Notice of Intent to Award (NOI) P16AC00754 Mod 1.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-0189 Project Title Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River

– Land Protection; River Recipient Natural Lands Trust Anticipated Federal Funding $71,000 Non-federal Cost Share None Anticipated Period of Performance Through July 15, 2021 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement P16AC00754 Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a); 16 USC 1282(b)(1) CFDA # and Title 15.962 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Single Source Justification Criteria (4) Unique Qualifications Point of Contact Heidi_wiley@nps.gov (215) 597-0056

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this Agreement is to advance implementation of the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Plan. In 2000, Congress designated the Lower Delaware River into the National Wild and Scenic River System for its free-flow, water quality, and “outstandingly remarkable” natural, cultural, and recreational values. The National Park Service manages the Lower Delaware River in partnership with the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic Management Council, which consists of representatives with an interest in protecting and conserving the resources of the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. Members include representatives of state, county and municipal government along with various non-government organizations.

The Natural Lands Trust is a regional non-profit conservation organization and land trust devoted to the preservation, conservation, and wise management of critical natural and cultural resources within the greater Delaware River watershed. The Recipient has played a key leadership role on the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Council over the last 5 years in implementing the conservation actions envisioned by the Lower Delaware River Management Plan of 1997. The Natural Lands Trust has a long history of working with state and federal agencies on conservation, restoration, and public education initiatives associated with the Delaware River and its tributaries.

The Agreement further establishes the partnership between the Recipient and the NPS and advances implementation of the 1997 Lower Delaware River Management Plan (here after referred to as River Management Plan) & 2007 Lower Delaware River Management Plan Update. Within this overall objective, sub-components include: facilitating the transfer of appropriated funds to the Recipient for expenditure in accordance with the River Management Plan and on behalf of the Lower Delaware River Wild and Scenic Council, and facilitating the undertaking of specific projects approved by the Lower Delaware Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee by acting as the Committee’s fiduciary agent.

mailto:Heidi_wiley@nps.gov

Projects as outlined in the River Management Plan may include: Scenic and Recreational Resources, Natural Resources, Water Quality, Instream Flow, and Historic and Cultural Resources.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

Natural Lands Trust Agrees To:

1. Work cooperatively with the NPS and the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Council to implement this Agreement and the attached workplan (Attachment A) to achieve the mutually agreed upon objectives of the River Management Plan.

2. Work closely with the NPS and the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Council 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 Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Council in the expenditure of funds provided subsequent to this Agreement, and to not expend any funds under this Agreement without approval of the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Management Council and the NPS.

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

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

The NPS agrees to:

1. Provide professional staff to work in partnership with the Natural Lands Trust in the design and completion of specific projects and initiatives undertaken as a result of this Agreement.

2. Provide financial assistance in accordance with Article VI.

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:

(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.