Department of the Interior: National Association for Interpretation Grant

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 P13AS00130
Project Title National Association for Interpretation
Recipient National Association for Interpretation
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Margo Carlock
Total Anticipated Award Amount $35,000.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? New Cooperative Agreement
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of award for five years
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of award for five years
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 1g
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs, Resources of NPS
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (4) Unique Qualifications
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718, june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

This agreement is for the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and the National Park Service (NPS) to provide a more holistic interpretation to the public and K-12 educators. This will be accomplished through developing and providing joint, coordinated interpretive training in the areas of the natural environment through a variety of venues, including but not limited to distance learning, webinars and place based learning, and workshops. Also, to examine the work of the NAI Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training and the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program (IDP) then develop a mechanism and process that will determine competency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs that directly align with Common Core State Standards in education and provide an objective framework that contributes towards an objective evaluation of interpretive programs.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

NAI agrees to ¿

1. Work with NPS staff at park, regional and national levels, to assess and refine existing interpretive development program (IDP) components and processes regarding the current certification process for NPS staff.

2. Work with the NPS to formalize the certification process of NPS products submitted for competency determination. Provide technical expertise and subject matter expertise.

3. Work with the NPS to develop and implement natural resource based training through a variety of venues, place based and distance learning.

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. Work with staff from NAI to provide content from existing NPS IDP modules and detailed information relative to how interpretive products submitted for competency are determined to be competent and assist in refining the process.

2. Provide technical expertise to work with NAI staff in developing webinars, place based training courses and distance learning. Provide case studies of effective STEM placed based interpretive programs.

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:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

This agreement will facilitate the collaboration of outdoor classrooms providing STEM based learning opportunities that align with the State Common core Standards. The NAI educates and inspires the public and fosters increased stewardship in assisting in interpretive submissions that are evaluated and determined competent. NAI will design an evaluative tool and provide samples of effective STEM based educational programs. Working with NAI certified interpreters will provide the technical expertise and sharing of best practices obtained from zoos, aquariums and museums. NAI is the only professional organization that is dedicated to the advancement of interpretive and heritage program research, publication and training.

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.