Notice of Intent.pdf

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

Funding

Announcement

USGS-19-FA0081

Project Title Risk of ecological transformation across the US West and Pinyon woodlands

Recipient Colorado State University, Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Karin Decker, CSU / CO Natural Heritage Program

Anticipated Federal

Amount $10,577.96

Cost Share $0.00

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $10,577.96

New Award or

Continuation?

New Award

Anticipated Period of Performance 3/1/2018 to 9/30/2020 (24 months)

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

CFDA # and Title 15.820 National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center/Climate

Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact Adam Wilke, awilke@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

The U. S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC) and the

Department of the Interior North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center request a two-year grant to Coloraodao State University / Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) to support the non-federal element of this joint project with a USGS Principlal Investigator. The team will work with management partners, undertake analyses of paleo-records from the region, and develop maps and understanding of the risk of ecosystem transformation in pinyon pine regions in the west.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient involvement includes management of a substantial portion of the scientific analysis for this project. The CNHP principal investigator has substantial expertise in a field required for the success of this project. CNHP staff will provide support for the integration of results from other project participants. Specifically, we will assist in integrating results from three perspectives on pinyon transformation (environmental drivers identified from paleoecological record, conditions leading to pinyon mortality, and probability of pinyon regeneration failure) to create range-wide maps of overall risk of existing pinyon systems transforming to other vegetation types. Project deliverables will be produced in cooperation with and under the reporting responsibility of the Principle Investigator at Northern Arizona University.

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:

The DOI NC CASC will be substantially involved with both the USGS PI and

CNHP during the term of the cooperative agreement for assuring that climate research projects are conducted in the locations in the XX Region. This will involve both USGS staff as well as scientists affiliated with NC CASC, at NC

CASC direction, and will include consultation on methods and selection of appropriate data sets and modeling approaches.

The DOI NC CASC Director will review and approve proposed modifications, review and approve requests for supplemental project funding for new objectives, review award balances, and approve sub-grants to consortium members for funding in each Fiscal Year, prior to the award.

The DOI NC CASC will direct and/or redirect the work because of interrelationships with other related NC CASC region climate research projects.

The DOI NC CASC has power to halt immediately an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met.

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 - The research conducted under this project requires the specialized expertise resident at the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) with respect to species abundance, distribution, life history and related topics. The USGS Principal Investigator has identified the CNHP staff as the most qualified for this activity.

Authority

*Consolidated Approporiationsn Act of 2008, Div, F, Title I, P.L. 110-161

* U.S. Code, Title 43, Chapter 2, 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.