National Park Service Grant for Designing Communication Efforts on Natural Sounds and Night Skies with Colorado State University

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement
Project Title Design and assess communication efforts for natural sounds, night skies and biological topics, management activities, and issues
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $186,559.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signature to December 31, 2017
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signature to December 31, 2017
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b); 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to design, implement, and assess public communication efforts that support understanding and stewardship of natural sound and night skies resources.

The primary focus of this project is public outreach, education and communications. The project assists in the creation, promotion, facilitation, and improvement communication products that increase public understanding of natural sounds and night sky resources and related natural resource topics. This project will provide significant benefit to the public; it will focus on distilling and refining technical information and reformatting it into a context that will be easy to digest and retrieve by the public through various communication channels and partnerships. The resulting products will be distributed to the public via web, print and social media, publications, and partnerships. In addition, this project will involve students in the development of the materials, introducing them to the value of soundscapes as well as providing them with experiential opportunities.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Background
The protection of natural and cultural sounds and night skies in national parks is mandated by legislation and NPS Management Policies, and is a relatively new field in resource management. Sources of noise and light pollution often are outside of park boundaries, requiring productive relationships with stakeholders to conserve or restore these resources. Accordingly, effective communication and outreach is emerging as a crucial function for the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD). The goal of this project is to provide guidance and technical support for refining and implementing the communication strategy that NSNSD developed. This includes creating some communication products and evaluating their effectiveness in reaching the intended audiences. The evaluative component guides the project���s recommendations regarding future investments in staff and funding to realize a sustainable and effective communication program. Communication products could include improving their web and developing a social media presence; supporting youth initiatives that raise awareness of these resources among the next generation of park supporters, visitors, and advocates; communication of NSNSDs work both internal and external to the NPS; and identifying and developing partnerships that will enhance the work of NSNSD. Through this project CSU will also provide guidance and technical assistance in communicating other natural resource topics.

Objectives
1. Assess the NSNSD communication plan and identify priority products.
2. Create and deploy initial communication products.
3. Assess the effectiveness of those products based on current research recommendations
4. Recommend staffing and funding levels for a sustainable and effective communication program.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

CSU agrees to:
��� Work with CSU Communication and Creative Services to produce video projects.
��� CSU will collaborate with NPS to prioritize and implement a range of tactics identified in the communication plan and recommend additional communication approaches.
��� Provide guidance, technique expertise, and support on the development of communication products.
��� Make recommendations for communication strategies and implement preliminary product designs that will facilitate public understanding and engagement in natural sound and night sky resources.
��� Assess and potentially revise the NSNSD communications strategy and make recommendations for a sustainable, effective, divisional communications program.
��� Consult with NPS when establishing priorities and deadlines for communications products.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

D. NPS agrees to:
��� Collaborate in the development of communication products and incorporate products into NPS communication channels.
��� Participate in regular project review meetings with CSU partners.
��� Work with CSU to refine strategies and communication products
��� Provide guidance and review products to ensure compatibility with NPS mission, policies, and standards.
��� Review science communication products for accuracy.

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:
(2) Continuation

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01698) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $186,559.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2017.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement
Project Title Design and assess communication efforts for natural sounds, night skies and biological topics, management activities, and issues
Recipient Colorado State University
Total Anticipated Award Amount $186,559.00
Cost Share none
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of final signature to December 31, 2017
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of final signature to December 31, 2017
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a) & (b); 54 USC 100703
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research & Training Programs-Resources of NPS CESUs
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to design, implement, and assess public communication efforts that support understanding and stewardship of natural sound and night skies resources.

The primary focus of this project is public outreach, education and communications. The project assists in the creation, promotion, facilitation, and improvement communication products that increase public understanding of natural sounds and night sky resources and related natural resource topics. This project will provide significant benefit to the public; it will focus on distilling and refining technical information and reformatting it into a context that will be easy to digest and retrieve by the public through various communication channels and partnerships. The resulting products will be distributed to the public via web, print and social media, publications, and partnerships. In addition, this project will involve students in the development of the materials, introducing them to the value of soundscapes as well as providing them with experiential opportunities.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Background
The protection of natural and cultural sounds and night skies in national parks is mandated by legislation and NPS Management Policies, and is a relatively new field in resource management. Sources of noise and light pollution often are outside of park boundaries, requiring productive relationships with stakeholders to conserve or restore these resources. Accordingly, effective communication and outreach is emerging as a crucial function for the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division (NSNSD). The goal of this project is to provide guidance and technical support for refining and implementing the communication strategy that NSNSD developed. This includes creating some communication products and evaluating their effectiveness in reaching the intended audiences. The evaluative component guides the project���s recommendations regarding future investments in staff and funding to realize a sustainable and effective communication program. Communication products could include improving their web and developing a social media presence; supporting youth initiatives that raise awareness of these resources among the next generation of park supporters, visitors, and advocates; communication of NSNSDs work both internal and external to the NPS; and identifying and developing partnerships that will enhance the work of NSNSD. Through this project CSU will also provide guidance and technical assistance in communicating other natural resource topics.

Objectives
1. Assess the NSNSD communication plan and identify priority products.
2. Create and deploy initial communication products.
3. Assess the effectiveness of those products based on current research recommendations
4. Recommend staffing and funding levels for a sustainable and effective communication program.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

CSU agrees to:
��� Work with CSU Communication and Creative Services to produce video projects.
��� CSU will collaborate with NPS to prioritize and implement a range of tactics identified in the communication plan and recommend additional communication approaches.
��� Provide guidance, technique expertise, and support on the development of communication products.
��� Make recommendations for communication strategies and implement preliminary product designs that will facilitate public understanding and engagement in natural sound and night sky resources.
��� Assess and potentially revise the NSNSD communications strategy and make recommendations for a sustainable, effective, divisional communications program.
��� Consult with NPS when establishing priorities and deadlines for communications products.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

D. NPS agrees to:
��� Collaborate in the development of communication products and incorporate products into NPS communication channels.
��� Participate in regular project review meetings with CSU partners.
��� Work with CSU to refine strategies and communication products
��� Provide guidance and review products to ensure compatibility with NPS mission, policies, and standards.
��� Review science communication products for accuracy.

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:
(2) Continuation

This is a Task Agreement (P15AC01698) under Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) in the amount of $186,559.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 12/31/2017.

“This proposed project between Colorado State University and the NPS is authorized to go through the Rocky Mountains CESU at the negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% because it passes the test of substantial involvement by the NPS, public purpose and consistency with the mission of the CESU Network”.