NOI- P19AS00607.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

Current as of 10/29/2018

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. The unsolicited proposal must demonstrate an innovative capability or concept not currently available to the government, and prepared without Government involvement. ;

(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;

(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. Successful past performance, familiarity with existing requirements, capabilities that can be obtained or matched by a competitor, or a positive reputation, are not considered to be 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 Glacier Institute’s mission is to serve adults and children as an educational leader in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem with Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest as its center. An essential element of conservation and protection is education. Emphasizing outreach and field based outdoor learning experiences, the Institute’s goal is to provide an objective and science-based understanding of the area’s natural, historic, and cultural environment.

PP: • Increase public awareness of the management policies, resource issues, and research efforts of the National Park Service, adjacent agencies, and tribal governments.

• Contribute to public appreciation of Glacier National Park’s natural beauty and aesthetic qualities through creative arts.

2. Fee waivers for groups must meet the definition of an educational group as outlined in NPS RM 22A, Chapter 3, or its replacement.

3. Provide for the use and general maintenance of a National Park Service facility described in “Article X - Property Utilization.”

4. Provide in-park directional signs for the Glacier Institute Field Camp facilities.

5. Distribute Glacier Institute information in mailing packets sent to the public, as well as employee hiring packets. Brochures will be available at park visitor centers. Glacier Institute will be a featured choice on the exterior “Information” phone, located at the Apgar Visitor Center, and advertised in the park’s summer newspaper course-specific promotional materials may be submitted for review and possible posting on a case by case basis.

6. Annually review list of courses. Custom courses will be approved or disapproved as per Custom Program Development Process flow chart (Exhibit A) and in conjunction with park staff. Any approved catalog courses are deemed approved for custom programs if within the same calendar year as the approved catalog course, providing that all other conditions are met including same instructor, same location, & same curriculum as catalog course (plus requirements for group size, program location restrictions, trails, instructors, backcountry overnights, etc.).

7. Provide use of park teaching aids (e.g., audio-visual equipment, videos, NPS publications), if available upon request.

8. Provide guidance and support literature (Exhibit D) on policies, procedures, educational goals and rules for use of the park as they relate to the activities and mission of the Institute and its staff and students through annual discussion and review of this document.

9. Provide Institute staff with training opportunities related to resources, management issues, and educational techniques to facilitate the ability of Institute staff to conduct programs and seminars independent of park staff support.

10. Work within the education plans and goals of the park to explore new niche opportunities for Glacier Institute programs.

11. Work with Glacier Institute management to create seasonal shared educational position(s) that will assist with NPS curriculum-based educational programming or other support projects, dependent upon grants or projects funding.

12. Involve the Glacier Institute in the collaborative planning and evaluation of outdoor education opportunities in the park to ensure that education partners provide a comprehensive suite of learning opportunities and accurate information to target audiences.

C. The projects or activities under this Agreement that will obligate funding will be individually authorized by separate task agreements, with each project or activity having a separate work plan and budget developed cooperatively between the NPS and Glacier Institute, Inc.

2. Provide an administrative body for policy and program development, consisting of an executive director, appropriate staff, and Board of Directors.

3. Ensure communications regarding operational matters are referred to NPS designated Operations Liaison and that policy matters or those affecting the Agreement are communicated to Chief of Interpretation and Education. Glacier National Park understands that the only person who is authorized to make commitments on behalf of Glacier Institute is the Executive Director. Glacier Institute field and office staff should communicate routine operational matters through the NPS Operations Liaison.

4. Provide in depth field-oriented, experiential programming based on the educational themes of the park, which support the purpose and significances of the park. Courses shall use highly qualified instructors and when appropriate, classes will be offered for college credit or teacher certification. Students and instructors shall be provided orientation on park standards and policies.

5. Provide the park an advance opportunity to a review advertising and promotional publications activities relating specifically to Glacier National Park including: course catalogue, brochures, posters, signs, mailings, and media advertising (radio, TV, newspapers). A minimum of two weeks notice is required for reviews to be completed and returned to Glacier Institute.

6. Provide an on-site, residential program director during the period of program operation at Field Camp.

7. Purchase and maintain for the life of the agreement comprehensive general liability insurance, automobile liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance.

a. The Glacier Institute shall notify Glacier National Park of all claims filed. In addition, Glacier National Park must be provided a 30-day advance notification of any policy cancellation(s).

8. Complete all tasks identified in the Annual Cooperative Agreement Task List (Exhibit C) and provide required documentation for NPS review/approval as specified.

9. Submit written descriptions of all in-park courses, seminars, and special programs for review and approval of content, context, display and overall appropriateness by Glacier National Park prior to distribution, posting, and programming.

10. Reinstate teen backpacking camps, with size limit a total of up to 12 individuals. Backcountry courses must adhere to guidelines for backcountry use.

11. Ensure overnight backcountry courses meet NPS criteria as being primarily educational in nature. Glacier Institute staff’s level of training and certification in EMS and emergency communications capability for overnight backcountry trips shall be the same as that required for the concessioners authorized to conduct guided backcountry trips. Backcountry courses must adhere to NPS group size limits for backcountry use.

12. Limit programs occurring in the North Fork of the Flathead River drainage (bounded by the Canada border to the north, Inside North Fork Road to the west, Camas Creek to the southeast, and Continental Divide to the east) to ten (10) total courses per year, including catalog courses, custom programs and Big Creek courses. No more than two courses per week (in the North Fork) are permitted. Course trips to the North Fork, from different courses, may not be on the same day. Big Creek youth courses do not count toward the ten course limit.

13. Provide an opportunity for all youth participating in Big Creek programs to have at least one visit to Glacier National Park. Visits to the North Fork rustic zone (described above) should not be more than one per week for the same youth. Big Creek youth trips to the North Fork should be scheduled on days that no other Glacier Institute course or trip is planned for the North Fork.

14. Use NPS specialists to conduct all or portions of seminars only with the concurrence of their supervisors, and with the intent to use those opportunities as training for Institute staff to accomplish similar programs in the future. The Institute will not compensate government employees for their services during their paid government employment.

15. Provide Institute staff with opportunity to participate in Interpretive Development Program training or similar professional development programs, and to strive toward delivering educational programs that are relevant to audiences and meet NPS standards.

16. Communicate policies, procedures, educational goals, and rules for use of the park (contained in Exhibit D) in orientation to staff, instructors, and as developmentally appropriate to students.

17. Follow established NPS/GNP Donor Recognition Guidelines for any publications, handouts, and/or information posted or distributed within the park including Field Camp. Any reference to and/or recognition of donors, sponsors, etc., especially businesses, corporations and organizations, should be reviewed by the NPS to ensure there is no actual or implied endorsement by the NPS or Glacier National Park.

18. Ensure that staff and students are aware that federal laws and regulations (United States Code) apply to all activities at Glacier Institute at Field Camp and while within Glacier National Park and are subject to enforcement by NPS Rangers. This includes the Park’s and Solicitor’s interpretations of firearms and marijuana laws on federal lands.