Dinosaurs of the Cantwell Formation, Denali National Park and Preserve: insights into a Late Cretaceous, high-latitude ecosystem in a Greenhouse World.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Serviceâ₏™s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition. ABSTRACT Funding Announcement Number P15AS01027 Project Title Dinosaurs of the Cantwell Formation, Denali National Park and Preserve: insights into a Late Cretaceous, high-latitude ecosystem in a Greenhouse World. Recipient Dr. Patrick Druckenmiller, University of Alaska Fairbanks Principle Investigator / Program Manager Information from Key Officials section should be pasted here 1. For the NPS: Agreement Technical Representative: Denny Capps Park Geologist National Park Service Denali National Park PO Box 9 Denali Park, AK, 99755 Phone: 907-683-9598 Fax: 907-683-9639 Email: denny_capps@nps.gov 2. For the University of Alaska Fairbanks: Dr. Pat Druckenmiller Curator of Earth Science University of Alaska Museum of the North University of Alaska Fairbanks 907 Yukon Dr. Fairbanks, AK 99775 Ph: 907-474-6954 Fax: 907-474-5469 psdruckenmiller@alaska.edu Total Anticipated Award Amount $30,750 Cost Share None New Award or Continuation? New Anticipated Period of Performance August 15, 2015 - June 30, 2020 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority 54 USC§100702 CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Unique Qualifications (4)Unsolicited proposal NPS ATR Point of Contact Dr. Denny Capps OVERVIEW This Task Agreement is being entered into by and between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). The objective of this agreement is for mutual assistance in investigating the scientifically significant fossil record of arctic dinosaurs and their paleoenvironment that is preserved within Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA). The goal of this work is to determine the diversity and paleoecology of dinosaurs that are known from abundant trace fossil evidence preserved in the Cantwell Formation in DENA. To achieve this goal, our research objectives are to: (i) document important new fossil sites in the Cantwell Formation in DENA; (ii) interpret the tracks in terms of probable track makers, and other paleobiological interpretations; (iii) interpret the paleoenvironmental context using sedimentologic and paleobotanical evidence; and (iv) compare the DENA dinosaur assemblage with that known from the penecontemporaneous Prince Creek Formation (PCF) of northern Alaska. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN The DENA staff and UAF researchers will cooperate in 1) investigating known fossil sites and reconnaissance for new fossils sites, 2) improving dating of the Cantwell Formation to better constrain the age of fossils, 3) collect data for paleontological localities using GPS, photogrammetry, silicone peels, and actual specimens, and manage data in the NPS paleontological database, and 4) compare the data from DENA to the penecontemporaneous Prince Creek Formation of the North Slope. Finally, DENA staff and UAF researchers will use the research accomplished and the discoveries made through this work to produce display-quality replicas and other educational materials that can be used by park personnel for outreach to park visitors. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Specific project objectives include: 1) Survey and monitor known sites for new discoveries. 2) Locate and map new localities that produce significant paleontological material, including plants, invertebrate trace fossils, and vertebrate trace fossils. 3) Although body fossils (bones, teeth) of vertebrates have not been found in the park, we will diligently prospect for these remains, which would considerably augment the existing fossil record in the park. 4) Collaborate with park personnel using GIS to predict and efficiently target potentially fossiliferous localities and then ground truth these areas. 5) Locate and collect tephras (volcanic ash) for radiometric dating to better constrain the age of the fossil-bearing portion of the formation. 6) Implement photogrammetry to efficiently record field data of trace fossils and, in collaboration with NPS, establish a photogrammetry database of park fossils to easily access three-dimensional data from known sites. 7) Collect actual specimens and produce silicone peels and 3D prints of tracks for archiving at the University of Alaska Museum (UAM). 8) Digitally catalogue and georeference all specimens at UAM and share these data for incorporation into the NPS database. 9) Produce display-quality replicas and other educational materials that can be used by park personnel for outreach to park visitors. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT Substantial involvement on the part of 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: The NPS will be directly involved in all parts of this project, which include the investigation of known fossil sites and reconnaissance for new fossils sites, data collection and management, and education and outreach related to paleontological resources and research occurring in the park. DENA staff have specialized knowledge relating to the paleontological resources that occur in the park, which they can share with UAF researchers. This includes intimate knowledge of where known fossil sites are located (this is important because fossil sites typically occur over a large area, and individual fossils are dispersed widely over that area), knowledge of high priority areas to survey for fossils, experience working in a National Park environment and specifically in Denali National Park, understanding of and the ability to inform researchers of DENA paleontological data collection protocols, and will accompany UAF researchers on field work in the park each summer. NPS staff will regularly participate in data sharing and dialogue with UAF during times exclusive of fieldwork, and will work closely with UAF to determine project scope, goals, and tasks. NPS staff will additionally provide safety and travel orientation. Overland travel within the park is on either the bus system or by driving the park road with government vehicles, which requires special knowledge because the road is closed to the public but utilized by tour buses. When necessary, DENA will provide helicopter support for remote fieldtrips. Beyond the support from NPS staff, DENA will also share resources such as transportation and housing within the park and, appropriate safety equipment, and appropriate field equipment (such as GPS, radios, etc.). The Park Geologist will act as the NPS supervisor, technical expert, ATR, and research permit liaison. 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 â₏“ 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 â₏“ 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 â₏“ The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congressâ₏™ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose; (4) Unique Qualifications â₏“ 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 â₏“ 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: (1) Unsolicited Proposal (4) Unique Qualifications Single Source Justification Description: DENA staff continue to survey the Cantwell Formation within the park for paleontological material, but require technical assistance from external specialists. Dr. Druckenmiller has unique qualifications that make him exceptionally suited to assist DENA in advancing their paleontology program. These include his experience researching polar dinosaurs, and his experience planning and executing fieldwork in remote areas of Alaska. There are relatively few vertebrate paleontologists that specialize in studying dinosaurs and, of those few, only a sub-set focus their research on arctic dinosaurs. Dr. Druckenmiller has conducted recent research efforts on the remains of arctic dinosaurs found in interior Alaska, and investigated fossil sites that are directly related to the fossil assemblage of the Cantwell Formation. Over the course of these efforts, Dr. Druckenmiller has accumulated significant experience working in remote areas of Alaska, including the Talkeetna Mountains, the Colville River, Sagavanirktok River, Slope Mountain on the North Slope, and the Alaska Peninsula. Thus, he is fully prepared to meet the challenges of conducting successful field work in DENA. This combination of experience and skills makes Dr. Druckenmiller a unique candidate, and supports a single-source selection. Additionally, DENA has a stated interest in partnering with Alaskans, to foster local involvement in the National Park. This agreement directly supports this interest by bringing in researchers and students from an Alaskan university, the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dr. Druckenmiller is the highest-qualified paleontologist for DENAâ₏™s needs based in the state of Alaska.
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