The National Park Service is offering this grant to study the Status and Trends of Alaska NPS Glaciers.

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 J9923100009
Project Title Status and Trends of Alaska NPS Glaciers
Recipient University of Alaska Fairbanks
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Dr. Anthony Arendt, Research Professor
University of Alaska Fairbanks
401 E, Geophysical Institute
903 Koyukuk Drive
PO Box 757320
Fairbanks AK 99775-7320

Total Anticipated Award Amount $260,271.00
Cost Share None
New Award or Continuation? CESU – New Award
Anticipated Length of Agreement 2 years
Anticipated Period of Performance August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2012
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement – CESU
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1a -2j, 16 USC 5933
CFDA # and Title 00.000
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Continuation – CESU
Unique Qualifications
NPS Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro
Contract Specialist
907-644-3303

Page 2
OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND NPS SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part the National Park Service is anticipated 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:

NPS will provide significant datasets to UAF-GI in support of this project. Data sets will be made available permanently for use of UAF-GI research and teaching faculty and students. Glacier inventories have been initiated in some Alaska’s parks. Existing data include digitized glacier outlines in Denali National Park from 1:63,360 USGS quadrangle maps, representing glacier extent at the time of the original 1950-1957 aerial photography (see http://nrdata.nps.gov/dena/denadata/glac_de.zip). Additional outlining efforts have been initiated for a portion of Denali Park glaciers using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from 2001. In the Southwest Alaska Network parks (Katmai, Lake Clark and Kenai Fjords), the extent of all glaciers have been mapped at several time periods using Lansat 5 and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery. The National Park Service will also contribute Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) created concurrently during Ikonos imagery acquisitions in Kenai Fjords and Lake Clark National Parks.

NPS staff will work with the Principal Investigator to refine project objectives, priorities and create a schedule for accomplishments to ensure that project progresses timely and that the results are both scientifically rigorous as well as meet NPS needs. NPS and PI will evaluate initial project results and update the workplan when necessary. The NPS Key Official will assist with draft report preparation as needed, and work jointly with the PI to develop and provide draft technical and interpretive reports materials to explain the significance of project findings to the public. These draft materials will be provided to the Alaska Pacific University – Mike Loso, who will prepare final technical and interpretive reports (under a separate task agreement).

Specific NPS Involvement includes:
The division of ice extent polygons into individual glacier polygons is a phase which will be done in consultation with NPS personnel terrain information from NPS DEMs will be used to delineate key glaciological parameters. Discussions and selection will be done with integrated involvement of NPS park researcher and after thorough discussion of desired parameters, based on results from preliminary work.

One of the primary objectives of the project is to develop a time series of glacial extent. After initial work on I&M network staff will work with GI to select the array of glaciers to be selected. Selection will be dependent upon I&M data and experience, and results of project work by GI. The NPS input at this stage is critical to determine the appropriate representation accross all Alaska parks with glaciers and can only be accomplished after initial work on the project is further developed. This determination will guide ruselts of the project and ensure products provide necessary information for NPS managers.

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 – Nearly all of the botanical specimens collected by NPS in Alaska had their identity verified by ALA staff, were curated by ALA, and are housed there. This agreement would allow continuation of that system for dealing with the future specimens.

(4) Unique Qualifications – Dr. Michael Loso at Alaska Pacific University, has the unique ability to complete this task with a high degree of confidence. There will be challenges associated with this project. Dr Loso’s and his research associates are currently working on glacier studies in Denali National Park and Preserve through an existing agreement with the N&W AK CESU. Dr. Loso will rely on recently acquired knowledge, professional contacts within the NPS that have been established and developed as a result of his work with glacier studies in Denali National Park and Preserve. This work in Denali is a continuing effort and thus this solid foundation of knowledge will directly enhance the ability of Dr. Loso and his associates to expand and apply their knowledge beyond the Denail region to other parks and regions of the state.
• .