Evaluation of nearshore communities and habitats Ecological Processes in Lower Cook Inlet
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 To be filled out by Contracting Project Title Evaluation of nearshore communities and habitats Ecological Processes in Lower Cook Inlet Recipient University of Alaska Fairbanks Principle Investigator / Program Manager Katrin Iken Total Anticipated Award Amount $45,900.20 Cost Share None New Award or Continuation? To be filled out by Contracting Anticipated Period of Performance 05/01/2015 through 04/30/2016 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority FA Legal Authority for this TA: 16 USC 5933 (a) CFDA # and Title CFDA: 15.945 Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (4) Unique Qualifications NPS ATR Point of Contact To be filled out by Contracting OVERVIEW The objective of this agreement is to support the collation of existing information on current intertidal and shallow subtidal benthic species across multiple habitat types that are found in proximity of the BOEM Cook Inlet Planning Area proposed in the Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program 2012-2017. The BOEM Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program 2012-2017 includes a lease sale in the Cook Inlet Planning Area in 2017. An OCS Cook Inlet Lease Sale NEPA analysis hasn't been undertaken since 2003. Updated information regarding the physical and biological environment, including variability in oceanographic conditions, nearshore benthic communities, as well as data related to sensitive species, is needed to support NEPA analyses conducted for the planned lease sale. The results of these studies will be used in NEPA analyses and documentation for an upcoming lease sale, and potential future Explorations Plans (EPs), and Development and Production Plans (DPPs). STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN NPS will coordinate the project. UAF will provide taxonomical expertise in the realm of intertidal and subtidal invertebrates and algaes. The NPS will be providing expertise on field techniques and ensure compatibility with Gulf Watch Alaska when appropriate during this project. They will also conduct all subtidal surveys and ensure protocols match those already in existence in Kachemak Bay. NPS and UAF currently work collaboratively on the Gulf Watch Alaska project. The project completion report will be co-authored by NPS and UAF personnel. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT University of Alaska Fairbanks agrees to: a. Provide expertise in study design of subtidal sampling. b. Provide interpretation of data collection. c. Conduct subtidal surveys in proximity to intertidal sites of canopy kelps in Lower Cook Inlet in cooperation with NPS personnel. d. Provide NPS with recommendations for continued site assessment work for more extensive evaluation of subtidal canopy kelps to document kelps and select intertidal invertebrates in Lower Cook Inlet. e. As funding permits, conduct further site assessments based on recommendations provided in task C. Sites will include intertidal areas and subtidal canopy kelps. Protocols implemented should be compatible with existing protocols when possible. Examples of existing protocols include, but are not limited to: NPS SWAN, Gulf Watch Alaska, NaGISA/Census of Marine Life and where suitable, MARINe. f. Co-author the completion report with NPS. 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: a. Oversee the compilation of existing historic datasets and reports on benthic organisms and habitats in the intertidal and subtidal kelp biota in cooperation with CIRCAC, NOAA, UAF and any other relevant partners. b. Conduct intertidal surveys in cooperation with UAF, CIRCAC and NOAA personnel. c. As funding permits, conduct further site assessments based on recommendations provided by UAF in task C. d. Co-author the completion report with UAF e. NPS PIs are coordinating this project in its entirety including, but not limited to, ensuring reporting deadlines are met and project objectives are completed. 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: (4) Unique Qualifications Single Source Justification Description: This project depends on the knowledge and expertise of individuals from UAF in intertidal and subtidal invertebrates and algaes. NPS is also requiring sampling of the subtidal. Sampling the subtidal requires the use of SCUBA diving and our UAF partners are considered expert s in this area. Protocols for sampling the subtidal are in place in Kachemak Bay and will be implemented in this study area. This project also requires a substantial understanding of Gulf Watch Alaska protocols and SOPs. Extensive amounts of time (upwards of 1 month) would be required of the NPS PIs if training in these protocols and SOPs were required.
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