Department of the Interior National Park Service Grant: Enhancing Predator-Prey Systems in National Parks

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.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on 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 awarded this task to the University of Montana based on the following exception. The University of Montana is a member of the NPS CESU network.
(4) Unique Qualifications -The cooperator is a member of an established Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, and was awarded a Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00749) allowing the University of Montana to participate in specific tasks, and can provide the specific research and investigative support to conduct this particular task while providing an effective outcome for the National Park Service and the research project. As such, the applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on their participation as a University Partner in the Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU) their capacity to provide appropriate researchers, and their ability to broadly utilize research results as teaching tool.

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.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on 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 awarded this task to the University of Montana based on the following exception. The University of Montana is a member of the NPS CESU network.
(4) Unique Qualifications -The cooperator is a member of an established Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, and was awarded a Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00749) allowing the University of Montana to participate in specific tasks, and can provide the specific research and investigative support to conduct this particular task while providing an effective outcome for the National Park Service and the research project. As such, the applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based on their participation as a University Partner in the Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU) their capacity to provide appropriate researchers, and their ability to broadly utilize research results as teaching tool.