P19AS00457.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 Elizabeth in the development of a Natural Resource Management Plan with community stakeholders to guide development of green infrastructure to improve parks and green space in Elizabeth NJ and improve water quality in the Elizabeth River; to develop and implement interpretive signage and programs for community members along the Elizabeth River Trail to promote its use; and to establish outdoor learning spaces along the Elizabeth River, its tributaries and its estuary to engage community members in restoration of the Elizabeth River.

b. To support the work of Groundwork Elizabeth to assist other communities with projects to improve access to parks, greenspace and outdoor recreation in partnership with the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program and the National Park Service.

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: A. Develop a comprehensive Natural Resource Management Plan, led by Groundwork Elizabeth, to include conservation, preservation, restoration, and education for projects and open space in Elizabeth NJ, by accomplishing the following tasks:

a. Convene meetings with the city and community partners to identify and assess opportunities for developing resource management projects such as green infrastructure to control storm water, reduce urban flooding and improve water quality in Elizabeth’s urban waterways as an opportunity for environmental education and green job training.

b. Identify and research green infrastructure projects in other urban communities, to inform city and community partners on best practices. i.e. Paterson, Bound Brook, Edison, Metuchen

c. Compile recommendations for developing similar projects in Elizabeth and select a project for implementation;

d. Develop a plan for the selected infrastructure project in partnership with the city and the community and identify the first phase to implement as a demonstration project. Plan and organize volunteer opportunities to assist with the green infrastructure project. Undertake the first phase of the restoration project.

e. Assess outcomes of green infrastructure project(s) and develop recommendations for undertaking future green infrastructure projects.

f. Document the programs activities and prepare a report highlighting accomplishments, assessing outcomes and recommending any changes. Submit Quarterly reports B. Continue planning for and implement interpretive programs with physical signage, tours, and personal storytelling to inform the community about the Elizabeth River Trail system and engage community members in the stewardship and use of the trail, by accomplishing the following tasks:

a. Convene meetings with the city and community partners to identify and assess opportunities for interpretive signage along the trail and the development of an interpretive program to engage community members with the trail as an opportunity for environmental education, green job training and close- to-home recreation for underserved communities;

b. Identify and research interpretive signage and programing for urban trail systems that have been developed in other communities to inform city and community partners on best practices. Solicit input from NPS, US Fish and Wildlife and other land management agencies. Compile recommendations for planning, implementing, and maintaining interpretive signage for the Elizabeth River Trail.

c. Develop an interpretive plan for the Elizabeth River Trail system. Identify a trail section to develop interpretive signs or programing for in partnership with the city and the community. Implement an interpretive demonstration project on the selected trails section.

d. Assess the outcome of the interpretive demonstration project and develop recommendations for developing interpretive signage and/or programing on additional sections of the trail.

e. Document the programs activities and prepare a report highlighting accomplishments, assessing outcomes and recommending any changes.

C. Work with partners to continue to build and develop outdoor learning spaces along the Elizabeth River, its tributaries and/or its estuary near the Arthur Kill, and in urban agriculture locations to engage community members in the restoration of the river and to employ low impact uses in the local environment by accomplishing the following tasks:

a. Convene meetings with the city and community partners to evaluate the potential for outdoor learning spaces along the river as an opportunity for environmental education, community stewardship and green job training;

b. Identify and research outdoor learning programs that have been developed in other communities, and how they have been developed to inform city and community partners on best practices.

c. Compile recommendations for planning, implementing, managing and maintaining outdoor learning facilities.

d. Identify a site to plan and develop a demonstration site in partnership with the city and the community.

e. Develop a plan for transforming the selected site into an outdoor learning facility and identify the first phase to implement.

f. Plan and organize volunteer opportunities to engage the community in creating the first phase of the outdoor learning site.

g. Implement maintenance and management strategies.

h. Assess outcomes of the demonstration project and develop recommendations for undertaking future outdoor learning sites.

i. Document the programs activities and prepare a report highlighting accomplishments, assessing outcomes and recommending any changes.

D. Share Groundwork Elizabeth’s experience and provide technical assistance to other communities that are undertaking similar projects and programs to improve access to parks, recreation and conserved natural resources in partnership with the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and National Park Service, by accomplishing the following tasks:

a. Work with NPS to identify community led projects to improve access to parks, recreation and conserved natural resources that would benefit from the expertise of Groundwork Elizabeth;

b. Develop work plans with the selected community led projects in consultation with NPS, outlining the type assistance Groundwork Elizabeth will provide and what will be accomplished. Work plans will include a statement of work, project goals, roles and responsibilities, time line, and expected outcomes to be achieved with the help of Groundwork Elizabeth;

c. Work with the selected community projects in partnership with NPS to achieve the project outcomes described in the work plans

E. Support the work of Groundwork Elizabeth to build relationships with and engage all members of the communities it works with in GWE’s projects and programs.

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

G. Maintain a photographic record and list of accomplishments for all projects undertaken by GWE.

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

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

b. To identify with GW Elizabeth the most appropriate projects for GW Elizabeth to provide assistance to in other communities as part of an NPS led team and to collaborate on developing the work plans for the selected projects and implementation of those work plans.

c. To provide staff support and technical assistance through the Rivers & Trails Program to complete the work of this agreement.

1. The Recipient shall carry out the Statement of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable.

2. That the funds made available through this Task Agreement will be used to support the work of Groundwork Elizabeth to develop a Natural Resource Management Plan for parks and green space in Elizabeth NJ, to develop and implement interpretive signage and programs for community members along the Elizabeth River Trail, to establish outdoor learning spaces along the Elizabeth River, its tributaries and its estuary to engage community members in restoration of the Elizabeth River and to provide technical assistance to other communities working on similar projects and programs in partnership with the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the National Park Service.