p15as00403 noi.doc

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

Cooperative Agreement Number P13AC01381was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (“NPS”), and the Southwest Conservation Corps (now dba Conservation Legacy), (“CL”), for the purpose of engaging young adults in community-based work and offering internships and training, all of which expose young adults to the importance of parks and conservation and to potential career opportunities therein.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

A finite number of 47-week “Fellow” positions, and a finite number of 12-week or longer internships, will be created and filled in support of projects and locations where the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) and other NPS programs are providing technical assistance to a range of partners. Each such position will provide high-quality exposure to the kinds of professional work performed by NPS to benefit local communities, and will include efforts to engage young people in projects that support community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects. Local-area recruitment is assumed.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Recruit, appoint, place and support qualified individuals who are acceptable to the NPS staff serving as mentors. As Fellows or interns, participants will perform a variety of duties related to RTCA or other NPS program projects and activities, which may include: resource inventory and analysis; preparation of maps, resource inventories, and other project visuals by hand or utilizing computerized information systems; information exchange with public and professional audiences; assistance with organization and logistical support of planning workshops and public meetings; and preparation of conceptual designs related to site management and conservation alternatives, under the direction and support of COR staff. Interns may also participate in activities including trail construction or maintenance work, public outreach, education, or interpretation activities, and supervision of other youth or volunteers in a range of conservation and recreation projects.

2. Assist in recruiting and welcoming candidates who have strong interest and potential to contribute to these projects, and have attained qualifications and experience that would allow full performance in the near term.

3. Provide a stipend for subsistence to each participant, an allowance to defray daily commuting expenses, a travel allowance to provide funding for duty-related travel for project work and training opportunities, a housing stipend appropriate to the cost of local housing, and injury and liability insurance coverage.

4. Plan and deliver, in close coordination with NPS personnel, appropriate training to participants and key NPS staff.

5. Develop tools and resources, in close coordination with NPS personnel, for use in attracting and retaining participation and interest by youth and young adults in community projects in ways other than the subject Fellows and interns programs, including production of print, online, and other media that furthers the purpose of this agreement.

6. Manage and carry out all administrative functions, and maintain all administrative records, as necessary for the efficient and professional conduct of the work performed pursuant to this Task Agreement, and provide necessary liaison and ensure compliance with regard to the AmeriCorps program.

7. Seek out, and be responsive to, all additional opportunities from sources other than NPS to leverage the financial resources made available for these purposes, and/or to enhance the range of experiences and opportunities that NPS is capable of making available to Fellows and/or interns.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Discuss the acceptability of applicants provided by CL for Fellowships and intern positions.

2. Provide experienced and seasoned staff to serve as mentors to the Fellows and interns, and provide all needed guidance, identify tasks to be performed, manage and prioritize work, review all documents, and give daily supervision.

3. Identify recreation and conservation projects and sponsoring organizations outside of NPS that will focus the work of these Fellows and interns.

4. Provide connections and points of contact for experiences in a variety of NPS sites with suitable programs, resources, staff, and job opportunities to learn about, suitable for Fellows and interns.

5. Provide all necessary equipment (desks, computers, etc.), tools, work specifications, and applicable rules and regulations for all CL participants.

6. Provide funding to stimulate and support these activities

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:

(2) Continuation: This agreement is made under Cooperative Agreement number P13AC01381. This agreement was made with Southwest Conservation Corps after full and open competition. The stated objectives are a continuation of the project begun therein.

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