US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Avian Health and Disease Program Support Grant

Award Instrument Grant
Statutory Authority Fish and Wildlife Service Act of 1956 16 U.S.C. 742 (f)(a)(4) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918m (16 U.S.C. 703 et. seq.)
CFDA Number 15.655
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (4) Unique Qualifications
Avian Health and Disease Program Point of Contact Samantha Gibbs, Avian Disease Coordinator, Division of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service

OVERVIEW
Increasing expansion of human populations has lead to habitat fragmentation, changes in land-use patterns, and increased pressure on wild bird populations. Globalization of marketing and distribution has increased zoonotic and emerging disease risks. Many of these emerging diseases involve avian reservoirs or susceptible hosts. Increasing the complexity of this picture are changes in climate. Avian populations may need to alter site fidelity in response to weather patterns; this will introduce new opportunities for transmission of avian diseases and place pressure on populations already stressed by anthropogenic factors. To address these issues, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has established the Avian Health and Disease Program (AHPD) to conduct work in avian health and disease surveillance, response, and management. This work supports the avian conservation, surveillance, and management goals of the FWS by encompassing disease and health issues, including all migratory bird species.
The objectives of this program are to conduct health and disease surveillance of wild bird populations in order to: 1. Establish avian health baselines; 2. Identify existing and emerging avian health and disease risks; 3. Ensure disease preparedness and prevention; 4. Develop, guide, and implement appropriate and effective management actions.
In order to be successful in accomplishing our objectives, the FWS Avian Health and Disease Program must work in cooperation with other agencies capable of providing diagnostic, field, training, and management assistance.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT
The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is a private, non-profit, scientific and educational organization committed to the conservation, enhancement, and professional management of North America�s wildlife and other natural resources. Long-term, multi-state and international studies are critical to the stewardship of the continent�s migratory bird populations. The FWS and WMI recognize the need for facilitation of multi-state and international studies centered on the health of migratory bird populations through collaboration with state, tribal, university, and non-profit partners. This grant will secure the services of WMI as a funds administrator to the FWS because of its experience and ability in handling numerous concurrent projects in multiple states and agencies.

AVIAN HEALTH AND DISEASE PROGRAM INVOLVEMENT
The Avian Health and Disease Program will identify needed projects and partners, and coordinate with WMI to arrange and provide support for those projects. The AHDP will provide guidance to WMI on program priorities and goals. The AHDP will provide funds not to exceed $548,000.00 for distribution to partners to assist in achieving the goals of the program.

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 Division of Migratory Bird Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
(4) Unique Qualifications
WMI is uniquely qualified to perform the activity due to its well-established partnerships with agencies (across the United States and internationally) that are conducting projects as part of the Avian Health and Disease Program. This grant will secure the services of WMI based on its long-term experience with FWS programs, as well as its ability, efficiency, and sound reputation in handling numerous concurrent projects being conducted in multiple states by multiple agencies.