A3 - Notice of Intent.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award financial assistance for the following project activities. Refer to Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination.

ABSTRACT

Grants.gov Opportunity Number Project Title Recipient Anticipated Federal Funding Non-Federal Cost Share Total Anticipated Award Amount

Award Instrument

Anticipated Period of Performance

Legal Authority

CFDA # and Title

Single Source Justification Criteria

National Park Service Point of Contact

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE

Section 1. Project Summary

Task Agreement Cooperative Agreement

Grant Agreement

STATEMENT OF WORK SUMMARY

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

A. The recipient shall be responsible for the following items under this agreement:

B. The NPS Responsibilities:

A task agreement is proposed;

A cooperative agreement is proposed;

therefore substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will:

A grant agreement is proposed, therefore no substantial involvement on the part of the NPS is anticipated for the successful completion of the statement of work. It is anticipated that involvement will be limited to actions related to monitoring project performance and technical assistance at the request of the recipient.

Section 3. Single Source Justification

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable. The justification must address one of the following criteria.

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, for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. A single source on the basis of continuation must demonstrate that competition would result in a substantial duplicate cost to the government that cannot be recovered through competition;

(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, 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:

Task Agreement issued under previously competed or single source master cooperative agreement per Section 2 above. Single Source Justification not applicable.

Continuation

Unique Qualifications

Unsolicited Proposal

Legislative Intent

Explanation of the proposed recipient’s qualifications or the criteria of the proposed project which requires use of the single source criteria cited.

Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination

Emergency

The National Park Service intends to award a task agreement under a previously competed or single source justified award.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified cooperative agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified grant agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

Section 4. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Priorities

This award will support the following DOI Secretary priority(ies):

Other Key Initiatives:

Employment of veterans.

Supporting DOI Infrastructure needs.

Creating jobs in the American economy.

Access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Priority 1: Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

Examine land use planning process and land use designations that govern public use and access.

Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review process while maintaining environmental standards.

Review DOI water storage, transportation, and distribution systems to identify opportunities to resolve conflicts and expand capacity.

Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing.

Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to access.

Priority 2: Utilizing our natural resources Ensure American energy is available to meet our security and economic needs.

Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare earth minerals.

Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire 'healthy forests' lifecycle.

Manage competition for grazing resources.

Priority 3: Restoring trust with local communities Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands.

Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Priority 4: Ensuring sovereignty means something Support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty.

Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories.

Priority 5: Generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests Ensure that the public receives the full market value for the natural resources produced on Federal lands.

Ensure that fees or costs levied for DOI services are reasonable and targeted to achieve cost recovery.

Consider the impact of DOI decisions on economic development and job creation.

Priority 6: Protecting our people and the border Actively support efforts to secure our southern border.

Ensure DOI law enforcement staffing addresses public safety risks anticipated on DOI land.

Promote a "public service" demeanor within our law enforcement community.

Priority 7: Striking a regulatory balance

Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S.

industry and the public.

Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Priority 8: Modernizing our infrastructure Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure.

Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate private sector efforts to construct infrastructure projects serving American needs.

Prioritize DOI infrastructure needs to highlight:

1. Construction of infrastructure;

2. Cyclical maintenance;

3. Deferred maintenance.

Senior executives are expected to provide leadership in achieving goals of the President and the Secretary.

The Management Team is expected to:

1. Ensure cost-effective operations and quality service to the public;

2. Facilitate organizational cooperation and conflict resolution;

3. Ensure the workplace environment is conducive to employee productivity and safety;

4. Hold individuals accountable for actions that violate DOI policies and requirements.

Priority 10: Achieving our goals and leading our team forward

The proposed project does not support any of the DOI Secretary priorities, but the project is being funded for the following reasons:

Priority 9: Reorganizing for the next 100 years

Improve alignment and integration of the DOI organizational structure. Redistribute organizational resources (people and funding) to enhance mission achievement and improved public service.

Improve organizational alignment with Executive Branch counterparts with major land management assets or influence.

The project focus is implementation of the NRGNHA management plan, which was approved on January 15, 2014. Continued efforts include the grants program and other activities initiated in prior years, expanded partner collaborations, and new uses of the website and other promotions to expand outreach.

Total expenditures of $664,194 are funded under the Task Agreement budget in the following major expenditure categories:

• Personnel and Benefits (ED and Staff) – 38.6% - $256,186;

• Contracted Services – 6.8% - $45,000;

• Grant Projects and Contracts – 32.5% - $216,000; and

• Operating Costs – 22.1% - $147,008.

Program allocations of budget are segregated under groupings that reflect accomplishment of major strategic direction within the Management Plan. These groupings reflect cost allocation the Budget Allocation Worksheet provided separately.

Management Plan Goals and Strategic Direction The following are the goals identified in the Management Plan:

• Goal 1: Enhance understanding and awareness of the heritage area’s stories and resources by strengthening community identity, creating opportunities for interpretation and visitor education, and by supporting heritage programs.

• Goal 2: Sustain traditions, heritage, and culture by supporting community efforts to maintain traditional life practices, by documenting stories and histories, and by supporting preservation of cultural resources, including local arts, traditions, and celebrations.

• Goal 3: Involve youth in the appreciation of and continuation of traditional practices by creating opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, internships, and mentoring.

• Goal 4: Create partnerships with non-profit groups, local and Tribal governments, service organizations, educational institutions and others to further the goals of the NRGNHA.

• Goal 5: Conserve resources by working with communities and preservation organizations and by supporting efforts to maintain, preserve and restore natural and cultural resources, while also providing opportunities for recreation.

• Goal 6: Promote economic development and heritage tourism by gathering and sharing information on the Heritage Area and establishing partnerships with communities, businesses, and organizations that provide tourist experiences and programs.

These goals form the strategic initiatives that drive our implementation activities.

Program Activities developed to support attainment of these initiatives include our partnership programs, and several outreach and marketing initiatives started in current and prior years. These include:

• Expanded development of our programs to provide leadership within the Heritage Area counties, including outreach to communities, promotion of community development efforts, and promotion of artists and arts and culture entities.

• Marketing promotion to include repeat publication of our Heritage Area publication titled Land Water People Time, and expanded use of social media platforms linked to our website content.

• Work with Santa Fe, Taos, and Rio Arriba Counties to inventory and promote arts, culture, and cultural tourism entities and activities.

• Development of expanded content and educational material to populate our website and to provide outreach materials, and development of a database and website content to inform residents and tourists about the Heritage Area.

• Continued development of the Heritage Center as an interpretive visitor center and focal point for coordinating tourism promotion among the regional visitor centers.

• Outreach and planning to support resource conservation and recreation planning, including participation in such efforts as the Rio Grande Trail network, promotion of national monument and trails designations, and individual community trails efforts.

• Participation in the national Heritage Area organization and its activities, including travel to regional conferences for training and shared collaboration with other heritage areas.

Grants and Projects activities emphasize creating educational materials through funding of community and heritage grants and activities, and funding of restoration projects. Key initiatives are:

• Continuation of community grants at the levels granted in prior periods, with emphasis on projects that promote economic expansion at local levels.

• Expansion of the grants program to include larger grants, targeted grants projects focusing on partnerships, and support for new initiatives, such as tourist visitor centers, and libraries.

• Grants for restoration projects, in partnership with Counties and communities.

• Continued work with Rio Arriba County, pueblos and community organizations to develop a regional interpretive center to present educational materials and experiences for residents and tourists. Work with other community centers to support local interpretive efforts.

2. Substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will be responsible for the following:

a) Provide advisory, technical and financial assistance to the Recipient regarding the implementation of the management plan.

b) Provide technical assistance on projects requiring Section 106 consultation, by advising on the appropriate level of effect, reviewing projects for compliance with the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and facilitating consultation efforts between the Recipient and the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office.

c) Review and comment on draft planning documents for projects listed within Attachment A, upon the request of the Recipient or the NPS.

d) The NPS will review the provided list of selected subawards/subgrants and associated budgets to determine if the projects align with the NRGNHA management plan and the cost principles found within 2 CFR 200.

2. Complete Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, in consultation with the NPS, for all projects and subgrants that have undertakings on properties that are eligible or designated on the National Register of Historic Places prior to distributing federal funding to a subrecipient or contractor.

3. Provide a list of selected subgrants and associated budgets to the NPS for review and approval prior to making awards.