Notice of Intent.docx

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 Consortium of Organizations for Strong Motion Observation Systems (COSMOS) was established by a Charter agreement in 1997 to improve the quality of strong‐motion measurements and to make the records easily accessible to the ground‐motion and structural engineering community. In its relatively brief existence, COSMOS has become internationally known for its Virtual Data Center (VDC), which was developed to provide access to downloadable ground‐motion records measured anywhere in the world. COSMOS is now embarking on a new initiative to bring together the international community of strong‐motion data providers and users. This phase of proposed research will attempt to refine, develop, and expand upon ongoing COSMOS activities that serve the interests of network operators, engineering seismologists, practicing geotechnical and structural engineers, and researchers involved in the acquisition and use of strong motion records. The resulting data collected from these activities will allow COSMOS to publish needed guidelines and standards for providing public access to strong‐motion recordings and associated metadata of engineering significance.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

COSMOS proposes four activities: establishment of international guidelines for seismic site characterization using noninvasive techniques; establishment of international guidelines for recording, archiving, and disseminating strong-motion recordings; creation of data handling tools and documentation of legacy data; and implementation of web hosting for the CESMD.

COSMOS will work toward developing standards to significantly improve the format to acquire and analyze strong-motion data via the Internet for purposes of site-specific earthquake resistant design and scientific research.

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, USGS will be responsible for the following:

Several scientists from the USGS will be engaged in the proposed activities. USGS involvement is required to assist in the establishment of consensus standards for strong-motion data formats and data utilization and distribution standards in support of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) and National Strong-Motion Program objectives of the Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) within the USGS.

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:

(4) Unique Qualifications: COSMOS’s construction as a consortium is unique and its data products are therefore of great importance to the USGS/EHP/ANSS as they provide a thorough and informed consensus process for the required standards.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The statutory authority is 43 U.S.C. 1457b.

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