NOI P17AC01537.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-0176

Project Title Farmington Wild and Scenic River Assistance

Recipient Farmington River Watershed Association

Anticipated Federal Funding $100,000

Non-federal Cost Share No

Anticipated Period of Performance Through September 30, 2022

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Statutory Authority PL 103-313; 54 USC 101702(a);

16 USC 1282(b)(1)

CFDA # and Title 15.962 – National Wild and Scenic Rivers

System

Single Source Justification Criteria Legislative Intent/Unique Qualifications

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A. This Agreement replaces P12AC31052 and continues the work program begun under that

Agreement to implement the community-based management plan for the Farmington River, a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. FRWA has an established history of planning for the conservation and recreational use of the Farmington River and its natural, cultural, and recreational resources, and is the established organization working with the affected Farmington

River communities on broader watershed-wide issues. FRWA has been selected by the Farmington

River Coordinating Committee to serve as fiscal agent for the receipt and expenditure of NPS funds through cooperative agreements, as specified in the Upper Farmington River Management Plan (the official Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Farmington Wild and Scenic River designation).

B. The objective of this agreement is to facilitate the continued implementation of the

Farmington National Wild and Scenic River designation by furthering an established partnership between the FRWA and NPS as outlined in the Upper Farmington River Management Plan (1993 – updated in 2013). Within this overall objective, sub-components include: facilitating the transfer of appropriated funds to the FRWA for expenditure in accordance with the Upper Farmington River

Management Plan and on behalf of the Farmington River Coordinating Committee representing the towns of Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland, and New Hartford; facilitating the undertaking of specific projects approved by the Farmington River Coordinating Committee by acting as the

FRCC's fiduciary agent. Such projects as outlined in the Upper Farmington River Management Plan include: Water Quality, In-stream Flow, Wildlife and Ecology, Land Protection, History and

Archeology, Recreation, Project Review and Comment, and Education and Outreach.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Work cooperatively with NPS, Farmington River Coordinating Committee, and the Towns of

Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland, and New Hartford, Connecticut in the development of specific work plans to implement this Agreement and achieve the mutually agreed upon objectives of the Upper Farmington River Management Plan.

2. Work closely with the NPS and Farmington River Coordinating Committee to develop specific plans to publicize and educate the public about the Upper Farmington River Management

Plan (1993 – updated 2013) and its recommended actions.

3. Serve as the fiduciary agent for the Farmington River Coordinating Committee in the expenditure of funds provided subsequent to this Agreement and not to expend any funds under this agreement without approval of the other FRCC core members -- Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland, New Hartford, Metropolitan District Commission, CT DEEP, and NPS.

4. 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 the FRWA 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 FRWA participation and give appropriate credit in all efforts which benefit from this collaboration.

4.Review and analyze program results regularly with FRW A.

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 103-313 directs the NPS to administer the Farmington Wild and Scenic River designation, and implement the Upper Farmington River Management Plan, in partnership with the Farmington River

Coordinating Committee. The FRCC has chosen FRWA as the Committee 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 Committee in implementation of the plan. FRWA is thus uniquely qualified as a member of the FRCC that has been chosen by vote of the Committee to serve as fiscal agent. PL

103-313 requires the NPS to implement the Plan and WSR designation through the FRCC. Based on these factors no other entity could fulfill this purpose for the Farmington Wild and Scenic River.