Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 16 FA 0176
Apply for USGS 16 FA 0176
- The DOI-USGS1 in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Developement of an operational Rapid Situational Awareness System" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2016 and posted on May 20, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 03, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This notice describes a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intent to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award to support the development of an operational Rapid Situational Awareness (RSA) system for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Chile Trench, one of the worlds most seismically and tsunamigenically active regions. Importantly, the posting is not a call for proposals and not an open competition; it is a public notice that USGS plans to fund a specific partner for a defined set of activities. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808 (Research and Data Collection) and is categorized as an environmental research and data collection effort.
The planned recipient is the Universidad de Chile (UdC), working through its national seismic role, with Dr. Sergio Barrientos identified as the principal investigator/program manager on the Chilean side and Dr. Ben Brooks associated with the effort on the USGS side. The anticipated federal funding amount is USD 50,000, with no required cost share stated, and the project is described as a new award (not a continuation). The anticipated period of performance runs from August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2019. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which signals that USGS expects substantial, hands-on involvement rather than a simple pass-through grant. A single award is expected, with an award ceiling of USD 50,000.
The technical goal is to create an operational RSA capability using low-cost sensors. In practical terms, this means designing and fielding a system that can rapidly collect and process near-real-time observations after (and potentially during) major seismic events, producing timely situational awareness products that support response decisions. The emphasis on low-cost sensors suggests a strategy aimed at increasing coverage density and deployability, while still producing useful data streams for rapid interpretation, system testing, and ongoing refinement of processing approaches.
The collaboration is structured so that UdC and USGS personnel jointly handle development, deployment, and training. UdC is expected to play a key role in enabling deployment by helping USGS gain access to specific installation sites, navigating local permissions, and contributing to project planning. A major practical deliverable embedded in the approach is capacity building: UdC personnel will be trained so that the RSA system can be operated and sustained after the USGS on-the-ground presence is no longer necessary. UdC also participates in core technical work, including data analysis and algorithm design, indicating that the project is not only about hardware deployment but also about methods for turning sensor observations into rapid, actionable information.
USGS outlines substantial responsibilities consistent with a cooperative agreement. These include formal collaboration with the Chilean Centro Sismologico Nacional (CSN) representative (Dr. Barrientos), joint field participation to build and test the system and collect new data, mutual training of staff, and regular coordination meetings to track progress and plan next steps. USGS also plans to review and approve early-stage work before later stages proceed, which is a typical governance approach for cooperative technical projects where system performance and operational readiness depend on meeting agreed milestones.
The notice also explains why USGS is not pursuing full and open competition. The Department of the Interior requires a written single-source justification, and USGS cites primarily "Unique Qualifications" as the basis. UdC is considered uniquely qualified because, through CSN, it operates and maintains Chiles national seismological network and is the only publicly responsible organization for developing earthquake early warning in Chile. That operational role gives UdC distinctive access to national seismic data, institutional authority, and on-the-ground capabilities that are difficult to replicate through another entity. UdC is also expected to contribute critical non-federal resources that function like in-kind support even though formal cost share is listed as none: access to seismological network data, use of computational clusters for data processing, and direct participation in field operations such as selecting appropriate sites, securing permissions, and supporting maintenance. Those factors are framed as unique in terms of property ownership/access and practical ability to execute sustained fieldwork in Chile.
In addition to the unique-qualifications rationale, the notice references USGS statutory authority for cooperative agreements under 43 USC 36d, which allows USGS to enter into cooperative agreements with federal, state, and academic partners for joint research and data collection activities, including arrangements that provide for use of space in partner facilities. This legal authority is cited to reinforce why a directed cooperative agreement with a specific academic partner is permissible and appropriate for the type of joint research, operational development, and shared infrastructure use described.
Administrative details included in the posting identify the opportunity number (USGS 16 FA 0176) and the funding announcement reference (G16AS00003), with a posting and creation date of May 20, 2016 and a closing date shown as June 3, 2016, reflecting the timing of the notice rather than an open application window. The USGS point of contact is Stewart Evans (sevans@usgs.gov), who would be the appropriate federal contact for questions about the notice and the planned award. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, collaborative research-to-operations effort to stand up a practical rapid situational awareness system in Chile, leveraging UdCs national seismic role and infrastructure while ensuring strong USGS technical participation and oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this notice an open call for proposals?
No. The notice is described as a USGS intent to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award. It is explicitly not a call for proposals and not an open competition.
What is the main purpose of this funding notice?
The purpose is to support development of an operational Rapid Situational Awareness (RSA) system for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Chile Trench, using low-cost sensors to produce timely situational awareness products for response decisions.
Who is the intended/anticipated recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is the Universidad de Chile (UdC), working through its national seismic role associated with Chile's Centro Sismologico Nacional (CSN).
Why is USGS making a single-source (non-competitive) award?
USGS cites a "Unique Qualifications" justification. UdC, through CSN, operates and maintains Chile's national seismological network and is identified as the only publicly responsible organization for developing earthquake early warning in Chile. The notice also notes UdC's unique access, authority, and on-the-ground capabilities needed for sustained fieldwork and deployment in Chile.
What type of award instrument will be used?
The planned award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial USGS involvement rather than a pass-through grant.
How much federal funding is anticipated?
The anticipated federal funding amount is USD 50,000. The award ceiling is also stated as USD 50,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No required cost share is stated in the notice.
Is this a new award or a continuation of an existing project?
The project is described as a new award, not a continuation.
What is the anticipated period of performance?
The anticipated period of performance runs from August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2019.
How many awards does USGS expect to make under this notice?
A single award is expected.
What is the project trying to build, in practical terms?
The project aims to design and field an operational RSA capability that can rapidly collect and process near-real-time observations after (and potentially during) major seismic events, generating rapid situational awareness products. The emphasis is on using low-cost sensors to improve coverage density and deployability while enabling system testing and refinement of processing approaches.
What region is the project focused on?
The effort is focused on the Chile Trench, described as one of the world's most seismically and tsunamigenically active regions.
What are the roles of Universidad de Chile (UdC) and USGS in the collaboration?
The notice describes joint development, deployment, and training by UdC and USGS personnel. UdC is expected to enable deployment by helping with access to installation sites, navigating local permissions, and contributing to project planning. UdC also participates in technical work such as data analysis and algorithm design.
What responsibilities does USGS describe for itself under the cooperative agreement?
USGS responsibilities include formal collaboration with the CSN representative (Dr. Sergio Barrientos), joint field participation to build and test the system and collect new data, mutual training of staff, and regular coordination meetings. USGS also plans to review and approve early-stage work before later stages proceed.
Who are the identified leads or key personnel?
Dr. Sergio Barrientos is identified as the principal investigator/program manager on the Chilean side, and Dr. Ben Brooks is associated with the effort on the USGS side.
What is a key deliverable related to sustainability or long-term operation?
Capacity building is a major embedded deliverable. UdC personnel will be trained so the RSA system can be operated and sustained without needing continued USGS on-the-ground presence.
Does UdC provide any non-federal contributions even if cost share is not required?
Yes. The notice describes critical non-federal resources that function like in-kind support, including access to seismological network data, use of computational clusters for data processing, and participation in field operations (such as selecting sites, securing permissions, and supporting maintenance).
What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808 (Research and Data Collection) and is categorized as an environmental research and data collection effort.
What legal authority does USGS cite for entering into this cooperative agreement?
The notice references USGS statutory authority under 43 USC 36d for cooperative agreements supporting joint research and data collection activities, including arrangements that provide for use of space in partner facilities.
What are the identifying numbers for this notice?
The opportunity number is USGS 16 FA 0176, and the funding announcement reference is G16AS00003.
What are the posted dates shown in the notice?
The posting and creation date is May 20, 2016, and a closing date is shown as June 3, 2016. The notice explains these dates reflect the timing of the public notice rather than an open application window.
Who is the USGS point of contact for questions?
The USGS point of contact is Stewart Evans (sevans@usgs.gov).
Does the notice suggest USGS will oversee project progress and milestones?
Yes. It states USGS will coordinate regularly and review and approve early-stage work before later stages proceed, consistent with cooperative agreement governance.
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