Department of the Interior Grant: Implementing Park Science Blended Learning Curriculum

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 P13AC00183
Project Title Design, Develop, and test implementing park science, a blended learning curriculum
Recipient Indiana University Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Stephen Wolter
Total Anticipated Award Amount 105,000.00
Cost Share None
New Award or Continuation? This is a Task Agreement under Cooperative Agreement P12AC31164
Anticipated Length of Agreement From Date of Award to September 15, 2015
Anticipated Period of Performance From Date of Award to September 15, 2015
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16USC 1g
CFDA # and Title 15.954 Cooperative Research and Training Programs ¿ Resources of the National Park System
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow Phone: 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P12AC31164 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) for the purpose of: 1) providing research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies and their potential partners; 2) develop a program of research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resources issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and, 3) place special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the CESU Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement with CESU Partner Indiana University.

The Implementing Park Science blended curriculum project has as its overall goal to provide knowledge and understanding of scientific methods and processes for collecting and analyzing data for resource stewardship for natural resource professionals. The anticipated modules incorporate topics such as field data collection, data storage, and data processing using standard scientific methods and tools.

¿Implementing Park Science¿ will be part of the Career Academy for Natural Resources (CA-NR), which serves as a developmental pathway to acquire and refine skills in meeting job requirements, position and career field competencies. The CA-NR is designed to enhance professional and organizational excellence by providing tools of the trade, and support professional development that underlines scientific capacity, teamwork, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. In addition, there is an implementing park science module that is critical to the scope of work for this project that provides an understanding of scientific methods and processes for collection and analyzing data for natural resources resource stewardship.

The ¿Implementing Park Science¿ module is number five in the foundational series for the CA-NR. Essential competencies of Scientific Knowledge, Scientific Method, and Professional Credibility are addressed and learning objectives defined based on sub-competencies, key tasks, and performance criteria for the developmental/ entry level natural resource specialist and program manager.

This high priority, blended learning module incorporates topics such as field data collection, data storage, and data processing using standard scientific methods and tools. Students will gain capacity to review scientific literature and research, improve currency in analytical methods, and present data in a professional format for decision makers. This module consists of three units: Sample Design and Collection; Data Management and Analysis; and Scientific Knowledge and Understanding. Design teams will be able to quickly design and develop this module because much of initial work has been completed. This module is critical in addressing the scientific competencies for natural resource individuals.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Meet with NPS partners to establish timelines, responsibilities, funding limitations, potential problems and deliverables including the publishing of a project plan and work breakdown schedule.
2. Collaborate with the NPS to review identified training needs and recommend key training concepts.
3. Review three defined modules and associated competencies and work with subject matter experts to determine optimum delivery methods for blended curriculum.
4. Work with NPS and other agency subject matter and university experts to identify best practices in science competencies for identified units to assure content to be taught is state of the art for professional science education.
5. Evaluate a variety of different universities distance learning opportunities which may achieve similar learning objectives and could be incorporated as components of the curriculum. (Universities to collaborate with to be determined).
6. Develop the content in cooperation with the NPS, universities, partner agencies and other partners for each type of delivery method/module determined to be in the blended curriculum.
7. Develop individual component modules and associated materials which may include on-line e-learning.
8. If developed, on-line e-learning will be learner centered, interactive, meet American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 508 standards, and be SCORM compliant.
9. E-learning course would be provided to the NPS to host on their Learning Management System should this be determined the best method of delivery.
10. Test the products through piloting with selected learners.
11. Evaluate the test results for effectiveness.
12. Make appropriate changes for implementation to natural resource professional audiences and university learners.
13. Publish a report on the approach(es) to implementing park science related to reusable learning objects (RLO) from university online learning courses and modules possibly including applicability for continuing development, cost factors, and related issues.
14. Provide NPS with a project completion report.
15. As approved by the assigned NPS Agreements Technical Representative (ATR), perform other related duties as requested related to this statement of work and within budgeted amounts.

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:

1. Participate and collaborate jointly with the Recipient in developing and carrying out the scope of work.
2. Provide financial support to the Eppley Institute at Indiana University to perform work outlined in this Task Agreement.
3. Provide the services of the NPS ATR and program managers with subject matter expertise, assigning them to work with the Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands at Indiana University and to guide the project.
4. Maintain substantial involvement with Eppley Institute representatives, reviewing all draft content and providing the Eppley Institute with the necessary information and date to execute the objectives of the task agreement.
5. Assist in the analysis of best practices in science competencies for identified units to assure content to be taught is state of the art for professional science education.
6. Assist in the analysis of university online learning courses and modules for applicability to NPS natural resource career field individuals.
7. Provide NPS standards or approve proposed standards for project implementation, assessment, design, and methodology.
8. Direct or redirect, review and approve each stage of products and work before progressing to next stage.
9. Provide any travel, per diem, and meeting costs for NPS participants.

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 (P13AC01088) under Cooperative Agreement (P12AC31164) in the amount of $105,000.00 with a period of performance from date of award until 09/15/2015.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

16 U.S.C. §1g 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.
This section provides broad authority for NPS to enter into cooperative agreements with most recipients for a public purpose. Although broad, this authority must be read in conjunction with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 and other authorities that prescribe whether a particular relationship should be a procurement contract or a cooperative agreement. Thus, in making this determination, one must always consider whether the principal purpose of the work is to acquire goods and/or services for NPS¿s direct benefit in furtherance of its mission or for a public purpose.