Notice of Intent To Award _NatureServe_2018.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award financial assistance for the following project activities. Refer to Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination.

ABSTRACT

Grants.gov Opportunity Number Project Title NatureServe BioBlitz Data Analysis and Great Basin Landscape Re Recipient NatureServe

Anticipated Federal Funding $50,000.00

Non-Federal Cost Share Total Anticipated Award Amount $150,000.00

Award Instrument ✔Task Agreement

Cooperative Agreement

Grant Agreement

Anticipated Period of Performance May 2018 - May 2021

Legal Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & 54 USC 100704

CFDA # and Title 15.921 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance

Single Source Justification Criteria

National Park Service Point of Contact Kriston_Barnes@nps.gov

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE

The scientific community and/or researchers external to NPS gain new knowledge provided through research and related results disseminations of natural, cultural and/or historical resource information. This project will also promote greater public and private participation in natural resource preservation programs and activities

Section 1. Project Summary

The National Park Service has been sponsoring major annual bioblitzes on parks in partnership with National Geographic Society for the last ten years, acquiring tens of thousands of citizen science observations in this process. To date, NPS has not extensively evaluated or analyzed the data generated. To fill this gap, NatureServe will assist the NPS to review, organize, and assess the results o these bioblitzes for their scientific value and other potential benefits to park management. NatureServe will also suggest analyses that could be performed using bioblitz data alone and in combination with other data. The assessment will be divided into the two periods of NPS bioblitz history – those conducted before and after the use of the iNaturalist online platform to register observations. NatureServe will also explore with NPS staff the types of analyses of bioblitz data that would be most useful to inform park resource management, and that would increase the scientific and public engagement impact for future NPS bioblitzes.

mailto:Kriston_Barnes@nps.gov

STATEMENT OF WORK SUMMARY

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

A. The recipient shall be responsible for the following items under this agreement:

B. The NPS Responsibilities:

✔A task agreement is proposed;

A cooperative agreement is proposed;

therefore substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will:

1. Substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will be responsible for the following:

a. NPS will Provide NatureServe with all relevant data and information to perform the analysis

b. Provide the cooperator with maps, reports, photography, and databases containing information relative to Great Basin National Park

A grant agreement is proposed, therefore no substantial involvement on the part of the NPS is anticipated for the successful completion of the statement of work. It is anticipated that involvement will be limited to actions related to monitoring project performance and technical assistance at the request of the recipient.

NatureServe will assist the NPS to review, organize, and assess the results of national bioblitzes for their scientific value and other potential benefits to park management. NatureServe will also suggest analyses that could be performed using bioblitz data alone and in combination with other data. The assessment will be divided into the two periods of NPS bioblitz history – those conducted before and after the use of the iNaturalist online platform to register observations.

NatureServe will also explore with NPS staff the types of analyses of bioblitz data that would be most useful to inform park resource management, and that would increase the scientific and public engagement impact for future NPS bioblitzes.

1. The Recipient shall carry out the Statement of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein.

The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable.

2. Assess the scientific defensibility of BioBlitz data provided to them from NPS.

3. Determine mechanisms for extracting BioBlitz data from iNaturalist in a useful manner for park managers.

4. Provide recommendations for next steps in Biodiversity discovery with iNaturallist

5. Update text and analysis with new information generated through the Great Basin Natural Resources Condition Assessment (initiated during the development of the landscape Analysis)

6. Complete final review and edit of text and data interpretation of Landscape Analysis

7. Revise GIS products developed through the condition assessment

The National Park Service intends to award a task agreement under a previously competed or single source justified award.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified cooperative agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified grant agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable. The justification must address one of the following criteria.

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, for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. A single source on the basis of continuation must demonstrate that competition would result in a substantial duplicate cost to the government that cannot be recovered throughcompetition;

(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, 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.

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

Task Agreement issued under previously competed or single source master cooperative agreement per Section 2 above. Single Source Justification not applicable.

Unsolicited Proposal

Legislative Intent

Continuation

Unique Qualifications

Emergency

Explanation of the proposed recipient’s qualifications or the criteria of the proposed project which requires use of the single source criteria cited.

Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination

Section 3. Single Source Justification

This award will support the following DOI Secretary priority(ies):

Other Key Initiatives:

Employment of veterans.

Supporting DOI Infrastructure needs.

Creating jobs in the American economy.

Access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Priority 1: Creatingaconservationstewardshiplegacysecondonlyto Teddy Roosevelt

Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

Examine land use planning process and land use designations that govern public use and access.

Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review process while maintaining environmental standards.

Review DOI water storage, transportation, and distribution systems to identify opportunities to resolve conflicts and expand capacity.

Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing.

Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to access.

Priority 2: Utilizing our natural resources

Ensure American energy is available to meet our security and economic needs.

Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare earth minerals.

Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire 'healthy forests' lifecycle.

Manage competition for grazing resources.

Priority 3: Restoring trust with local communities Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands.

Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Section 4. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Priorities

Priority 4: Ensuring sovereignty means something Support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty.

Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories.

Priority 5: Generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests Ensure that the public receives the full market value for the natural resources produced on Federal lands.

Ensure that fees or costs levied for DOI services are reasonable and targeted to achieve cost recovery.

Consider the impact of DOI decisions on economic development and job creation.

Priority 6: Protecting our people and the border

Actively support efforts to secure our southern border.

Ensure DOI law enforcement staffing addresses public safety risks anticipated on DOI land.

Promote a "public service" demeanor within our law enforcement community.

Priority 7: Striking a regulatory balance

Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S.

industry and the public.

Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Priority 8: Modernizing our infrastructure

Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure.

Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate private sector efforts to construct infrastructure projects serving American needs.

Prioritize DOI infrastructure needs to highlight:

1. Construction of infrastructure;

2. Cyclical maintenance;

3. Deferred maintenance.

Priority 9: Reorganizing for the next 100 years

Improve alignment and integration of the DOI organizational structure. Redistribute organizational resources (people and funding) to enhance mission achievement and improved public service.

Improve organizational alignment with Executive Branch counterparts with major land management assets or influence.

Priority 10: Achieving our goals and leading our team forward

Senior executives are expected to provide leadership in achieving goals of the President and the Secretary.

The Management Team is expected to:

1. Ensure cost-effective operations and quality service to thepublic;

2. Facilitate organizational cooperation and conflict resolution;

3. Ensure the workplace environment is conducive to employee productivity and safety;

4. Hold individuals accountable for actions that violate DOI policies and requirements.

The proposed project does not support any of the DOI Secretary priorities, but the project is being funded for the following reasons: