National Park Service: Elevational/Bathymetric Data Collection Grant

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P16AS00590
Project Title Collection of Physical Environmental Data
Recipient Wildlife Conservation Society
Total Anticipated Award Amount $146,450
Cost Share n/a
Anticipated Length of Agreement 2.5 years
Anticipated Period of Performance 09/30/2016-03/15/2019
Award Instrument Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC §101702(b): Cooperative Agreements, Cooperative Research and Training Programs
CFDA # and Title 15.945 National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited CESU task agreement â¿¿ Previously completed.
Point of Contact Tahzay Jones, Tahzay_Jones@nps.gov

OVERVIEW
Multiple environmental research projects are being conducted on coastal areas within the National Park Service units in Alaska. A significant portion of these projects are rooted in biological ecology of the environment. However, to appropriately interpret the biological data, a significant amount of physical data is also required. While many of the biological projects have been collecting some basic physical data including temperature and salinity, there is other important information that affects biology and biological processes.

The purpose of this agreement is to focus on collecting elevational/bathymetric data in concert with biological data, to form a more complete picture of the ecology of specific project study areas. Current elevational/bathymetric data is not at high enough resolution to effectively interpret much of the localized biological distribution (i.e. species distributions within the tidal zone to understand inundation potential and potential exposure to spill contaminants). By cooperatively collecting this information, it will be possible to correlate elevational/bathymetric gradients to both biological and physical drivers enabling a greater understanding of the ecology of the environmental systems enjoyed by the visitors and researchers within NPS units.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has a goal to conserve biological populations within the worldâ¿¿s largest wild areas, of which the Arctic Beringia region is one of their focal locations. WCS has partnered with many federal, state and local agencies, as well as local regional tribes and native corporations to accomplish this goal. Efforts to conserve wildlife are aided by a more fully understanding the ecology of the system. This partnership supports both WCS and National Park Service mutual interests by providing information that will aid in the conservation and protection of species, in addition to providing future researchers valuable ecological information, and spill responders and restoration planners critical information in determining response and restoration actions.

In consideration of the above premises and in the interest of the mutual advantages and attainment of common objectives, the parties hereto desire to cooperate and mutually agree to work together to obtain elevational/bathymetric data critical to understanding biological ecology within AK NPS units.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

â¿¢ Determine appropriate area extent of collection of elevational/bathymetric data (elevational data may include areas both above and below the high tide waterline, including bathymetric information).
â¿¢ Collect georeferenced elevational/bathymetric data within targeted area extents.
â¿¢ Develop spatial analyses using elevation data and biological information of site locations.
â¿¢ Report on analyses.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

WCS agrees to:

1. Cooperatively support area extent determinations for elevational/bathymetric data collection â¿¿ WCS will work with NPS staff to identify appropriate type and extent of elevational/bathymetric data collection based on biological resource studies. WCS participates in and is aware of many research study operations taking place within and adjacent to National Park Service study sites that might significantly benefit from elevational/bathymetric information data collection. WCS will bring this information into consideration when discussing type of elevational/bathymetric data collection and extent to support the greatest benefit.

2. Cooperatively collect elevational/bathymetric data â¿¿ WCS in cooperation with the NPS will conduct collection of elevational/bathymetric data by the most appropriate means based on recommendations cooperatively determined with the National Park Service within identified areas of extent as determined by cooperative deliberations between WCS and the NPS. Elevational/bathymetric data must be collected and geospatially referenced with appropriate metadata data (elevational/bathymetric data may include areas both above and below the high tide waterline, including bathymetric information).

3. Support analyses of elevational/bathymetric data with biological resource studies – Collected elevational/bathymetric data will be included through correlate analyses as appropriate to the resource study. WCS will work with NPS personnel to determine and conduct analyses.

4. Reporting and data archiving â¿¿ WCS will work with NPS staff to appropriately report on the results of the data collection and analyses. Reporting will be in the form of technical reports and/or geospatial data sets.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

NPS agrees to:

1. Cooperatively support area extent determinations for elevational/bathymetric data collection â¿¿ NPS will work with WCS staff to identify appropriate type and extent of elevational/bathymetric data collection based on biological resource studies. NPS will provide project staff to effectively work with WCS to assess ongoing studies and determine the most effective areas to collect elevational/bathymetric data within, and the appropriate types of elevational/bathymetric data.

2. Cooperatively collect elevational/bathymetric data â¿¿NPS will support WCS data collection by providing staff and/or equipment to conduct elevational/bathymetric data collection as appropriate. NPS staff are trained in RTK operations and the collection of bathymetry using Hydrosurveyor ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling) technology. NPS staff will support the use and collection of RTK data for reference sites. NPS gear includes Trimble R8 survey grade receivers and base stations. NPS has a Hydrosurveyor and NPS can support the use of Hydrosurveyor bathymetry data collection. Elevational/bathymetric data must be collected and geospatially referenced with appropriate metadata data (elevational/bathymetric data may include areas both above and below the high tide waterline, including bathymetric information.

3. Support analyses of elevational/bathymetric data with biological resource studies – NPS will work with WCS to determine and conduct appropriate correlatory analyses. NPS will provide staff support elevational/bathymetric data analyses with biological study data as appropriate to the resource study.

4. Reporting and data archiving â¿¿ NPS will work with WCS staff to appropriately report on the results of the data collection and analyses. Reporting will be in the form of technical reports and/or geospatial data sets.

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: