Notice of Intent P18AC00733.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.

Restore the segment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail footpath and associated side trails from Lehigh Furnace Gap to the junction with the Upper Winter Trail on Blue Mountain near Palmerton, Pennsylvania that was impacted by the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site. Create a sustainable trail (reduce erosion and minimize future maintenance needs) in an optimal permanent location that provides for the conservation, public use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the scenic, historic, natural and cultural quality of the areas through which the trail passes. The completed trail relocation will enhance hiker opportunities, restore trail conditions, and improve trail stability and hiker safety.

B. Project Objectives – Project will repair, relocate, and construct Appalachian Trail sections impacted by the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site from Lehigh Furnace Gap to the junction with the Upper Winter Trail on Blue Mountain. Major trail construction items to be completed include corridor clearing, tread definition, leveling and setting stones, step construction, and drainage diversions. Work will be performed as specified in the Design of Permanent Route of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Through Palmerton, PA Superfund Site, Lehigh Furnace Gap to Little Gap, December 2014.

Accomplishing these efforts supports DOI Secretary Priorities: 1) Prioritize DOI infrastructure needs to highlight deferred maintenance 2) Provide access to outdoor recreation opportunities, 3) Create jobs in the American economy, 4) Help create a conservation stewardship legacy, and 5) Restore trust with local communities.

agrees to:

1. Work cooperatively with the NPS, volunteer trail clubs, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and other partners to implement the construction of the permanent route of the A.T. from Lehigh Furnace Gap to the junction with Upper Winter Trail.

2. Prior to beginning work each calendar year, submit annual work plans to NPS in a mutually agreed upon format. Work plans are to include: maps or descriptions of trail segments where work will be performed, any equipment or material staging areas, and estimated work schedules and crew size.

3. Oversee work performed by ATC trail crews, clubs, and other crews and sub-contractors. This includes: project planning, coordination, implementation, logistics, administration support, supervision, staff and volunteer recruitment, training, performing quality control, solving unforeseen on-site problems, ensuring adherence to safety regulations, and reporting accomplishments.

4. Ensure staff and volunteers participating in project work are provided with necessary safety skills and training appropriate for the nature of the work. Projects are to be conducted in a manner consistent with Leave-No-Trace principles.

5. Prior to beginning work, coordinate with the appropriate land-management agencies to ensure that all applicable environmental and cultural resource compliance requirements are met. Assist agencies with the collection and documentation of resource information as required.

6. Procure materials, supplies, tools, and equipment necessary to complete project in accordance with NPS procurement policies.

7. Submit itemized completion report for project work performed. Each report shall include: site locations, dates, and quantitative accomplishments.

8. Obtain and maintain any registration or certification as required by various Federal, State, and Local regulatory agencies, and any other registrations, certifications, licenses, permits, warrants, or other credentials or permissions required to perform the work.

9. Ensure all invoices include a narrative description of the activities performed as appropriate for that billing period. Invoices shall contain name, title, hours spent, and hourly wage of individuals working on various tasks of project as well as receipts for materials or other expenses. This shall also include any invoices for subcontractor work performed.

Sub Involv: 1. Monitor and provide Federal oversight of activities performed under this agreement. Monitoring and oversight includes review and approval of financial status and performance reports, payment request, and tasks identified below. Additional monitoring activities may include site visits, conference calls, and other on-site and off-site monitoring activities. At the Recipient’s request, NPS may also provide additional technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the objectives of this agreement.

2. Work directly with ATC to coordinate with other federal, state, and local agency partners to implement construction of the permanent route of the A.T. from Lehigh Furnace Gap to the junction with Upper Winter Trail

3. Provide technical assistance, guidance, and support to ATC and partners in project implementation.

4. Review and approve annual workplans submitted by ATC