noi- maah abiel school.docx

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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

OVERVIEW

Under Public Law 96-430, the Secretary of the Interior established the Boston African American National Historic Site (BOAF) in order to preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historic site certain historic structures and properties of outstanding national significance located in Boston, Massachusetts, and associated with the creation and development of a free African American community within Beacon Hill prior to the Civil War.

Two such properties are the African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School. The African Meeting House is specifically mentioned in Section 101 of the enabling legislation for Boston African American National Historic Site. The African Meeting House is located at 8 Smith Court and the Abiel Smith School is located at 46 Joy Street, both on Beacon Hill and part of the Black Heritage Trail. The Abiel Smith School was the first building in the nation built for the sole purpose of serving as a public school for black children; and the building commemorates the history of African Americans from slavery through the abolitionist movement.

The MAAH, as owner of the African Meeting House and tenant of the Abiel Smith School under a 99-year lease with the City of Boston, has as its mission to promote the preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of both these culturally significant properties.

It is the desire of the MAAH and the NPS to enter into a cooperative agreement for the express purpose of preserving the Abiel Smith School as it relates to the creation and development of the free African American community within Beacon Hill prior to the Civil War. Through this Agreement, NPS will provide technical and financial assistance as outlined in Article III to the MAAH to mitigate water infiltration that is occurring at the Abiel Smith School. Completing this project will stop the water infiltration which will preserve this historic structure and increase public awareness, knowledge, and support for historic preservation and stewardship of Abiel Smith School’s cultural and historical heritage.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

MAAH agrees to:

1. Contract out for the overall construction project to be accomplished in accordance with the attached proposal from Shawmut Design and Construction.

2. Obtain compliance approval with the State Historic Preservation Office.

3. Fund the following work:

a. Archaeological monitoring

b. Civil engineering study

c. Site protection and mobilization

d. Foundation dewatering

e. Foundation repair, brick replacement and masonry cleaning

f. Deep pointing and gunite parging

g. Procor waterproofing and drainage board

h. General Requirements

i. Supervision

j. General Liability Insurance

k. Permits

l. Overhead and construction management fees

4. Administer the entire contract to completion including making timely payments for received and accepted work.

5. During the performance of the work associated with the NPS funded phase of work, MAAH will be responsible for ensuring to the Government that work is being performed and built in accordance with the 106 compliance submitted to the NPS in the form of monthly progress reports. All changed conditions shall be brought to the attention of NPS for continued 106 compliance.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide guidance and consultation on processes, method, and means for:

a) Excavation, sheet piling and utility protection

b) Sidewalk removal

c) Backfill and compaction

d) Brick Paver installation

2. Provide advice, oversight, and review of those work activities funded by NPS which are stated above.

3. Provide inspectional services during the course of construction of those work activities funded by NPS which are stated above.

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 on the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

The MAAH is a tenant of the Abiel Smith School under a 99-year lease with the City of Boston. The MAAH has as its mission to promote the preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of this culturally significant property.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

54 U.S.C. Section §101702(a) provides that the National Park Service may, in fiscal year 1997 and thereafter, enter into cooperative agreements that involve the transfer of National Park Service appropriated funds to State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of carrying out National Park Service programs pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 6305 to carry out public purposes of National Park Service programs.

Public Law 96-430, Title I, §1 103, October 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1845 – Boston African American National Historic Site - provides that the NPS may enter into cooperative agreements with entities to mark, interpret, restore, provide technical assistance or any combination thereof, and for such other activities as may be necessary for the preservation of certain historic structures and properties of outstanding national significance located in Boston, Massachusetts, and associated with the creation and development of the free African American community within Beacon Hill prior to the Civil War.

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