VDO NOI signed.pdf

FWS 3-2452

11/25/2013

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Determination for Issuing a Single Source Financial Assistance Award

Instructions: In accordance with Service policy 516 FW 6, Issuing Discretionary Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards without Competition, complete this form to document the justification for issuing a single source grant or cooperative agreement award. This form must be signed by both a program representative and the employee with signature authority for the award to be issued (see 516 FW 3, Signature Authority for Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards). The completed and signed form must be maintained in the official award file.

Recipient Name:

Project Title:

Program Contact:

Select all criteria that apply (from 505 DM 2):

(1) Unsolicited Proposal: The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited application that represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach that is not the subject of a current or planned award, but is found to be advantageous to program objectives.

(2) Continuation: The activity to be funded is necessary for the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of, an activity we are funding and holding a competition would have a significant adverse effect on continuing or completing the activity.

(3) Legislative Intent: The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates the intent of Congress to restrict the award to a particular recipient or purpose.

(4) Unique Qualifications: The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on 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: Because of a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety, there is not enough time to follow adequate competitive procedures.

Explain below why competition for this award is not practical. As applicable, summarize the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and any cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient. Be brief and specific:

I have determined that this project meets the requirements for a single source award and recommend that it be awarded to the recipient named above.

I, as the Service employee with signature authority for this award under 516 FW 3, have reviewed this program recommendation and find that it meets the requirements for a single source award.

Program Representative Sign and Date Authorized Signator Sign and Date

Printed Name of Program Representative Printed Name of Signator

Conservation Legacy has systems in place to easily support youth placements nationwide with the FWS, They manage a nationwide Environmental Stewards individual placement program that engages youth in a variety of environmental and conservation focused positions and has all of the recruiting, placement, payroll, HR, and other services in place to fully support these individuals in partnership with FWS. They have funding and support from AmeriCorps and have trained staff who can effectively manage the AmeriCorps grant and the education award an individual receives at the end of the program. Conservation Legacy has had a strong history of engaging youth from diverse backgrounds, recent-era veterans, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students.