Promote & Enhance River Conservation & Management

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 Service¿s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition. ABSTRACT Funding Announcement P14AS00254 Project Title Promote & Enhance River Conservation & Management Recipient River Management Society Principle Investigator / Program Manager Risa Shimokda Total Anticipated Award Amount $57,000.00 Cost Share None New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P14AC0998 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 1271 Section 11(b) CFDA # and Title 15.921 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov OVERVIEW Cooperative Agreement Number P14AC00998 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) and River Management Society for the purpose of working jointly to promote and enhance river conservation and management and advancing the profession of river management by providing managers, researchers, educators and others with a forum for sharing information about the appropriate use and management of river resources. The purpose of this task agreement is to document the cooperation between the River Management Society and the NPS through which they will complete several projects that advance the tools and resources available for river and water trail managers to improve river recreation management and natural resource protection. Activities supported under this agreement include the research and development of river toolbox tools, the planning and implementation of training webinars, and the support of a national water trails training workshop. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Prepare a detailed work plan within one month of the final signature for this agreement. 2. Provide planning and organizational support for a national water trails training workshop by July 2015, including support for scholarships. 3. Utilize the RMS professional development network to plan, develop, and produce informational, technical, and educational materials including: a. Tools for river managers that provide a review and summary of best practices or technical guidance for key river management issues, including but not limited to wild and scenic river training, landowner liability guidance and tools for working with outfitters. b. Next steps to implement the National River Database for River Managers vision. c. Up to six webinars on key river management topics. 4. Provide oversight and leadership/mentoring for a river conservation professional development intern to support the completion of the informational, technical, and educational materials referenced above. 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: Provide organizational and planning support for a national water trails training workshop. 2. Assist in development of a work plan for developing the information and education materials. 3. Assist in collecting resources and technical guidance for and solicit staff input for and review of the tools for river managers. 4. Provide mentoring opportunities for a river conservation professional development intern and exposure to NPS river management efforts. 5. Promote and encourage participation in the workshop and webinars among NPS staff and partners. 6. Provide financial support to River Management Society to accomplish the above mentioned tasks 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 (P14AC01489) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00998) in the amount of $57,000.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 9/30/2015. STATUTORY AUTHORITY A. 16 U.S.C. 1g. NPS authority to enter into cooperative agreements and transfer appropriated funds to nonprofit organization for the public purpose of NPS programs. B. 16 USC 1271et seq. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, Section 11 (b) (1) authorizes Federal assistance, cooperation through written agreements, and limited financial or other assistance to private organizations and others to protect and manage river resources.