National Park Service Grant: Geoscientists-in-the-Parks and Mosaics in Science Internships

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 P15as00189
Project Title Geoscientists-in-the-Parks and Mosaics in Science Internships to Support Science-based Resource Management
Recipient Geological Society of America
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Vicki McConnell
Total Anticipated Award Amount $679,052.44
Cost Share $288,774.25
New Award or Continuation? Continuation
Anticipated Length of Agreement From Date of Award until 6/30/2017
Anticipated Period of Performance
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) 16 USC 1723(c)(1)
CFDA # and Title 15.931 Youth Conservation Activities
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

The Geological Society of America through its existing Cooperative Agreement # P13AC00336 and partnership with the NPS is committed to putting America���s youth, emerging professionals and veterans to work protecting, restoring and enhancing America���s great outdoors. Through the projects covered under this agreement, the participants will accomplish meaningful work and gain important personal and professional skills while building a lifelong connection to the outdoors. The GIP and MIS Programs strive to achieve the following goals:
��� Put Americans to Work: These programs will provide service, training, education and employment opportunities for young Americans, including low income and disadvantaged youth.
��� Preserve, Protect, and Promote America’s Greatest Gifts: The projects completed through these programs will help to protect, restore and enhance public and tribal lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources and treasures. By producing high-quality, cost-effective project work these programs will also increase public access and use while spurring economic development and outdoor recreation.
��� Build America’s Future: Through service to America, the GIP and MIS Programs will help develop a generation of skilled workers, educated and active citizens, future leaders, and stewards of natural and cultural resources, communities, and the nation.

The GIP and MIS youth internship programs provide opportunities for geoscientists and other natural resource scientists to assist with inventorying, monitoring, research, and interpretation/education projects on lands administered by the NPS. The projects and work products enable the participants, public, and park staff to gain a better understanding of the natural resources in NPS units and assist park staff with better managing its resources using sound science. Attachment A lists the internships covered under this task agreement and a general statement of the work to be performed for each project.

The National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the President of the United States have sought to increase science-based resource management in national park units, to improve the understanding of resources and incorporation of such information by park managers in making decisions, to improve the quality of information given to the public, and to increase the number of NPS partners helping parks. Hiring interns through the GIP and Mosaics in Science Programs address unmet geoscience and integrated natural resource science needs identified by parks, regions, networks, and central offices and advances the Departments of the Interior���s and NPS��� diversity and youth initiatives. The NPS benefits from addressing identified NPS objectives through the program partner, The Geological Society of America which has similar education and outreach goals.

Public Purpose: This agreement serves a public purpose by promoting and stimulating education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. The projects awarded under this task agreement will motivate the participants to be involved with the natural, cultural and historical resource protection of their communities and beyond. This youth agreement will provide opportunities for youth and inspire millions of young people to play, learn, serve, and work in the great outdoors. Work products will be available on the NPS Geologic Resource Division���s website so that the public can gain a greater understanding of the geologic and other natural resource features and processes in our national parks.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Geological Society of America (GSA) agrees to:
1. Maintain and update as needed, GSA���s GeoCorps America and Mosaics in Science websites and on-line application system.
2. Work in coordination with NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager to ensure documents and correspondence distributed to all program participants (e.g., participant handbooks, agreements, evaluations, and emails) are up-to-date and are developed and targeted to each specific NPS branded GIP and MIS youth program. These documents must clearly explain that the participant���s work is performed under the NPS Geoscientists-in-the-Parks or Mosaics in Science program in partnership with the GSA���s GeoCorps��� America Program.
3. Recruit qualified applicants through GSA���s ongoing GeoCorps��� America Program.
4. Manage and carry out all administrative support in a timely manner during the recruitment, application, and selection processes for GIP/MIS participants. Ensure completion of GSA participant agreement, non-disclosure agreement, and as applicable, interagency volunteer agreement by all program participants. Provide copies of all signed agreements to the NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager and project���s technical coordinators/mentors.
5. Provide all administrative support regarding distribution of participant stipends, travel advances and allowances, and as applicable, necessary tax forms and other program documentation.
6. Communicate directly with each GIP/MIS participant regarding his/her obligations as a GIP/MIS participant.
7. Make project and participant information available in real-time via GSA���s website application previously developed for the NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager to support youth reporting requirements of the DOI and NPS.
8. Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division, within one month of completion of each project with electronic copies of the following items each program participant is required to submit to GSA:
��� five to ten high quality digital photographs and captions for the photographs,
��� final written report,
��� pre and post program evaluations,
��� sponsor thank-you letter, and
��� products resulting from the project (as applicable).
9. Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division with copies of annual reports and publications produced by GSA and the program participants as a result of projects accomplished under the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement.
10. Provide a comprehensive annual report of all NPS GIP/MIS related activities and achievements no later than September 30th of each year.

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:

The National Park Service (NPS) agrees to:
1. Identify NPS meaningful conservation projects in the areas of natural resource science research, inventory and monitoring, interpretation, and community outreach and education and enter the project proposal(s) in GSA���s on-line application system by the due dates specified in the Cooperative Agreement. Project descriptions may be completed by NPS staff in parks, regions, and other central offices.
2. Select a participant for each GIP/MIS project from the pool of qualified applicants provided by the GSA and promptly communicate selected participant���s name and start and end dates to GSA.
3. Provide housing or a housing allowance for GIP and MIS participants.
4. Communicate duty station and housing information, negotiate the term of the position with the selected participant(s), and provide an orientation concerning the NPS unit and mission; relevant NPS laws, regulations, policies and procedures; government vehicle and equipment use; government housing rules; and a detailed project description to each program participant at the time of arrival at the duty station.
5. Provide fully qualified and experienced personnel for mentoring, technical oversight and direction for all project activities, corrections or changes to the project(s), and final approval of the products created by the GIP/MIS participants.
6. Provide all necessary tools; equipment (including safety equipment and use of facilities), and project site transportation, as applicable.
7. Provide on-site safety and other project-related training necessary to ensure participants are competent and capable of safely performing their projects. Training will also be provided throughout the project to enhance the participant���s understanding of the project���s goals, objectives, and progress; and the participant���s role in accomplishing the overall mission of the NPS.
8. Promptly upon notification or otherwise becoming aware of an existing or potential problem of health or safety, take corrective action to cure such existing or potential problems.
9. Prepare a written evaluation from each participating park, region, network, or central office upon completion of each GIP/MIS project. The evaluation will be prepared by the technical coordinator overseeing the GIP/MIS project. The evaluation must be received by GSA before the participating NPS unit can advertise a subsequent GIP or MIS project.
10. Maintain NPS��� GIP and MIS Program���s database and Intranet and Internet websites. These serve the dual purposes of providing program information to NPS staff and management and outreach and educational materials to the public.

Both Parties Agree to:
1. Cooperate in the placement of individuals at NPS sites, affiliated areas and offices.
2. Instruct each GIP/MIS participant to acknowledge both the NPS and GSA in all publications and audiovisuals developed as a result of this agreement.

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 (P15AC01132) under Cooperative Agreement (P13AC00336) in the amount of $679,052.44 with a period of performance from date of award until 06/30/2017.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 U.S.C. ��101702(a) (previously 16 USC ��1(g)) authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS appropriated funds to state, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs.

16 U.S.C. ��1723(c), Public Lands Corps, authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with any qualified youth or conservation corps to perform appropriate conservation projects referred to in subsection (d) of section 1723.

54 U.S.C. ��101701(b) (previously 16 USC ��1f, Challenge-Cost Share Authority), authorizes the NPS to enter into agreements with cooperators for the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to any unit or program of the national park system, any affiliated area, or any designated National Scenic or Historic Trail.

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 P15as00189
Project Title Geoscientists-in-the-Parks and Mosaics in Science Internships to Support Science-based Resource Management
Recipient Geological Society of America
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Vicki McConnell
Total Anticipated Award Amount $679,052.44
Cost Share $288,774.25
New Award or Continuation? Continuation
Anticipated Length of Agreement From Date of Award until 6/30/2017
Anticipated Period of Performance
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) 16 USC 1723(c)(1)
CFDA # and Title 15.931 Youth Conservation Activities
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

The Geological Society of America through its existing Cooperative Agreement # P13AC00336 and partnership with the NPS is committed to putting America���s youth, emerging professionals and veterans to work protecting, restoring and enhancing America���s great outdoors. Through the projects covered under this agreement, the participants will accomplish meaningful work and gain important personal and professional skills while building a lifelong connection to the outdoors. The GIP and MIS Programs strive to achieve the following goals:
��� Put Americans to Work: These programs will provide service, training, education and employment opportunities for young Americans, including low income and disadvantaged youth.
��� Preserve, Protect, and Promote America’s Greatest Gifts: The projects completed through these programs will help to protect, restore and enhance public and tribal lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources and treasures. By producing high-quality, cost-effective project work these programs will also increase public access and use while spurring economic development and outdoor recreation.
��� Build America’s Future: Through service to America, the GIP and MIS Programs will help develop a generation of skilled workers, educated and active citizens, future leaders, and stewards of natural and cultural resources, communities, and the nation.

The GIP and MIS youth internship programs provide opportunities for geoscientists and other natural resource scientists to assist with inventorying, monitoring, research, and interpretation/education projects on lands administered by the NPS. The projects and work products enable the participants, public, and park staff to gain a better understanding of the natural resources in NPS units and assist park staff with better managing its resources using sound science. Attachment A lists the internships covered under this task agreement and a general statement of the work to be performed for each project.

The National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the President of the United States have sought to increase science-based resource management in national park units, to improve the understanding of resources and incorporation of such information by park managers in making decisions, to improve the quality of information given to the public, and to increase the number of NPS partners helping parks. Hiring interns through the GIP and Mosaics in Science Programs address unmet geoscience and integrated natural resource science needs identified by parks, regions, networks, and central offices and advances the Departments of the Interior���s and NPS��� diversity and youth initiatives. The NPS benefits from addressing identified NPS objectives through the program partner, The Geological Society of America which has similar education and outreach goals.

Public Purpose: This agreement serves a public purpose by promoting and stimulating education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. The projects awarded under this task agreement will motivate the participants to be involved with the natural, cultural and historical resource protection of their communities and beyond. This youth agreement will provide opportunities for youth and inspire millions of young people to play, learn, serve, and work in the great outdoors. Work products will be available on the NPS Geologic Resource Division���s website so that the public can gain a greater understanding of the geologic and other natural resource features and processes in our national parks.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Geological Society of America (GSA) agrees to:
1. Maintain and update as needed, GSA���s GeoCorps America and Mosaics in Science websites and on-line application system.
2. Work in coordination with NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager to ensure documents and correspondence distributed to all program participants (e.g., participant handbooks, agreements, evaluations, and emails) are up-to-date and are developed and targeted to each specific NPS branded GIP and MIS youth program. These documents must clearly explain that the participant���s work is performed under the NPS Geoscientists-in-the-Parks or Mosaics in Science program in partnership with the GSA���s GeoCorps��� America Program.
3. Recruit qualified applicants through GSA���s ongoing GeoCorps��� America Program.
4. Manage and carry out all administrative support in a timely manner during the recruitment, application, and selection processes for GIP/MIS participants. Ensure completion of GSA participant agreement, non-disclosure agreement, and as applicable, interagency volunteer agreement by all program participants. Provide copies of all signed agreements to the NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager and project���s technical coordinators/mentors.
5. Provide all administrative support regarding distribution of participant stipends, travel advances and allowances, and as applicable, necessary tax forms and other program documentation.
6. Communicate directly with each GIP/MIS participant regarding his/her obligations as a GIP/MIS participant.
7. Make project and participant information available in real-time via GSA���s website application previously developed for the NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager to support youth reporting requirements of the DOI and NPS.
8. Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division, within one month of completion of each project with electronic copies of the following items each program participant is required to submit to GSA:
��� five to ten high quality digital photographs and captions for the photographs,
��� final written report,
��� pre and post program evaluations,
��� sponsor thank-you letter, and
��� products resulting from the project (as applicable).
9. Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division with copies of annual reports and publications produced by GSA and the program participants as a result of projects accomplished under the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement.
10. Provide a comprehensive annual report of all NPS GIP/MIS related activities and achievements no later than September 30th of each year.

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:

The National Park Service (NPS) agrees to:
1. Identify NPS meaningful conservation projects in the areas of natural resource science research, inventory and monitoring, interpretation, and community outreach and education and enter the project proposal(s) in GSA���s on-line application system by the due dates specified in the Cooperative Agreement. Project descriptions may be completed by NPS staff in parks, regions, and other central offices.
2. Select a participant for each GIP/MIS project from the pool of qualified applicants provided by the GSA and promptly communicate selected participant���s name and start and end dates to GSA.
3. Provide housing or a housing allowance for GIP and MIS participants.
4. Communicate duty station and housing information, negotiate the term of the position with the selected participant(s), and provide an orientation concerning the NPS unit and mission; relevant NPS laws, regulations, policies and procedures; government vehicle and equipment use; government housing rules; and a detailed project description to each program participant at the time of arrival at the duty station.
5. Provide fully qualified and experienced personnel for mentoring, technical oversight and direction for all project activities, corrections or changes to the project(s), and final approval of the products created by the GIP/MIS participants.
6. Provide all necessary tools; equipment (including safety equipment and use of facilities), and project site transportation, as applicable.
7. Provide on-site safety and other project-related training necessary to ensure participants are competent and capable of safely performing their projects. Training will also be provided throughout the project to enhance the participant���s understanding of the project���s goals, objectives, and progress; and the participant���s role in accomplishing the overall mission of the NPS.
8. Promptly upon notification or otherwise becoming aware of an existing or potential problem of health or safety, take corrective action to cure such existing or potential problems.
9. Prepare a written evaluation from each participating park, region, network, or central office upon completion of each GIP/MIS project. The evaluation will be prepared by the technical coordinator overseeing the GIP/MIS project. The evaluation must be received by GSA before the participating NPS unit can advertise a subsequent GIP or MIS project.
10. Maintain NPS��� GIP and MIS Program���s database and Intranet and Internet websites. These serve the dual purposes of providing program information to NPS staff and management and outreach and educational materials to the public.

Both Parties Agree to:
1. Cooperate in the placement of individuals at NPS sites, affiliated areas and offices.
2. Instruct each GIP/MIS participant to acknowledge both the NPS and GSA in all publications and audiovisuals developed as a result of this agreement.

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 (P15AC01132) under Cooperative Agreement (P13AC00336) in the amount of $679,052.44 with a period of performance from date of award until 06/30/2017.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 U.S.C. ��101702(a) (previously 16 USC ��1(g)) authorizes the NPS to enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of NPS appropriated funds to state, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs.

16 U.S.C. ��1723(c), Public Lands Corps, authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with any qualified youth or conservation corps to perform appropriate conservation projects referred to in subsection (d) of section 1723.

54 U.S.C. ��101701(b) (previously 16 USC ��1f, Challenge-Cost Share Authority), authorizes the NPS to enter into agreements with cooperators for the purpose of sharing costs or services in carrying out authorized functions and responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to any unit or program of the national park system, any affiliated area, or any designated National Scenic or Historic Trail.