Notice of Intent.doc

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

The proposed cooperative agreement pertains to the work of the Center for the Study of Active

Volcanoes (CSAV) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) in conducting research and analysis of Hawaii’s volcanoes and related volcanic hazards and risks. Project objectives include: maintenance, collection, processing and visualization of data from monitoring instruments installed in Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in collaboration with Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff; support for students working in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and other CSAV staff; technical and software development for continued implementation of the VALVE software, development of web-based publication of hazards and risk information, and other software development to facilitate data collection and analysis; and collaborative work with HVO staff on the analysis of eruptive products associated with Kilauea’s ongoing eruption, and development and population of an information database on prior eruptions of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Co-Principal Investigator and Project Director Donald Thomas and the HVO Scientist-in-Charge will provide coordination between UHH and HVO for continuing staff support related to volcano monitoring and hazard assessment activities. An UHH software engineer along with HVO IT staff will implement software used to support volcano monitoring and hazard analysis. Assistant Geologists and a post doctoral student will be appointed at UHH to collaborate with HVO geologists to document and characterize Kilauea’s ongoing eruption including sample collection and geochemical characterization, video and photo documentation of eruptive activity, establishment of a new archive database of eruption information, and traditional and digital mapping of lava flows as they evolve. UHH will provide support for a data and risk analyst who will compile a variety of data sets to analyze volcanic and associated risks on the Island of Hawaii, and develop informational products on those risks.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the USGS HVO will be substantially involved with the Principle Investigators from the CSAV in technical objectives related to geodetic, petrologic and seismic data collection, analysis and interpretation, in conjunction with HVO's volcano monitoring and hazard mitigation mission. USGS scientists will also be directly involved in continued development of monitoring software, risk assessments, and informational eruption databases along with collaborating staff from UHH.

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.

(6) Cooperative Agreements - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners) or DOI Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 1457b (not-for-profit organizations).

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

(2) CONTINUATION

Single Source Justification Description:

No other cooperators were considered because the UHH has worked to improve volcano monitoring and hazard mitigation for the Hawaii volcanoes for many years, and no other group would have the degree of commitment to volcanic and earthquake hazards activities that the UHH has exhibited. The professional staff of the UHH possesses the necessary scientific credentials relevant to the operation, development and analysis of information relating to the Hawaiian volcanoes. The Principal Investigator is of high scientific stature in the international community as Director of the Cednter for the Study of Active Volcanoes. He and his associated scientific and technical staff are uniquely qualified to undertake the proposed work.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The U.S. Geological Survey’s authority to fund Federal, State, and academic cooperators for research and data collection is contained in 43 U.S. Code Chapter 2 § 36d, which reads:

TITLE 43 - PUBLIC LANDS

CHAPTER 2 - UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

§ 36d. Cooperative agreements

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the United States Geological Survey is authorized to continue existing, and on and after November 10, 2003, to enter into new cooperative agreements directed towards a particular cooperator, in support of joint research and data collection activities with Federal, State, and academic partners funded by appropriations herein, including those that provide for space in cooperator facilities.

(Pub. L. 108–108, title I, Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1254.)

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