R14AN20027.pdf

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

Funding

Announcement

R14AN20027

Project Title California Watchable Wildlife Project

Recipient California State Parks Foundation

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Michael Bankert

California State Parks Foundation

Anticipated Federal

Amount $50,000

Cost Share Not Required

Total Anticipated

Award Amount $50,000

New Award or

Continuation?

New Award

Anticipated Period of Performance September 30, 2019

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Statutory Authority Title XXXIV- Central Valley Project Improvement Act - Section 3406

(b) (1) and Section 3407 (e).

CFDA # and Title 15.512 - Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV

Single Source

Justification

Criteria Cited

(2) Continuation

Reclamation Point of Contact Robert Lowry

OVERVIEW

The California Watchable Wildlife Project (CAWW) was developed as the State of California’s component of a 1990 nationwide Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the federal land management agencies, including, Reclamation and Watchable Wildlife to reach three primary goals: conserve biodiversity, provide recreational opportunities tied to wildlife viewing, and educate the viewing public about the values of wildlife and their habitats. Reclamation has been a partner in action and funding with CAWW since 2002.

The CAWW is the on-going California partnership under the auspices of the 1990 national

MOU. CAWW participants at the federal level include BLM, Reclamation, National Park

Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service and Forest Service, at the state level are Coastal

Conservancy, Department of Fish & Wildlife, CalTrans, and the Wildlife Conservation Board and at the local/NGO level are California Audubon, California Tourism and Ducks Unlimited.

The objective of this grant is to provide direct funding to California State Parks Foundation

(Foundation) as the financial receiver and employer of a less than part-time CAWW coordinator to perform agreed upon tasks on behalf of the CAWW Steering Committee (Committee). These tasks include: continued ongoing public outreach (in person or through social media) about the

CAWW website which is the main vehicle for education and outreach to the public, maintenance of the internet-based watchable wildlife database which is searchable by species or desired location, development and distribution of web-based content that informs the public of the wildlife species and their habitats located on public lands throughout the State, and development of web-based information and educational materials on the actions of habitats and species affected by the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the benefits of the Central Valley Project

Improvement Act (CVPIA) on endangered species and their habitats.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Foundation, as the fiscal receiver of this grant, also accepts other public and private funding for support of CAWW. The funds provided by Reclamation will make up only a portion of the necessary funds to implement the CAWW program of work, which includes additional statewide outreach and administrative activities. Reclamation funds will be used to employ a less than part-time coordinator to provide ongoing maintenance and development of the interactive website, provide administrative leadership in the planning and organization of quarterly meeting of the

California Watchable Wildlife Steering Committee, leadership and continued expansion of the

Outreach program, administration of existing Information Technology contracts for website maintenance and web-based effort designed to educate California residents on the effects of the

CVP and the CVPIA program as well as the other participating agencies’ and organization programs.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Reclamation has agreed to provide funding to the Foundation for the aforementioned activities and will be sustainably involved as a member of the Watchable Wildlife Committee which oversees the CA Watchable Wildlife Project. This committee member will provide technical expertise on the implementation of the scope of work and ensure that funds appropriated are used to support the direct efforts as agreed to by the Foundation.

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:

(2) CONTINUATION

Single Source Justification Description:

State Parks Foundation has been the recipient of this grant funding the past 10 years.

Reclamation has noted that the non-profit status of the organization allows the Foundation to solicit and accept gifts and funding from many sources. Records indicate that other federal funds

(BLM, USFWS and ACOE approximately $25,000) have been routinely granted to the

Foundation in direct support of CAWW. Additional revenue sources have included the Sierra

Nevada Conservancy ($10,000) for expenses to initiate a statewide wildlife photo contest of which Reclamation funds are prohibited for funding do to federal regulation. Additionally, private funds are received by CAWW through the Foundations ‘on-line donation page and are directed to the CAWW project without “pass-through” and/or “handling” charges.

Funding provided by this grant to the Foundation, leverages additional federal, state and private funding that allows for an uninterrupted annual program of work for CAWW. An open solicitation could lead to duplicative services for an on-going multi-agency activity, the potential for lost partners, lost funding and higher admin costs.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

SEC. 3406. (b) FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES -

The Secretary, immediately upon the enactment of this title, shall operate the Central Valley

Project to meet all obligations under State and Federal law, including but not limited to the

Federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq., and all decisions of the California

State Water Resources Control Board establishing conditions on applicable licenses and permits for the project. The Secretary, in consultation with other State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and affected interests, is further authorized and directed to:

(1) develop within three years of enactment and implement a program which makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that, by the year 2002, natural production of anadromous fish in Central Valley rivers and streams will be sustainable, on a long-term basis, at levels not less than twice the average levels attained during the period of 1967-1991; Provided, That this goal shall not apply to the San Joaquin River between Friant Dam and the

Mendota Pool, for which a separate program is authorized under subsection 3406(c) of this title; Provided further, That the programs and activities authorized by this section shall, when fully implemented, be deemed to meet the mitigation, protection, restoration, and enhancement purposes established by subsection 3406(a) of this title; And provided further, That in the course of developing and implementing this program the Secretary shall make all reasonable efforts consistent with the requirements of this section to address other identified adverse environmental impacts of the Central Valley Project not specifically enumerated in this section.

SEC. 3407(e). RESTORATION FUND:FUNDING TO NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES

If the Secretary determines that the State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof, an

Indian tribe, or a nonprofit entity concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values is able to assist in implementing any action authorized by this title in an efficient, timely, and cost effective manner, the Secretary is authorized to provide funding to such entity on such terms and conditions as he deems necessary to assist in implementing the identified action.