U.S. Geological Survey Grant for Aquatic Invertebrate Life-History Study in Colorado River

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 G15AS00003
Project Title Aquatic Invertebrate Life-History Strategies in the Colorado River and Tributaries
Recipient Oregon State University
Principal Investigator / Program Manager Dr. David Lytle, Oregon State University (OSU)

Dr. Ted Kennedy, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC)
Anticipated Federal Amount $25,086.00
Cost Share No
Total Anticipated Award Amount $125,431.00
New Award or Continuation? New
Anticipated Period of Performance 10/01/2015 to 9/30/2020.
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
CFDA # and Title 15.808 Research & Data Collection
USGS Point of Contact Stewart Evans, sevans@usgs.gov

OVERVIEW

This project will conduct cooperative research on evolution and life history in highly altered regulated rivers including the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Project Title: Aquatic invertebrate life-history strategies in the Colorado River and tributaries.

(a) In conjunction with OSU graduate students and GCMRC scientists, collect benthic aquatic invertebrate samples from locations on the Colorado River and its tributaries. Sampling will focus on tailwater reaches below major dams, but will also take place on reference reaches in relatively free-flowing section.

(b) With the help of a taxonomic specialist at OSU, process the benthic invertebrate samples and identify specimens to the lowest feasible taxonomic resolution (genus in most cases). Maintain datasheets and databases with the information generated.

(c) Work with GCMRC scientists to develop life-history models that connect the dynamics of flow variability with insect recruitment strategies.

USGS INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part USGS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, USGS will be responsible for the following:

(a) USGS will collect samples from tailwater segments below large dams. Samples will then be provided to OSU to be processed by a taxonomic specialist there. OSU lacks the expertise and logistical capabilities to collect invertebrate samples from large regulated rivers, but they have the expertise to conduct laboratory processing of samples.

(b) USGS will direct interactions between OSU staff and USGS scientists in evaluating and interpreting data and writing manuscripts for publication.

(c) USGS will facilitate interactions between OSU staff and staff from Utah State University and Western Area Power Administration that are also participating in the project.

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:

Single Source Justification Description:

Condition 4: Unique Qualifications.

The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a technical expertise. Professor Lytle and Oregon State University are world leaders in invertebrate life history and evolution and are therefore uniquely qualified to provide the technical expertise that USGS/GCMRC needs. Lytle has authored seminal publications and developed one of a kind mathematical models on invertebrate life history and evolution that will be adapted to the unique conditions present in the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. These new studies that incorporate Lytle’s models and draw upon his expertise will describe how aquatic invertebrates of the Colorado River have adapted to highly regulated flows from Glen Canyon Dam.

Condition 6: TITLE 43 – PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 2 – UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
§ 36d. Cooperative agreements
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31U.S.C. 6301–6308), the United States Geological Survey is authorized to continue existing, and on and after November 10, 2003, to enter into new cooperative agreements directed towards a particular cooperator, in support of joint research and data collection activities with Federal, State, and academic partners funded by appropriations herein, including those that provide for space in cooperator facilities.
(Pub. L. 108–108, title I, Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1254.)

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

43 USC 36d