Department of the Interior: Wildlife Conservation Grant for High Priority Projects

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 P14AS00222
Project Title High Priority Wildlife Conservation Projects
Recipient Wilderness Conservation Society
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Shannon Roberts
Total Anticipated Award Amount $40,500.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC00728
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 1a-2(j); 16 USC 5933
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative research & training programs ¿ resources of NPS CESU¿s
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
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 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for the purposes of: 1. increasing the availability of science-based information and other scholarly information, sharing the information related to natural areas management with a diverse body of local, state, federal, tribal and NGO natural management professionals, 2. restoring and facilitating the stewardship of wildlife and wildlife habitats and improving the public¿s understanding of protected area; and 3. involving Native Americans and other diverse and indigenous people in the projects. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

A. WCS agrees to:

Work with NPS through the efforts of a collaborative partnership to identify and implement high priority science research, outreach and education projects.

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:

B. NPS agrees to:
1. Work cooperatively with the WCS at the national, regional, and park levels to accomplish the objectives of this agreement.

2. Actively participate with the WCS is planning and implementing forums designed to increase the awareness of and understanding of research results and other wildlife management information by providing personnel to help design sessions, lead discussions, participate in sessions and report the results of the sessions as appropriate to the nature and purpose of the sessions. The information exchanged will provide the NPS and other resource professionals with readily applicable information for increasing the effectiveness of their resource preservation and management activities at their home duty stations.

3. To make available to WCS information on research and science information of the parks relevant to native species, migratory species distributions, wildlife disease genetics and other data (maps, spatial data, digital data, and aerial photography) related to natural resource management in the proposed study areas. Integrate results into NPS management, operations and planning efforts, and develop educational materials such as brochures, we-based products to ensure communication to target audiences.

4. Provide timely review and approval of workplans developed by the WCS.

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 (P14AC01370) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $40,500.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2015

“This proposed project between Wilderness Conservation Society 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 NPS 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 P14AS00222
Project Title High Priority Wildlife Conservation Projects
Recipient Wilderness Conservation Society
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Shannon Roberts
Total Anticipated Award Amount $40,500.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC00728
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 1a-2(j); 16 USC 5933
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative research & training programs ¿ resources of NPS CESU¿s
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
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 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for the purposes of: 1. increasing the availability of science-based information and other scholarly information, sharing the information related to natural areas management with a diverse body of local, state, federal, tribal and NGO natural management professionals, 2. restoring and facilitating the stewardship of wildlife and wildlife habitats and improving the public¿s understanding of protected area; and 3. involving Native Americans and other diverse and indigenous people in the projects. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

A. WCS agrees to:

Work with NPS through the efforts of a collaborative partnership to identify and implement high priority science research, outreach and education projects.

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:

B. NPS agrees to:
1. Work cooperatively with the WCS at the national, regional, and park levels to accomplish the objectives of this agreement.

2. Actively participate with the WCS is planning and implementing forums designed to increase the awareness of and understanding of research results and other wildlife management information by providing personnel to help design sessions, lead discussions, participate in sessions and report the results of the sessions as appropriate to the nature and purpose of the sessions. The information exchanged will provide the NPS and other resource professionals with readily applicable information for increasing the effectiveness of their resource preservation and management activities at their home duty stations.

3. To make available to WCS information on research and science information of the parks relevant to native species, migratory species distributions, wildlife disease genetics and other data (maps, spatial data, digital data, and aerial photography) related to natural resource management in the proposed study areas. Integrate results into NPS management, operations and planning efforts, and develop educational materials such as brochures, we-based products to ensure communication to target audiences.

4. Provide timely review and approval of workplans developed by the WCS.

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 (P14AC01370) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $40,500.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2015

“This proposed project between Wilderness Conservation Society 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 NPS 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.