Department of the Interior Grant: Supporting National Public Lands Day

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service���s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00177
Project Title National Public Lands Day 2015
Recipient National Environmental Education Foundation
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Carol Watson
Total Anticipated Award Amount $45,000.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P15AC31002 Legacy P12AC31002
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of Award until 9/30/2016
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of Award until 9/30/2016
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a)
CFDA # and Title 15.954 Conservation, Protection, Outreach and Education
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC31002 Legacy Number P12AC31002 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) and National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (doing business as the National Environmental Education Foundation – NEEF), for the purpose of financial assistance. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Project Title: National Public Lands Day

Project Description:

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) which supports Take Pride in America is a joint effort of the eight leading federal land managing agencies to improve public lands and encourage public volunteerism. On the last Saturday of September thousands of volunteers join resource managers at parks, refuges, forest, reservoirs, recreation area, historic sites and public lands to clear trails, repair structures, clean rivers, paint buildings, remove invasive plants and engage in a variety of much needed work. Though volunteers are used, there is a cost to operating the program. The National Environmental Education and Foundation (NEEF) serves as the primary organizer and sponsor. They develop manuals, press kits, folders, full color posters and token gifts and certificates presented to volunteers. NEEF will provide support to park units in preparation for National Public Lands Day 2015. NEEF has a long track record of organizing and coordinating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) and is able to reach out to thousands of public land managers, amplifying the importance of public land stewardship. NPLD will be held on September 26, 2015.

The NPS has a history of partnership and collaboration with NEEF, particularly with regards to NPLD, the nation���s largest single day volunteer event on public lands. Due to this strong working relationship, no competition was solicited for this particular cooperative agreement.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

NEEF agrees to:
��� Create and disseminate information throughout the NPS about NPLD 2015
��� Provide an orientation for NPS staff who are interested in learning more about how to participate in NPLD
��� Provide NPS sites with access to an online registration system that they can use to post and promote events
��� Coordinate the promotion of NPS-based NPLD events among NEEF���s network and the general public
��� Provide participating parks with access to NPLD event planning and promotion tools including electronic toolkits, customizable promotional materials, web banners, social media tools, etc.
��� Promote the NPS-NEEF partnership through traditional and social media
��� Distribute fee-free coupons to adults who volunteer at NPS sites during NPLD 2015
Provide NPS with a progress report at the end of NPLD 2015

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the National Park Service will be responsible for the following:

NPS agrees to:

��� Provide financial assistance in the amount of $45,000.00 to cover coordination, marketing and reporting of this national event
��� Provide general orientation to the NPS, park/site operations and its mission to interns
��� To provide NPS technical representatives on site at each of the NPLD sites to assist with specifics of the project as needed

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) Continuation ��� The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) Unique Qualifications ��� The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION DESCRIPTION:

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01055) under Cooperative Agreement (P15AC31002) in the amount of $45,000.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2016.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 USC 101702(a) previously 16 USC 1g: Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds.

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service���s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P15AS00177
Project Title National Public Lands Day 2015
Recipient National Environmental Education Foundation
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Carol Watson
Total Anticipated Award Amount $45,000.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Continuation of Cooperative Agreement P15AC31002 Legacy P12AC31002
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of Award until 9/30/2016
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of Award until 9/30/2016
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a)
CFDA # and Title 15.954 Conservation, Protection, Outreach and Education
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC31002 Legacy Number P12AC31002 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) and National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (doing business as the National Environmental Education Foundation – NEEF), for the purpose of financial assistance. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Project Title: National Public Lands Day

Project Description:

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) which supports Take Pride in America is a joint effort of the eight leading federal land managing agencies to improve public lands and encourage public volunteerism. On the last Saturday of September thousands of volunteers join resource managers at parks, refuges, forest, reservoirs, recreation area, historic sites and public lands to clear trails, repair structures, clean rivers, paint buildings, remove invasive plants and engage in a variety of much needed work. Though volunteers are used, there is a cost to operating the program. The National Environmental Education and Foundation (NEEF) serves as the primary organizer and sponsor. They develop manuals, press kits, folders, full color posters and token gifts and certificates presented to volunteers. NEEF will provide support to park units in preparation for National Public Lands Day 2015. NEEF has a long track record of organizing and coordinating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) and is able to reach out to thousands of public land managers, amplifying the importance of public land stewardship. NPLD will be held on September 26, 2015.

The NPS has a history of partnership and collaboration with NEEF, particularly with regards to NPLD, the nation���s largest single day volunteer event on public lands. Due to this strong working relationship, no competition was solicited for this particular cooperative agreement.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

NEEF agrees to:
��� Create and disseminate information throughout the NPS about NPLD 2015
��� Provide an orientation for NPS staff who are interested in learning more about how to participate in NPLD
��� Provide NPS sites with access to an online registration system that they can use to post and promote events
��� Coordinate the promotion of NPS-based NPLD events among NEEF���s network and the general public
��� Provide participating parks with access to NPLD event planning and promotion tools including electronic toolkits, customizable promotional materials, web banners, social media tools, etc.
��� Promote the NPS-NEEF partnership through traditional and social media
��� Distribute fee-free coupons to adults who volunteer at NPS sites during NPLD 2015
Provide NPS with a progress report at the end of NPLD 2015

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the National Park Service will be responsible for the following:

NPS agrees to:

��� Provide financial assistance in the amount of $45,000.00 to cover coordination, marketing and reporting of this national event
��� Provide general orientation to the NPS, park/site operations and its mission to interns
��� To provide NPS technical representatives on site at each of the NPLD sites to assist with specifics of the project as needed

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Unsolicited Proposal ��� The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;
(2) Continuation ��� The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;
(3) Legislative intent ��� The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress��� intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;
(4) Unique Qualifications ��� The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;
(5) Emergencies ��� Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION DESCRIPTION:

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01055) under Cooperative Agreement (P15AC31002) in the amount of $45,000.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/30/2016.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 USC 101702(a) previously 16 USC 1g: Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds.