National Park Service Grant: Youth Trail Crew in Denali National Park & Preserve

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement
Project Title Alaskan Youth Trail Crew in Denali National Park and Preserve
Recipient Student Conservation Association
Total Anticipated Award Amount $29,056.54
Cost Share $18,738.02
Anticipated Length of Agreement 3 weeks
Anticipated Period of Performance 7/14/2016 – 8/3/2016
Award Instrument Task Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1723 (c)(1)
CFDA # and Title 15.931
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited
Point of Contact James Cato

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and Student Conservation Association (SCA) for the purpose of Conservation Projects. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Project Title, Project Description; The objective of this Task Agreement is to support and stimulate work and/or education and training opportunities for young adults through collaborative participation with Denali National Park & Preserve, the Division of Facility Maintenance.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The projects to be carried out at Denali National Park, as outlined here:
1. Trail repairs and social trail rehabilitation, Gorge Creek Trail. Crews will transplant harvested vegetation to impacted areas, as well as collect and distribute native plant seeds. Crews will work on construction and repair of the Gorge Creek Trail in the Eielson Visitor Center area. Work will include digging new trail, digging ditches, construction of rock and log drainage structures, adding new tread material to the existing trail, and clearing and hauling brush; all work will be done using hand tools. The project will both help improve the natural quality of the area around Eielson Visitor Center, as well as provide an improved recreational hiking opportunity for visitors to see this area.

2. Trail repairs, Mt Healy Overlook Trail, including routine brushing, tread and drainage repairs. Worst sections of the 2 mile trail will be chosen, and the work directed by NPS staff on site. Tasks involve working with assorted hand tools common to trails work. Work sites are accessible by an NPS provided vehicle and by foot. The base camp site is located at the Riley Creek Campground.

A. SCA agrees to:

1. To assist with recruitment and selection of selected candidates as Conservation Associates to participate in the work described in the above Scope of Work.

2. To provide living allowance, insurance, and Americorps awards (when applicable).

3. To provide for in-service commercial travel during the project period of performance.

4. Provide 24/7 staffed hotline assistance, site visit, and performance evaluations.

B. NPS agrees to:

1. To provide financial assistance in the amount of $29,056.54.

2. To provide general orientation to park operations, NPS mission, and wilderness and backcountry safety, as well as work skills and safety training.

3. To provide a NPS technical representative, Kathleen Kelly, and a direct supervisor, Jared Zimmerman or trails crew employee, to be on-site with the SCA volunteers to assist with specifics of the project as needed.

4. To provide housing or a camp location with kitchen tent, tent sites, and water and toilet facilities for the partner participant.

5. To provide all necessary equipment and supplies applicable for the project.

6. A written completion evaluation from Denali National Park per project evaluating the outcome and performance of that project.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

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.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

This is a task agreement that is being issued under an existing, previously competed cooperative agreement P15AC00031 to The Student Conservation Association.