Department of the Interior Grant: Conservation Intern for Interpretation Projects at the Anchorage Interagency Visitor Center

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P16AC00129
Project Title Conservation Interns for AAPLIC
Recipient Student Conservation Association
Total Anticipated Award Amount $26,793.75
Cost Share $10,884.00
Anticipated Length of Agreement 30
Anticipated Period of Performance 1/31/2016 – 8/27/2016
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.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Student Conservation Associate intern will work with park education staff at the Anchorage Interagency Visitor Center to complete the following projects during their seven month position:

• Assist in designing, developing, and printing a 7-12 yr. old Jr. Ranger book.
• Assist in the designing, developing, and printing an under 6 yr. old Jr. Ranger book.
• Design a Jr. Ranger Patch to go with the Jr. Ranger Books.
• Work to create/implement distance learning programs.

The majority of work will take place indoors, with the intern moving between multiple projects and working with many collaborators during their experience.

The intern will receive training in education principles and techniques, gain knowledge about the natural and cultural resources on Alaska’s parks and public lands, and be exposed to emerging issues (climate change, ocean degradation, wildfire, and invasive species). The intern will also learn about important safety and wildlife issues such as bear safety, Leave No Trace, and wildlife etiquette and incorporate those lessons into the Jr. Ranger Books. The park does not provide housing.

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 $26793.75

2. To provide general orientation to park operations, NPS mission, and safety training.

3. To provide a NPS technical representative, Helen Fields to be on-site with the SCA
Intern to assist with specifics of the project as needed.

4. To provide all necessary equipment and supplies applicable for performing required tasks.

To provide funds for housing for the SCA volunteer
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 Student Conservation Association