Department of the Interior Three State Air Quality Task 2 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 P14AS00165
Project Title Three States Air Quality Task 2
Recipient Western States Air Resources Council/Western Regional Air Partnership
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Dan Johnson
Total Anticipated Award Amount `$951,373.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC00099
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of award until 3/31/2016
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of award until 3/31/2016
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1(g)
CFDA # and Title 15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P14CA00099 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and Western States Air Resources Council/Western Regional Air Partnership (WESTAR/WRAP) for the purpose of undertaking cooperative projects related to air quality management and planning. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Three State Air Quality Project – The proposed Task 2 is a substantial cooperative effort between WESTAR/WRAP and the NPS. Collaborative activities include Three State Air Quality Study (also known as Western Air Quality Study) coordination, ambient monitoring activities in the Utah portion of the Study region, air quality modeling, emissions inventory development, and data warehouse operations and maintenance across the Study region.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

¿ Serve as the project coordinator for the Three State Air Quality Study.
¿ Oversee technical tasks for the Three State Air Quality Study Cooperators to include:
o Air Quality monitoring
o Emission inventory development
o Air quality modeling
¿ Support data warehouse operations and maintenance.
¿ Assist in education and outreach to stakeholders and the public.
¿ Organize and attend meetings, webinars, and conference calls.

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:

¿ Attend planning and management meetings, webinars, and calls, and provide input for the Three State Study.
¿ Provide information, data, statistical and/or GIS work products to contribute to products for the Three State Air Quality Study.
¿ Review and comment on all draft products.
¿ Provide financial support for WESTAR/WRAP for work performed as outlined under this agreement.

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 (P14AC01122) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00099) in the amount of $951,373.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 03/31/2016.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

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.

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