p15as00267-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 (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without competition.

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

NCSHPO will be tasked to help the National Park Service’s National Maritime Heritage Program distribute funds to State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) for SHPO costs associated with administration of National Maritime Heritage Grants (NMHG). It provides funding for education and preservation projects designed to preserve historic maritime resources and to increase public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the United States.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The National Maritime Heritage Act (NMHA), H.R. 3059, stipulates that grants funds are distributed as direct grants to SHPOs, who then make sub-grants to individual applicants from each state that have been chosen to receive NMHG funds for maritime preservation or education projects.

The current grant cycle will award $2,607,025 to 35 projects in 21 individual states. Because the process detailed in the NMHA requires that SHPOs use staff time to administer and monitor the sub-grants, the NPS has agreed to reimburse each SHPO up to 5% of the costs associated with monitoring the sub-grants in its state.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

In coordination with the Chief Historian and staff of the National Maritime Heritage Program, to serve as the pass-through agent for administrative reimbursement funds to be distributed to 20 individual SHPOs who will be administering sub-grants for the NMHG program. Related tasks include the following:

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part of 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:

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.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:

(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 as described below.

NCSHPO was selected because its activities closely align with the NPS cultural resources program. NCSHPO’s existing relationships and infrastructure is the most efficient and cost effective way to reimburse the various State Historic Preservation Offices participating in the NMHG program.

7 - -image1.png