R15AC00007 - Notice of Intent to Award.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

R15AC00007

Project Title Increasing Public Awareness of Recreational Opportunities at

Reclamation Reservoirs for Children with Disabilities or Children who

Experience Disadvantages in Their Lives.

Recipient Catch a Special Thrill (C.A.S.T) for Kids Foundation

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Jim Owens, Executive Director, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation

Anticipated Federal

Amount 625,000.00

Cost Share $0

Total Anticipated

Award Amount 625,000.00

New Award or

Continuation?

New Award

Anticipated Period of Performance 2/28/15-2/28/2020

Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement

Statutory Authority Take Pride in America (TPIA), Public Law 101-628 (16 USC 4601, et.

Sec.) (TPIA Delegation Agreement between the Department of the

Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation dated September 22, 2008.)

CFDA # and Title 15.550 - Increasing Public Awareness of Recreational Opportunities at

Reclamation Reservoirs for Physically Challenged and Disadvantaged

Children Single Source

Justification

Criteria Cited

(2) Continuation and (4) Unique Qualifications.

Reclamation Point of Contact

Shaun Wilken

303-445-3697 swilken@usbr.gov mailto:swilken@usbr.gov

OVERVIEW

The “Catch A Special Thrill” for Kids Foundation (C.A.S.T.) was formed in 1991 and was granted 501(c) 3 status as a Charitable Organization in 1994. Reclamation cooperated with

C.A.S.T. to host its first event in 1992 and has partnered with C.A.S.T. since that time to provide a one-day outdoor recreational fishing experience on its reservoirs for children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives.

The C.A.S.T. event was designed to create an adaptive environment where children with disabilities or children who experience disadvantages in their lives (ages 5-18) and adults (i.e., volunteers, parents/guardians or care givers) could all benefit, sharing a day of fun on the water that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Participants are hosted at a local lake, or body of water, supplied with a fishing rod & reel, t-shirt, hat, and tackle box, partnered with an experienced volunteer angler and escorted onto a boat where, with the supervision of a parent or guardian, they are shown proper fishing techniques and receive natural resources education. Participants and volunteers all then return from their morning fishing excursion to a

BBQ lunch and an awards ceremony. A very important component of these events is that they also meet the need to make outdoor recreation accessible to all United States citizens, especially children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives. These events are also a highly successful example of how partnerships between government agencies and private entities can work together. A new partnership with C.A.S.T. will further the “play component” of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior’s Youth Initiative by “. . .

developing or enhancing outdoor recreation partnerships. . . to create new, systemic opportunities for outdoor play . . .”

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Provide Reclamation event coordinators information and guidance on how to plan an event, supply ordering instructions and forms, including limitations on types of supplies to be ordered.

The recipient will provide expertise to Reclamation staff in planning events, ordering and supplying equipment such as rods/reels, tackle boxes, hats, t-shirts and an award plaque for each participant. C.A.S.T. staff also provides training to Reclamation staff on how to use its online registration system.

Provide a fun and safe one-day fishing experience, on Reclamation’s reservoirs, for children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives and their family members at no cost to them. Events will take place throughout Reclamation’s five regions that encompass the 17 Western states.

Coordinate with Reclamation event coordinators to establish dates and times of specific events at

Reclamation facilities, which will generally be held annually between March and early October.

The estimated number of events is 15-22 per year.

Provide leadership and guidance for the planning, organization, coordination and supervision of events, to ensure the success of each fishing event; and providing event liability insurance;

Assist in the promotion of scheduled events, locally as well as nationally, to encourage community participation and to secure national and local sponsorship and support for the events.

RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement by Reclamation is anticipated during the performance of activities funded under this single source agreement. In support of this agreement, Reclamation will be responsible for the following:

Make Reclamation lands and reservoirs available for the furtherance of the events subject to applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, Reclamation Tribal trust responsibilities, and subject to approval by the organization head or its designated representative.

Reclamation shall provide personnel to serve as an event coordinator for each scheduled event.

The event coordinator will either be a Reclamation employee or non-Reclamation employee that has filed form 301a - Volunteer Services Agreement for Natural Resources Agencies for

Individuals or Groups.

Provide assistance to the Recipient for the planning, coordination, and implementation of each event.

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;

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS.

Single Source Justification Description:

(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;

Reclamation has a long history of partnering with the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation and this single source award would continue that partnership.

(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;

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is uniquely qualified to perform the activities above. For over

20 years, Jim Owens, the Founder and the Executive Director of C.A.S.T. and his staff have developed and refined the unique idea of creating the one-day outdoor recreational fishing experience for children with disabilities or children who experience disadvantages in their lives on boats with boat owners who volunteer their time on that day. He is a former President of the

Washington State BASS Federation and was twice named the BASS National Federation man-of-the-year for his work with youth, conservation, and warm water fishing issues. The CA.S.T.

for Kids Foundation was named “Non-Profit of the Year for 2014,” by the Renton Chamber of

Commerce. C.A.S.T. is located in Renton, Washington.

The work that the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation does also illustrates the value of bringing various state, federal and private organizations together to share their collective expertise in support of making these events a reality. The C.A.S.T. staff also have the technical expertise to assist Reclamation staff in conducting these events.

The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation:

Joins professional sports fishing volunteers, their boats and fishing expertise with children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives for a day of outdoor recreational fishing on Reclamation reservoirs.

Creates an environment from which both children with disabilities or children who experience disadvantages in their lives and adults can benefit, each bringing their own experiences and lessons.

Increases awareness of all participants (parents, sportsmen, partners, volunteers) to the capabilities of children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives, in effect strengthening local communities.

Provides educational opportunities for children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives to learn more about fish and water as natural resources.

Furthers the “play component” of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior’s Youth

Initiative by “. . . developing or enhancing outdoor recreation partnerships. . . to create new, systemic opportunities for outdoor play . . .”.

Assists Reclamation in meeting its goal to comply with Executive Order 12962, “Recreational

Fisheries,” and to provide accessible programs, facilities, and activities to create a positive outdoor experience for all citizens, especially children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives.

Promotes the visibility of Reclamation’s recreational resources and fishing opportunities.

Encourages continued participation in fishing by providing opportunities for children with disabilities and children who experience disadvantages in their lives and adults to develop the necessary skills to fish.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Public Law 101-628, SEC. 1106. AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS

Take Pride in America Act, (TPIA), Public Law 101-628 (16 U.S.C. 4601-12 et seq. and

16 U.S.C. 4601-31 et seq.). (TPIA Delegation Agreement between the Department of the

Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation dated September 22, 2008). The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements and generally to do any and all lawful acts necessary or appropriate to further the purposes of the TPIA Program.

In accordance with Executive Order 12962, Recreational Fisheries, June 7, 1995, the

Bureau of Reclamation has a requirement to improve the quantity, function, sustainable productivity, and distribution of United States aquatic resources for increased recreational fishing opportunities. Activities that will help accomplish these goals include developing and encouraging partnerships to advance aquatic resource conservation and enhance recreational fishing opportunities, and providing access to and promoting awareness of opportunities for public participation and enjoyment of United States recreational fishery resources.