NOI P18AC01265.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.

215-597-5949 Goals: The project goals are to enhance the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake National Historic Trail) visitor experience on the lower Susquehanna River region, public access to resources and educational and recreational learning programs related to the voyages of Captain John Smith, American Indian history, and the natural and cultural history of the Chesapeake Bay.

Specific objectives for this project proposed by Susquehanna Heritage Corporation encompasses objectives in several inter-related program areas, including: (1) interpretive master planning and design, fabrication, and installation of enhanced exhibits and interpretive features at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, and Native Lands County Park; (2) visitor orientation, interpretation, and educational services at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, the officially designated National Park Service Visitor Contact Station for the Chesapeake National Historic Trail in Pennsylvania; (3) design development of an accessible trail connection and outdoor education facilities for and between the Zimmerman Center and adjacent Native Lands County Park; (4) installation of enhanced dock infrastructure at both facilities to support of an interpretive water shuttle between the Zimmerman Center for Heritage and Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, and operation for an interpretive water shuttle for two pilot seasons; and Canoemobile—an outdoor classroom learning experience for up to 500 students, who will experience paddling voyager canoes on the Susquehanna River.

This award is specifically targeted to enhance physical and programmatic access to the lower Susquehanna River and its cultural and natural history through recreational access, recreational experiences, recreational learning and educational programming, and as such directly supports the Secretarial priority to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

This project is funded through a Task Agreement under Master Cooperative Agreement (CA) P15AC00171. Master CA P15AC00171 was entered into by the National Park Service Chesapeake Office (NPS Chesapeake) and the Susquehanna Heritage Corporation with the goals of helping the public experience the Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Chesapeake Bay through visitor information and interpretation. Together Susquehanna Heritage and the NPS Chesapeake work to enhance recreational access to and recreational learning about the Susquehanna region and the Chesapeake National Historic Trail, providing programming related to the voyages of Captain John Smith, American Indian history, and the natural and cultural history of the Chesapeake Bay. Programming is provided at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage near Wrightsville, PA and through field-based educational and public programming in the surrounding region of the lower Susquehanna River. This represents, in essence, an NPS Chesapeake operational partnership for Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Chesapeake Bay.

PP: This National Park Service Chesapeake Office award supports these particular public purposes:

• The project engages recipients, partners, communities, and/or visitors in shared environmental stewardship.

• The project promotes greater public and private participation in historic preservation programs and activities. The project builds resource stewardship ethics in its participants.

• 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: This NPS Chesapeake financial assistance award supports several inter-related program areas, including: (1) interpretive master planning and design, fabrication, and installation of enhanced exhibits and interpretive features at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, and Native Lands County Park; (2) visitor orientation, interpretation, and educational services at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, the officially designated NPS Visitor Contact Station for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake National Historic Trail) in Pennsylvania; (3) design development of an accessible trail connection and outdoor education facilities for and between the Zimmerman Center and adjacent Native Lands County Park; (4) installation of enhanced dock infrastructure at both facilities to support of an interpretive water shuttle between the Zimmerman Center for Heritage and Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, and operation for an interpretive water shuttle for two pilot seasons; and Canoemobile—an outdoor classroom learning experience for up to 500 students, who will experience paddling voyager canoes on the Susquehanna River.

It is anticipated that more than 28,361 individuals will view these new exhibits and participate in activities, programs, and events at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage and Columbia Crossing River Trails Center described in the proposal. This estimate includes more than 600 local grade school students, teachers, and parents on field trips to the Chesapeake National Historic Trail Visitor Contact Station at the Zimmerman Center and to Columbia Crossing for the Canoemobile program.

2. Consult with Susquehanna Heritage Corporation as to the adequacy and appropriateness of the design of the accessible route/trail, outdoor classroom, and dock facility and provide other technical assistance as necessary; provide, where available, NPS guidelines for the development of accessible routes/trails, outdoor classrooms, and dock facilities.

3. Collaborate with Susquehanna Heritage on the development of educational and interpretive programming related to Chesapeake Bay themes and the themes of the Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

4. Collaborate on the design and implement educational, recreational and stewardship events along the Chesapeake National Historical Trail with a focus on engaging diverse communities and increasing access to the trail.

5. Assist in the delivery of training to Susquehanna Heritage’s and partner’s program staff to optimize the delivery of Chesapeake Bay-related content, including Chesapeake National Historic Trail-related themes in curriculum-based and public programming.

6. Work closely with Susquehanna Heritage staff to ensure that projects are consistent with NPS policies, standards, guidelines, and priorities as appropriate; and comply with the terms of applicable laws, regulations, and government policies.

7. Maintain regular communication with Susquehanna Heritage staff to ensure that work is implemented effectively and that any issues are identified and readily addressed.

2. Collaborate on the development of educational and interpretive programming related to Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River themes and the themes of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake National Historic Trail).

3. Design and implement educational, recreational and stewardship events along the Chesapeake National Historical Trail with a focus on engaging diverse communities and increasing access to the trail.

4. Provide training to Susquehanna Heritage Corporation’s and partner’s program staff to optimize the delivery of Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River-related content, including Chesapeake National Historic Trail-related themes in curriculum-based and public programming.

5. Work closely with NPS staff to ensure that projects are consistent with NPS policies, standards, guidelines, and priorities as appropriate; and comply with the terms of applicable laws, regulations, and government policies.

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