Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Dr. Scott Steinschneider

Dr. Scott Steinschneider is uniquely qualified for this requirement. As an Associate Professor at Cornell University with a specialization in statistical hydroclimatology, he was a lead developer of the modeling framework under review. Over a two-year period, he constructed the weather generator component and led integration efforts across partner institutions. His extensive published research on hydrometeorological variability in the Great Lakes Basin directly informed the modeling framework's scenario-based design. In addition, Dr. Steinschneider's familiarity with the Great Lakes regulation and lumped hydraulic models enables him to assess the framework's validity and applicability in the context of USACE's water-level modeling needs. His specific technical contributions, institutional knowledge, and familiarity with both the modeling inputs and outputs render him the only individual reasonably available with the expertise to conduct the required peer review. Competitive sources would lack the specialized experience and contextual knowledge, thereby jeopardizing the scientific integrity and intended purpose of the review.