Steamboat Bertrand 150th Anniversary Commemoration

Cooperative Agreement with the Friends of Boyer Chute and DeSoto National Wildlife Refuges to award program funding to the Friends without competition to assist with planning public programs and products at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the sinking of the Steamboat Bertrand. The Friends will administer grant funding and staffing support for the proposed events and activities that relate to Anniversary which provides an opportunity to foster a deeper appreciation of the artifacts in the Steamboat Bertrand collection preserved as museum property by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: directly supervise the Friends employee and provide subject matter expertise for planning and production of Anniversary products. Service personnel expect to conduct and present the majority of planned public programs and produce the exhibits and other products planned for the Anniversary. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates that this will be the only (sole) award; applications for renewal or supplementation will not be solicited per 505DM 2.14B 1, 2 and 4. Competition is not practical as the Friends are uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon their cooperating relationship with the refuge in operating a bookstore in the refuge visitor center and their knowledge of refuge resources and educational themes including the Steamboat Bertrand Museum Collection located in the visitor center.