Notice of Intent to Award (NOI).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 without competition.

ABSTRACT

Funding Announcement Number NPS-17-NERO-0156 Project Title Missisquoi and Trout Wild and Scenic River

Assistance Recipient Missisquoi River Basin Association Anticipated Federal Funding $99,000 Non-federal Cost Share N/A Anticipated Period of Performance October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2020 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority 16 USC 101702(a); 16 USC 1281(e) CFDA # and Title 15.962 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Single Source Justification Criteria 2 Point of Contact Heidi Wiley, Grants Management Specialist

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this Agreement is to advance implementation of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in 2014 were designated into the National Wild and Scenic River System by Congress for their free-flow, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values. The National Park Service manages the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in partnership with the State of Vermont, the municipalities of Berkshire, Enosburgh/Enosburg Falls, Montgomery, Richford, Troy/North Troy, and Westfield, the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee, and the Missisquoi River Basin Association.

The Missisquoi River Basin Association is the principal non-profit conservation organization devoted to conservation, management, and public education associated with the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers.

The Recipient was the principal local sponsor for conducting the Wild and Scenic River Study and performed a central role in developing community support for the eventual Congressional designation. The Missisquoi River Basin Association has a long history of working with state and federal agencies on conservation, restoration and public education initiatives associated with the Missisquoi River and its tributaries, including the Trout River.

The Agreement furthers an established partnership between the Recipient and NPS and advances implementation of the 2013 Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Study Management Plan (Management Plan). Within this overall objective, sub-components include: facilitating the transfer of appropriated funds to the Recipient for expenditure in accordance with the Management Plan and on behalf of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee representing the municipalities of Berkshire, Enosburgh/Enosburg Falls, Montgomery, Richford, Troy/North Troy, and Westfield; and facilitating the undertaking of specific projects approved by the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee by acting as the Committee’s fiduciary agent. Projects as outlined in the Management Plan include: Scenic and Recreational Resources, Natural Resources, Water Quality, Instream Flow, and Historic and Cultural Resources.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Work cooperatively with NPS, Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee, and the municipalities of Berkshire, Enosburgh/Enosburg Falls, Montgomery, Richford, Troy/North Troy, and Westfield, Vermont in the development of specific work plans to implement this Agreement and achieve the mutually agreed upon objectives of the Management Plan.

2. Work closely with the NPS and Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee to develop specific plans to publicize and educate the public about the Management Plan and its recommended actions.

3. Serve as the fiduciary agent for the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee in the expenditure of funds provided subsequent to this Agreement, and to not expend any funds under this Agreement without approval of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee and NPS.

4. Provide such other support as mutually agreed upon and specified in amendments to this Agreement.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Provide professional staff to work in partnership with the Missisquoi River Basin Association in the design and completion of specific projects and initiatives undertaken as a result of this Agreement.

2. Provide funding as available through appropriations for the execution of agreed upon objectives and the undertaking of mutually agreed upon projects.

3. Recognize Recipient participation and give appropriate credit in all efforts which benefit from this collaboration.

4. Review and analyze program results regularly with Recipient.

5. Provide such other support as mutually agreed upon and specified in amendments to this

Agreement.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) and National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 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, 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 through competition.;

(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.

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

This modification provides continued funding for the existing Cooperative Agreement (CA) between the National Park Service and the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA). MRBA was selected based on its unique purposes and its long history of working with state and federal agencies on conservation, restoration and public education initiatives associated with the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers. The purpose of this CA is to implement the 2013 Management Plan which seeks to protect and enhance the Missisquoi and Trout Wild and Scenic Rivers in Vermont. The MRBA serves as the fiduciary agent for the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee (Committee), with whom the NPS is legislatively directed (PL 113-291) to cooperate in implementing the Management Plan. MRBA works closely with the NPS and the Committee on conservation of the natural and cultural values of the Missisquoi and Trout Wild & Scenic Rivers, advancing the public enjoyment and understanding of these resources, and other river related projects.