NOI_NPS-18-NERO-0116.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 engages recipients, partners, communities, and/or visitors in shared environmental stewardship.

• The information, products and/or services identified or developed by this project will be shared through a variety of strategies to increase public awareness, knowledge and support for historic preservation and stewardship of the nation’s cultural and historical heritage.

• The project motivates its youth participants to become involved in the natural, cultural and /or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond.

• The project assists in the creation, promotion, facilitation, and/or improvement of the public’s understanding of natural, cultural, historic, recreational and other aspects of areas such as ecological conservation areas, and state and local parks.

The National Park Service Chesapeake Office (NPS Chesapeake) financial assistance program is authorized by the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-312, Sections 501-2) to: (1) identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; (2) identify and utilize the collective resources sites for enhancing public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay; (3) link sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections; (4) develop and establish watertrails comprising water routes and connections to sites and other land resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; and (5) create a network of sites and watertrails. All NPS Chesapeake financial assistance awards support one or more of the public purposes specified in the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act. In doing so projects also contribute to the overall Chesapeake Bay watershed conservation and restoration objectives of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement—in particular the objectives of promoting and increasing public access and fostering public stewardship. Additionally, projects advance development of the partnership-based Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail—created through the National Trails System Act (Public Law 90-543, as amended).

Overview: National Park Service Chesapeake Office (NPS Chesapeake) and its partners collaborate with the goals of increasing access to the Chesapeake and its tributary rivers, improving recreational opportunities, and interpreting the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake region.

1. Authorize James River Association (JRA) employees to support the efforts of the partnership in close consultation with NPS Chesapeake to ensure all activities outlined in this agreement and subsequent Task Agreements are mutually agreeable.

2. Work with NPS Chesapeake to identify and implement projects that advance efforts to implement the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the Executive Order 13508 for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Protection and Restoration, and The Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 in the James River watershed.

3. Work with NPS to consider ways that the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail can complement JRA activities and outreach efforts.

4. Work closely with NPS Chesapeake staff to ensure that cooperative projects are in compliance with all federal regulations, policies and procedures and are consistent with NPS policies, standards, guidelines, and priorities.

5. Maintain regular communication with NPS Chesapeake staff to ensure that cooperative work is implemented effectively and that any issues are identified and readily addressed.

6. Assist NPS Chesapeake in establishing new relationships and capitalizing on existing relationships with James River regional partner organizations and local and state governments in Virginia.

2. Work with JRA to identify and implement projects that advance efforts to implement the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the Executive Order 13508 for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Protection and Restoration, and The Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 in the Anacostia watershed.

3. Work with JRA to consider ways that the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail can complement JRA activities and outreach efforts.

4. Work closely with JRA staff to ensure that cooperative projects are in compliance with all federal regulations, policies and procedures and are consistent with NPS policies, standards, guidelines, and priorities.

5. Maintain regular communication with JRA staff to ensure that cooperative work is implemented effectively and that any issues are identified and readily addressed.

6. Assist JRA in establishing new relationships and capitalizing on existing relationships with James River regional partner organizations and local and state governments in Virginia.

7.

Justification: The James River Association (JRA) has a geographically focused mission aligned with that of the NPS Chesapeake, an established track record in providing recreational and recreational learning opportunities on the James River, and a record of success in collaborating with NPS Chesapeake on previous public educational, recreational and stewardship projects. This geographic and mission focus makes the JRA uniquely qualified for future collaborative efforts with NPS Chesapeake for the purpose of engaging diverse audiences in public educational, recreational and stewardship opportunities along the James River.

The Chesapeake Bay is an internationally recognized resource of outstanding significance and the United States has entered into a partnership with states, the District of Columbia and others to conserve and restore the Bay through the Chesapeake Bay Program. The National Park Service (NPS), as a Chesapeake Bay Program partner, is committed to assisting in enhancing interpretation of, and access to, Bay resources for the purposes of advancing and supporting Bay conservation.

The mission of the James River Association is to be guardian of the James River. JRA provides a voice for the river and takes action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources. The James River Association is the only organization devoted solely to the protection of the James River. The James River Association has set two strategic goals for their efforts to achieve a fully healthy James River, (1) keeping Virginia moving forward to fully implement the cleanup plans for the James River under the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, and (2) helping communities realize the benefits from a healthy James River and support protecting it. JRA achieves these goals through their core programs: advocacy, education, community conservation, watershed restoration, and the JAMES RIVERKEEPER© program. JRA’s education programs connect youth with river-based learning experiences that inspire confidence, ecological understanding, nature appreciation and stewardship. JRA helps people of all ages enjoy, appreciate and protect the beauty and health of the James River for future generations to enjoy. These mission objectives are strategically aligned with the NPS’s assigned responsibilities in support of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, most specifically to goals to foster and expand citizen stewardship and increase public access to the Bay and its tributaries.

The JRA has been and will continue to be a key partner in support of our efforts to conserve and restore the James River and enhance recreational and recreational learning opportunities on the river and in the Virginia tidewater area. The NPS has an established Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) toward this shared purpose, and collaborated on numerous cooperative projects over a couple of decades. The JRA was our key partner in developing the CAJO James River Segment Plan—a development action agenda for the James River and has assisted s in brokering multiple trail development projects. Thus the JRA helps NPS fulfill operational responsibilities related to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail on the James River. JRA is uniquely qualified to undertake the scope of work outlined for this financial assistance award.

2. Work with NPS Chesapeake to identify and implement projects that advance efforts to implement the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the Executive Order 13508 for Chesapeake Bay Watershed Protection and Restoration, and The Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 in the James River watershed.

3. Work with NPS to consider ways that the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail can complement JRA activities and outreach efforts.

4. Work closely with NPS Chesapeake staff to ensure that cooperative projects are in compliance with all federal regulations, policies and procedures and are consistent with NPS policies, standards, guidelines, and priorities.

5. Maintain regular communication with NPS Chesapeake staff to ensure that cooperative work is implemented effectively and that any issues are identified and readily addressed.

6. Assist NPS Chesapeake in establishing new relationships and capitalizing on existing relationships with James River regional partner organizations and local and state governments in Virginia.