p15as00327-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

To create additional training opportunities for qualified students. Interns will assist Federal government professionals involved in historic preservation and allied fields such as archeology, history, museum management and landscape architecture, in directed assignments focusing on Federal efforts in cultural resources management and protection. Duties may include archeological, architectural or landscape surveys; historical research and resource documentation; technical writing and publication development; artifact and records cataloging, conservation and management; database and Web page creation and maintenance; and hands-on condition assessment and repair of historic structures.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Four internships with the Midwest Archeological Center. These training opportunities will allow the interns to learn about and participate in a national historic preservation program by working directly with Federal cultural resource professionals on the projects:

1. Archeology and Information Management Programs: Works with Center Archeology, Collections, and GIS staff to make information about past human land use available for climate change research across the Midwest Region. This project will integrate use of archeological databases, archives, and GIS, and will involve research across multiple parks. It may also entail original research on climate change and archeology, depending on intern interests and Center needs. Other tasks may be assigned as needed (800 hours).

2. Archeological Collections Management Program: Works with Center staff to meet National Park Service (NPS) curation standards for managing archeological collections. Duties include a variety of curatorial activities such as cataloging archeological collections using official NPS cataloging software (ICMS); packaging and preparing artifacts and archives for storage; and tracking environmental conditions for the storage repository. Other tasks may be assigned as needed. The collections reflect a wide range of past human occupation from the earliest Native Americans through the fur trade and frontier eras, the Civil War, and presidential homes (800 hours)

3. Great Plains Archeological Research Internship: Assists Midwest Archeological Center staff with a variety of tasks associated with the Great Plains Erosion Study. Parks included in the study are Scotts Bluff National Monument, Badlands National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Duties may include completing site forms for newly discovered sites; synthesizing past research; and processing and curating artifacts and archives. Other tasks may be assigned as needed (400 hours).

4. Education Program: Works with Center staff to maintain and grow MWAC’s online presence and Distance Learning program, involving coordination with archeologists and other staff across the Center, as well as with educators and NPS units on interpretive partnerships. Other tasks may be assigned as needed (800 hours).

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Assist with selection of prospective interns, as identified by NCPE, based on qualifications.

2. Provide a project mentor, materials, specialized tools and training, and related supplies for completion of the internship project.

3. Work with interns in conduct of the internship, assigning tasks, based upon each trainee's interest, knowledge and skills, providing guidance and direction as needed for completion of duties, and reviewing work products to ensure they meet the goals of the internship.

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:

1. Assist with selection of prospective interns, as identified by NCPE, based on qualifications.

2. Provide a project mentor, materials, specialized tools and training, and related supplies for completion of the internship project.

3. Work with interns in conduct of the internship, assigning tasks, based upon each trainee's interest, knowledge and skills, providing guidance and direction as needed for completion of duties, and reviewing work products to ensure they meet the goals of the internship.

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.

NCPE is primarily focused on protecting the nation’s heritage and has access to a ready supply of suitable candidates. NCPE’s program has a flexible scheduling ability and support capacity, significantly lower costs and sufficient focus and technical expertise on historic preservation.

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