Department of the Interior Grant: Cooperative Science Communications

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

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement Number NPS-NOIRP16AC01142
Project Title Cooperative Science Communications
Recipient Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Maggie Schilling
Total Anticipated Award Amount $157,275
Cost Share None Required
New Award or Continuation? Task Agreement P16AC01197
Anticipated Length of Agreement Through July 31, 2017
Anticipated Period of Performance Through July 31, 2017
Award Instrument Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 U.S.C. §I g, 16 U.S.C. §593
CFDA # and Title 15.945
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited #4 – Unique Qualifications
NPS Point of Contact Tina Holland

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OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND NPS SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

The purpose of this agreement is to carry out cooperative projects that support the mission of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program in providing park managers with early warning of resource condition and to interpret the status and trends of natural resource monitoring data to the public. A Science Communication specialist will help us provide park managers and the public with easy to understand scientific results.
National Park Service staff will collaboratively work with the NRCC research associate throughout all phases of the project from planning and scheduling the production of science communication products to delivery and presenting products to park managers and/or to the public. For most products, the NPS will gather and analyze the data and prepare the draft report. We also plan to provide overall project management support by providing templates and guidance for natural resource reports through the Natural Resource Publication Management process.

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.

The National Park Service will award this cooperative agreement to the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative based on the following exception. The NRCC is uniquely qualified in programs related to science-based resource conservation due to its long history in the region of supporting scientists and communicating their findings.

(4) Unique Qualifications -The NRCC is uniquely qualified in programs related to science-based resource conservation due to its long history in the region of supporting scientists and communicating their findings. They are willing to cooperatively implement a strategy for integrating science and management that meets the needs of the GRYN. A NRCC research associate has worked with the NPS I&M programs to develop a strategy and framework to integrate science and management through a series of workshops that actively engaged park managers responsible for making management decisions. A key outcome of these workshops was an increased emphasis on the role of social science to help biological and physical scientists more effectively communicate science to managers and non-scientists. The research associate is uniquely qualified in this area having a bachelor of science in wildlife biology and a master of science in resource recreation and tourism from the University of Idaho, a mix of biological and social science backgrounds. Professional experience includes working with the NPS Social Science Program through the University of Idaho, and as assistant to Dr. Machlis, Science Advisor to the Director of the NPS and co-leader of the Department of the Interior Strategic Sciences Group.

Sole Source Announcement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The NRCC is a nonprofit entity whose purpose is further research and science in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. NRCC’s programs gather scientific data to provide a well-rounded, reliable body of biological and social knowledge for improving conservation in natural resource.
The Greater Yellowstone Network is an NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program with responsibility for monitoring the vital signs and indicators of natural resource condition in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks and in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
The NPS Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN) wishes to work with the NRCC to carry out cooperative projects that support the mission of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program in providing park managers with early warning of resource condition and to interpret the status and trends of natural resource monitoring data to the public.
The NRCC is uniquely qualified in programs related to resource conservation and is willing to cooperatively implement Inventory & Monitoring projects with the assistance of the NPS. A cooperative agreement with NRCC to help communicate natural resource data collected through the Inventory & Monitoring program will provide park managers and the public with easy to understand scientific results. Communication products that interpret the condition of natural resources and highlight the key results in simple terms clearly represents public benefit as most public are challenged with scientific manuscripts that focus on statistical methods.
AUTHORITY
A. 54 U.S.C. §I g provides that the NPS may enter cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS-appropriated funds to non-profit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out NPS programs pursuant to 31 US.C. 6305;

B. 16 U.S.C. §593-1 – National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998- NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program.