Department of the Interior Grant for Permafrost and Carbon Cycling Monitoring in Denali National Park

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 P16AC01521
Project Title Permafrost and Carbon Cycling Monitoring at the 8-Mile Lake Permafrost Observatory and permafrost index site in Denali National Park and decadal data analysis.
Recipient Northern Arizona University, Department of Biological Sciences
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Dr. Edward Schuur
Total Anticipated Award Amount $60,000
Cost Share None
New Award or Continuation? Continuation
Anticipated Period of Performance 15 September 2016 – 14 September 2021
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 U.S.C. §100703, Cooperative Study Units
CFDA # and Title
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
(4) Unique Qualifications
NPS ATR Point of Contact David Shirokauer

OVERVIEW

The Central Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network of the National Park Service (NPS) and Denali National Park and Preserve are implementing a permafrost monitoring program. This work builds on previous work that resulted in draft permafrost monitoring protocol plan. This project will continue the implementation of data collection for core metrics identified by the National Park Service and the Recipient under a prior cooperative research projects for the Eight Mile Lake research site (NAU-454/P14AC01366). Permafrost degradation and thaw are impacting park resources including wildlife habitat, hydrology, fire regimes, and road infrastructure.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The objectives of this project are to: 1) facilitate continuation of monitoring efforts at the Eight Mile Lake permafrost research site, and 2) further the collaboration and maintain the continuous data set from this site, and 3) Analyze and report on the data set collected of the past decade in conjunction with data from a new set of soil samples collected at the 8-Mile Lake Permafrost Observatory.
RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The recipient will hire and support a graduate research assistant, provide academic guidance to the student leading to the completion of an advanced degree, direct study design, project implementation, and fieldwork to meet goals, manage data and soil sample collections and complete data analyses, and cooperate with the NPS to complete project objectives.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

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

Assign NPS staff to dedicate effort on this project including: a NPS physical science technician with expertise in soil science methods, meteorological measurements, and data management to collaborate on this project. The NPS will provide necessary training (e.g. Bear Safety), local lab space for processing and local housing (if available). The NPS will also assist in the recruitment and hiring of a graduate student, provide mentoring, logistical support, and oversight in the field and provide input into study design and implementation and review of products.

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

(2) Continuation
(4) Unique Qualifications

Single Source Justification Description:

Denali National Park’s science team has been working on monitoring and assessing permafrost dynamics with Dr. Schuur continuously since 2008. Continuing this successful and productive partnership is the most efficient way for Denali to continue monitoring this key vital sign.
Dr. Schuur at Northern Arizona University is uniquely qualified because he has extensive experience conducting permafrost science with a focus on carbon cycling at the 8 Mile Lake Permafrost Observatory and other sites in Alaska.