SE Frank 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-0041

Project Title Effects of urbanization on the conservation value of forests

Recipient NC State University

Principal

Investigator /

Program Manager

Dr. Steven D. Frank

Anticipated Federal

Amount 48,002.00

Cost Share

Total Anticipated

Award Amount 48,002.00

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

The U. S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC) and the Department of the Interior SE Climate Adaptation Science Center (DOI SE CASC) request a new award to North Carolina State University, for a period of 12 months. Urban and suburban expansion are primary threats to U.S.

forests and the plants and animals that live in forest ecosystems. Urbanization imposes biotic stressors such as invasive species, and abiotic stressors, such as pollution and high temperatures, on forests. Our goal is to synthesize information on the biotic, abiotic, and spatial factors that affect urban forest quality for plants and animals, identify knowledge gaps that impede forest management, and propose future research directions to fill those gaps. We will review scientific literature to address the following questions: 1) How do abiotic factors, such as heat and pollution from light, noise, and chemicals, affect forest quality for different plant and animal taxa; 2) How do biotic factors such as tree pests and invasive plants and animals affect forest quality for different plant and animal taxa; and 3) How does urban forest size and spatial arrangement interact with abiotic and biotic factors to affect forest quality? Expected mailto:rboyles@usgs.gov products are peer-reviewed review paper(s) and products such as webinars accessible to stakeholders.

Importantly, this project will also identify knowledge gaps and point to areas where new research is critical and will tell us the role that urban forests can play.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Principal Investigator (PI) will synthesize existing scientific knowledge to inform management decisions and to achieve conservation goals. PI will search scientific literature using standard databases such as Web of Science. The synthesis will result in scientific papers describing effects of urbanization on forests. The PI will also produce resources for land managers, such as websites and webinars, to help them make management decisions.

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

Single Source Justification Description:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS - The recipient is uniquely qualified as he has extensive expertise looking at forest fragmentation 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