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 University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science supporting seismic monitoring of volcanoes in the Washington and Oregon Cascades through the Pacfic Northwest Seismic Network.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Through this award, the University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science will conduct key functions through the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) such as locating small magnitude earthquakes occurring near (within 20 km radius) and beneath volcanoes in the Cascades of Washington and Oregon; maintaining a calibrated and site-corrected earthquake catalog; providing volcano-specific earthquake alarming; maintaining seismometers; and archiving earthquake data.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. The USGS Scientist-In-Charge of the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) acts as official observatory spokesperson and authoritative voice for issuing timely warnings of hazardous volcanic activity including seismicity. In the event of a volcanic, seismic, or related crisis, the Scientist-In-Charge will coordinate with the Principal Investigator and their related teams of the PNSN to issue timely and coordinated warnings of volcanic activity and volcano unrest. The USGS also ensures that official call down procedures and alerting protocols are followed. The Scientist-in-Charge will take the lead in recommending what additional monitoring and personnel are necessary, and in interpreting the status of activity and scientific interpretation of potential hazards to the public. During such a crisis, and as needed, the USGS will provide additional personnel and technical assistance to provide back-up response capability to the PNSN that assists CVO with seismic monitoring of volcanoes in the Cascades of Washington and Oregon.

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:

(4) Unique Qualifications

Single Source Justification Description:

The University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science is a long standing partner in the Cascades Volcano Observatory and has 21 years of experience in monitoring the seismicity of Washington and Oregon volcanoes through the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN). The staff has deep expertise in cataloging, characterizing, and archiving seismic signals, and the PNSN provides excellent instrument coverage and maintenance. With a long record of seismic monitoring and specific familiarity with the Cascade volcanoes of Washington and Oregon, the University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science is uniquely qualified and ideally located (in Seattle, WA) to assist the USGS Volcano Hazards Program in monitoring Cascades volcanoes.

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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