Migratory Bird Joint Venture

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THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE SOURCE, AND THERE IS NO "FULL ANNOUNCEMENT" ASSOCIATED WITH THIS NOTICE. This Notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to award a cooperative agreement to the American Bird Conservancy under authority of CFDA 15.637 and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C 742a-754; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 709a. The Service proposes to provide financial assistance to the recipient so that, with substantial involvement and direction from the Service, they may facilitate operational support for habitat delivery coordination, research, monitoring and other activities that advance the conservation of high priority bird species on breeding and non-breeding areas in the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture administrative area. American Bird Conservancy will provide operational and administrative support, and facilitate the development of field activities consistent with the priorities and direction expressed in the agreement, investing Service-provided funding accordingly. American Bird Conservancy has demonstrated unique capability in fostering the cooperation and coordination necessary to develop partnership-based programs that support conservation of vulnerable bird species across the Americas. The American Bird Conservancy will (1) Provide an Annual Work Plan by September 1 of each year describing the staff, expenses, and projects to be performed each year. The Annual Work Plan is subject to approval by the Service. 2) Secure the services of and provide necessary and appropriate administrative and physical support to a WGCPO Partnership Coordinator for each Fiscal Year. ABC will contract with a well-qualified individual in consultation with the LMVJV Coordinator. Partnership Coordinator will perform duties as detailed in the Annual Work Plan to coordinate conservation delivery activities in the WGCPO, including but not limited to Conservation Delivery Networks, consistent with the mission of the LMVJV, and will function as part of the LMVJV Office staff. 3) Use funds as described in the Annual Work Plan to support necessary travel expenses and supplies/equipment to carry out the mission of this agreement, and use no more than 10% of the annual funds provided by the Service to provide administrative support to this agreement. 4) Provide other services as agreed to in the Annual Work Plan, consistent with the mission of the LMVJV, and as funds permit. The Service will have substantial involvement in the project including the following activities 1) Provide funding, equipment, and supplies for the Partnership Coordinator and other projects as detailed in the Annual Work Plan. The availability of funding is subject to Congressional appropriations, approval of the joint venture management board, and concurrence of the Service. Work with ABC to select subcontractor/staff to serve in this position, and approve final selection of contractor/staff. 2) Identify and secure the cooperation of additional partners to assist in the work of the Partnership Coordinator. 3) Provide oversight, support, and direction to the Partnership Coordinator via LMVJV Office Staff, particularly through the LMVJV Coordinator. Period of Performance is from August 1, 2012 through August 31, 2017. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed assistance based upon Departmental Manual 505DM2, paragraph 2.14 (B) (2) is solely within the discretion of the Government. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Dr. Keith McKnight (903) 363-8365, or Janice McNeill (404) 679-4056, by email at janice_mcneill@fws.gov.

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