National Park Service Grant: Supporting Dallâ¿¿s Sheep Population Monitoring in Alaska

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P16AS00339
Project Title GIS and data assistance for Dallâ¿¿s sheep population monitoring in Alaskaâ¿¿s national parks and preserves.
Recipient Wildlife Conservation Society
Total Anticipated Award Amount $43,340
Cost Share n/a
Anticipated Length of Agreement 8/15/2016 to 10/31/2018
Anticipated Period of Performance 8/15/2016 â¿¿ 10-31-2016
Award Instrument
Statutory Authority 54USC Sec 100703 Cooperative Study Unit
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited CESU Master Agreement P13AC01025
Point of Contact Eric J. Wald; Arctic Network I&M Program, National Park Service

OVERVIEW

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
The joint objectives for this project are to provide assistance to the Dallâ¿¿s sheep monitoring program of the Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network (ARCN) and associated aerial distance sampling survey work conducted by ARCN, the Central Alaska Network (CAKN), the Western Arctic National Parklands, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT
The recipient will provide personnel [or contract personnel] to work with the Sheep Vital Sign principle investigator, the ARCN/CAKN Data Manager, the ARCN/CAKN Biometrician, Regional GIS Specialist and park biologists to accomplish the essential tasks. These tasks include using existing GIS tools to produce the contour transects and geodatabases for the 2017 distance sampling surveys in GAAR, WEAR, DENA, WRST, and LACL; produce and upload background maps and data collection forms for the iPads, field computers, and GPS units used in survey aircraft; provide input to other agencies using the same data collection methods; serve as an observer in one of the survey aircraft and data manager in the field for one or more surveys in the above park units; assist with other field logistics which may include aviation safety plans, field camp preparation and demobilization and camp management; process, QA/QC and certify geodatabase, GPS and image data and prepare them for analysis with the biometrician; assist with writing reports and papers for the Dallâ¿¿s sheep program; assist with community outreach materials regarding the 2017 data; and revise the Dallâ¿¿s sheep protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed for software or other upgrades to the iPad, field computer, GPS, and/or GPS photo linking methods.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT
The NPS will provide a scientist to work with and provide technical expertise to this project when needed. The NPS will also support logistics of field efforts, provide access to NPS bunkhouses and expediting support in field settings for field work, and provide computer access/workspace when needed.

Key to the success of this project is the collaboration between the ARCN and the WCS. The staff of the ARCN are providing technical expertise on the species throughout the project, while WCS is providing a greater capacity and knowledge base on Dall’s sheep. The ARCN/WCP is also contribution logistical support of housing, transportation to the project.
Buy working collaboratively we will ensure that data quality assessment and quality control are met while also ensuring that species-specific constraints are met. In the end, we will make significant strides in achieving rigorous and repeatable monitoring protocol for Dall’s sheep throughout Alaska which will inform many entities dedicated to preserving and protecting the species.

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 â¿¿ 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 â¿¿ 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 â¿¿ The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congressâ¿¿ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications â¿¿ 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 â¿¿ 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.

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

This is a Task Agreement under CESU Master Agreement P13AC01025.