National Park Service Graphic History Novels 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 Number P16AC01285
Project Title American History Graphic Novel Series
Recipient Alaska Geographic
Principle Investigator / Program Manager Program Manager :
Jeff Rasic, Ph. D.
Chief of Integrated Resources Management
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
National Park Service
4175 Geist Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Phone: (907)750-7356
Email: Jeff_Rasic@nps.gov
Fax: (907)455-0601

Total Anticipated Award Amount $77,500
Cost Share none
New Award or Continuation? New
Anticipated Period of Performance August 15, 2015 through September 1/2018
Award Instrument Cooperative agreement
Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702
CFDA # and Title 15.945
Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique qualifications
NPS ATR Point of Contact Jeff Rasic

OVERVIEW

The objective of this Agreement is to create a publication-ready graphic novel manuscript about an historic event in American history tied directly to units of the National Park Service. NPS resource specialists (historians, archivists, interpreters, cultural resources specialists) will collaborate with publication production specialists at Alaska Geographic to select and develop a topic; array a team of NPS subject matter specialists to provide information about the topic and incorporate NPS and community perspectives; assemble a team of experts in writing, illustration, editing, and book layout and design; and identify publishers who will later print and publish the novel. A single novel is the focus of this agreement, but there is intent in this first novel to lay the groundwork for a thematic series of novels that will address similar topics at other parks. The broad theme of the novel and the larger series is untold or lesser-told chapters in American history that shine light on both women and men, young and old, and represent the full range of the diverse American experience with attention to a variety of cultural, national, and ethnic backgrounds. Potential topics include the Nunamiut Inupiat settlement of Anaktuvuk Pass in northern Alaska, the Tlingit Battle against the Russian navy in Sitka, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Underground Railroad.

Each graphic novel will be approximately 150 pages long, richly illustrated with original drawings and selected historic photographs. They will be deeply researched and based on the best and latest scholarly research, informed by archival materials curated in NPS collections. The graphic novel format is a good way to connect with young readers and the style of the storytelling will be vibrant, engaging, and thought provoking, relying on first person accounts and emphasizing dramatic moments, personal challenges, and historic triumphs. A central aim is to connect a new generation, and broad transect of Americans to national parks and the resources and events they preserve and commemorate.

The recipient, Alaska Geographic, is uniquely suited to the purposes of this agreement. Alaska Geographic is an official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service and is established under specific legislative authority as a Cooperating Association of the NPS. Cooperative associations are authorized to provide interpretive services, including development of media products in the areas of public education, interpretation, and research, in cooperation with NPS. Alaska Geographic also has deep experience and an explicit mission focus on 1) youth programs and public education, and 2) broadening connections to public lands to diverse audiences and promoting media that reflects diverse perspectives in public land engagement—both consistent with some of the most prominent current strategic aims of the NPS. Work aimed at fostering deep and broad commitments among members of the public to their public lands come in part through the production of publications in which people learn about the stories and resources tied to NPS units, and they ways the NPS strives to preserve these resources and perpetuate the stories and values they represent. Since 1959 Alaska Geographic has created several dozen publications with the NPS in Alaska. As an official NPS cooperating association connected to parks in the Alaska region, Alaska Geographic regularly meets with NPS representatives to understand NPS goals, priorities, and values and is involved with NPS comprehensive interpretive planning, which ensures understanding of NPS strategic goals and enable them to be meaningfully incorporated into publications and communicated to the public.

This project fulfills a public purpose by assisting Alaska Geographic in their efforts to connect people to public lands in Alaska, to raise appreciation of resources and values of public lands, and to foster a sense of stewardship towards these resources. One of the primary ways Alaska Geographic achieves public education goals is through publications like the one that will be produced in the scope of this project. Audiences of special concern to Alaska Geographic are diverse communities and youth, both of which are addressed in the context of this agreement through the graphic novel medium, and the story selection, which emphasizes less-often told, and sometimes overlooked, chapters and players in American history. An explicit and concerted goal of the project is to promote and improve people’s understanding of natural, cultural, and other aspects of areas such as national parks. The graphic novel that will be developed is squarely focused on history and resources in national park units.

NPS participation in the project is substantial. NPS staff experts will participate in nearly every aspect of the publication development as team members that collaborate in selecting and refining a topic; connecting stories to national park units and resources; providing subject matter expertise in history, cultural anthropology, and natural sciences; assisting with research; identifying and accessing archival materials and images; and providing feedback on draft products.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Alaska Geographic and NPS will collaborate to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Select and develop a topic and storyline that addresses a lesser-told chapter in American history that is connected to national parklands.
2. Communicate regularly to ensure excellent coordination and mutually agreeable project outcomes.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

Alaska Geographic agrees to:
1) Coordinate overall management of the project, including coordination of NPS resource specialists (historians, archivists, interpreters, cultural resources specialists) with publication production specialists to select and develop a topic and storyline that addresses a lesser-told chapter in American history that is connected to national parklands.
2) Supply or recruit experts in writing, illustration, editing, and book layout and design to develop a print-ready (digital files) graphic novel of approximately 150 pages that serves to enhance public knowledge and appreciation of stories and resources preserved in National Parks.
3) Complete goals of the project as outlined in the objectives, participate in planning meetings with partners, and submit reports in a timely manner.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part of 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) Provide subject matter specialists (e.g., historian, archivist, cultural anthropologist, interpreter) who will share information about the topic and incorporate NPS and community perspectives into the story.
2) Assist with the research and provide access to archival and other source materials to the writing and production team.
3) Providing comments and feedback on draft products
4) Provide $77,500 to Alaska Geographic to carry out the work stated in the preceding objectives. See financial plan for budget details.
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:

Sole Source Notes
NPS History Graphic Novel Publication
J. Rasic
July 2016
“Explain why competition is not practicable…must be able to withstand scrutiny, should protect the public interest, and should align with management priorities, objectives and statutory requirements.
The justification will also include a discussion of the program legislative history and unique capabilities of the proposed recipient. When creating a single source justification, the NPS approved Justification for Use of FA template shall be used which contains all the required information.

(d) 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, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications. For example, the existence of limited rights in data, patent rights, copyrights, unique capability not available from any other source (with documentation showing attempts to locate other sources), or similar circumstances may constitute as unique qualifications.
Successful past performance, familiarity with existing requirements, capabilities that can be obtained or matched by a competitor, or a positive reputation, are not considered to be unique qualifications.”
Project Needs and Criteria
1. Publication project management for full span of book production process from market research, topic selection, writing, editing, layout and design, cover design, printing, marketing, distribution. Most publishers desire already-developed manuscripts that can be considered for acceptance and further development. A requirement of this project is for a partner who is willing and able assist in the development of the concept, and help orchestrate the writing and creation of the publication through all of its phases and culminating in a ready-to-print book manuscript. Some publishers offer these services, so on its own this is not a unique qualification, but it is a criterion that a suitable partner must meet.
2. A partner who can facilitate collaboration between NPS, non-profits and for-profit businesses, including national distributors and publishing talent. Professional writers, illustrators and other book production specialists (e.g., copyeditor, cover designer, etc.) are needed to produce a high quality product and the partner will need to be able to supply these skills and talents and build an effective team that incorporates park resource specialists and interpretive staff who are not professional writers and publishing experts. Typically, publishers will work with a single author to develop a publication. This project will take a team approach to the subject matter content development, which will present special challenges. It will require sustained and clear communication that includes people who are not writers or publications experts (on the NPS side). This collaborative and team approach is necessary to ensure that subject matter about park resources and history is presented accurately, that NPS values and messages are incorporated into the publication, and that high quality, professional production qualities are achieved.
3. Subject matter expertise creating publications related to public lands in Alaska, and their natural and cultural resources. A partner with common interests and specialized expertise related to public lands in Alaska and their resources is vital to the project’s success in the topic and story development stage since a key goal of the publication is to connect the public, particularly young people, with public lands, their resources, and stories. The publication also needs to be commercially viable in order to promote wide distribution. It must communicate NPS core messages, but also engage readers and gain a following. It is important that the partner is one that understands both the goals of public land management agencies like the NPS and the needs of the book market and desires of readers are an essential combination.
4. Experience producing publications for young adult audience. An explicit goal of the project is to connect with American youth and teach them about public lands and the resources and stories that are protected and shared in units of the NPS system. A partner with an explicit commitment to youth education is a key criterion for consideration and will be essential in the early phases of the publications development when topic selection and story outlining occur.
5. Focus on and experience working to increase diverse public connections to public lands. An explicit goal of the project is to broaden connections to a wide range of the American public—segments of American society that do not traditionally visit NPS units in large numbers or have great awareness of the NPS and its mission. A partner with an explicit commitment to diversity is a key criterion for consideration and will be essential in the early phases of the publications development when topic selection and story outlining occur.
Alaska Geographic
241 North C Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
1.866.AKPARKS
907.274.8440

Official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service and an NPS Cooperating Association, established under specific legislative authority to provide program or financial assistance to the NPS in the areas of public education, interpretation, research, and related visitor service activities. Mission is to meaningfully connect people to Alaska’s wild lands and resources through publications and outdoor education. Works in partnership with public land agencies to provide interpretive, educational, and stewardship opportunities to the public. Strong experience and mission focus on youth programs and education. Works to foster deep commitments to public lands. Has created several dozen publications since 1959 with NPS in Alaska. Explicitly focused on broadening connections to public lands: seeking to identify, understand, and overcome obstacles of diversity; promoting media that reflects diverse perspectives in public land engagement. As an official NPS cooperating association connected to parks in the Alaska region, Alaska Geographic
regularly meets with NPS representatives to understand NPS goals, priorities, and values and is involved with NPS comprehensive interpretive planning, which ensures understanding of NPS strategic goals and plans. Cooperative associations are authorized to provide interpretive services, including development of media products, in cooperation with NPS.
1. Publication project management for full span of book production process, from market research, topic selection, writing, editing, layout and design, cover design, printing, marketing, distribution. Yes. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the complete publishing process: from initial scoping and market research, to writing, editing, layout, design, marketing and distribution. Extensive experience managing publications projects from concept to distribution since 1959. Works with multiple printers, and 500 wholesale book vendors.
2. A partner who can facilitate collaboration between NPS, non-profits and for-profit businesses, including national distributors and publishing talent. Yes. Extensive experience managing NPS publications projects from concept to distribution since 1959 including national distributors and publishing talent. As a cooperating associatio