NOTICE OF INTENT UH .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-FA-0011

Project Title Science Needs Assessment to support management of Loko i'a resources and practices critical to the Native Hawaiian Community

Recipient University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Anticipated Federal Amount $80,000

Cost Share 0 Total Anticipated Award Amount $80,000

New Award or Continuation? New

Anticipated Period of Performance March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement CFDA # and Title 15.820 National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science

Center/Climate Adaptation Science Centers USGS Point of Contact Janet Cushing, jcushing@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

The U. S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC) and the Department of the Interior Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (DOI PI CASC) request a cooperative agreement to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH) for research titled “Science Needs Assessment to support management of Loko i'a resources and practices critical to the Native Hawaiian Community.” This project seeks to support, facilitate, assess and synthesize the research needs and information gaps of loko i‘a across the Hawaiian Islands to provide information for resource managers to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient will conduct a research needs assessment of kai'i loko (fishpond operators) across Hawai'i to identify science needs associated with building resilience and adapting to changing climate conditions. The recipient will utilize existing relationships and activities of the Hui

Malama Loko i'a (Hui) network of fishpond practioners and organizations to discuss how changing climate scenarios will alter immediate and long-term management practices.

Additionally, the recipient will lead an effort to build community collaboration and trust, to test approaches and options for adaptation, and to create a potential network of experts (academic researchers and fishpond managers) ready to implement projects. Much of their efforts will take place at a planned annual larger gathering of the Hui in Spring 2019, as well as in smaller focused workshops pre and post Hui meeting. The project will result in the first comprehensive compilation of the research ideas and needs within the community of fishpond managers, landowners, and stewardship organizations to inform adaptation of fishpond practices toward their resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing climate.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

PI CASC involvement will include regular project monitoring (including but not limited to semi-annual progress reports plus in person meetings), annual reports, and routine fiscal monitoring.

The PI CASC will work closely with the recipient to ensure all data management requirements are met. The PI-CASC will work closely with the recipient to provide input into agency calls for information, to track and document productivity (e.g., presentations, publications) and information transfer activities (e.g. workshops, meetings), to communicate with members of the Hui, and to share lessons learned across the PI CASC network and the other seven regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers. A PI CASC consortium member from University of Hawaii at Hilo serves as a Co-Investigator on the project and will support the team members as needed and assist in guiding research and management collaboration. PI CASC will work with the recipient to close out the project, ensuring administrative and scientific completion.

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).

(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.

Single Source Justification Description:

Loko i'a (fishpond) practices are the result of over a thousand years of generational knowledge, experimentation, and adaptation. Loko i'a hold an important and significant place in the culture and history of native Hawaiians. Management, preservation, and use of the loko i'a brings the Hui together annually to share knowledge. While the Hui has met annually for several years, the content and subject matter of these meetings has never specifically addressed climate adaptation.

This project offers the first opportunity to address a pressing issue facing kai'i loko today.

The recipient and its subawardee, Kua'āina Ulu ' Auamo (KUA) program, hold decades of experience working with native Hawaiian communities, kai'i loko, and climate and environmental management issues around the islands. This experience is not only unique but necessary for establishing trust within the Hui and successfully fulfilling the project goals. Over the last two years, UH Sea Grant and KUA worked directly with kai'i loko He'eia Fishpond to develop a process, Kulana Noi'i (research standards), to foster meaningful equal relationships between researchers and community. They will use this established process to facilitate, assess, and synthesize research needs and information gaps, to accelerate documentation and perpetuation of traditional ecological knowledge, grow collaborations and partnerships between at least 30 loko i'a and 100 kai'i loko, and improve relationships between kai'i loko and academic research institutions.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

- Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Div. F, Title I (P.L. 110-161)

- USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State and academic partners) § 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.