Notice of Intent Hazard Assessment and Monitoring of Aleutian Arc Volcanoes | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the U.S. Geological Survey (DOI-USGS) to make a single cooperative agreement award focused on volcano hazard assessment and monitoring across the Aleutian Arc in Alaska.

Who is offering the award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).

What type of award is being made?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This indicates USGS expects substantial involvement and coordination during the work rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

How many awards does USGS expect to make under this notice?

USGS expects to make one award under this notice.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The anticipated funding level is up to an award ceiling of $2,031,567.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USGS FA 16 54.

What are the posting/creation and closing dates?

The posting and creation date is February 23, 2016, and the closing date is March 8, 2016.

Is this an open competitive opportunity?

The notice language indicates a targeted award approach rather than an open competition, with an intended recipient identified for this effort.

Who is the intended recipient?

The intended recipient is the State of Alaska, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, as the primary partner for this work.

What does the eligibility information say?

The eligibility field lists public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, but the notice language also makes clear that the intent is to fund a specific state entity as the primary partner.

What program category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.818.

What geographic area does the project focus on?

The project focuses on the Aleutian Arc in Alaska.

What is the overall purpose of the project?

The project aims to strengthen the scientific and operational work supporting the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) and its partners, with an emphasis on collecting, analyzing, and sharing data to improve understanding of volcanic behavior and associated hazards.

How does this work support the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)?

The project supports AVO and its partners by improving data collection, analysis, archiving, and dissemination, and by strengthening scientific and operational capabilities tied to volcano monitoring and hazard assessment.

What hazards are included in the volcano hazard assessment scope?

The scope includes evaluating hazards such as ash fall, pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides, and volcanic gas impacts, and translating scientific findings into usable hazard information.

Why is ash-producing activity specifically emphasized?

Ash-producing eruptions are highlighted because they can affect communities, infrastructure, and aviation, making timely understanding and communication of ash hazards particularly important.

What types of monitoring are included under geophysical monitoring?

The notice describes geophysical monitoring as maintaining and interpreting data streams such as seismicity, ground deformation, infrasound, and other geophysical signals that can indicate unrest or an impending eruption.

What is meant by "geologic mapping of volcanoes" in this opportunity?

Geologic mapping is described as a baseline activity that documents past eruptive deposits and volcanic structures to help reconstruct eruptive histories and better anticipate future behavior.

What geochemical work is supported by this funding?

The opportunity emphasizes geochemical characterization of erupted products, including volcanic ash, and specifies major and trace element analyses as well as electron microprobe analyses of glass and mineral components.

How are the geochemical analyses expected to be used?

These analyses are used to fingerprint magma composition, track changes over time, correlate ash layers to specific eruptions or volcanic sources, and improve interpretations of eruption dynamics and hazards.

Does the scope include rapid analysis during active eruptions?

The notice explains that this type of analytical work can be critical during active events, when rapid ash characterization supports timely situational awareness and hazard messaging.

What information management and public-facing services are included?

The scope includes maintenance of both the public and internal AVO websites, which disseminate monitoring updates, eruption information, and scientific products to stakeholders and partners.

What data sharing and archiving expectations are described?

The opportunity supports archiving and distribution of geochemical data to all AVO partners, reinforcing that data produced under the award should be curated, shared, and integrated into broader observatory workflows.

What does "substantial involvement" by USGS mean in practical terms?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the notice indicates USGS expects substantial involvement and coordination throughout the work, rather than only providing funding with minimal engagement.

What are the main technical work areas included in the scope?

The scope includes interconnected activities supporting volcanic risk reduction: volcano hazard assessments, geophysical monitoring, geologic mapping, geochemical characterization (including ash analysis), and information management/data delivery through AVO websites and partner data distribution.