National Park Service Geoscientists-in-the-Parks/Mosaics in Science Youth Internship Program Grant Opportunity

OVERVIEW

The Geoscientist-in-the-Parks and Mosaics in Science 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 National Park Service (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 managing its resources using sound science.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Geological Society of America (GSA) agrees to:
– Maintain and update GSA¿s GeoCorps America and Mosaics in Science (MIS) websites and on-line volunteer opportunity application system.
– Participate in the selection of GeoCorps-Geoscientists-In-the-Parks (GIP)/MIS projects with the NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager (Agreement Technical Representative).
– Recruit volunteer applicants through GSA’s ongoing GeoCorps AmericaTM program.
– Manage and carry out all administrative support during the recruitment, application, and selection processes for GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participants. Ensure completion of GSA participation agreement, non-disclosure agreement, and interagency volunteer agreement by all program participants. Provide all administrative support regarding distribution of participant stipends, travel advances and allowances, and as applicable, necessary tax forms and other program documentation.
– Communicate directly with each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant regarding his/her obligations as a GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant.
– Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division with copies of the items each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant is required to submit to GSA, including: five to ten digital photographs, captions for the photographs, a written report, a completed program evaluation, a sponsor thank-you letter, and products resulting from the project (if applicable). Instruct each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant to acknowledge both the NPS and GSA in all publications and audiovisuals developed as a result of this task agreement.
– Provide the NPS Geologic Resources Division with copies of annual reports and publications produced by GSA as a result of projects accomplished under the provisions of the task agreement.

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:
– Identify NPS geoscience-related needs and enter the project proposal(s) in GSA’s on-line application system. Project identification may be completed by NPS staff in parks, regions, and other central offices.
– Select a participant for each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS opportunity from the pool of qualified applicants provided by the GSA.
– Provide all necessary tools; equipment (including safety equipment and use of facilities); project site transportation; project specifications; and applicable procedures, rules, and regulations for all GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participants.
– Provide housing and or a housing allowance for GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participants.
– Communicate duty station and housing information, negotiate the term of the volunteer position with the selected participant(s), and provide an orientation concerning the NPS unit and mission; relevant NPS policies and procedures; equipment use; government housing rules; and a detailed project description to each GeoCorps program participant at the time of arrival at the duty station.
– Provide fully qualified and experienced personnel for mentoring, technical oversight and direction for all volunteer project activities, corrections or changes to the project(s), and final approval of the products created by the GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant.
– Provide on-site safety and other project-related training necessary to ensure applications 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.
– Prepare a written evaluation from each participating park, region, network, or central office upon completion of each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS volunteer project. The evaluation will be prepared by the technical coordinator overseeing the GeoCorps-GIP/MIS project. The evaluation must be received by GSA before the participating NPS unit can advertise a subsequent GeoCorps/GIP or MIS project.
– Instruct each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participant to provide GSA with the following items: five to ten digital photographs, captions for the photographs, a written report, a completed program evaluation, a sponsor thank-you letter, and products resulting from the volunteer project (if applicable). Instruct each GeoCorps-GIP/MIS to acknowledge both the NPS and GSA in all publications and audiovisuals developed as a result of this task agreement.
– The NPS GIP/MIS Program Manager monitors and oversees the activities covered by the Program¿s task agreement and serve as the technical coordinator to the GeoCorps-GIP/MIS participants.
– Maintain program database and Intranet and Internet sites. These serve the dual purposes of providing program information to NPS staff and management and outreach and educational materials to the public.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(2) CONTINUATION, AND
(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

With regards to the criterion Continuation, the Recipient has successfully been administering the Geoscientists-In-the-Park (GIP) program with NPS for the past 17 years, has developed an on-line application system, and has all other systems in-place to effectively partner on the GIP program.

The Recipient has unique qualifications that specifically fit the needs of the program: on-line application system; ability to recruit highly qualified Earth science applicants; ability to efficiently address issues as they arise, etc. Market research was conducted through internet searches and interviews with other non-profit organizations to see if their qualifications fit the specific needs of the program. It was determined these other organizations did not meet the needs of the program.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

16 U.S.C. §1g Cooperative agreements

The National Park Service may in fiscal year 1997 and thereafter enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of National Park Service 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 pursuant to section 6305 of title 31 to carry out public purposes of National Park Service programs.
(Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, §101(d) [title I], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-181, 3009-189.)

16 U.S.C. §1723(c) Public Lands Corps program, Qualified youth or conservation corps

(c) Qualified youth or conservation corps
(1) In general
The Secretary is authorized 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 this section.
(2) Preference
(A) In general
For purposes of entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary may give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in a specific area that have a substantial portion of members who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged to carry out projects within the area.
(B) Priority projects
In carrying out priority projects in a specific area, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in that specific area that have a substantial portion of members who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.