r12ac80141 - noi - wrf.doc

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

Senior Research Manager Water Research Foundation 6666 W. Quincy Avenue Denver, CO 80235

303-454-2025 mmaher@usbr.gov

OVERVIEW

The purpose of this project will be to assemble data on pipeline reliability for all types of pipe specified by the Bureau of Reclamation in Table 2 of Technical Memorandum 8140-CC-2004-1, entitled “Corrosion Protection Criteria and Minimum Requirements,” along with the specified corrosion protection applied in the various soil types. Pre-stressed concrete pipe data will also be included in the data collection process.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient shall be responsible for carrying out the Scope of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall obtain all required approvals and permits. If applicable, the Recipient shall also coordinate and obtain approvals from site owners and operators.

The Recipient shall use acceptable standards of program management and scientific integrity to:

1. Research and catalog existing Reclamation Data

2. Request and catalog other Federal Agency Data

3. Request and catalog data from other entities

4. Identify and partner with an external organization to aid in collecting and analyzing data.

5. Analyze data and develop a technical memorandum to document the study.

The data will include location, Project name and Region (if Reclamation feature), type of structure, type of metallic pipe, type of corrosion protection system, type of monitoring system, soil resistivity, date of installation, date of each failure, failures per mile, characterization of failures (leaks, ruptures, and cause if known), and if cathodic protection was installed and maintained. A Technical Memorandum presenting the data and summarizing the evaluation will be developed. The Water Research Foundation will be responsible for helping to collect data from external sources and analyzing the data received.

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 maintain primary responsibility for facilitating and assisting on all Recipient tasks. Additionally, Reclamation will assist in writing a questionnaire to solicit data and gather pipe reliability data from Reclamation facilities. Reclamation will also prepare and publish a technical memorandum detailing the results of this study.

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:

Reclamation researched potential partners based on specific criteria as set forth below:

· Entity must maintains a database of metallic pipe failure information and be willing to share that information, and have available resources to meet scheduling demands of the cooperative agreement.

· Entity must have the professional experience and resources to conduct and analyze research data.

· Entity must have the capability to conduct new research and resources to publish and present its finding to Reclamation that have “global” effects on the industry.

Water Research Foundation was found to be the ideal partner for this venture because they were the only organization, based on market research, to meet all the criteria. In addition to meeting the criteria presented above, Water Research Foundation is a non-government agency which operates clear of the government therefore the research will not be biased. Water Research Foundation also has national prominence strengthening the credibility of its resulting findings. Lastly, the Water Research Foundation will provide dollar-for-dollar matching of any funds provided for this project.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11), Subtitle F-Secure Water, Sec 9504(b).

Sec 9504, (b) Research Agreements-

(1) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY- The Secretary may enter into 1 or more agreements with any university, nonprofit research institution, or organization with water or power delivery authority to fund any research activity that is designed--

(A) to conserve water resources;

(B) to increase the efficiency of the use of water resources; or

(C) to enhance the management of water resources, including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water.

(2) TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SECRETARY-

(A) IN GENERAL- An agreement entered into between the Secretary and any university, institution, or organization described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(B) AVAILABILITY- The agreements under this subsection shall be available to all Reclamation projects and programs that may benefit from project-specific or programmatic cooperative research and development.

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