Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park

The summary for the Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the National Park Service, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park:

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 without competition.
ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00993
Project Title Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park
Recipient University of Montana
Total Anticipated Award Amount $300,000
Cost Share 0
Anticipated Length of Agreement 3 Years
Anticipated Period of Performance 3 Years
Award Instrument Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702
CFDA # and Title 15.945- Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System

Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique Qualifications
Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro


OVERVIEW

This project will build on an existing relationship between the NPS and the University of Montana focusing on the dynamics of cruise ships and humpback whales in Glacier Bay National Park.
Together, this project addresses a fundamental public purpose as it seeks to utilize science for better understanding mitigating factors that will support both the conservation and visitor use mandates of the NPS. The student will also directly interact with cruise operators and cruise ship pilots, and will thus learn first-hand how the NPS manages concession operations when faced with the difficult decisions regarding mitigating any activities that may impact marine resources, such as whales, while still providing for appropriate opportunities for use and enjoyment of parks such as by cruise ships.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
The University of Montana will:


1. Collaboratively undertake a project titled “Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park” as described in this document.
2. Spearhead the recruitment of a MS student who will collect data on whales in Glacier Bay necessary to better understand the process and observer uncertainty associated with whale avoidance measures.

3. Generate a study plan for the project. It is expected that the MS student will write a multi-chapter Master’s thesis focusing different chapters on different aspects of detection and avoidance.
4. Travel to Juneau during July 2015 (or on a mutually agreed data) to discuss project and then travel (with the NPS PI) to Glacier Bay and participate in a series of cruises necessary to test methods for recording whale behavior while on a ship. This effort will constitute a pilot study to refine methods and approaches most appropriate for collecting data. NPS PI will arrange the dates for the cruises. UM student and NPS PI will be transported aboard an NPS Ranger boat to spend the day on board several Holland America ship going over data collection and data archiving protocols. The trip to Alaska will also include a day in Juneau to discuss protocol and project objectives.
5. Implement mutually agreed protocols for data collection, data entry, and data archive. These protocols will be reviewed during meetings during the Fall of 2015, and updated as needed throughout the project. Data collection protocols will include a detailed ‘methodological’ approach, reflecting a methods section for MS Thesis chapters.
6. Work with the NPS PI to coordinate cruise schedule for observations and surveys during the summer of 2016, implementing the now-refined protocols for data collection.
7. Oversee maintenance and proper handling and storage of equipment used throughout the project.
8. Work with NPS PI to help coordinate and identify housing options for student while the student is in Alaska.
9. Collaborate with the ATR to ensure that the conduct of the project complies with the “NPS Interim Guidance Document Governing Code of Conduct, Peer Review, and Information Quality Correction for National Park Service Cultural and Natural Resource Disciplines,” and any and all subsequent guidance issued by the NPS Director to replace this interim document.
10. Deliver to the NPS at the end of each summer copies of all ‘raw’ and processed data collected as part of this project including but not limited to any GIS data, relevant files within ArcGIS, Access database files or however the data are processed (Excel, txt or other formats), and (final) R script used for analysis. Data provided will be checked and edited for accuracy and have corresponding metadata.
11. Spearhead development of statistical modeling and analytical tools necessary and appropriate to meet objectives. Analysis of data will be focused on generating insights to the observation and process uncertainty, the specific questions of which will be developed jointly between the NPS and UM. Specific modeling approaches will be outlined in the study plan.
12. Produce an end of year report summarizing general findings, effort, and results. Coordinate with NPS any necessary changes to protocol(s).
13. Collaborate with the ATR as co-author on any published or formally presented material developed or derived from this Task Agreement. It is expected that this effort will produce two manuscripts, reflecting two components of whale detection listed above, that will be submitted for publication to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
14. Collaborate with the NPS, as appropriate, in a sixty-day wrap-up period following the due date of the last project product.


NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

The NPS will:
1. Provide financial assistance to the UM as provided in Article II.
2. Inform the UM PI and student of the specific activities required to comply with the “NPS Interim Guidance Document Governing Code of Conduct, Peer Review, and Information Quality Correction for National Park Service Cultural and Natural Resource Disciplines,” and any and all subsequent guidance issued by the NPS Director to replace this interim document.
3. Provide the UM with equipment necessary for carrying out field work including multiple GPS units, batteries, binoculars, a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), voice-activated recorders (and associated accessories) and water proof carrying case. Maintenance and upkeep of this equipment during the field season will be the responsibility of the UM.
4. Schedule logistics for a several days of training with UM PI, and student in Glacier Bay in July 2015 or within 30 days of signing agreement. Coordinate with GLBA Interpretation and Concessions Divisions to insure proper requests and security waivers are provided for the student to board cruise ships with NPS PI.
5. Mutually work with the UM on preparation and review of a detailed study plan that identifies schedule, management-relevant questions, appropriate background studies, and statistical and modeling approaches to apply to the data.
6. Provide the UM with copies of all previous years data collected as part of the project that may help facilitate development and refinement of analyses.
7. Serve on graduate student committee to insure collaboration and application of management-relevant questions throughout project.
8. Travel to UM for a student committee meeting at least once per academic year for consultation, planning, and discussion on project protocols, changes, success, and analysis progress.
9. Fully acknowledge the UM in any published or formally presented material developed or derived from this Task Agreement.
10. Collaborate with the UM, as appropriate, in a sixty-day wrap-up period following the due date of last project product.



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.


NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
Unique Qualifications