P14AS00303 NOI.docx

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

Training, technical assistance and research in the area of accessibility in the areas of parks, recreation and tourism

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

· Conduct physical and programmatic accessibility assessments at approximately seven (7) selected parks. Parks were identified based on achieving a distribution of parks (also taking into account size of park) throughout five NPS regions. The final list is subject to change based on consultation with each regional accessibility coordinator.

· Intermountain Region (IMR) - Petrified Forest National Park

· Midwest Region (MWR) - Badlands National Park

· National Capital Region (NCR) - Rock Creek Park

· Northeast Region (NER)- Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site

· Southeast Region (SER) - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (including Wright Brothers NM & Fort Raleigh NHS)

· Complete a comprehensive assessment of the visitor use areas. The assessment of physical assets identified for each park will be assessed by contractor staff using the latest accessibility guidelines as minimum standards: The Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), latest edition. In addition, final standards for Outdoor Developed Areas will be used to assess specific outdoor areas such as trails, campgrounds and picnic areas.

· Determine the programmatic accessibility for visitors who are blind or visually impaired and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, where it is not feasible to make physical assets accessible, contractor staff will recommend appropriate programmatic solutions to accommodate visitors with mobility impairments. Programmatic assessments shall include interpretative exhibits, printed brochures, a variety of interpretation programs, reservation systems and accommodations, as well as operational aspects related to the concession operations pertinent to the evaluation.

· Input collected data into the PFMD Condition Assessment Portal for import into the FMSS database to create Work Orders.

· Utilize the Cost Estimating Software System (CESS) to estimate the cost of the corrective action listed in the Facility Management Software System (FMSS).

· Work cooperatively with park staff to identify and provide deficiency correction recommendations based on the ABAAS, which are minimum requirements.

· In case of unforeseen conditions and/or weather delays that adversely affect progress during the onsite assessments, costs will be equitably adjusted to reflect additional investment. Rates shall be determined under a modification to this proposal.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the National Park Service will be responsible for the following:

NPS will be heavily involved in the selection and prioritization of assets and programs to be evaluated, the proposed assessment schedule, interface with NCA staff during the assessment process, review and approval of assessment data, and development with NCA guidance of an action plan for corrective action.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

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, and 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, cost-sharing ability if applicable, 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.

The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(4) UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

Single Source Justification Description:

NCA is uniquely qualified to provide the required resources and technical expertise to carry out the stated collaborative objectives. NCA has been recognized nationally and internationally as one of the premiere resource centers promoting inclusion of people with disabilities in parks, recreation, and tourism, and providing exemplary training, technical assistance, and research in accessibility issues. NCA also possesses the demonstrated expertise to conduct comprehensive accessibility assessments.

For nearly two decades, the NCA has conducted training, technical assistance, and research to provide park and recreation practitioners with viable solutions for the provision of accessible, inclusive, and universally designed recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. From outdoor developed areas and trails, to swimming pools and beaches, museums and zoos, NCA has made a significant international and national impact in the movement to create inclusive recreation and tourism opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition, NCA’s professional staff has more than 80 years combined experience working directly with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Access Board, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the federal land management agencies, and hundreds of organizations at the state and local level. NCA’s national and international reputation in the area of accessibility and park and recreation education, research, and technical assistance uniquely complements NPS accessibility efforts.

NCA also possesses the demonstrated expertise to conduct comprehensive accessibility assessments, providing NPS with the necessary information on not only physical accessibility at National Park Service units, but on programmatic accessibility as well. In addition, NCA has demonstrated proficiency in the use of the NPS Accessibility Condition Assessment component of the NPS Facility Management Software System (FMSS), a critical component in conducting NPS comprehensive accessibility assessments.

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