Intern Master Agreement Announcement.docx

Office: New Mexico State Office – Master Intern Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L22AS00346 Project Submission Dates and Times: 05/03/2022 – 06/02/2022, 5:00 PM EST

Project Title: New Mexico Master Intern Cooperative Agreement to Provide Conservation of Natural Cultural, and Recreation Resource Project(s) Statewide This opportunity is to award 1-3 Master Agreement for intern opportunities statewide. Once awarded program offices will create task agreements, against the master agreement terms and conditions, requesting interns for their office.

BLM encourages Indian tribes under 16 USC 1727b that qualify as a youth or conservation corps to apply.

The master agreement awards will have a period of performance of five-years. New Mexico has an estimate of $2,770,000.00 in FY22 to distribute between the master agreements via task agreements. Incremental funding for future years is subject to availability.

These master agreements will fund up to 200-300 youth over a five-year period with interns to be assigned to various field offices throughout NM. The interns will be of varying disciplines, depending upon field office individual needs. Disciplines and projects could include, but are not limited to, such things as:

· Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g., kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).

· Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.

· Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.

· Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational and informational materials for visitors.

· Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.

· Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.

· Reduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.

· Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

· Performance of studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc

· Performance of in-house projects, such as science, policy, or program internships, with a clear benefit for natural or cultural resources. In-house projects to include a field component of at least 120 hours.

· Promote responsible development of renewable and nonrenewable resources through the sharing of public land data and information with internal and external parties. Communicate and disseminate information with internal and external parties.

· Monitor environmental and public safety issues from resource extraction and use activities. Inspect operations for compliance and proper reclamation both on- and off-lease. Review public land use proposals for compliance with laws and regulations.

· Assist BLM with proper records management including databases. Increase business efficiency by collecting data, creating educational materials, and public outreach.

· Conduct engineering, geological, and biological studies, including perform analyses of coal, potash, oil, gas, geothermal resources, and other mineral resources and deliver written reports and maps.

Award Objectives: BLM NM offices have multiple opportunities to introduce interns to careers in the BLM under the various natural and cultural resource programs. These opportunities provide work experience to youth for their careers and educational benefits. This will be accomplished by providing youth with opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, and further their understanding and appreciation of natural resources. From this they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values. The projects will be especially appropriate for students studying natural and cultural resources and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, well as field skills.

BLM’s Involvement for both Master Agreement and Task Agreements: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professionals that will work daily, side by side, with interns on all projects and also provide project orientation and hands-on training. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying project management plans, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and interns will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then make a decision what direction to take in finalizing projects or move to the next phase.

Proposal Submission: Refer to attachment A as a suggested format to this NOFO. Proposals should address a master agreement with clear outcomes over a five-year period.

Budget Detail and Narrative: Refer to Attachment B as suggested format to this NOFO.

Submit an overall estimated five-year budget based on an estimate of $6,000,000 and placement of an estimate of 60 interns annually. The budget must include all direct and indirect Youth Corps costs to operate over five years with an estimate of inflation each year to include: pay scales for interns, either wage or stipend (weekly rate), as well as including standard project expenses, based on location, as applicable.

Helpful Information when Submitting your Proposal and Budget.

· Work Schedule: Most interns will work Monday – Friday, generally 8 AM to 5PM, internships of between 4 – 18 months with flexible start/end dates. Weekends might be required, but would be offset by extended time off, as appropriate.

· Housing: BLM will not provide housing but may be able to assist in locating appropriate housing/camping locations and facilities. A monthly housing allowance is not required but suggested due to the high housing costs in New Mexico.

· Vehicle: A government vehicle may be available for field work and stored at the applicable Field Office. In the event a government vehicle is not available, and the task order project is a field-going position, BLM will approve a rental or leased vehicle for the intern(s) needing an off-road capable vehicle (4x4) that is able to travel on remote, difficult, and/or dirt routes.

NOTE: A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable. BLM will not reimburse for personal vehicle use.

· Supplies: BLM will provide most of the tools and equipment required to complete projects such as computer, laptops, GPS units, cell phones, hand tools, and tents and camping supplies, as applicable.

· Training Requirements: BLM may provide project-specific training.

Award Expected Outcomes:

· Place up to 60 interns throughout BLM New Mexico annually.

· Plan and implement projects promptly.

· Recruit economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged Interns as much as is practicable.

· Outreach to Indian Tribes to provide tribe members Internship opportunities.

· Provide non-competitive hiring status to Interns when completing 640 hours of which 120-hours must be on public lands.

BLM Program Officer Contact:

PO Name: McKinney Briske PO Phone Number: 575-525-4334 PO Email: mbriske@blm.gov Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L22AS00346 posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.