P19AS00546 (P19AC01046).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

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;

(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. A single source on the basis of continuation must demonstrate that competition would result in a substantial duplicate cost to the government that cannot be recovered through competition;

(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;

(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.

Project Objectives are to:

• Provide professional experience at entry-level, early career professional, and advancing science professional levels to support stewardship of Yosemite National Park’s vegetation resources.

• Plan and implement invasive and sensitive plant management projects associated with construction, fires, and other disturbance on at least 500 acres.

• Plan and implement revegetation projects associated with construction on at least 50 acres.

• Plan and implement ecological restoration projects to restore natural conditions to ecosystems degraded by human activity on at least 10 acres

• Provide support to crews, interns, and volunteer stewards implementing this work.

• Monitor, report, and communicate project results to others.

PP: The primary public purpose of this project is to provide experience and training opportunities for early career professionals to learn about national park management, native plant restoration, invasive plant control, and vegetation survey and monitoring.

The project promotes greater public participation in ecological restoration, revegetation, and invasive plant management actions by engaging early career professionals in performing these tasks. It builds resource stewardship ethics in its participants.

The project provides for increased preservation of park resources, contributing to YOSE’s ability to fulfill the National Park Service Mission, and helps YOSE manage its deferred maintenance backlog.

Overview: Phase 1: The recipient shall recruit and hire at least one early career Vegetation Technician to support project work.

Vegetation Technician

• Plan and implement invasive and special status plant surveys, plan invasive plant treatments, manage tabular and spatial data, and write reports.

• Implement invasive plant treatments and lead NPS crew members and interns in treating invasive plants, including use of herbicides.

• Assist on other park ecological restoration and revegetation projects, including but not limited to conifer thinning, seed collection, planning revegetation projects, and planting.

Future Phases (subject to the availability of funding):

Vegetation Technician Crew Members:

• Provide entry-level expertise for at least one early career Vegetation Technician Crew Member to plan and implement restoration and invasive plant control projects.

• Survey for and treat invasive plants using herbicide and mechanical treatments. Collect biological data on invasive plant infestations.

• Collect, clean, and store native seeds and cuttings for revegetation projects. Sow seed and install native plants, protective fencing, and erosion control. Collect biological data on seed collections.

• Implement other ecological restoration tasks, including but not limited to planting willow cuttings, collecting monitoring data, obliterating campsites and rutted trails, and leading volunteers.

Vegetation Technicians:

• Provide professional experience for at least one early career Vegetation Technician to plan and implement restoration and invasive plant control projects under the guidance of a professional Biologist.

• Plan and implement invasive and special status plant surveys, plan invasive plant treatments.

• Implement invasive plant treatments and lead NPS crew members and interns in treating invasive plants, including use of herbicides and thinning conifers with chainsaws.

• Consult with construction contractors on proper implementation of vegetation protection measures, and inspect quarries and construction equipment for cleanliness to prevent invasive plant infestations.

• Plan and implement ecological restoration and revegetation projects, including designing simple revegetation plans, designing landform and soil restoration treatments, directing vegetation crews in seed and propagule collection, storing seed, planting, mulching, coordinate hydroseeding, conduct post-planting care including irrigation.

• Plan logistics, schedules, and provide support for vegetation crews, interns, and volunteers conducting vegetation projects

• Monitor vegetation management projects by collecting biological data, managing tabular and spatial data, producing maps, and writing reports.

• Implement other vegetation management tasks as needed

Biologists:

• Provide professional experience for at least one advancing Biologist to independently plan and implement restoration and invasive plant control projects.

• In addition to duties listed for Vegetation Technicians, Biologists would:

o analyze more complex site conditions o design complex invasive plant treatment, revegetation, or restoration plans o participate in interdisciplinary teams designing large projects o compile detailed cost estimates for projects o coordinate with nurseries for plant propagation o analyze data sets and write scientific reports o provide support and oversight for vegetation technicians o provide other advanced professional Biologist support as needed

2. Provide oversight and technical expertise on work assignments and expectations, and provide mentoring to early-career professionals.

3. Provide general orientation to the NPS mission and other project-specific training.

2. Adhere to NPS protocols, regulations, SOP, and park specific safety rules.

3. Comply with HSPD-12 security requirements.

4. Ensure that NPS vehicles are used only for performance of work authorized in the agreement.

5. Periodically meet together to coordinate project activities, track project progress and expenditures