P20AC00002 NIOB Notice of Intent To Award - final 9-27-19.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 Recipient Anticipated Federal Funding Non-Federal Cost Share Total Anticipated Award Amount

Award Instrument

Anticipated Period of Performance

Legal Authority

CFDA # and Title

Single Source Justification Criteria

National Park Service Point of Contact

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE

Section 1. Project Summary

Task Agreement Cooperative Agreement

Grant Agreement

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:

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.

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. The unsolicited proposal must demonstrate an innovative capability or concept not currently available to the government, and prepared without Government involvement. ;

(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;

(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. Successful past performance, familiarity with existing requirements, capabilities that can be obtained or matched by a competitor, or a positive reputation, are not considered to be 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.

Continuation

Unique Qualifications

Unsolicited Proposal

Legislative Intent

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

Emergency

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.

Section 4. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Priorities

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: Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to 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.

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.

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 the public;

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.

Priority 10: Achieving our goals and leading our team forward

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

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.

2. Participate and collaborate jointly with the Council in carrying out the scope of work.

3. Provide appropriate technical and planning assistance to the Council, as requested and available.

4. Assist the Council as needed in the implementation and development of land protection planning within the Niobrara NSR corridor, and respond to the Council’s requests for assistance.

5. Provide technical assistance to the Council supporting the programming for and prioritization of infrastructure needs, in particular at the Middle Niobrara NRD site at Brewer Bridge.

6. Cooperate and support the Council in maintaining vegetation, recycle/trash center, fences and parking barriers at Brewer Bridge.

7. Provide where permitted by policy, regulation or law those actions to ensure the protection of the public or valued resources (emergency medical services, search and rescue, etc.)

8. Provide informal personal and non-personal interpretative services (roving information, maintain a kiosk) at Brewer Bridge that provides orientation and interpretation for river users.

9. Provide and maintain signs for the landing area at Brewer Bridge.

10. Provide technical and other assistance to the Council for partnerships in the noxious weed abatement program.

11. Work with the Council in seeking additional funding sources to support creative and flexible land protection partnerships that safeguard the inherent Scenic River free-flowing condition and its ORVs. Support the Council in monitoring acquired conservation easements.

12. Support the Council in the development and implementation of resources management programming ensuring that ORVs are protected, restored, and maintained in good condition and managed within broader ecosystem and cultural contexts.

13. Monitor and supervise Council performance pursuant to this agreement to ensure compliance with NPS standards and requirements.

a. Assure that all members, and especially new members of the council are provided the information needed to appropriately carry out the mission of the council, including assessing permits brought to the council for approval.

2. Lead the effort to address infrastructure needs consistent with established priorities outlined in the 2007 GMP and cooperate with necessary governmental entities including NPS, to alleviate adverse infrastructure conditions affecting the free-flowing condition, water quality and outstandingly remarkable values. Examples could include surface treatment of roads or ditch improvements to alleviate erosion of sediments into the river, grading of gravel roads during visitor season for safety purposes, and care of partnership placed public restroom facilities.

3. Monitor the need for maintaining and upgrading roads and bridges within the corridor and leading to the corridor and partnering with other entities as necessary and as required to assure satisfactory access.

4. Continue to monitor public restroom facilities for visitors, including continue and maintain partnership public restroom facilities.

5. When needed and mutually agreed upon, provide appropriate assistance such as personnel, equipment, and/or materials to assist in maintenance and protection of the Middle Niobrara NRD’s public access at Brewer Bridge.

6. Conduct summer visitor counts for visitation information.

7. Participate in efforts directed at protecting, enhancing, and restoring the ORVs of Niobrara NSR, and maintaining the rural, agricultural landscape in partnership with the NPS. This effort may include participation in cooperative efforts with the NPS, local governmental units, landowners, outfitters and the public generally, and other necessary entities and parties to accomplish the following:

a. Mitigation and control of noxious and invasive weed species including purple loosestrife and leafy spurge in the corridor;

i. collaborate with cooperating entities to provide educational information regarding the need for and effective ways to control noxious weeds

ii. continue to partner with MNWAG

iii. seek grant funding to assist with costs

b. Support efforts to assure in-stream flows for the Niobrara River that are needed to support the ORVs of Niobrara NSR and are sustainable over the long term.

i. Engage in cooperative efforts to obtain and maintain data to protect instream flow and water quality through the support of the Sparks, Nebraska gauging station.

8. Participate in education programming directed at protecting, enhancing, and restoring the ORVs of Niobrara NSR and enhancing visitor experiences in the corridor in partnership with the NPS. This effort may include participation in cooperative efforts with the NPS, local governmental units, and the public to accomplish the following:

a. Provide education programs designed to teach sound environmental concepts, create awareness of the unique qualities of the Niobrara River valley and the outstandingly remarkable values of the Niobrara Scenic River and to increase resource appreciation and stewardship.

i. Provide programs to reach school age children as well as individuals of all ages through formal and informal programming and educational opportunities.

1. Programming may include preschool presentations, K-12 school presentations, outdoor classroom days, resource days, Fall Family Fun Day, 4-H and Scout workshops, After School Club, Open House, and other activities as designed, developed and implemented by Niobrara Council in cooperation with the NPS.

9. Provide information and support to landowners who are planning to undertake improvements or changes to their land within the river corridor. This could include:

a. Provide information on what permits are or could be needed

b. Provide up to date contact information

c. Provide advice and assistance as needed and appropriate.

d. Provide support for landowners and others interested in conservation easements on property within the river corridor including providing objective and comprehensive land protection and easement information

i. Methods could include written material, landowner information meetings, and landowner open house activities.