P19AC00642 Notice of Intent To Award.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

This announcement is not a request for applications.

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to award financial assistance for the following project activities. Refer to Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination.

ABSTRACT

Grants.gov Opportunity Number Project Title Recipient Anticipated Federal Funding Non-Federal Cost Share Total Anticipated Award Amount

Award Instrument

Anticipated Period of Performance

Legal Authority

CFDA # and Title

Single Source Justification Criteria

National Park Service Point of Contact

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE

Section 1. Project Summary

Task Agreement Cooperative Agreement

Grant Agreement

Current as of 10/29/2018

STATEMENT OF WORK SUMMARY

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES

A. The recipient shall be responsible for the following items under this agreement:

B. The NPS Responsibilities:

A task agreement is proposed;

A cooperative agreement is proposed;

therefore substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will:

A grant agreement is proposed, therefore no substantial involvement on the part of the NPS is anticipated for the successful completion of the statement of work. It is anticipated that involvement will be limited to actions related to monitoring project performance and technical assistance at the request of the recipient.

Section 3. Single Source Justification

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

National Park Service Policy FAP&P 1443-2015-06 requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable. The justification must address one of the following criteria.

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. The unsolicited proposal must demonstrate an innovative capability or concept not currently available to the government, and prepared without Government involvement. ;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of, an activity presently being funded, 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, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications. Successful past performance, familiarity with existing requirements, capabilities that can be obtained or matched by a competitor, or a positive reputation, are not considered to be 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:

Task Agreement issued under previously competed or single source master cooperative agreement per Section 2 above. Single Source Justification not applicable.

Continuation

Unique Qualifications

Unsolicited Proposal

Legislative Intent

Explanation of the proposed recipient’s qualifications or the criteria of the proposed project which requires use of the single source criteria cited.

Section 2. Grants.gov Posting Determination

Emergency

The National Park Service intends to award a task agreement under a previously competed or single source justified award.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified cooperative agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified grant agreement. Refer to Section 3 Single Source Justification.

Section 4. Department of the Interior Secretary’s Priorities

This award will support the following DOI Secretary priority(ies):

Other Key Initiatives:

Employment of veterans.

Supporting DOI Infrastructure needs.

Creating jobs in the American economy.

Access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Priority 1: Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.

Examine land use planning process and land use designations that govern public use and access.

Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review process while maintaining environmental standards.

Review DOI water storage, transportation, and distribution systems to identify opportunities to resolve conflicts and expand capacity.

Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.

Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing.

Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public lands over restrictions to access.

Priority 2: Utilizing our natural resources Ensure American energy is available to meet our security and economic needs.

Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare earth minerals.

Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire 'healthy forests' lifecycle.

Manage competition for grazing resources.

Priority 3: Restoring trust with local communities Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our lands.

Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.

Priority 4: Ensuring sovereignty means something Support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty.

Solidify mutual interests between the U.S. and the freely associated states and territories.

Priority 5: Generating additional revenues to support DOI & National interests Ensure that the public receives the full market value for the natural resources produced on Federal lands.

Ensure that fees or costs levied for DOI services are reasonable and targeted to achieve cost recovery.

Consider the impact of DOI decisions on economic development and job creation.

Priority 6: Protecting our people and the border Actively support efforts to secure our southern border.

Ensure DOI law enforcement staffing addresses public safety risks anticipated on DOI land.

Promote a "public service" demeanor within our law enforcement community.

Priority 7: Striking a regulatory balance

Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S.

industry and the public.

Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong science and thorough analysis.

Priority 8: Modernizing our infrastructure Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to modernize U.S. infrastructure.

Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate private sector efforts to construct infrastructure projects serving American needs.

Prioritize DOI infrastructure needs to highlight:

1. Construction of infrastructure;

2. Cyclical maintenance;

3. Deferred maintenance.

Senior executives are expected to provide leadership in achieving goals of the President and the Secretary.

The Management Team is expected to:

1. Ensure cost-effective operations and quality service to the public;

2. Facilitate organizational cooperation and conflict resolution;

3. Ensure the workplace environment is conducive to employee productivity and safety;

4. Hold individuals accountable for actions that violate DOI policies and requirements.

Priority 10: Achieving our goals and leading our team forward

The proposed project does not support any of the DOI Secretary priorities, but the project is being funded for the following reasons:

Priority 9: Reorganizing for the next 100 years

Improve alignment and integration of the DOI organizational structure. Redistribute organizational resources (people and funding) to enhance mission achievement and improved public service.

Improve organizational alignment with Executive Branch counterparts with major land management assets or influence.

PMIS Project 236870A: Project will provide for cyclic maintenance on 747 acres in 36 identified landscapes along the A.T. Each site will receive an annual assessment, which will guide a site-specific treatment plan. Treatments will include mowing, vegetation brushing, chemical treatments, prescribed fire, seeding, and/or maintenance of pastures, grassy balds, and/or viewsheds.

PMIS Project 238045A: Project will perform cyclic boundary maintenance and assessment activities on 164.4 mi. (18%) of the A.T. Exterior Boundary within the states of ME, VT, MA, NH and CT. Maintenance activities will include the painting and/or repainting of blazes, maintenance/replacement of signs, maintenance of survey monuments, and brushing of the boundary corridor.

PMIS Project 238045B: Project will perform cyclic boundary maintenance and assessment activities on 89.6 mi. (20%) of the A.T. Exterior Boundary within the states of PA, MD, NY, and NJ. Maintenance activities will include the painting and/or repainting of blazes, maintenance/replacement of signs, maintenance of survey monuments, and brushing of the boundary corridor.

PMIS Project 238045C: Project will perform cyclic boundary maintenance and assessment activities on 21 mi. (20%) of the A.T. Exterior Boundary within the state of Virginia. Maintenance activities will include the painting and/or repainting of blazes, maintenance/replacement of signs, maintenance of survey monuments, and brushing of the boundary corridor.

PMIS Project 236482A: Project will perform cyclic maintenance on the Ned Anderson Memorial Bridge as outlined in the 2014 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Bridge Inspection. The bridge is an NPS-owned pedestrian bridge that carries the A.T. over the Ten Mile River in Connecticut. Cyclic Maintenance work to be performed will include replacing decking, repairing cracks and holes in the bridge frame, replacing worn bolts, replacing steps, and hardening the abutments and banks with riprap materials.

PMIS Project 236446A: This project will support cyclic trail maintenance activities along the 40 mile stretch of the A.T. in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Work will include brushing over 31 miles trail, and the maintenance, repair, or installation of critical drainage control structures

2. Substantial involvement by NPS is anticipated during the period of performance of this agreement. In support of this agreement NPS will be responsible for the following:

a. Work cooperatively with ATC, US Forest Service, and other partners to plan and coordinate cyclic maintenance work performed through ATC field staff, contractors, paid crews, clubs and volunteers.

b. Review and approve annual work plans submitted by ATC.

c. Work with ATC to coordinate or conduct all necessary administrative and environmental compliance work for Maintained Landscape management actions.

d. Provide GPS and related software technical support to adequately collect the necessary field data to improve survey information.

e. Provide technical facility maintenance design, and standards support to ATC and participating partners.

2. Work cooperatively with the NPS, the US Forest Service, and other partners to plan and coordinate cyclic maintenance projects along the A.T.

3. Directly provide oversight and facilitate the implementation of the cyclic maintenance projects outlined in this task agreement. Oversee all work performed by clubs, volunteers, paid crews, youth crews, and contractors as needed within each ATC region. This includes: project planning, coordination, implementation, logistics, administration support, supervision, staff and volunteer recruitment, training, performing quality control, solving unforeseen on-site problems, ensuring adherence to safety regulations, reporting accomplishments and developing and administering contracts.

4. Ensure staff and volunteers participating in project work are provided with necessary safety skills and training appropriate for the nature of the project work. Projects are to be conducted in a manner consistent with Leave-No-Trace principles.

5. Prior to beginning work, coordinate with the appropriate land-management agency to ensure that all applicable environmental and cultural resource compliance requirements are met. Assist agencies with the collection and documentation of resource information as required.

6. Procure materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to complete the project, in accordance with NPS procurement policies.

7. Participate in and provide monthly updates as part of a larger facility management meeting. Attend and provide relevant data for quarterly Task Agreement budget and progress meetings.

8. Submit itemized interim and completion reports per PMIS project for work performed. Each report shall include: site locations, dates, identified challenges or issues if they arise, funds spent, funds remaining, approximation update on completion timelines, photo documentation, and quantitative accomplishments.

9. Ensure computer hardware and software related to Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and database functions are adequate to complete the necessary work and meet NPS specifications for those technologies.

10. Identify missing or inadequate boundary survey markers and lines and work directly with NPS to prioritize professional survey needs, and coordinate completion of work NPS with the National Trails Land Resources Program Center or contract the completion of necessary work.