P19AS00378.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.

B. Project Objectives –

a. Undertake the planning and development activities to engage GW Southcoast in the clean-up and reuse of brownfields and derelict lands for greenspace and other community benefits; in building trails and park improvements; improving access to healthy foods and urban agriculture; and participate support community benefit of environmental resiliency planning and emergency preparedness through community engagement and reuse of brownfields and derelict lands.

b. To plan and develop opportunities for the GW Southcoast Green Team to participate in green job training and in-service learning activities in their communities and in National Parks, Wildlife Refuges and National Forests.

PP: • The project motivates its youth participants to become involved in the natural, cultural and /or historical resource protection of their communities and beyond.

• The project assists in the creation, promotion, facilitation, and/or improvement of the public’s understanding of natural, cultural, historic, recreational and other aspects of areas such as ecological conservation areas, and state and local parks

• The project supports the development of a local Groundwork Trust organization in a community impacted by brownfields and other derelict lands to improve their environment, economy and quality of life through community-based environmental improvement activities and improved access to parks, recreation and conserved natural areas.

Overview: Recipient agrees to support the work of Groundwork Southcoast (GW SC) to accomplish the following Tasks:

A. To continue development of the GW Southcoast Green Team Program including written program materials in accordance with Groundwork USA best practices, by accomplishing the following tasks:

1. Update program and green job training activities for 2019 program. Topics could include, but are not limited to river conservation, pollution, brownfields, park stewardship, urban agriculture, bird and wildlife conservation, community engagement and other topics related to improving the urban environment.

2. Identify potential projects that the Green Team could participate in as part of the program such as urban agriculture, farmers market, trail development, streetscapes, tree planting and community greening, and park improvements.

3. Expand partnerships with public and private sector agencies and organizations, to plan and implement the GW SC Green Team and the green job training project activities they would participate in and to recruit the youth participants.

4. Expand partnerships with public and private sector agencies and organizations, to increase number of youth participants in environmental activities in connection with GW SC.

5. Update outreach materials to engage local youth, partners and community members with the Green Team program and materials to recruit youth such as application forms, permission slips and activity waivers drawing on the materials that already exist in the GW network.

6. To plan and organize a green job training and service project with a local National Park, National Wildlife Refuge or National Forest as part of the NPS – Groundwork USA Green Team Partnership Program.

B. To continue development of a GW SC Urban Agriculture Program to improve access to healthy foods and engage residents in their neighborhood community gardens, urban farms and urban orchards, by accomplishing the following tasks:

1. Identify and select partners to work with to support urban agriculture and improve access to healthy foods in the community.

2. Work with partners to promote access to healthy foods through urban farms, urban orchards, farmers markets, and food pantry distribution.

3. Prioritize opportunities to develop and improve community gardening and healthy food access. Engage and recruit youth and other community members and train volunteers to participate in neighborhood urban agriculture projects and assist with clean up and maintenance of parks where urban farms and orchards are located.

4. Update outreach materials to inform community members about the program and invite their participation.

C. To continue to develop an Urban Trails Program, by accomplishing the following tasks:

1. Convene meetings with the city and community partners to identify and assess opportunities for developing trails in New Bedford MA, as an opportunity for environmental education, green job training and close- to-home recreation for underserved communities;

2. If an urban trail system is feasible, identify a site to restore and maintain a trail in partnership with the city and the community.

3. Continue to maintain first trail and develop a trail plan for a second selected site and identify the first phase to implement. Implement maintenance and management strategies for the new selected trail while maintaining first trail.

4. Assess the progress or outcome of the selected trail projects and develop recommendations for future trail projects.

D. To explore opportunities to expand the GW SC partnership with the City of New Bedford to reuse brownfields for community benefit, such as the lot at Tallman and Belleville Ave, and the 4 restoration sites at Riverside Park that promote native flora and fauna. These projects work in tandem with the Riverwalk project and continued Riverside Park revitalization due to the completion of the EPA superfund clean-up site at the park and work in relationship with the city resiliency planning. Explore additional opportunities to work in brownfield sites in the Acushnet neighborhood and other neighborhoods in New Bedford.

E. Document all funding, in-kind services, volunteer hours, materials and equipment leveraged by GW SC for its projects, programs and operations.

F. Maintain a photographic record and list of accomplishments for all projects undertaken by GW SC.

G. Submit quarterly narrative reports to the NPS documenting the work completed on the tasks outlined above.

a. To support GW USA and Groundwork Southcoast with the funding from this Agreement to accomplish the tasks of this agreement.

b. To participate in the work of GW USA and GW Southcoast to accomplish the tasks described, especially park and greenspace improvements, Green Team Program and activities with National Parks.

1. Carry out the Statement of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein.

2. Adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable.

3. Ensure that the funds made available through this Task Agreement will be used to support the work of Groundwork Southcoast to undertake the planning and development activities to engage GW SC in the clean-up and reuse of brownfields and derelict lands for greenspace and other community benefits; maintain trails, park and green space; improve access to healthy foods and urban agriculture; plan and develop opportunities for the GW SC Green Team to participate in green job training activities in their communities and in National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges or National Forests.

4. Ensure that funds provided under this Task Agreement are not used for construction documents or construction of specific projects.