Data Analysis, Report Writing and Status and Trends of Alaska NPS

Post Date

August 7th 2010

Application Due Date

August 13th 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

J9923100011

CFDA Number(s)

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Cooperative Agreement

Funding Activity Categories

Environment

Number of Awards

1

Eligibility Categories

Other

This cooperative agreement is under a CESU and only applicaple to Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK. Application packages will not be accepted by any vendor other than Alaska Pacific University.

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $70000

• Award Range:

  $70000 - $350000

Grant Description

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 (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities. ABSTRACT Funding Announcement: J9923100011 Project Title: CESU – Data Analysis, Report Writing and Status and Trends of Alaska NPS Recipient: Alaska Pacific University Principle Investigator: Dr. Michael Loso Total Anticipated Award Amount: $70, 000 annually Cost Share: N/A New Award Or Continuation: New CESU award Anticipated Length of Agreement: 5 Years Anticipated Period of Performance: August 16, 2010 – August 1, 2015 Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreement/CESU Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. Section 1g: The National Park Service may in fiscal year 1997 and thereafter enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of National Park Service appropriated funds to State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs pursuant to section 6305 of title 31 to carry out public purposes of National Park Service programs. CFDA# and 0.00 Not Elsewhere Classified - CESU Title: Single Source Justification Criteria Sited: JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (or SINGLE SOURCE) FOR DISCRETIONARY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BACKGROUND: This project will provide Alaska National Park units with a comprehensive review and analyses of current published literature on climate, climate trends and climate modeling for Alaska. The project will also analyze and evaluate glacier extent mapping data (glacier extent shapefiles and glacier geodatabase) currently being produced for all NPS units in Alaska by the University of Alaska for the National Park Service (under a separate agreement). A contemporaneous analysis of the climate data and the glacier data will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of how glaciers react to observed climate trends in Alaska. Using climate models, future projections can be made for glacier change based on a suite of glacier parameters and how these glacier parameters are influenced by a changing climate. Thoroughly understanding Alaska climate and how glaciers have reacted to observed climate trends will allow for more accurate forecasting of glacier change based on predictive climate models. This project will not only provide valuable information to park managers for management of park resources, but will also provide valuable data and data analysis to a large global scientific community studying the change in the global cryosphere and its affect on sea level rise. This project also will result in fascinating data and information on glaciers and glacier change in Alaska National Park units which will be conveyed to park visitors from all over the world who have a heightened awareness of glaciers and glacier change especially in light of global climate change. 1) 505 DM 2 Single Source - Only one responsible source will satisfy agency requirements. • Identify the source and explain why specifically competition is not practical. Dr. Michael Loso, mloso@alaskapacific.edu Associate Professor of Geology Phone: 907-564-8263 (APU) And Earth Sciences Alaska Pacific University 4101 University Drive Grant Hall 310D Anchorage, AK 99508 Competition for this project is not practical because Dr. Loso and his research associates will rely on recently acquired knowledge, professional contacts within the NPS that have been established and developed as a result of his work through a N&W AK CESU working on glacier studies in Denali National Park and Preserve. This work in Denali is a continuing effort and thus this solid foundation of knowledge will directly enhance the ability of Dr. Loso and his associates to expand their knowledge developed in the Denail region to other parks and regions of the state. 2) Nature and description of the deliverable required to meet the agency’s needs: • Description of the deliverables and the required delivery schedule. Table 1. Work elements and project deliverables. Project work elements Project planning and coordination with NPS/UAF-GI Review current literature on Alaska climate and climate change. Review literature on predictive Alaska climate modeling. Coordination with UAF-GI Data analysis – final or near-final glacier extent shapefiles and glacier parameters geodatabase completed by UAF-GI Field work – travel to glaciated NPS Alaska park units to collect time relevant data (modern and historical photographs, updated glacier geometry for focus glaciers, etc) Prepare draft technical and interpretive reports for peer review (see details of each type of report above). Prepare tables, charts, maps, etc for draft reports. Distribute draft reports (technical and interpretive) to the NPS and UAF-GI for review. Incorporate NPS and UAF-GI review comments into the preparation of final reports (technical and interpretive). Coordinate with NPS document production/layout specialist for publication. • The minimum essential characteristics or unique features of the item(s). If requesting a service, fully describe all services to be performed. The resultant deliverable product will be a comprehensive analysis of climate trends and models along with an analysis of glacier change and trends. Based on predictive climate models, a forecast will be prepared of how glaciers will change in the future and how these changes will impact landscapes and ecosystems across Alaska park units. Also, along with the forecast change in glaciers, an attempt will be made to estimate the affect to sea level rise. • State the price of the requirement – base year and every additional anticipated agreement period thereafter. The cost of the project is: Alaska Pacific University: $57,404 North and West Alaska CESU Overhead (17.5%): X 17.5% = $10,045.70 Total Project Budget: $67,449.70 Should funding be available in additional fiscal years, it is estimated to be no greater than current year funding. 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. • 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; Dr. Michael Loso at Alaska Pacific University has the unique ability to complete this task with a high degree of confidence. There will be challenges associated with this project. Dr Loso’s and his research associates are currently working on glacier studies in Denali National Park and Preserve through an existing agreement with the N&W AK CESU. Dr. Loso will rely on recently acquired knowledge, professional contacts within the NPS that have been established and developed as a result of his work with glacier studies in Denali National Park and Preserve. This work in Denali is a continuing effort and thus this solid foundation of knowledge will directly enhance the ability of Dr. Loso and his associates to expand and apply their knowledge beyond the Denail region to other parks and regions of the state. 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: • None. Dr. Loso and his research associates at PAU are best qualified (through expertise, experience, professional contacts) to meet the objectives of this project timely and within the budget allocated for the effort. There may be other organizations that can conduct project, but they would lack the detailed Alaska experience in glacier environments required to produce the high quality product envisioned. Substantial Cooperation and Involvement by NPS NPS staffs will work with the Principal Investigator to refine project objectives, priorities, and create a schedule for accomplishments to ensure that project progresses timely and that the results are both scientifically rigorous as well as meet NPS needs. Through a separate agreement (UAF-GI), glacier extent shapefiles and a glacier parameter geodatabase is being created for all glacier ice within NPS units in Alaska. As near-final or final glacier extent shapefiles and the glacier parameter geodatabase become available (winter-spring 2011 via separate agreement with UAF), monthly meetings will be conducted where analysis of the new data will be discussed. These monthly meeting are critical as they will act as decision points to guide the direction of additional analysis and work throughout the life of this project and will provide a portal to provide the PI with additional relevant information as this project develops and progresses. The findings of the preliminary data analysis will guide the NPS and the PI in the identification of a few “focus” glaciers that can be used as a narrative tool to describe the glacial changes identified in this study. The NPS will provide the PI will historic scientific and photographic data for additional data analysis and report preparation. Field work planned for the summer of 2012 will be supported by the NPS where possible. NPS support will include lodging at park facilities (if available), use of park aircraft (if available) and NPS personnel to accompany the PI into the field. The NPS – Alaska Region also has available, and will provide, substantial geospatial datasets for use in this project. The subject and/or type of geospatial data to be provide to the PI has not yet determined and will be determined as data analysis progresses and decision points are addressed that will guide the PIs work throughout the life of this project. The NPS and PI will evaluate initial project results and update the workplan and/or work schedule when necessary. The NPS Key Official will assist with draft report preparation as needed, and work jointly with the PI to develop and provide draft technical and interpretive reports materials to explain the significance of project findings to the public. NPS personnel will also collaborate with the Principal Investigator by providing contemporary and historic data (including reports, photographs, GIS layers, maps, and aerial/satellite photography) as needed, and by providing reasonable logistical support at individual parks during site visits in the summer of 2011.   National Park Service Point of Contact: Erica_Cordeiro@nps.gov

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of the Interior

• Office:

  National Park Service

• Agency Contact:

  Erica Cordeiro
  Contract Specialist
  Phone 907-644-3303

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Work

• Agency Email Address:

  Erica_Cordeiro@nps.gov