Department of the Interior: America the Beautiful Inter-Agency Pass Study Grant

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 P14AS00256
Project Title America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Study
Recipient University of Montana
Principle Investigator / Program Manager John Duffield
Total Anticipated Award Amount $74,986.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC0728
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of award until 9/30/2015
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of award until 9/30/2015
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1(g); 16 USC 5933; 16 USC 1a-2(j)
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs ¿ Resources of NPS CESU¿s
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuatiomn
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P14AC00728 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and The University of Montana (UM), for the purpose of pursuing research, technical assistance and education with partners that are part of the Rocky Mountains CESU. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Project Description: The NPS, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and the United State Forest Service (USFS) – together the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) agencies – all collect recreational fees under the authority of the REA. Visitors can purchase Annual, Senior, or Access passes that allow unlimited entry for the holder¿s party (up to four visitors or one car total) over the period of a year (or for life, in the case of the Senior Pass) to Interior and USFS recreation sites that charge fees. These passes can be purchased on-site, online, on the telephone, or via third party vendors such as REI. The REA agencies wish to learn about the use and characteristics of the purchasers of the Annual, Senior, and Access passes sold and distributed (the Access pass is free of charge) by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) online and on the phone. The individuals purchasing passes via phone and internet from USGS represent a subset of all pass purchases.

Our principal goal is to study the characteristics and use patterns of consumers who purchase passes online and on the phone.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Montana agrees to:
● Administer the survey instrument
● Draft and finalize the academic report

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 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 agrees to:
● Liaise with the United States Geological Survey
● Provide existing data
● Submit final packages for OMB Approval

The Parties jointly agree to:
● Develop the parameters for the project and study
● Develop the survey instrument
● Prepare an information collection request for OMB Approval
● Analyze the data collected during the study

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

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION DESCRIPTION:

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
This is a Task Agreement (P14AC01492) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $74,986.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2015.

“This proposed project between University of Montana and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”. Also, on the SF 424 forms that the partner sponsored programs office fills out for each project, requires a CFDA number – 15.945, which is the number associated with the CFDA Title: COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMS – RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (CESU).

STATUTORY AUTHORITY
A. 16 U.S.C. §1g authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS appropriated funds to state, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs.

B. 16 U.S.C. §1a-2(j) Cooperative research and training programs authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private educational institutions, states, and their political subdivisions, for the purpose of developing adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training programs concerning the resources of the national park system. Pursuant to such agreements, the cooperator may accept from or make available to the NPS technical and support staff, financial assistance for mutually agreed upon research projects, supplies and equipment, facilities, and administrative services relating to cooperative research units as the Secretary deems appropriate (research projects subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation excluded).
Modified 5/31/05 ¿ Agreement Handbook Memorandum Number 2

C. 16 U.S.C. §5933 Cooperative agreements. The Secretary is authorized and directed to enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, including but not limited to land grant schools, in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the resources of the National Park System, or the larger region of which parks are a part.

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 P14AS00256
Project Title America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Study
Recipient University of Montana
Principle Investigator / Program Manager John Duffield
Total Anticipated Award Amount $74,986.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC0728
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of award until 9/30/2015
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of award until 9/30/2015
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1(g); 16 USC 5933; 16 USC 1a-2(j)
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs ¿ Resources of NPS CESU¿s
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuatiomn
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P14AC00728 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and The University of Montana (UM), for the purpose of pursuing research, technical assistance and education with partners that are part of the Rocky Mountains CESU. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Project Description: The NPS, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and the United State Forest Service (USFS) – together the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) agencies – all collect recreational fees under the authority of the REA. Visitors can purchase Annual, Senior, or Access passes that allow unlimited entry for the holder¿s party (up to four visitors or one car total) over the period of a year (or for life, in the case of the Senior Pass) to Interior and USFS recreation sites that charge fees. These passes can be purchased on-site, online, on the telephone, or via third party vendors such as REI. The REA agencies wish to learn about the use and characteristics of the purchasers of the Annual, Senior, and Access passes sold and distributed (the Access pass is free of charge) by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) online and on the phone. The individuals purchasing passes via phone and internet from USGS represent a subset of all pass purchases.

Our principal goal is to study the characteristics and use patterns of consumers who purchase passes online and on the phone.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The University of Montana agrees to:
● Administer the survey instrument
● Draft and finalize the academic report

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 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 agrees to:
● Liaise with the United States Geological Survey
● Provide existing data
● Submit final packages for OMB Approval

The Parties jointly agree to:
● Develop the parameters for the project and study
● Develop the survey instrument
● Prepare an information collection request for OMB Approval
● Analyze the data collected during the study

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

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION DESCRIPTION:

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
This is a Task Agreement (P14AC01492) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $74,986.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2015.

“This proposed project between University of Montana and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”. Also, on the SF 424 forms that the partner sponsored programs office fills out for each project, requires a CFDA number – 15.945, which is the number associated with the CFDA Title: COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMS – RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (CESU).

STATUTORY AUTHORITY
A. 16 U.S.C. §1g authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS appropriated funds to state, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs.

B. 16 U.S.C. §1a-2(j) Cooperative research and training programs authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private educational institutions, states, and their political subdivisions, for the purpose of developing adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training programs concerning the resources of the national park system. Pursuant to such agreements, the cooperator may accept from or make available to the NPS technical and support staff, financial assistance for mutually agreed upon research projects, supplies and equipment, facilities, and administrative services relating to cooperative research units as the Secretary deems appropriate (research projects subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation excluded).
Modified 5/31/05 ¿ Agreement Handbook Memorandum Number 2

C. 16 U.S.C. §5933 Cooperative agreements. The Secretary is authorized and directed to enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, including but not limited to land grant schools, in partnership with other Federal and State agencies, to establish cooperative study units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the resources of the National Park System, or the larger region of which parks are a part.