SE Dunn NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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

ABSTRACT

Funding

Announcement

USGS-19-FA-0043

Project Title The Future of Culturally Important Species in North America

Recipient NC State University

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Dr. Rob Dunn

Anticipated Federal

Amount 48,000.00

Cost Share

Total Anticipated

Award Amount 48,000.00

New Award or

Continuation?

new

Anticipated Period of Performance 12 months from point of award

Award Instrument Grant

CFDA # and Title 15.820 National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science

Center/Climate Adaptation Science Centers

USGS Point of

Contact Ryan Boyles, rboyles@usgs.gov, 919-513-2816

OVERVIEW

Many thousands of plant and animal species are culturally important to the Indigenous peoples of

North America. Global change is leading to major shifts in the abundance, distribution and life history of these species, with concomitant effects on their value to the peoples for whom they are most culturally important. This project will engage members of the United South and Eastern

Tribes to identify the science gaps in understanding climate impacts to culturally important species. Results of this project include identification of the species, spatial and temporal scales, and relevant management decisions for select tribes.

mailto:rboyles@usgs.gov

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient will take two initial steps in what may result in a long-term research direction for the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center. First, the research team will use a novel approach to model the current regions to which the future climates of each tribal land in North

America will be most analogous in the future. Second, in light of this model and its products, the research team will conduct a Tribal needs assessment by convening a listening session at the

United South and Eastern Tribes meeting at which they will solicit feedback on the best way forward in terms of studying and managing species on tribal lands, in light of global change.

The team will frame the listening session around the following questions: 1) which species and phenomena should be studied; 2) at what spatial and temporal scale should they be studied; and,

3) what management decisions would be most relevant.

Expected outcomes include: an online interface as well as physical map of climate analogues, both of which allow stakeholders to begin conversations with a common starting point and at least one tangible, common frame of refence; products such as webinars and information sheets that are accessible to stakeholders; a report outlining the gaps in the science needed to address questions about plant and animal species that are of cultural importance to Tribes.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

There will be no substantial involvement by the USGS in the Recipient’s performance of this

Agreement. The project will be carried out by the recipient.

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.

(6) Cooperative Agreements - USGS Unique Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 36d (Federal, State, and academic partners) or DOI Authority cited at 43 U.S.C. 1457b (not-for-profit organizations).

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

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

(6) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

Single Source Justification Description:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS - The recipient is uniquely qualified as he has extensive expertise looking at community engagement and ecological forecasting in the eastern US.

(6) STATUTORY AUTHORITY- 43 USC 31 and the Administrative Provisions of P.L. 116-6 and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Div., F, Title I, P.L. 110-161