Department of the Interior Grant for WEAR (Kotz) Work Crews in Western Artic Parklands, Kotzebue AK

ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement P16AC01081
Project Title WEAR(Kotz) Leader Crew 2016
Recipient Student Conservation Association
Total Anticipated Award Amount $41,773.86
Cost Share $1,848.40
Anticipated Length of Agreement 3weeks
Anticipated Period of Performance 8/14/16-9/03/16
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; , 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 in Western Arctic National Parklands Division of Interpretation.

Title: WEAR (Kotz) Work Crews 2016
Description: The SCA work crew participants will:
• Create an outdoor learning space next to the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center on ½ acre space
• Construct planter beds, paths, and seating according to landscape architecture plans
• Install interpretive signs
• Plant seeds and mature plants according to the landscape design
• Communicate with landscape architect about progress and direction of the project
• Arrange stones and other natural materials in gabion baskets to represent local resources important to local people
• Prepare planter beds with topsoil and beach gravel suited for local plants
• Harvest and transplant plants to mimic beach and tundra microhabitats
• Plant commercial fireweed and grass seed in planned areas
• Construct a sand box for mock archeology digs for children’s educational programs
• Use hand tools to smooth and finish roughed in landscape features
• Design planting patterns and install signage for educational value
• Install 1directional sign and 3 interpretive panel signs
• Share thoughts about the project on camera for a short video to highlight the project for park websites

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT
The project to be carried out is:
• Create an outdoor learning space next to the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center on ½ acre space
• Construct planter beds, paths, and seating according to landscape architecture plans
• Install interpretive signs
• Plant seeds and mature plants according to the landscape design
• Communicate with landscape architect about progress and direction of the project
• Arrange stones and other natural materials in gabion baskets to represent local resources important to local people
• Prepare planter beds with topsoil and beach gravel suited for local plants
• Harvest and transplant plants to mimic beach and tundra microhabitats
• Plant commercial fireweed and grass seed in planned areas
• Construct a sand box for mock archeology digs for children’s educational programs
• Use hand tools to smooth and finish roughed in landscape features
• Design planting patterns and install signage for educational value
• Install 1directional sign and 3 interpretive panel signs
• Share thoughts about the project on camera for a short video to highlight the project for park websites

A. 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 transportation to and from Kotzebue and subsistence during the period of performance.

4. To provide for in-service commercial travel during the project period of performance.

5. Provide 24/7 staffed hotline assistance, site visit, and performance evaluations.

6. The SCA crew members will perform the tasks addressed above in the project description.

B. NPS agrees to:

1. To provide financial assistance in the amount of $41,773.86

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

3. To provide a NPS technical representative, Linda Jeschke, to be on-site with the SCA participants to assist with specifics of the project as needed.

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

5. A written completion evaluation from Western Arctic National Parklands per project Evaluating the outcome and performance of that project.

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 (CA# P15AC00031 #) to (SCA)”