ORLP_NOFO_071526.docx

National Park Service Notice of Funding Opportunity Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State & Local Assistance Program - Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) - Recurring 5 Year Notice Funding Opportunity Number Announcement # P26AS00125

FAMD-1443-001-2026-01

FAMD-1443-001-2026-01 Page 2 of 28 Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: Announcement # Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.916 Estimated Total Program Funding: $50 - 120 million as available annually. The next five years of ORLP competitive grants will be based on funds made available by Congress in the current and future fiscal years. Unused funds from prior years, if available and subject to Congressional action, may provide additional funds to the overall amount available.

Expected Number of Awards: 20 - 45 per calendar year. Each agreement will be negotiated individually, with the project work scope and budget negotiated cooperatively between the NPS and the non-Federal entity.

Award Ceiling: $15,000,000 Award Floor: $300,000 Award Floor/Ceiling Explanation: An estimated range of $300,000 to $15,000,000 of funding is anticipated for each award. The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined as part of the application review process based on applications received and funding available.

Cost Sharing Required? Yes Closing Date Explanation: Applications are due on November 1st each year. Selections should be announced within four months of the application deadline. Applicants have one year from the date of their notification of selection to finalize a grant agreement with the NPS.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review.

Have Questions? ORLP_Inquiries@nps.gov

Executive Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). ORLP provides funding to 1) to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. ORLP is a program within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to States. ORLP funding is available in addition to traditional LWCF state formula grants and does not affect state apportionments.

ORLP projects must be within a Qualifying Area, defined as:

an urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or 2 or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or an area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization.

Additional requirements under the ORLP program:

· Matching Requirement - ORLP is dollar for dollar match, meaning it covers up to 50% of all project costs. Applicants are responsible for providing non-federal funds for at least 50% of project costs.

· Perpetuity Requirement - Projects assisted through ORLP must be maintained and accessible for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. This applies to the assisted park or site in its entirety, not just the area assisted by the grant funds.

· Alignment with LWCF Law and Policy - As an LWCF program, ORLP projects must align with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual.

· Alignment with National Priorities – Projects must be responsive to Executive and National priorities, including those outlined in Executive Order 14313, “Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission” and Secretarial Order 3442, “Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior.”

Figure 1. Steps to Secure Funding for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants ☒ State governments ☒ Territorial governments ☒ Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) ☒ Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility In accordance with the EXPLORE Act (16 U.S.C. § 8464), the following entities are eligible to apply directly for funding through the ORLP Program:

State and Territorial Lead Agencies, in each of the 50 states as well as American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

· About State and Territorial Lead Agencies - In accordance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act (54 U.S.C. § 200305(a)), each state has a State Lead Agency designated by the state’s Governor or by state legislation for the purposes of implementing LWCF. A State Lead Agency may submit applications on behalf of themselves or an eligible sub-recipient.

Indian Tribes, meaning any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe (25 U.S.C. § 5130(2)) Alaska Native communities or organizations, such as:

· Alaska Native Corporations including Regional Corporations, Village Corporations, Urban Corporations, and Group Corporations (43 U.S.C. § 1602(m)) Native Hawaiian communities or organizations, such as:

· Native Hawaiian Organizations (54 U.S.C. § 300314)

· Native Hawaiian Homestead and Beneficiary Associations (43 CFR § 47.10) The following entities are eligible subrecipients and must apply through their State or Territorial Lead Agency:

· Political subdivision of a State or Territory, including cities and counties, or special purpose districts that manage open space, such as a park district.

The following entities are eligible subrecipients and may choose whether to apply through a State or Territorial Lead Agency, or Tribal Government:

· Urban Indian organizations (25 U.S.C. § 1603(h))

Additional Information on Eligibility Qualifying Area - Projects must be within a Qualifying Area, defined as:

an urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or 2 or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or an area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization.

Applicants can learn more about census-designated urban areas and access a list of all urban areas on the US Census’s TIGERWeb web page.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

Yes In accordance with the EXPLORE Act, non-Federal cost share in the amount of 50% or 1:1 ratio is required to be eligible for an award under this NOFO. Applicants are not required to have their cost-share secured at the time of their application to this NOFO, but they must provide documentation of their plan to secure matching funds. Applicants must secure their cost-share before finalizing a grant agreement with the NPS. This could be up to one year after selection through this NOFO. Applicants must document all cost share contributions in their final Budget Narrative.

The eligible non-Federal contributions may include land donation or purchase, cash, in-kind contributions, or volunteer services, in line with federal award requirements in 2 CFR § 200.306. Additionally, the following will be accepted as contributions for non-Federal share:

Existing State or local government-owned lands not currently used for recreation may be used as part of the non-Federal matching share for acquisition grants.

Property donated between a State and its subdivisions may be used as part of the non-Federal matching share.

Per 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)(1), projects applying for LWCF ORLP grants can only include Congressionally designated Federal cost-share sources in their budgets. Other Federal sources, such as LWCF formula funds, are not permitted, even if all program cost share requirements are met. Projects including other federal funds within the proposed budget, unless they are serving as authorized cost share, will be eliminated from the competition without consideration.

Exception of Non-Federal Requirement: Certain federal programs are authorized by their enabling legislation to be treated as non-federal match and can be used to meet ORLP’s cost share requirement. For additional information on eligible federal match, and common programs, visit our FAQ document on Grants.gov.

Exception for Insular Areas: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not need to provide 50% non-Federal cost share. These areas can receive full (100%) federal funding, including grants awarded on behalf of subrecipients.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

· Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

· Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

· Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow for 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals The purpose of the ORLP Program is to 1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas.

In accordance with the EXPLORE Act, the ORLP Program will make selections based on the extent to which a project:

Provide recreation opportunities in low-income communities in which access to parks is not adequate to meet local needs Provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and public land volunteerism;

Support innovative or cost-effective ways to enhance parks and other recreation opportunities or delivery of services;

Support park and recreation programming provided by local governments, including cooperative agreements with community-based eligible nonprofit organizations;

Develop Native American event sites and cultural gathering spaces;

Provide benefits such as community resilience, reduction of urban heat islands, enhanced water or air quality, or habitat for fish or wildlife; and Facilitate any combination of these goals.

The EXPLORE Act states that the Secretary shall give priority to projects that:

· Create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in a qualifying area;

· Engage and empower low-income communities and youth;

· Provide employment or job training opportunities for youth or low-income communities;

· Establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and

· Take advantage of coordination among various levels of government Within the context of these statutory priorities, the ORLP Program will also prioritize projects that further Secretarial and Executive Orders, including Executive Order 14313, “Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission” and Secretarial Order 3442, “Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior.”

Program Description Congress established the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1965 to create more recreational opportunities for, and strengthen the health and vitality of, the American people. LWCF’s State and Local Assistance Program provides matching grants to States, and through States to local units of government, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities. Since its inception, LWCF has funded over 46,000 projects across the country, totaling over $5 billion in investment.

In 2019, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act permanently reauthorized LWCF. In 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act permanently funded LWCF.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) is a program within LWCF State and Local Assistance. ORLP was initiated in 2014 as a complement to the LWCF formula grant program. In 2024, Congress passed the EXPLORE Act, which further codified ORLP, established program priorities, and expanded eligibility to Tribal governments. Congress allocates money from the LWCF for ORLP, which is then awarded to eligible entities through a competitive process.

Eligible Project Types Acquisition of lands, wetlands, and waters for public outdoor recreation, including new areas or additions to existing parks, forests, wildlife management areas, beaches, and other similar areas dedicated to public outdoor recreation, as well as physical connections among them (e.g., trails, waterways, land between recreation areas, wildlife habitat corridors) may be eligible for assistance.

Development should encompass essential public outdoor recreation activities and the necessary support facilities for public use. Projects could involve a combination of land acquisition and site development. These projects can cater to a diverse range of public outdoor recreation activities and facilities required to enhance the use and enjoyment for the public.

Funding Restrictions LWCF ORLP grants may only be used for costs needed to support the acquisition and/or development of lands and facilities that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public. ORLP funds may not be used for:

· Acquisition support costs such as appraisals or title work;

· Facilities that support semi-professional or professional athletics such as baseball stadiums or soccer arenas;

· Indoor facilities such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes like dining facilities or overnight accommodation (such as a lodge or hotel); or

· Acquisition of lands, or interests in lands, that completely restrict access to specific persons (e.g., non-residents of a community).

Note on Administrative Costs In accordance with the EXPLORE Act, no more than 7 percent of funds provided for an ORLP grant may be used for administrative expenses. (see 16 U.S.C. § 8464(b)(2)(B)) In Perpetuity Requirement The EXPLORE Act requires that no property acquired or developed with assistance under the ORLP Program will, without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, be converted to other than public outdoor recreation use. The Secretary may approve a conversion only if the Secretary finds it to be in accordance with the state’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and only on such conditions as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the substitution of other recreation properties of at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location. (see 16 U.S.C. § 8464(b)(4)(C)(i)).

Therefore, as a condition of the grant, the NPS requires that language be recorded against the deed of the assisted park/recreation property advising that the property was acquired and/or developed with Federal funds from the LWCF and that the property must be preserved for outdoor recreation uses in perpetuity and cannot be converted to any use other than public outdoor recreation use without the written approval of the Secretary of the Interior.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance. The recipient is responsible for complying with the BABA requirements for the entirety of the project, from bidding through construction. Additionally, the recipient is required to comply with the award terms and conditions. This includes ensuring subawards, if applicable, follow all BABA requirements and regulations of the federal award. BABA compliance is the responsibility of recipients. The federal role is limited to applying relevant award conditions, processing submitted waivers, and enforcing compliance. Similarly, the Uniform Guidance places the responsibility for internal controls and documentation on recipients, and subrecipients, in 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D – Post Federal Award Requirements.

Legislative Authority

· Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, as amended (P.L. 88-578, codified at 54 U.S.C. 2003 et. seq.)

· Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76) and accompanying Explanatory Statement

· The Great American Outdoors Act, P.L. 116-152

· Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, P.L. 117-328.

· Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act § 156, 2025, P.L. 118-234, codified at 16 U.S.C. § 8464.

Type of Award Projects will be funded through G (Grant).

Other Information: Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Contents and Format Pre-Application Requirements Prior to submitting an application, applicants should review presidential actions found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at: https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By submitting an application in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all current and applicable executive and secretary orders, including the President’s EO on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the EO and SO on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.

For applicants applying through a State Lead Agency, it is highly recommended to consult with your LWCF State Liaison Officer while preparing an application. State Lead Agencies may have their own internal ORLP application process that is required prior to national competition. Early coordination with your State will help ensure that the project aligns with the objectives and goals of the ORLP Program, and secure State or Territorial government support in maintaining perpetual conservation and/or recreation use on the proposed property.

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below. Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

SF-424A, Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs; and/or

SF-424C, Budget Information, Construction Programs, SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Program Required, as applicable

Document Instructions

1. SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance Form All applicants will need to complete an SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance, which is the standard form required for all applications for federal financial assistance.

2. SF-424 Forms: A, B, C and D For non-construction projects, applicants need to complete the SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs & SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs.

For development/construction, acquisition, or a combination of development and acquisition projects, applicants need to complete the SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs & SF-424D, Assurances for Construction Programs

3. Project Abstract Summary Required form (OMB 4040-0019) - Must include, in plain language:

· Award purpose

· Activities to be performed

· Expected deliverables or outcomes

· Intended beneficiaries

· Subrecipient activities (if known at time of award)

4. Project Narrative The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria (see the Application Review Information section on page 17). The project narrative must be under 10 pages, in font size of 11 or larger, and have 1-inch margins. The 10-page limit includes all text and figures. Only include information that is pertinent to the proposal.

The Project Narrative consists of the following three sections, each detailed below:

Section 1: Project Data Page

· Indicate the submission date (DD/MM/YYYY)

· Applicant name and contact information

· Sub-recipient name and contact information (if applicable)

· Project Title

· Name of Park/Property

· Name of Property Title Holder

· Project Property Address/Location Acreage of the project site and proposed boundary Project Type: land acquisition, new development, renovation, combination, etc.

Previous LWCF or ORLP Recipient: Yes/No, if yes provide the year and funding amount.

· Brief description of the project and its proposed impact (100-words or less).

Section 2: Project Overview Site Description (required)

· Describe the property’s physical features (e.g., terrain, water features, built structures, existing amenities) and quantify where possible (e.g. 50 acres of forested land).

· Describe current uses of the property and note any uses that will be discontinued or remain in place once the project is completed.

· Identify any known site constraints, such as utilities, easements, rights‑of‑way, contamination history, or other physical or legal limitations.

Acquisition Description (only complete if acquisition is proposed) Describe the property’s current ownership.

State whether the acquisition would create a new public park/recreation area or if it will expand an existing site, and if so, by how many acres.

Optional: Describe the current acquisition status, including negotiations, due‑diligence steps completed or in progress (title work, appraisal status, basis of value if no appraisal yet completed).

Development Description (only complete if development is proposed):

· Describe the planned physical improvements and facilities, and whether they are new construction, rehabilitation, areas for conservation, or replacement.

Explain any expected impacts on the natural landscape (e.g., temporary disturbance, permanent changes).

Population Description (required)

· Provide the most recent census population of the Qualifying Urban Area. (Note: this is not required for Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian communities or organizations, and Alaska Native Corporations and Organizations. These applicants are NOT subject to the 25,000 population.)

· Applicants can view all Urban Areas using the Census Bureau’s TIGER web map:

· Select the “Urban Areas” layer from the lefthand menu

· Zoom the map to your proposed project area

· Select the “Identify” tool from the top right icon menu

· Click on the project location using the identify cursor

· Click on the Urban Area name under the “Urban Areas” à “2020 Urban Areas” Results

· Check the “Decennial Population Count” in the pop-up box. This is the population of the Qualifying Urban Area, and must be over 25,000.

· If you are combining Urban Areas to meet the population requirement, you must report each individual area’s population and your rationale for combining them.

· For more information on Urban Areas, visit the Census Bureau’s Urban and Rural webpage.

· Describe the community’s low-income status.

· Applicants can demonstrate low-income status (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 45D(e)(1)) using the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Census Geomapping tool. At a minimum, applicants must submit FFIEC low-income information for the project site's census tract. Applicants can provide supplementary information or data in their project narrative if they want to further describe the community’s low-income status.

· To check the proposed project area’s low-income status using the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Census Geomapping tool: 1) open the tool and select the previous calendar year in the year dropdown, 2) type in the nearest street address to the project site, 3) select “Census Demographic Information” 4) select the “Income” tab, 5) look at the following data fields:

· % below Poverty Line – This must be over 20%. This is the number of people in the tract living below the poverty level divided by the tract’s total population.

· OR Tract Median Family Income % - This must below 80%. This compares the tract level median family income (MFI) to the Metropolitan Statistical Area/Metropolitan Division (MSA/MD) level MFI.

· US Territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can document low-income status by submitting alternate documentation, if Census or other federal government data is unavailable. Acceptable data sources may include relevant economic indicators from datasets such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s Island Area Census. Data may also include locally sourced information about other economic burdens, such as data from territorial governments, Federal government regional offices, or State, Territorial, or local governmental or research organizations.

Section 3: Responses to Merit Review Criteria Projects will be evaluated on the extent to which they:

1) Increase Access to Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

2) Align with Community Needs

3) Leverage Resources in Support of Recreation

4) Promote Conservation and Ecological Benefits

5) Demonstrate Feasibility See the “Application Review Information” section for more details on each criterion, including how it will be scored. It is highly recommended that this section of the project narrative is labeled by criterion.

5. Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. Applicants can use the recommended budget template linked in this Notice in Appendix A, although it is not required. The budget must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions. Budget items must be:

Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary, and Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

· De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

· Negotiated Rate: State if your organization will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

The budget should reflect only the costs related to construction or acquisition activities to be completed under an ORLP grant if selected. A separate total budget for the entire project (including work beyond what would be funded under the grant) may also be provided. The ORLP-funded portion of the project must result in a viable park or recreation opportunity that is not dependent on other funding, even within the scope of a larger project.

Note on Administrative Costs: In accordance with the EXPLORE Act, no more than 7 percent of funds provided for an ORLP grant may be used for administrative expenses. Additionally, the EXPLORE Act specifically excludes acquisition support costs including appraisal and titling.

6. Indirect Rate Agreement (NICRA) If your organization has previously negotiated an indirect cost rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

7. Project Timeline (1 Page Limit) Detailed timeline showing all project milestones, and measures that will provide quantifiable progress towards reaching the project’s milestones. Each planned contract must be listed with an expected date for bidding.

8. Project Site Map(s) and Rendering(s) Provide high-quality PDF or JPG files for maps and renderings and avoid using compressed or scanned images.

· Map (or Aerial Photo) Delineating Project Area and Proposed Boundary - clearly indicate area to be acquired and/or developed, as well as the proposed boundary of the larger park/recreation area that would be subject to the perpetual protection provisions of the LWCF Act (54 U.S.C. 200305(f)(3)), all known outstanding rights and interests in the area held by others, total acres within the boundary(ies), scale, and a north arrow.

· Site Analysis Map that illustrates site attributes such as flood zones, storm data, slopes, conservation areas, tree canopy, nutrient-rich soils, impervious surfaces, view sheds, and impervious cover.

· Plan or Sketch of Planned Site Features that highlight locations for public access, parking, playgrounds, conservation areas, rain gardens, concepts for managing stormwater, and other features, aligned with site analysis and community feedback.

· Any other supporting graphics that illustrate the objectives of the project proposal.

9. Letters of Commitment for Cost Share or Plans for Securing Cost Share For Already Secured Sources of Cost Share: Clearly state the amount, type, and anticipated date of contribution.

For Planned Sources of Cost Share: Describe the source, anticipated amount, and status of cost share discussions. Identify any major barriers that could prevent the share from being realized.

10. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, NPS may choose not to make an award.

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

· Activities: Description of any overlapping activities.

· Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

· Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

· A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

· Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects”.

11. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Required if applicable) Required if one is not already on file with the LWCF Program. State Lead Agency applicants do not need to submit a new SF‑LLL with their ORLP application if a current annual SF‑LLL is already on file.

For all other eligible applicants: A fully completed and signed SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities is required if the applicant has made or agreed to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action.

12. Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures (Required if applicable) If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

13. Uniform Audit Reporting Statement U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations expending $1,000,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

14. General Letters of Support (OPTIONAL) If an applicant includes letters of support from elected officials, community members, or other supporters, they must be uploaded with the application in Grants.gov to be considered. Please do not send separately from application.

15. Site and Process Photos (OPTIONAL) Applicants may choose to provide photos of the site and proposed development. These could include site features or constraints, community engagement, or current uses.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package Everything required to complete an application is available through Grants.gov and detailed within this Notice. Applications are only considered eligible when received through Grants.gov from an eligible applicant.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications Applications must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone by the following dates:

· November 1, 2026

· November 1, 2027

· November 1, 2028

· November 1, 2029

· November 1, 2030 Application preparation time may take several weeks, so please start the application process as soon as possible. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline.

Note: Per 2 CFR § 1402.204(f), Bureaus and offices must consider the timeliness of the application submission. Applications that are submitted past the submission due date and time will be considered for review on the next submission due date. Applications that are submitted beyond the final announced deadline date must be removed from the review process. If a proposal is not considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified during the selection process.

Figure 2. Annual Timeline for ORLP Proposal Submission and Reviews

(the following calendar year)

Submission Instructions Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov In the event the applicant experiences technical difficulties with submitting their application, please contact mailto:the Grants.gov Support Center.

Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at: 1-800-518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review. To be eligible for ORLP funding, projects must:

· Be submitted by an eligible applicant

· Be within a Qualifying Area

· Have satisfied all cost sharing requirements

· Align with the purposes of the EXPLORE and LWCF Act

· Must meet all other eligibility requirements outlined in this NOFO Applicants must: (1) Be registered in SAM.gov before applying; (2) Maintain a current and active registration in SAM.gov at all times during which it has an active Federal award as a recipient or an application under consideration by a Federal agency. (3) See 2 CFR 25.200 for additional information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. DOI is prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If an application is removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criteria. Each applicant is required to provide a detailed project narrative of the following criteria elements. It is highly recommended that the project narrative has sections labeled by criterion.

Criterion 1 – Increasing Access to Outdoor Recreation Opportunities 5 total points

To what extent does the project support the following priorities:

· Create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in a qualifying area;

· Provide recreation opportunities in low income communities in which access to parks is not adequate to meet local needs;

· Develop Native American event sites and cultural gathering spaces;

· Increase safety in parks, including facility related security installations within or adjacent to public parks and recreation areas; or

· Develop recreational sites such as shooting sports facilities (archery ranges, skeet fields, safe shooting areas) that promote firearm safety and hunter education.

Criterion 2 – Alignment with Community Needs 5 total points

To what extent does the project:

· Provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and public land volunteerism;

· Engage and empower low‑income communities and youth;

· Provide employment or job training opportunities for youth or low‑income communities; or

· Support park and recreation programming provided by local governments, including cooperative agreements with community‑based eligible nonprofit organizations.

Criterion 3 – Leveraging Resources in Support of Recreation

To what extent does the project:

· Take advantage of coordination among various levels of government;

· Establish or expand public‑private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; or

· Support innovative or cost‑effective ways to enhance parks and other recreation opportunities or the delivery of services.

Criterion 4 – Promoting Conservation and Ecological Benefits

To what extent does the project:

· Acquire land/water or interests that provide recreation and also:

· Support ESA‑listed species recovery;

· Reduce or eliminate habitat threats (ESA or candidate species);

· Address threats identified in a 12‑month petition finding; or

· Fulfill conservation strategies in a State Wildlife Action Plan;

· Create wetlands (subject to Safe Harbor Agreements) providing habitat, water quality improvements, flood mitigation, and outdoor recreation opportunities;

· Improve big‑game winter range and migration corridor habitat (per SO 3362);

· Invest in natural infrastructure for shoreline stabilization and habitat restoration; or

· Provide benefits such as community resilience, reduced heat islands, improved air/water quality, or wildlife habitat.

Criterion 5 – Project Feasibility

To what extent does the project:

· Have a sound and reasonable project plan?

· Have a clear, feasible, well-detailed budget, including a plan to meet the 1:1 match requirement and minimize administrative costs?

· Demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed scope of work and maintain the project in the long term.

Review and Selection Process This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

· figures are correct

· estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

· avoid obviously unallowable costs

· identify costs requiring prior approval

· ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

· confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

· administrative costs do not exceed 7%, as required in the EXPLORE Act Any deficiencies identified through this process may result in a reduced award.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

NPS personnel, and in some cases independent reviewers, will review all proposals. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

A. Initial Review Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied; (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination); and (5) the proposed project is in compliance with all applicable executive and secretary orders, including the President’s EO on Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the EO and SO on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further review.

B. Comprehensive Merit Review All applications that pass the initial review will be eligible for the Comprehensive Merit Review. ORLP Review Panels, composed of independent reviewers with relevant expertise in parks and recreation, landscape architecture, public health, urban planning, community engagement, etc., will review and evaluate all eligible applications using the criteria outlined above. A summary of the review panel’s comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

Each criteria element will be scored on a 0–5-point scale, where the following numerical ratings can be assigned: 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The scoring of each criterion must be based on the strengths and weaknesses of the application narrative. To assist in assigning an appropriate score, the following will be used as a general guideline, with more specific guidelines for each criterion outlined in the previous “Merit Criteria” section:

C. Selection The Selection Official will consider the merit review panel recommendations, the amount of funds available, and the following program policy factors when making recommendations for funding:

1. Geographic distribution

2. Distribution of funding to a range of program objectives

3. Range of project…