Department of the Interior: National Public Lands Day Funding Announcement

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 P13AS00222
Project Title National Public Lands Day
Recipient National Environmental Education and Training Foundation
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Diane Wood
Total Anticipated Award Amount $30,000.00
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? Task Agreement under Cooperative Agreement P12AC301002
Anticipated Length of Agreement From date of award until 9/30/2013
Anticipated Period of Performance From date of award until 9/30/2013
Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement
Statutory Authority 16 USC 18g-18j Volunteers in the Parks Act 1969
CFDA # and Title 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs ¿ Resources of the National Park System
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (2) Continuation
NPS Point of Contact June Zastrow 303-987-6718 june_zastrow@nps.gov

OVERVIEW

Cooperative Agreement Number P12AC31002 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) for the purpose of strengthening environmental, cultural and natural resource education, and to encourage volunteerism on behalf of America¿s national parks by sharing resources and expertise through National Public Lands Day (NLPD). Unless, otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

NEEF acts as the national manager for NLPD by providing guidance, support and technical advice to participating national parks. In coordination with the NPS, NEEF ensures that events are designed and managed in a way the promotes volunteer and environmental education opportunities on NPS lands.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

NEEF agrees to provide:

1. National coordination for eight participating agencies
2. A manual for site manager s available in printed or electronic versions
3. Promotional brochures and posters with space for local information
4. Media kit that includes news releases, public service announcements, and information about public lands
5. Outreach and media support
6. Contacts with Federal agency leaders and members of Congress
7. Commemorative posters for volunteers

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. Serve as a one of the primary NPLD partners and its planning of the event
2. Provide a fee-free day to all visitors to NPS sites during NPLD
3. Provide a fee-free coupon to all NPLD participating volunteers
4. Provide NPLD information and guidance to the field for the fee-free day and coupons

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 (P13AC01241) under Cooperative Agreement (P12AC31002) in the amount of $30,000.00 with a period of performance from date of award until September 30, 2013.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

A. 16 U.S.C. §18g-18j Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969
Volunteering is an American tradition that over the years has made an immeasurable contribution to communities, organizations and individuals throughout the country. Volunteers are vital to the success of the National Park Service (NPS). The Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program can accept and use voluntary help and services from the public, in a way that is mutually beneficial to the NPS and the volunteer. Each year more than 120,000 volunteers donate over 4 million hours of service in the national parks. They come from every state and many different countries to help preserve and protect America’s natural and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations.