The National Park Service is offering a grant for Conservation Interns in Fisheries Management at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

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 Number J9855110005
Project Title Conservation Interns for Fisheries Management, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Recipient The Student Conservation Association
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Susan LaWare – SCA
Dan Young – NPS
Total Anticipated Award Amount $9,930.
Cost Share
New Award or Continuation? New
Anticipated Length of Agreement Less than 1 year
Anticipated Period of Performance June 1, 2011-August 24, 2011
Award Instrument CA – Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 U.S.C. §1g
CFDA # and Title 15.931
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited This project is an on-going project for the involvement of youth in the care and enhancement of public resources. Fisheries Management Interns shall count and capture salmon and other resident fish species, (80%), collect basic biological data on fish age and size, (10%), and maintain equipment and manage data (10%).

1) 505 DM 2 Single Source – Only one responsible source will satisfy agency requirements.

The source identified for this agreement is the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The SCA has been a partner with the National Park Service – Alaska Region for several years and has a proven positive track record. They have shown great flexibility in working with different parks to organize the numerous specialized logistics, such as housing, transportation, and equipment, associated with these remote areas.

SCA agrees:
1. To assist with recruitment and selection of two Conservation Interns to participate in fisheries management at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL).
2. To provide for transportation to and from LACL and subsistence during the tour of duty.

NPS agrees:
1. To provide financial assistance in accordance with Article V.
2. To provide general orientation to park operations and NPS mission.
3. To provide a NPS technical representative to be on-site with the SCA volunteer to assist with specifics of the project as needed.
4. To provide housing for the SCA volunteer.

Period of Performance: 6/1-8/24/2011

Duties include: Count and capture salmon and other resident fish species, (80%), collect basic biological data on fish age and size, (10%), and maintain equipment and manage data (10%). Training will include: Global Position System (GPS), boat and aviation safety; bear awareness/safety; firearms; fisheries techniques; and orientation to NPS operations and management.

Cost: Fisheries Management Intern: $4,965 each $9,930 total

3) Criteria for justifying award without competition. In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria. Please explain which criterion specifically addresses the proposed agreement.

The original cooperative agreement was competed under H2495090023. This task agreement falls under that task agreement.

4) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted:

Organizations with existing National Youth Activities Cooperative Agreements were considered. The SCA was the only organization providing the service required in the Alaska region.

NPS Point of Contact Erica_Cordeiro@nps.gov

OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND NPS SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT

Cooperative Agreement Number or PR Number H2495090023

l. What type of competition is appropriate?

Competition was unnecessary as all cooperators considered have already competed.

2. Why was this cooperator selected?

The cooperator was selected because they have a long history of providing motivated, talented, and qualified interns to assist with natural resource management projects throughout the nation. Specifically, the cooperator has provided services to this particular NPS unit since 1999 with excellent results. In addition, this cooperator is the only cooperator, among those available in the Youth Program, which has an established history of providing these services in the Alaska region.

3. Who are the parties to the agreement?

The Student Conservation Association and the National Park Service

4. What is the purpose of the agreement?

To provide conservation interns to assist with natural resource monitoring projects within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

5. What are the deliverables expected?

The cooperator will recruit, select, and provide administrative assistance for two conservation interns to assist with fisheries management work within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The cooperator will also provide round trip transportation to the work site and per diem for subsistence.

6. Explain the nature of the anticipated substantial involvement. What will NPS specifically do to carry out the project?

NPS will provide a meaningful work experience in fisheries management for two conservation interns. Specifically, interns will be provided housing, equipment, training, project oversight, and guidance regarding fisheries management.

7. Why is the substantial involvement considered to be necessary?

Substantial involvement is considered necessary because NPS personnel will be directing the training and scope of the work being conducted by the interns provided by the cooperator.

8. Explain why the project or activity entails a relationship of assistance rather than a contract. How will the NPS benefit from this collaboration?

The project is a relationship rather than a contract because the interns being provided to NPS would not be able to complete the task without the assistance of trained and knowledgeable NPS staff.

9. What is the public purpose of support or stimulation?

The purpose of the support is to promote and stimulate involvement of young adults in public service and natural resource conservation.

10. Which law or laws authorize granting of assistance for performance of this project or activity?

11. How was the determination made that the costs proposed are accurate and proper? Provide a breakdown of costs and rationale for determining they are acceptable.*

The costs are reasonable for the services provided and are calculated for two interns. Living allowance – $2400, FICA – $184, Travel – $2100, Equipment – $150, Member services – $2822, Indirect charges – $2274, Total = $9930.