r12ac30007 - noi-smt.docx

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 12-2011

Bureau of Reclamation Form, RF-102 12-2011

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the Bureau of Reclamation’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

Principal Investigator / Program Manager

William Stewart

OVERVIEW

The purpose of this project is to evaluate whether bonytail (Gila elegans) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) exposed to a fish alarm substance will elicit a fright reaction to predators. If predator naïve hatchery fish can be trained to recognize and avoid predator dangers, post stocking mortalities attributed to predation may decrease. Previous training research has generally exposed prey fish to predators by using either models or predators in tanks adjacent to prey tanks. The goal here is to give prey species exposure to as many predator cues as possible, and thus the best method for predator exposure is a normally behaving predator in the same tank (and ultimately pond) as the prey species. This project will employ a unique technique using botulinum toxin to paralyze jaw-opening muscles in the predators.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The objectives of this project are to determine if predator naïve fish can be “trained” to recognize and avoid predators and identify them as a potential threat. If positive, post stocking mortality associated to predation may decrease. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) staff will train razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) and bonytail (Gila elegans) to avoid largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, as a proxy for striped bass) and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). Training will use classical conditioning techniques to train a subset of fish to avoid predators by exposing naïve fish to a hindered predator in the presence of each prey species’ alarm substance. The effectiveness of training will be measured by comparing survival of trained and untrained fish after predators have had the chance to prey on them.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

The Lower Colorado Region Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) will be present to assist in the tagging of all research specimens, assist with the experiment by exposing fish to the alarm substance, and assisting with predator avoidance trails. LCR MSCP will stock any remaining native fish which will count toward its commitment of augmentation stockings of 660,000 razorback sucker and 620,000 bonytail into the Lower Colorado River (LCR) and its connective channels over the 50 year life of the program.

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.

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

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

AZGFD, more specifically, Bubbling Ponds is best suited for this work because of its existing facilities and the technical expertise of its personnel. This expertise and experience is in a wide variety of research projects as well as razorback production. There are already bonytail and razorbacks on station for the initial research projects. Additional fish will be provided through an agreement between Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center. Bubbling Ponds production facility also provide large areas for production-level research. This project will employ a new method using botulinum toxin to paralyze jaw-opening muscles in the predators with which AZGFD staff has experience. AZGFD also holds necessary permits that pertain to requirements of this experiment. Additionally, materials used for this work, such as tanks and raceways, can be used later for future research to help meet razorback and bonytail production and stocking success.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934 as amended by Public Law 85-624 (16 U.S.C. 661 et. Seq.), as amended.

The Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, is delegated so much of the authority of the Secretary under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq., as is necessary to provide assistance, through grants and cooperative agreements, to the public or private organizations for the improvement of fish and wildlife associated with water systems or water supplies affected by Reclamation projects.

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