided subsequent to this Agreement, and to not expend any funds under this

Agreement without approval of the Stewardship Council and NPS.

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

Agreement.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

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

2. Provide funding as available through appropriations, and in accordance with Article VI, for the execution of agreed upon objectives and the undertaking of mutually agreed upon projects.

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

4. Review and analyze program results regularly with SVT.

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

Agreement.

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:

(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;

PL 106-20 requires the NPS to implement the SuAsCo River Conservation Plan and Wild and

Scenic River designation in partnership with the River Stewardship Council. The Council has chosen Sudbury Valley Trustees as the Council member best suited to serve as Fiscal Agent to enter into a cooperative agreement with the NPS as a vehicle for providing financial assistance to the Council in the implementation of the Plan. SVT has been serving this role since the designation, and is thus uniquely qualified as a member of the Council that has been chosen by a vote of the Council and as best suited to serve this role. Opening this agreement up to competition would have an adverse effect on the overall functioning of the Council. Based on these factors no other entity could fulfill this purpose for the SuAsCo Wild and Scenic River.

SVT has been voted as best candidate by River Stewardship Council unanimously

SVT has served in this role since designation, for 20+ years, succeeding in fiscal management and all aspects of partnership, and is thus uniquely experienced in serving in this role.

The organization has the supporting staff and resources to serve as fiscal agent for the work of the Council, as well as regional presence and connections