81 FR 18646 - Announcement of Requirements and Registration for a Prize Competition Seeking Downstream Fish Passage at Tall Dams
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 62 (March 31, 2016)
Bureau of Reclamation
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 62 (March 31, 2016)
| Page Range | 18646-18647 | |
| FR Document | 2016-07274 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 18646-18647] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-07274] [[Page 18646]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation [RR08100000, 16XR0680A1, RY.1541CH20.ECO1602] Announcement of Requirements and Registration for a Prize Competition Seeking Downstream Fish Passage at Tall Dams AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation, in collaboration with other Federal agencies (U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), is seeking new ideas for gaining successful and cost-effective downstream passage of juvenile fish at tall (high-head) dams. The solutions should minimize stress (e.g. crowding, removal from water, disorientation), physical damage on fish, interference with the operation of the dam (flood control, energy, water distribution), and total costs. DATES: Listed below are the specific dates pertaining to this prize competition: 1. Submission period begins on March 31, 2016. 2. A webinar concerning this prize competition will be held on April 6, 2016. Instructions for participating in the webinar are included in the on-line postings at the addresses shown below. The webinar will also be recorded and posted at these same addresses. 3. Submission period ends on May 10, 2016. 4. Judging period ends on July 11, 2016. 5. Winners announced by July 29, 2016. ADDRESSES: The Downstream Fish Passage at Tall Dams Prize Competition will be posted on the following crowd-sourcing platforms where Solvers can register for this prize competition: 1. The Water Pavilion located at the InnoCentive Challenge Center: https://www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/browse. 2. U.S. Federal Government Challenge Platform: www.Challenge.gov. InnoCentive, Inc. is administering this challenge under a challenge support services contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. Challenge.gov will re-direct the Solver community to the InnoCentive Challenge Center as the administrator for this prize competition. Additional details for this prize competition, including background information, figures, and the Challenge Agreement specific for this prize competition, can be accessed through either of these prize competition web addresses. The Challenge Agreement contains more details of the prize competition rules and terms that Solvers must agree with to be eligible to compete. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Challenge Manager: Dr. David Raff, Science Advisor, Bureau of Reclamation, (202) 513-0516, [email protected]; Ms. Connie Svoboda, Ecosystem Restoration Prize Competition Theme Area Manager, (303) 445-2152, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Reclamation is announcing the following prize competition in compliance with 15 U.S.C. 3719, Prize Competitions. Challenge Summary: While downstream passage over tall (high-head) dams for some species and life history stages has been achieved to a limited degree, much improvement in downstream juvenile fish passage is still needed. Effective downstream passage, paired with effective upstream passage, would increase habitat availability that many threatened and endangered fish populations need to rebuild resilient populations. New ideas for gaining successful and cost-effective downstream passage of juvenile fish at high-head dams are being sought by this Challenge. A solution is being pursued through a prize competition because the Bureau of Reclamation and the collaborating Federal agencies view it beneficial to seek innovative solutions from those beyond the usual sources of potential solvers and experts that commonly work in the fish recovery management domain. We find ourselves often wondering if someone, somewhere, may know a better way of providing downstream fish passage at high-head dams than the methods we currently use. The prize competition approach enables us to reach a new source of potential Solvers to generate new and timely solutions that would not likely be accomplished by standard contractual methods. This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:There is a guaranteed award. The awards will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Bureau of Reclamation (The Seeker). The total payout will be $20,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500. All intellectual property rights, if any, in the idea or concept demonstrated by the proposed solution will remain with the solver. Upon submission of a proposed solution to this challenge, each solver grants to the seeker a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license and right to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and to have or permit others to do so. Notwithstanding granting the seeker a perpetual, non-exclusive license for the proposed solution, the solver retains ownership of the idea or concept demonstrated by the proposed solution. The Seeker believes there might be a potential for future collaboration with awarded Solver(s), although such collaboration is not guaranteed. The Seeker may also encourage Solver(s) to further develop and test their winning submissions through subsequent round(s) of competition. Solvers should make it clear if they have the ability for subsequent design and development phases and would be willing to consider future collaborations and/or subsequent competitions. Technical Requirements. Any proposed solution should address the following technical requirements. Concepts that meet some requirements, but not all, are eligible for an award. 1. Pass downstream-migrating fish in the size class 30-300 mm fork length. 2. Provide a way to efficiently guide fish to the entrance of the passage system. 3. Safely collect the majority of fish that pass close to the passage system, convey, and release the fish with a high survival rate (target is greater than 90% survival). 4. Be able to accommodate seasonal water surface fluctuations of up to 150 feet (i.e. the system must work when the reservoir water surface is at full pool, when it is 150 feet below full pool, and at all water surfaces in between). 5. Be able to pass fish swimming at the surface (0 to 10 ft.) and mid-depth (10-30 ft.). Nice to have (not as important as the requirements above, but would add value to a submission): 1. Handle debris (sticks, logs, leaves, trash, etc.) in an effective way to prevent clogging of intakes and physical damage to fish. This can be a new method or an existing method that is incorporated or adapted to work with the passage system. [[Page 18647]] 2. Minimize the need to confine fish in holding systems, mechanically crowd, or remove fish from the water. 3. Not result in a significant increase in the time it takes fish to pass the dam and preferably it will result in a decrease in passage time. For example, if fish currently pass the dam within 24 hours after arrival, a system that increased passage time by more than 50% (12 hours) would result in a significant impact to passage time. 4. Minimize impacts to recreation (e.g., boating, swimming). 5. Minimize impact to upstream-migrating fish and other biotic species in the system. Project Deliverables: This is an Ideation Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted. At least one solution will be deemed the winner. The submitted proposal should include the following: 1. Detailed description of a method and/or device. The Solver must describe with a high level of technical detail as to how the system would meet or not meet each of the ``must have'' and ``nice to have'' attributes in technical requirements described above. The Solver should expect that their submittal will be reviewed by experts in the field of biology and multiple fields of engineering. 2. Rationale as to why the Solver believes that the proposed method and/or device will work. This rationale should address each of the technical requirements and should be supported with relevant examples. 3. Drawings/sketches of the proposed downstream fish passage system. 4. Sufficient data to support claims, if available. 5. List of equipment required. Submitted proposals should not include any personal identifying information or any information the Solvers do not want to make public or consider as their Intellectual Property they do not want to share. Judging: After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will evaluate the submissions and make a decision with regards to the winning solution(s). All Solvers that submitted a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions. Decisions by the Seeker cannot be contested. Submitted solutions will be evaluated by a Judging Panel composed of scientists, engineers, and other related technical experts. The Judging Panel will also have consultation access to technical experts outside of their expertise, as determined necessary, to evaluate specific submissions. The Judging Panel will assess the merits of the solution by the degree that they meet the technical requirements listed in the Challenge description and also by feasibility, flexibility to changing conditions (water level, temperature, and debris), overall costs, and scalability. Eligibility Rules: To be able to win a prize under this competition, an individual or entity must: 1. Agree to the rules of the competition (15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(1)); 2. Be an entity that is incorporated in and maintains a primary place of business in the United States, or (b) in the case of an individual, a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(3)); 3. Not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment; (15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(4)); 4. Assume risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related entities (15 U.S.C. 3719(i)(1)(B)); and, 5. Not use Federal facilities, or consult with Federal employees during the competition unless the facilities and employees are made available to all individuals and entities participating in the competition on an equitable basis. The following individuals or entities are not eligible regardless of whether they meet the criteria set forth above: 1. Any individual who employs an evaluator on the Judging Panel or otherwise has a material business relationship or affiliation with any Judge. 2. Any individual who is a member of any Judge's immediate family or household. 3. The Seeker, participating organizations, and any advertising agency, contractor or other individual or organization involved with the design, production, promotion, execution, or distribution of the prize competition; all employees, representatives and agents thereof; and all members of the immediate family or household of any such individual, employee, representative, or agent. 4. Any individual or entity that uses Federal funds to develop the proposed solution now or any time in the past, unless such use is consistent with the grant award, or other applicable Federal funds awarding document. Note: Submissions that propose to improve or adapt existing federally funded technologies for the solution sought in this prize competition are eligible. Consultation: Fish recovery program managers and technical specialists from across the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were consulted in identifying and selecting the topic of this prize competition. Direct and indirect input from various stakeholders and partners associated with the fish recovery program efforts by these agencies were also considered. In addition, the Bureau of Reclamation maintains an open invitation to the public to suggest prize competition topics at www.usbr.gov/research/challenges. Public Disclosure: InnoCentive, Inc. is administering this challenge under a challenge support services contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. Participation is conditioned on providing the data required on InnoCentive's online registration form. Personal data will be processed in accordance with InnoCentive's Privacy Policy which can be located at http://www.innocentive.com/privacy.php. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your proposal, you should be aware that the Seeker is under no obligation to withhold such information from public disclosure, and it may be made publicly available at any time. Neither InnoCentive nor the Seeker is responsible for human error, theft, destruction, or damage to proposed solutions, or other factors beyond its reasonable control. Solver assumes any and all risks and waives any and all claims against the Seeker and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in this competition, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise. Dated: March 28, 2016. David Raff, Science Advisor. [FR Doc. 2016-07274 Filed 3-30-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4332-90-P
![18646 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Additional details for this prize $5,000 and no award being smaller than
competition, including background $2,500.
Bureau of Reclamation information, figures, and the Challenge • All intellectual property rights, if
[RR08100000, 16XR0680A1, Agreement specific for this prize any, in the idea or concept
RY.1541CH20.ECO1602] competition, can be accessed through demonstrated by the proposed solution
either of these prize competition web will remain with the solver. Upon
Announcement of Requirements and addresses. The Challenge Agreement submission of a proposed solution to
Registration for a Prize Competition contains more details of the prize this challenge, each solver grants to the
Seeking Downstream Fish Passage at competition rules and terms that Solvers seeker a royalty-free, perpetual,
Tall Dams must agree with to be eligible to irrevocable, non-exclusive license and
compete. right to use, disclose, reproduce,
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: prepare derivative works, distribute
Interior.
Challenge Manager: Dr. David Raff, copies to the public, and perform
ACTION: Notice. publicly and display publicly, in any
Science Advisor, Bureau of
Reclamation, (202) 513–0516, draff@ manner and for any purpose, and to
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation,
usbr.gov; Ms. Connie Svoboda, have or permit others to do so.
in collaboration with other Federal
Ecosystem Restoration Prize Notwithstanding granting the seeker a
agencies (U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Competition Theme Area Manager, perpetual, non-exclusive license for the
Fish and Wildlife Service, National
(303) 445–2152, csvoboda@usbr.gov. proposed solution, the solver retains
Oceanic and Atmospheric
ownership of the idea or concept
Administration-National Marine SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The demonstrated by the proposed solution.
Fisheries Service, and U.S. Army Corps Bureau of Reclamation is announcing
of Engineers), is seeking new ideas for • The Seeker believes there might be
the following prize competition in
gaining successful and cost-effective a potential for future collaboration with
compliance with 15 U.S.C. 3719, Prize
downstream passage of juvenile fish at awarded Solver(s), although such
Competitions.
tall (high-head) dams. The solutions collaboration is not guaranteed. The
Challenge Summary: While Seeker may also encourage Solver(s) to
should minimize stress (e.g. crowding, downstream passage over tall (high-
removal from water, disorientation), further develop and test their winning
head) dams for some species and life submissions through subsequent
physical damage on fish, interference history stages has been achieved to a
with the operation of the dam (flood round(s) of competition. Solvers should
limited degree, much improvement in make it clear if they have the ability for
control, energy, water distribution), and downstream juvenile fish passage is still
total costs. subsequent design and development
needed. Effective downstream passage, phases and would be willing to consider
DATES: Listed below are the specific paired with effective upstream passage, future collaborations and/or subsequent
dates pertaining to this prize would increase habitat availability that competitions.
competition: many threatened and endangered fish
1. Submission period begins on March Technical Requirements. Any
populations need to rebuild resilient
31, 2016. proposed solution should address the
populations.
2. A webinar concerning this prize following technical requirements.
New ideas for gaining successful and Concepts that meet some requirements,
competition will be held on April 6, cost-effective downstream passage of
2016. Instructions for participating in but not all, are eligible for an award.
juvenile fish at high-head dams are
the webinar are included in the on-line 1. Pass downstream-migrating fish in
being sought by this Challenge. A
postings at the addresses shown below. the size class 30–300 mm fork length.
solution is being pursued through a
The webinar will also be recorded and prize competition because the Bureau of 2. Provide a way to efficiently guide
posted at these same addresses. Reclamation and the collaborating fish to the entrance of the passage
3. Submission period ends on May 10, Federal agencies view it beneficial to system.
2016. seek innovative solutions from those 3. Safely collect the majority of fish
4. Judging period ends on July 11, beyond the usual sources of potential that pass close to the passage system,
2016. solvers and experts that commonly work convey, and release the fish with a high
5. Winners announced by July 29, in the fish recovery management survival rate (target is greater than 90%
2016. domain. We find ourselves often survival).
ADDRESSES: The Downstream Fish wondering if someone, somewhere, may 4. Be able to accommodate seasonal
Passage at Tall Dams Prize Competition know a better way of providing water surface fluctuations of up to 150
will be posted on the following crowd- downstream fish passage at high-head feet (i.e. the system must work when the
sourcing platforms where Solvers can dams than the methods we currently reservoir water surface is at full pool,
register for this prize competition: use. The prize competition approach when it is 150 feet below full pool, and
1. The Water Pavilion located at the enables us to reach a new source of at all water surfaces in between).
InnoCentive Challenge Center: https:// potential Solvers to generate new and 5. Be able to pass fish swimming at
www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/ timely solutions that would not likely the surface (0 to 10 ft.) and mid-depth
browse. be accomplished by standard (10–30 ft.). Nice to have (not as
2. U.S. Federal Government Challenge contractual methods. important as the requirements above,
This is an Ideation Challenge, which but would add value to a submission):
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Platform: www.Challenge.gov.
InnoCentive, Inc. is administering this has the following unique features: 1. Handle debris (sticks, logs, leaves,
challenge under a challenge support • There is a guaranteed award. The trash, etc.) in an effective way to prevent
services contract with the Bureau of awards will be paid to the best clogging of intakes and physical damage
Reclamation. Challenge.gov will re- submission(s) as solely determined by to fish. This can be a new method or an
direct the Solver community to the the Bureau of Reclamation (The Seeker). existing method that is incorporated or
InnoCentive Challenge Center as the The total payout will be $20,000, with adapted to work with the passage
administrator for this prize competition. at least one award being no smaller than system.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices 18647
2. Minimize the need to confine fish they meet the technical requirements Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S.
in holding systems, mechanically listed in the Challenge description and Army Corps of Engineers were
crowd, or remove fish from the water. also by feasibility, flexibility to consulted in identifying and selecting
3. Not result in a significant increase changing conditions (water level, the topic of this prize competition.
in the time it takes fish to pass the dam temperature, and debris), overall costs, Direct and indirect input from various
and preferably it will result in a and scalability. stakeholders and partners associated
decrease in passage time. For example, Eligibility Rules: To be able to win a with the fish recovery program efforts
if fish currently pass the dam within 24 prize under this competition, an by these agencies were also considered.
hours after arrival, a system that individual or entity must: In addition, the Bureau of Reclamation
increased passage time by more than 1. Agree to the rules of the maintains an open invitation to the
50% (12 hours) would result in a competition (15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(1)); public to suggest prize competition
significant impact to passage time. 2. Be an entity that is incorporated in topics at www.usbr.gov/research/
4. Minimize impacts to recreation and maintains a primary place of challenges.
(e.g., boating, swimming). business in the United States, or (b) in Public Disclosure: InnoCentive, Inc. is
5. Minimize impact to upstream- the case of an individual, a citizen or administering this challenge under a
migrating fish and other biotic species permanent resident of the United States challenge support services contract with
in the system. (15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(3)); the Bureau of Reclamation. Participation
Project Deliverables: This is an 3. Not be a Federal entity or Federal is conditioned on providing the data
Ideation Challenge that requires only a employee acting within the scope of required on InnoCentive’s online
written proposal to be submitted. At their employment; (15 U.S.C. registration form. Personal data will be
least one solution will be deemed the 3719(g)(4)); processed in accordance with
winner. The submitted proposal should 4. Assume risks and waive claims InnoCentive’s Privacy Policy which can
include the following: against the Federal Government and its be located at http://
1. Detailed description of a method related entities (15 U.S.C. 3719(i)(1)(B)); www.innocentive.com/privacy.php.
and/or device. The Solver must describe and, Before including your address, phone
with a high level of technical detail as 5. Not use Federal facilities, or number, email address, or other
to how the system would meet or not consult with Federal employees during personal identifying information in your
meet each of the ‘‘must have’’ and ‘‘nice the competition unless the facilities and proposal, you should be aware that the
to have’’ attributes in technical employees are made available to all Seeker is under no obligation to
requirements described above. The individuals and entities participating in withhold such information from public
Solver should expect that their the competition on an equitable basis. disclosure, and it may be made publicly
submittal will be reviewed by experts in The following individuals or entities
available at any time. Neither
the field of biology and multiple fields are not eligible regardless of whether
InnoCentive nor the Seeker is
of engineering. they meet the criteria set forth above:
1. Any individual who employs an responsible for human error, theft,
2. Rationale as to why the Solver destruction, or damage to proposed
believes that the proposed method and/ evaluator on the Judging Panel or
otherwise has a material business solutions, or other factors beyond its
or device will work. This rationale reasonable control. Solver assumes any
should address each of the technical relationship or affiliation with any
Judge. and all risks and waives any and all
requirements and should be supported claims against the Seeker and its related
with relevant examples. 2. Any individual who is a member of
any Judge’s immediate family or entities, except in the case of willful
3. Drawings/sketches of the proposed misconduct, for any injury, death,
downstream fish passage system. household.
3. The Seeker, participating damage, or loss of property, revenue, or
4. Sufficient data to support claims, if
organizations, and any advertising profits, whether direct, indirect, or
available.
agency, contractor or other individual or consequential, arising from
5. List of equipment required.
Submitted proposals should not organization involved with the design, participation in this competition,
include any personal identifying production, promotion, execution, or whether the injury, death, damage, or
information or any information the distribution of the prize competition; all loss arises through negligence or
Solvers do not want to make public or employees, representatives and agents otherwise.
consider as their Intellectual Property thereof; and all members of the Dated: March 28, 2016.
they do not want to share. immediate family or household of any David Raff,
Judging: After the Challenge deadline, such individual, employee, Science Advisor.
the Seeker will evaluate the submissions representative, or agent. [FR Doc. 2016–07274 Filed 3–30–16; 8:45 am]
and make a decision with regards to the 4. Any individual or entity that uses
BILLING CODE 4332–90–P
winning solution(s). All Solvers that Federal funds to develop the proposed
submitted a proposal will be notified on solution now or any time in the past,
the status of their submissions. unless such use is consistent with the
Decisions by the Seeker cannot be grant award, or other applicable Federal INTERNATIONAL TRADE
contested. funds awarding document. Note: COMMISSION
Submitted solutions will be evaluated Submissions that propose to improve or
by a Judging Panel composed of adapt existing federally funded [USITC SE–16–011]
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
scientists, engineers, and other related technologies for the solution sought in
technical experts. The Judging Panel this prize competition are eligible. Government in the Sunshine Act
will also have consultation access to Consultation: Fish recovery program Meeting Notice
technical experts outside of their managers and technical specialists from
expertise, as determined necessary, to across the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: United
evaluate specific submissions. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and States International Trade Commission.
The Judging Panel will assess the Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and TIME AND DATE: April 5, 2016 at 11:00
merits of the solution by the degree that Atmospheric Administration-National a.m.
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Document Created: 2016-03-31 00:55:48
Document Modified: 2016-03-31 00:55:48
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Listed below are the specific dates pertaining to this prize competition: | |
| Contact | Challenge Manager: Dr. David Raff, Science Advisor, Bureau of Reclamation, (202) 513-0516, [email protected]; Ms. Connie Svoboda, Ecosystem Restoration Prize Competition Theme Area Manager, (303) 445-2152, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 18646 |
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