NOI SRPEDD P17AC01090.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-0101

Project Title Taunton Wild and Scenic River Assistance

Recipient Southeast Region Planning and Economic

Development District

Anticipated Federal Funding $99,500.00

Non-federal Cost Share N/A

Anticipated Period of Performance Through August 31, 2022

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

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

PL111-11

CFDA # and Title 15.962 – Wild and Scenic River Assistance

Single Source Justification Criteria Legislative Intent and Unique Qualifications

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Background – This Agreement replaces P12AC31129 and continues the work program begun under that Agreement to implement the community-based management plan for the Taunton River, a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. SRPEDD has an established history of planning for the conservation and wise use of the Taunton River and its natural, cultural, and recreational resources, and is the established agency charged with local planning assistance to the affected Taunton River communities. SRPEDD has been selected by the Taunton River Stewardship

Council to serve as fiscal agent for the receipt and expenditure of NPS funds through cooperative agreements, as specified in the Taunton River Stewardship Plan (the official Comprehensive River

Management Plan for the Taunton Wild and Scenic River designation).

Objective – The objective of the Cooperative Agreement is to stimulate the long-term capacity of SRPEDD and the communities that SRPEDD represents to plan for the conservation and management of the Taunton 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 PL111-11, March 30, 2009, which established the Taunton River Stewardship Plan as the CRMP for the Taunton Wild and Scenic River, to be implemented through cooperative agreements as specified in said Plan. SRPEDD is uniquely positioned as the local planning entity that ties the

Taunton River communities together, and has a longstanding history of planning in concert with those communities for the future of the Taunton River. 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 SRPEDD, the local communities, and the other partner organizations of the Taunton River Stewardship Council to plan for and protect the Taunton River.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Work cooperatively with NPS, the Taunton 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 Taunton River Stewardship Plan.

2. Work closely with the NPS and Taunton River Stewardship Council to develop specific plans to educate the public about the Taunton River, the Taunton River Stewardship Plan and its recommended actions.

3. Serve as the fiduciary agent for the Taunton 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.

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 SRPEDD 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 SRPEDD participation and give appropriate credit in all efforts which benefit from this collaboration.

4. Review and analyze program results regularly with SRPEDD.

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

PL111-11 directs the NPS to administer the Taunton Wild and Scenic River designation, and implement the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, in partnership with the Taunton River Stewardship

Council. The Council has chosen SRPEDD 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. SRPEDD is thus uniquely qualified as a member of the Council that has been chosen by vote of the Council to serve as its fiscal agent.

PL111-11 requires the NPS to implement the Plan and WSR designation through the Council.