notice-of-intent-pr 0020076441-greeninfo.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

larry@greeninfo.org

OVERVIEW

This proposed project will continue a partnership with GreenInfo to further mutual interests in development of protected lands data and their use in conservation decision making. Currently, the USGS is completing version 1.4 of its National Protected Areas Database of the US (PAD-US) http://gapanalysis.usgs.gov/padus/ and is in the late stages of developing technology for a version 2.0 which is intended to facilitate data delivery into a variety of standardized applications, while providing improved accessibility to the database for users who have unique needs for customized information.

These developmental processes have been complex since standardization for federal-level data and available attributes is ongoing, and similar standardization at state and local levels can only be achieved through encouragement and incentives. State level protection and ownership data are widely more diverse than federal data and local level information is more complicated and incomplete than state data. Constant communication, research, and nurture are essential towards the USGS goal of improving PAD-US and making it more complete at local government levels and for public easements and access. GreenInfo could continue to provide an essential link to data providers and other key actors, and provides both the tools and communication links that will make mutual interests possible.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The following activities would be completed under this award:

Task One Convene a study involving wide participation of federal, state and local interests to better communicate purposes and needs of protected lands data systems and to further mutual interests in expanding data to include public access and recreational purposes.

Task Two Develop a report, patterned after GreenInfo’s Map of the Future that explains the framework for a protected areas data partnership, based on completion of task one.

Task Three Develop data for communications strategies, documents, and web content that explain the purposes of existing protected lands efforts such as PAD-US and state/local efforts, a related biodiversity data information system currently under development by the USGS, and how involvement by partners can be used to further mutual interests.

Task Four

Continue to support development and implementation of PAD-US 2.0 technology in coordination with PAD-US staff and protected areas data users. This technology will improve accessibility to the database for users who have unique needs for customized information

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:

USGS will provide input on entities to include in a study to communicate purposes/needs of protected lands data systems. USGS will provide review of the report explaining the framework for a protected areas data partnership. USGS will provide periodic review of data products related to communication strategies, documents, and web content to ensure proper explanation of protected lands efforts in order to promote involvement by partners. USGS will be responsible for providing technical advice and review of PAD-US 2.0 technology.

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:

GreenInfo is a non-profit (501c3) organization with a mission to help create, analyze, visualize and communicate information in the public interest. The organization has a long history in working with protected lands data and was the primary actor in creating C-PAD (California Protected Areas Database). C-PAD is a spatial database of California which has been informally adopted as the standard for state protected lands data across the US. GreenInfo’s mission, which has historically focused on public lands and environmental issues, and effective communication and use of data for decision making, has made it of interest to the USGS as it has expanded its role in the standardization of spatial and other data related to public lands boundaries, management, and their application towards conservation of biodiversity.

Several years ago, GreenInfo was awarded a grant from the Doris Duke Foundation to lead the organization of groups working on protected areas spatial and other information in the US. In addition to their state lands expertise, GreenInfo coordinates federal partners to develop the aggregation of recreation based areas in the PAD-US. This proposal requires expertise not only in protected areas data information systems, but the actual organizational and political landscapes which affect the use of this national data set. GreenInfo also specializes in the presentation of spatial data to answer conservation and recreation questions. GreenInfo is uniquely qualified for the work described in this funding opportunity.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

43 USC 1457b:

For fiscal year 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with a State or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization if the agreement will:

(1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Department of the Interior; and

(2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives. At the discretion of the Secretary, such agreements shall not be subject to a competitive process.

43 U.S.C. 36d:

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.

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