Health of Walruses

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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: H9911100047 Project Title: Health of Walruses Recipient: Kawerak Principle Investigator: Vera Metcalfe Total Anticipated Award Amount: $50,000 Cost Share: N/A New Award Or Continuation: New Anticipated Length of Agreement: 5 Years Anticipated Period of Performance: July 30, 2010 – July 29, 2015 Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreement/CESU Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. §1(g): 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 Single Source Justification Criteria Sited: BACKGROUND: • A brief history of this project. Is this part of an on-going program, agreement, etc? This project has previously been competed through the Shared Beringian Heritage Program of the NPS. A nationwide announcement is conducted yearly requesting proposals. Projects are subsequently selected through a 3-step competitive process. The selection process includes: internal NPS review; ranking by a FACA compliant panel of external stakeholders; and final selection by the NPS. Projects must be of mutual interest and benefit to the cooperator and the NPS, and must involve substantial involvement by both parties. 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. The cooperator proposed the project for consideration. 2) Nature and description of the deliverable required to meet the agency’s needs: • Description of the deliverables and the required delivery schedule: document the health and body condition of subsistence harvested walrus hunted by communities in the Bering Strait region; observation and monitoring August/September; annual progress reports due in March and final report due May, 2012, presentation at AMSS Jan. 2012, and distribution of final report in Alaska and Russia (working with NPS staff). • The minimum essential characteristics or unique features of the item(s). The PIs and partner organizations for this project are experts in this field of study, and have the relationships with native people in Chukotka to complete this work. This project is of vital interest due to the rapidly changing conditions in the arctic due to climate change, amplified in the dramatic habitat use by walrus. There is significant concern over the population and health of Pacific walrus. This monitoring is essential and should not be delayed even 1 year. • State the price of the requirement – base year and every additional anticipated agreement period thereafter. Funding in FY10 of $25,601, FY11 of $24,000. 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. This project has previously been competed (described above). The cooperator proposed the project for consideration and has the qualifications to complete the work. DOCUMENTATION FOR USE OF A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Cooperative Agreement Number or PR Number H9911100047 Kawerak, Inc., Health Evaluation of Walrus Type of funds to be used for this project: ONPS 1. What type of competition is appropriate? Nationwide announcement for Beringia proposals. 2. Why was this cooperator selected? Cooperator proposed the project through a 3-step competitive process, and had the necessary expertise to perform the selected project. 3. Who are the parties to the agreement? Kawerak, Inc. and the Alaska Region, NPS. 4. What is the purpose of the agreement? To document the health and body condition of subsistence harvested walrus hunted by communities in the Bering Strait region. 5. What are the deliverables expected? Conduct scientific study including observation and monitoring August/September of each year; submit annual progress reports due in March and final report due May, 2012, presentation at AMSS Jan. 2012, and distribution of final report in Alaska and Russia (working with NPS staff). 6. Explain the nature of the anticipated substantial involvement. What will NPS specifically do to carry out the project? - Provide technical assistance in planning and implementation of the project including review and modification to yearly plans, and logistical support. - Using the network of contacts established over the years, facilitate collaboration with other research efforts and related programs, including sister agency and non-governmental organizations working on related issues in the Beringia region. - Assist with the dissemination of information working with local park units to post information, advertize presentations, and include in interpretive programs 7. Why is the substantial involvement considered to be necessary? For successful outcome. Further: Substantial involvement on the part of Kawerak, Inc. is necessary to complete the project because as they have garnered the expertise within their organization and with the other necessary partner organizations in Alaska and Russia, necessary to conduct the work. Substantial involvement from the NPS is necessary because in addition to science and SBHP staff, they have the broader relationships with Russian government institutions, State and U.S. Federal agencies and other Beringia partners, to ensure collaboration and coordination, and ensure that the deliverables are accessible and useful. Explain why the project or activity entails a relationship of assistance rather than a contract. How will the NPS benefit from this collaboration? As described above, this project brings the inherent strengths of the local, placed-based organization and the federal government together to complete a project of shared interest and benefit. Further: The Shared Beringian Heritage Program of the NPS seeks to build partnerships with parties working on either side of the Bering Strait, increasing international cooperation and the conservation of the shared heritage of the region. Therefore, project supported through the program need to be of mutual benefit with substantial involvement from both parties. These partnerships further the NPS program goals of fostering collaboration across research and cultural studies in the region; leading to increased understanding and appreciation of the region; and furthering the goals of international cooperation. 8. What is the public purpose of support or stimulation? Resource stewardship and conservation. 9. Which law or laws authorize granting of assistance for performance of this project or activity? 104-208 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997. National Park Service Point of Contact: Erica_Cordeiro@nps.gov

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