National Park Service: Geologic Resources Inventory and Monitoring Grant Continuation

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.

OVERVIEW

Part of the National Park Service’s mission is to possess accurate, comprehensive baseline data on the “natural and historic objects” in national park units. Only with such data can managers assess whether park resources are being adversely impacted by anthropogenic activities originating inside and/or outside park boundaries.

The Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) Program provides the baseline inventory information. It provides park managers with information on park geologic resources via the following products:
– A park specific meeting (“scoping meeting”) bringing together local geologic experts and park staff to discuss geologic resource management issues with a subsequent summary that documents the outcome of the scoping meeting, including a plan for digital geologic mapping and discussion of geologic features, processes and issues;
– A digital geologic map; and
– A comprehensive geologic report.

In using the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU), federal agencies and nonfederal partners (e.g. tribes, universities, state agencies, and other organizations) collaborate through technical assistance, education, and training to address natural and cultural resource management issues. Under the Rocky Mountain CESU, the National Park Service and Colorado State University will continue to develop and provide geologic data to park resource managers for science-based decision making and to the general public to foster public enjoyment as well as protection of NPS geologic resources.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

CSU agrees to:
– Participate in scoping meetings at park locations by recording the discussions and prepare a scoping summary.
– Produce digital geologic maps.
– Prepare geologic reports.
– Provide database management.
– Provide training to Recipient participants and NPS personnel.
– Maintain their Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise through annual mapping conferences/conventions and short courses.

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:
– Program planning and budgeting.
– Organizing and participating in scoping meetings.
– Producing digital geologic maps.
– Overseeing and coordinating the development of geologic map overview graphics, or “layouts”.
– Preparing geologic reports.
– Database management.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION, AND
(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This is a Task Agreement, P13AC00986, under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Cooperative Agreement H2370094000, in the amount of $838,500.00 with a period of performance from date of award through September 30, 2014.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

16 U.S.C. §1a-2(j) Cooperative research and training programs
Secretary of the Interior¿s authorization of activities – 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, and, pursuant to any such agreements, to accept from and make available to the cooperator such 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; except that this paragraph shall not waive any requirements for research projects that are subject to the Federal procurement regulations.

16 U.S.C. §5933 Cooperative agreements
(a) Cooperative study units – 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.
(b) Report – Within one year of November 13, 1998, the Secretary shall report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives on progress in the establishment of a comprehensive network of such college and university based cooperative study units as will provide full geographic and topical coverage for research on the resources contained in units of the National Park System and their larger regions.