P22AS00025.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Financial Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Program Title Scientists in Parks Internship Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: P22AS00025 Announcement Type: Initial CFDA Number: 15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship

Issue Date: 07/20/2021 Application Due Date: 10/01/2021 Time AM/PM Zone 5:00 PM Mountain

Agency Contact Information Questions and Requests

Steve Livingston Melanie Wood steve_livingston@nps.gov melanie_wood@nps.gov

Table of Contents

Section A: Program Description Section B: Federal Award Information Section C: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Other

Section D: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Contents and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

Section E: Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Evaluation of Applicant Risk

4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Section F: Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

Section G: Federal Awarding Agency Contacts Section H: Other Information:

Appendix A - Application Package Forms SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B Appendix B - NPS Standard and Special Award Terms and Conditions

Section A: Program Description

Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, National Park Service

Funding Opportunity Title: Scientists in Parks Internship Program

Funding Opportunity Number: P22AS00025

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship

Legislative Authority:

54 U.S.C. § 101702(a) Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds 54 U.S.C. § 101702(d) Cooperative Agreements for System Unit Natural Resource Protection

Federal Regulations: 2 C.F.R. § 200, 2 C.F.R. § 1402

Program Background Information and Objectives:

I. Overview and Purpose

The Scientists in Parks (SIP) Internship Program provides opportunities for college students, recent graduates, and early career professionals to complete paid internship projects designed to apply the best available science, resource management principles, and interpretation techniques to natural resource stewardship needs in national parks. This announcement under CFDA 15.944 focuses primarily on participants that qualify for the Direct Hire Authority for Resource Assistant Internship Program. The SIP is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate (NRSS), an office of the NPS Washington Office. This Notice of Funding Opportunity seeks a Recipient to assist the NPS in administering the SIP Program under CFDA 15.944.

The primary purpose of the 15.944 SIP is to:

1. provide interns with meaningful natural resource experience and mentorship to enhance their academic experience and career goals and foster life-long connections to national parks;

2. meet park resource management needs and advance knowledge of natural resources in national parks; and

3. increase diversity and inclusion within the NPS workforce through targeted recruitment and professional development of participants underrepresented in STEM fields.

Internship positions within the SIP Program address one or more resources or topics aligned with natural resources and related fields, including – but not limited to – air quality, climate change, geology, hydrology, night skies, paleontology, and soundscapes. NPS staff submit internship position descriptions on a bi-annual basis which describe the internship tasks, qualifications, position length, work environment, housing, and related information. NPS staff may choose a position length of 12, 20, 26, 36, or 52 weeks. The NPS SIP Program Administrators approve positions, prepare them for recruitment, arrange funding, and execute the corresponding task agreement under the Master Cooperative Agreement. The SIP Recipient then collaborates with the NPS to carry out the internships and document the results.

II. Separate Announcements to Implement SIP Program Components

The SIP Program features two main components: (1) SIP Interns* and (2) SIP Fellows. This announcement under CFDA 15.944 supports participants who are selected as SIP Fellows. The Fellows component is a relatively small cohort (approximately 20 participants per year) of the overall program and is focused on placing highly qualified individuals in parks units to complete rigorous, 12-week projects to address natural resource stewardship needs.

*NOTE! A second announcement to implement the ‘Interns’ component of the SIP Program under CFDA 15.931 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Program can be found on www.grants.gov under announcement P22AS00024. Applicants who are interested and qualify are encouraged to submit proposals to both announcements.

SIP Fellows may qualify for the Department of the Interior (DOI) Direct Hire Authority Resource Assistant Internship Program (DHA). Participants who complete internship and degree requirements are eligible to be hired non-competitively into the NPS and other land management agencies of the DOI**. SIP Fellows positions meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for the DHA program:

• For Fellows to be eligible for DHA, they must be enrolled in accredited post-secondary degree programs while completing the internship project.

• Structured projects with a clearly defined deliverable or work product with clear expectations and outcomes

• A minimum of eleven weeks of full-time work

• A focus on critical thinking and real-world problem solving, with a high degree of autonomy and a demanding schedule

• Provide presentations to key decision makers on findings or recommendations

• Exposure to multiple stakeholders – internal and external

• Certification of high performance in the internship from the park mentor

**NOTE! Eligibility under the DHA program does NOT GUARANTEE that eligible candidates will be hired non-competitively. All non-competitive hires will be executed in conjunction with the NPS Human Capital Division.

III. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The SIP Program is committed to providing maximum opportunity for individuals from communities traditionally underrepresented in science and resource management to participate.

This includes Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as others with identities and experiences that are underrepresented in natural resource-related fields such as gender, sexual orientation, ability, and income. The SIP Program is working to develop a comprehensive plan to target recruitment; eliminate barriers to participation; provide training to NPS staff to provide a safe and inclusive environment; and provide participants with a support structure that includes professional development, training, and mentorship before, during, and after the position ends.

IV. Program History

NRSS has more than 20 years of experience managing internship-related programs. Previous iterations of the SIP Program include the Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program, Future Park Leaders of Emerging Change Program, Young Leaders in Climate Change Program, and the George Melendez Wright Climate Change Youth Initiatives. The NPS combined these programs to become the Scientists in Parks Program, which launched its first season in summer 2021. To learn more about the SIP program, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htm. Questions about the program can be directed to scientists_in_parks@nps.gov.

V. Instructions

The NPS seeks a Recipient to work in partnership with the NPS to implement the Scientists in Parks Internship Program. The applicant should complete a proposal narrative that describes their mission, qualifications, experience, and ability to complete the activities described in Section VI. Activities of the Agreement – Section A, items 1-6.

Collaborative Proposals. This announcement seeks a Recipient capable of performing all activities described in Section VI, Section A. In reference to 2 CFR § 200.331, sub-awardees are allowable to meet the project’s requirements. The NPS encourages (but does not require) applicants to pursue collaborative efforts with other organizations in order to fully meet the needs of the SIP Program. If the applicant submits a proposal in which two or more organizations collaborate to accomplish the activities of the SIP Program, the collaborators should submit a single proposal, clearly describe the roles to be played by the organizations, and expect that a single award will be made to the lead organization.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Please provide a detailed description of the applicant’s strategy to meet SIP diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. Include concrete examples of the applicant’s experience and performance incorporating DEI in their organization and into every stage of the internship process, including recruitment, selection, onboarding, management, mentorship, and close-out.

Budget Narrative. Please provide a budget justification that estimates the cost to execute the following hypothetical scenario:

• Period of Performance: January 15, 2022 – January 14, 2024

• Administration of 150, 12-week internships to take place in summer 2022

• Completion of all activities listed in Section VI. Activities of the Agreement – Section A

• Description of intern living allowance and benefits

• Use of the following fixed costs o o Intern relocation cost rate of $350 per intern o Intern clothing rate of $125 per intern

The budget justification should estimate cost for the following categories:

1. Administrative personnel salary of the lead organization

2. Intern living allowance/stipend

3. Administrative fringe benefits and rate of the lead organization https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htm https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htm

4. Intern fringe benefits and rate, as applicable

5. Relocation / Travel

6. Supplies

7. Contract / Subrecipient o If the applicant is submitting a Collaborative Proposal, the budget narrative should provide sufficient detail to understand the personnel quantity, rate, and other essential cost details for the partner organization(s). The cost associated with the partner organization should correspond with a description of their roles in the proposal narrative.

o Include a description of any other services provided by vendors or subrecipients and ensure there is a corresponding description in the proposal narrative.

8. Indirect Cost Rate

VI. Activities of the Agreement

Provided here are definitions of the various roles mentioned in the following sections:

• NPS Program Administrators: NPS staff working in the NRSS Washington Office who design and lead the implementation of the SIP Program.

• Participants: DHA-eligible post-secondary students who participate as interns in the SIP Program.

• Park Staff: NPS staff who define positions and provide on-site guidance and mentorship to SIP participants throughout the execution of their projects in NPS units across the country.

A. The Recipient will:

1. Recruit Applicants

• Distribute and promote the Call for Applications through professional networks and institutions related to natural resources and related fields that serve Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as others with identities and experiences that are underrepresented in natural resource-related fields such as gender, sexual orientation, ability, and income. The total pool of candidates should match, to the extent possible, the racial demographics of the national civilian labor force.

• Maintain a social media presence to advertise the SIP Program, with special attention toward audiences traditionally underrepresented in natural resource-related fields.

• Work with NPS Program Administrators to identify and eliminate barriers to participation by applicants from underrepresented communities, including an evaluation of the language used online and in the position description to improve inclusivity.

2. Provide Online Platform for Position Discovery, Application, and Selection

• Provide and maintain a website to communicate the program information, position information, and a link to apply. The website should provide a format that allows potential applicants to browse hundreds of available positions in an intuitive and easily navigable way.

• Answer applicant questions and resolve technical issues.

• Provide and maintain an application system which can accept and review up to 5,000 student applications, including the following specific capabilities:

o Provide a secure interface which allows students to enter applicant information and responses.

o Upload copies of resumes, letters of reference, and transcripts.

o Provide a mechanism to filter incomplete applications (e.g. missing reference letters, transcripts, etc.), as well as ineligible applicants (e.g. not meeting citizenship requirements).

o Allow NPS park staff and their colleagues to review applications within the web-based platform in a way that is easily navigable, intuitive, and allows for efficient review of applicant data.

o Provide customer service and technical support to applicants, reference letter authors, and NPS staff o Provide controls to appropriately safeguard all personal information

3. Select Interns

• In collaboration with the NPS Program Administrators, provide orientation for park staff to the SIP Program, Recipient organization, and benefits and requirements of participation in the program.

• Provide park staff with diversity and inclusion training with the goal to increase the diversity of the selected intern cohort, foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, and provide an excellent mentorship experience.

4. Manage Selected Participants

• Work with park staff and NPS Program Administrators to onboard selected participants

• Manage and carry out all administrative functions to provide a living allowance and related services to more than 250 participants each year

• Provide workers compensation, liability insurance, and personnel management to participants

• Put in place a policy that permits participants with a good driving record to be insured while driving a vehicle for position-related duties

• In collaboration with NPS Program Administrators, develop, update, and distribute web-based reference materials and resources to park staff and participants

• In collaboration with the NPS Program Administrators, provide orientation for SIP participants to the SIP Program, Recipient organization(s), and benefits and requirements of participation in the program

• Coordinate and provide participants with uniforms, relocation reimbursement, and position-related travel expenses, as needed to complete position-related duties

• Manage position changes and effectively communicate implications and solutions to participants, park staff, and NPS Program Administrators

• Receive and manage funding from a variety of sources, including NPS accounts, park donor associations, and other donors. Communicate program cost and status of funds to NPS Program Administrators

• Identify and assist in the timely resolution of personnel and/or safety issues

• If Recipient is AmeriCorps accredited, provide orientation to AmeriCorps and provide an

AmeriCorps Educational Award eligible to participants upon successful completion of his/her position. AmeriCorps accreditation is encouraged by not required.

• Document and report hours worked for each participant at the end of their position.

5. Enhance the Intern Experience Through Engagement

• Collaborate with NPS Program Administrators to provide opportunities to participants that enrich their SIP experience. Examples of intern engagement could include, but are not limited to:

o Opportunities to connect with participants one-on-one.

o Providing a webinar series focused on professional development; orientation to federal careers; guidance for graduate school application; diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; and direct hire authorities available in the SIP Program.

o Forming and moderating “affinity” groups within the larger SIP cohort in which small groups of participants may engage in dialogue surrounding a shared identity such as geographic location, natural resource focus, science discipline, race, gender, etc.

o Engaging current and former participants through a newsletter.

o Other mentorship and professional development opportunities such leadership programs, peer-to-peer mentorship, conference attendance, and support for the participant to publish project results.

6. Close-out

• Prepare a comprehensive annual report of all NPS related activities and achievements.

• Maintain administrative records for all participants and provide to the NPS Program

Administrators participant information, work hours, demographic information, project deliverables, photos, evaluations, and other related data as it pertains to the positions.

• Deliver all final electronic deliverables (including--but not limited to--final reports, executive summaries, project briefs, etc.) in both native format and as 508-compliant PDFs.

o Files submitted in native format are to be developed with accessibility in mind and designed such that the exported PDF requires minimal manual correction to meet accessibility standards.

o Files submitted as PDFs are to meet WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards, as articulated in a checklist to be furnished by NPS, and as tested by Recipient against Adobe Accessibility Checker.

• In collaboration with NPS Program Administrators, establish an alumni network, manage alumni information, encourage networking and sharing of professional knowledge, and communicate job opportunities available under applicable hiring authorities.

• Collect and analyze program evaluation information from park staff and participants at the end of the position.

• On an annual basis and in collaboration with NPS Program Administrators, evaluate program success, identify improvements, and implement changes.

B. The NPS will:

1. Define and Fund Positions

• Recruit and select position proposals from park staff. Provide final position descriptions to the Recipient to use in recruitment of applicants.

• Estimate position cost, identify fund sources, and obligate federal funds to support the positions.

2. Recruit Applicants

• Work with the Recipient to identify and eliminate barriers to participation by applicants from underrepresented communities, including an evaluation of the language used online and in the position description to improve inclusivity.

3. Provide Online Platform for Position Discovery, Application, and Selection

• Collaborate with the Recipient to answer program-related questions from applicants.

• Maintain an NPS website to communicate program information and share a link to the

Recipient website.

4. Collaborate in Selecting Interns

• In collaboration with the Recipient, provide orientation for park staff to the SIP Program, Recipient organization, and benefits and requirements of participation in the program.

• Support the Recipient in providing diversity and inclusion training to park staff

• (Park staff) Conduct required security background checks (HSPD-12) at NPS expense.

5. Mentor Selected Participants

• In collaboration with the Recipient, develop and distribute web-based reference materials to park staff and participants.

• In collaboration with the Recipient, provide orientation for SIP participants to the SIP Program, Recipient organization(s), and benefits and requirements of participation in the program.

• (Park staff) Verify time sheets as required for participant compensation.

• (Park staff) Provide participants with workspace, equipment, supplies, etc. to conduct their work successfully.

• (Park staff) Arrange housing at no cost to the participant and provide position-related transportation, where possible. Permit participants to operate or ride in a government vehicle to attend position-related meetings and site visits.

• (Park staff) Promptly upon notification or otherwise becoming aware of an existing or potential problem of performance or health or safety, notify the Recipient and take corrective action(s) to address such existing or potential problems.

• Support the Recipient in managing position changes as they relate to funding allocation.

Collaborate with the Recipient to track the variance between estimated and actual position costs and allocate unspent funds to other positions.

• Issue completion certificate and collate documentation for hiring authorities, as applicable.

6. Enhance the Intern Experience Through Engagement

• Collaborate with the Recipient to provide opportunities to participants that enrich their SIP experience.

• (Park staff) Provide on-site orientation to the NPS mission and NPS unit enabling legislation, resources, and values. Provide position-related training, as well as mentorship and leadership development opportunities. Ensure on-site working conditions are safe.

• (Park staff) Provide opportunities for participants to present the results of their projects to an NPS audience.

7. Close-out

• Review and provide comments/revisions to the annual report.

• Maintain and identify opportunities to share project deliverables online.

• Collaborate with the Recipient to maintain an alumni network.

• On an annual basis and in collaboration with the Recipient, evaluate program success, identify improvements, and implement changes.

8. Agreement Administration

• Monitor and provide Federal oversight of activities performed under the agreement.

Monitoring and oversight includes review and approval of financial status and performance reports and tasks identified below. Additional monitoring activities may include site visits, conference calls, and other on-site and off-site monitoring activities.

NPS may also provide additional technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the objectives of this agreement.

VII. Example Timeline for the SIP Program

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Summer season Recruit applicants Select and onboard

Positions start between May 1- Sep. 30 and last between 12 and 52 weeks

Annual close-out

VIII. Sample Position Description

NPS UNIT: DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT PD #: 2021301

Project Title: Organize, collect, and communicate geospatial data on priority wildlife and plant species in Dinosaur National Monument Primary natural resource discipline: Biological Sciences Project keywords: GIS, Survey 123, ArcGIS Online, ArcStoryMap, data management, invasive species, wildlife, threatened and endangered species Location: Dinosaur, Colorado

COVID-19 NOTICE

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change and evolve, project timelines and structure remain flexible and it may be necessary to postpone start dates, begin work remotely, or reformulate the project’s description. Should any development in the COVID-19 outbreak impair a project’s timeline or results, the SIP Team will work with the park and project mentors to assess the situation and determine the best course of action at that time.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND WORK PRODUCTS

Position Description: Dinosaur National Monument (DINO) is a spectacular 211,000-acre medium-sized park with mega-park values. The rugged landscape provides diverse habitats that support a surprisingly diverse assemblage of plants and animals and critical habitat for federally listed species.

Yet is it the Green and Yampa Rivers with their 92 miles of deep, multi-colored canyons, entrenched meanders, sheer sandstone walls, and amazing whitewater that dominate the landscape. Importantly, the Yampa is the only remaining large tributary in the Colorado River system that retains its free-flowing character. Over 90% of DINO is recommended wilderness. Documenting and monitoring the health and function of these rivers is of utmost importance for both DINO and many regional interests. Several projects focusing on species of interest that inhabit these river canyons (Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, leafy spurge, and Ute Ladies’-tress orchid) are in progress and have generated a lot of data in the last 4 years. However, this data collection pulse has surpassed the ability of limited staff to organize and communicate findings within NPS and external partners in a timely manner. The internship will be a mix of office work (data organization, input, analysis, and communication) and field work (two river-based surveys for both invasive and federally-listed plant species) focused on processing a backlog of existing data and preparing DINO natural resource staff for data collection on several long-term projects.

Specifically, the intern will be responsible for organizing and entering several years of existing data on Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep into ArcMap, performing basic analyses, and preparing that data for inclusion in a larger meta-analysis of DINO’s bighorn sheep population status. Data includes direct observations submitted by the public and DINO staff, as well as fecal pellet sample locations collected as part of an intensive 3-year herd population assessment along the Green and Yampa River corridors.

The intern will also help map and treat leafy spurge infestations and document the presence of associated biological control agents along the Yampa River using Survey 123. The information collected will be developed into a Story Map to communicate the monument’s challenges and successes with managing this high priority invasive species that is one of the greatest threats to riparian habitat throughout the Yampa River watershed. Finally, the intern will integrate past survey protocols and current data standards to develop a new survey using Survey 123 to collect population information on the Ute Ladies’ Tress orchid, DINO’s only federally listed plant species, along the Green River. The survey will be used as part of an interagency rare plant mapping project, proposed to begin in 2021. The intern will prepare results for submission to USFWS to fulfill required monitoring of federally listed species.

The National Park Service (NPS) preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Many recent advances in technology, including enhanced/upgraded web-based mapping and data collection tools which allow for seamless sharing of information with our NPS partners and the public, are making it easier and more efficient to meet our NPS mission. While the monument collects and retains extensive GIS and spatial data, the organization, management, modernization, and communication of these data are lacking due to limited staffing. The intern’s organization of data and creation of improved data collection workflows will facilitate DINO’s ability to efficiently and effectively use that information to guide upcoming and highly visible, complex planning efforts (such as for domestic livestock grazing and recreational river use) that results in improve outcomes for species of elevated management concern. Story Maps created about DINO’s efforts to document species occurrence and improve riparian habitat will enhance DINO’s ability to tell the story of these species to partners and outreach to the public in ways DINO is currently unable to employ.

This position is offered through the National Park Service's Scientists in Parks Program in partnership with Ecological Society of America.

Work Products: At the completion of this internship, the intern will have (listed by project):

Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep: organized and input existing bighorn sheep observational and pellet data in ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and performed basic analysis on that data once entered.

Leafy Spurge: assisted natural resource specialist in completing an updated inventory of leafy spurge/biological control presence along the Yampa River using Survey 123, shared DINO leafy spurge data with watershed partners, and created an ArcGIS StoryMap using legacy and current leafy spurge infestation data.

Ute Ladies’-tress orchid: created a new survey in Survey 123 to collect population data on Ute Ladies’-tress orchid along the Green River (upstream and within DINO) and assisted agency resource managers with the 2021 survey.

NATURAL & PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Dinosaur National Monument is a spectacular 211,000-acre medium-sized park with mega-park values. Dinosaur has the most complete geologic record of any national park area and an internationally renowned display of Jurassic era dinosaur bones. The rugged landscape provides diverse habitats that support a surprisingly diverse assemblage of plants and animals and critical habitat for endangered species. The whitewater rafting and magnificent scenery found in the canyons of the Green and Yampa rivers provide premier Western boating experiences. The Yampa is the only remaining large tributary in the Colorado River system that retains its free flowing character. Dinosaur is over 90% recommended wilderness. The area receives an average of 8-10 inches of precipitation annually. Temperatures range from -20 degrees to 105 degrees. The nearby communities of Rangely, CO and Vernal, UT offer all amenities (hospital, schools, grocery, etc.). Both towns are within commuting distance (20 miles) of headquarters located in Dinosaur, CO and the Quarry visitor center located in Jensen, UT. Please visit our website at www.nps.gov/dino for more information.

The work is split between the field (30%) and office (70%). Office is located at DINO headquarters in Dinosaur, CO. Field work for this position will include 2-3 multi-day river trips on the Yampa and Green Rivers in a backcountry setting. Hazards include extreme weather conditions (hot and cold), uneven terrain, biting insects, domestic livestock, wild animals, poison ivy, and class III-IV whitewater.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong organizational skills; thorough work products; in depth knowledge of and experience using ArcGIS/ArcGIS Online and Survey 123; upper level undergraduate or graduate student with at least 9- 12 credit hours of GIS; field study design and field data collection experience; experience working individually/leading projects

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”). Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must have a valid drivers license and a good driving record.

A personal vehicle is required for this position.

HOUSING

Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant. The intern will have a private room in a shared bunkhouse on the Dinosaur, CO side of the monument. The intern will be able to walk to the office (10 minute walk), but will need a car to get to town. The bunkhouse has a full kitchen (cookware is provided) and is furnished with beds, couches, tables, TV, wifi, and washer/dryer. Bedding and towels can be provided upon request, but the intern will need to bring all personal items including toiletries, laundry detergent, pillows. There is no public transportation in the area or to the monument from the nearest towns.

INTERNSHIP START/END DATES

Start Date: 6/13/2021

Secretary of the Interior Priorities:

This program supports Secretary of the Interior priority 10:1.a: Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water. The SIP program places participants in national park units across the country to utilize science to address natural resource issues in order to improve the ability of NPS managers to manage land and water of the National Park System.

Section B: Federal Award Information

Anticipated Federal Funding: ($50,000.00 to $3,000,000.00) The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined once final FY 2022 appropriations have been made. This NOFO will be cancelled if FY 2022 appropriations are insufficient to support new awards. Selection under this announcement does NOT guarantee funding. All funding will be approved at the Task Agreement level. No funding is associated with the execution of a $0.00 Master Cooperative Agreement.

Non-Federal Entity Cost Share:

Non-Federal cost share is not required for this agreement.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded: 1

Estimated Amount of Funding Available Per Award:

An estimated range of $50,000.00 To $3,000,000.00 of funding is anticipated for each award.

The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined as part of the application review process based on applications received and funding made available through appropriations. Selection under this announcement does NOT guarantee funding. All funding will be approved at the Task Agreement level. No funding is associated with the execution of a $0.00 Master Cooperative Agreement.

Anticipated Start Date:

Anticipated start date for a Master Cooperative Agreement resulting from this NOFO is January 15, 2022. At the time of drafting this NOFO, it is anticipated that summer 2022 will be the first season under this Master Cooperative Agreement, and that the initial summer 2022 season will be significantly smaller (between 10-30 participants) than future seasons of the program.

Anticipated Term of the Agreement: 01/15/2022 - 01/14/2027 Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and five years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work. Agreements are not effective until fully executed by the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

Type of Agreements:

Master Cooperative Agreement – A master cooperative agreement is an agreement with a non- Federal entity in which more than one project is anticipated. This type of cooperative agreement includes a detailed description of all types of work that can be done under the agreement. The master cooperative agreement will also establish the overarching terms and conditions agreed to by the National Park Service and the non-Federal entity and are not funded. Specific internship positions and funding under a master agreement are identified through task agreements, which are issued under the applicable legal authority documented in the master cooperative agreement.

A specific task agreement will always reference, and be subject to, the terms and conditions of the master cooperative agreement.

Substantial Involvement:

Substantial involvement may include:

• NPS is involved with the non-Federal entity in describing the goals, jointly developing the scope and the activities to be accomplished. This must be combined with other substantial involvement, such as providing technical assistance or any of the statements listed below, that goes beyond Federal stewardship responsibilities.

• NPS staff will assist the non-Federal entity in selecting internship positions, providing orientation to park resources, overseeing assignments, teaching new skills, distributing tools and equipment and providing technical assistance and safety training.

• NPS will provide the programmatic structure of the SIP program, provide special interpretive programs, and provide educational elements of the program such as trade skill development and leadership development.

• NPS will provide the services of a Program Coordinator to serve as liaison to (the non-

Federal entity) for the work under this agreement. This includes consulting and working specifically with the non-Federal entity’s program coordinator and team leaders on recruiting , interviewing, and recommending appropriate candidates.

Data Availability:

1) Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the Department to inform its decisions.

2) Use of Data. The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.

3) Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any subaward(s) available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following:

(a) The scientific data relied upon;

(b) The analysis relied upon; and

(c) The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze data.

Conflict of Interest:

1) Applicability.

(a) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(b) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR

200.318 apply.

2) Requirements.

(a) Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.

(b) In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.

(c) No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or subrecipient.

3) Notification.

(a) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112, Conflicts of interest.

4) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients. Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.

5) Review Procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

6) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the

Government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR Part 180).

Other Information:

Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

Section C: Eligibility Information

Application Due Date: October 1, 2021 – 5:00 PM Mountain An applicant's failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of the application deadline will result in the application being excluded from consideration. This includes but is not limited to late and incomplete application packages.

1. Eligible Applicants In accordance with 54 U.S.C. § 101702(d) Cooperative Agreements for System Unit Natural Resource Protection, this funding opportunity is limited to State, local, tribal governments and other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.306 Cost sharing or matching, under Federal research proposals, voluntary committed cost sharing is not expected. It cannot be used as a factor during the merit review of applications or proposals for research projects.

3. Other Eligible applicants are organizations with 10 or more years of experience managing internship programs that are national in scope, place participants in 20 or more U.S. states, and enroll a minimum of 100 participants per year.

Section D: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package An application package has been included within this NOFO for your convenience, found in Appendix A. The Application Package contains four mandatory forms, which must be submitted with your proposal, forms include: form SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance), form SF- 424A or C (Budget Information), form SF-424B or D (Assurances), and SF-LLL (Lobbying).

The Application Package can also be accessed and downloaded from the Synopsis page of this announcement in Grants.gov. Applicants may also request paper copies of application materials by contacting the Awarding Agency using the information provided in Section G of this NOFO.

2. Contents and Form of Application Submission You must complete the mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms, in accordance with the instructions below, as required by this NOFO. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. A complete application should include:

• Standard Form 424 (SF 424) - Application for Federal Assistance Complete this form as much as possible with all applicable information.

• Standard Form 424A or C (SF 424A/C) - Budget Information Applicants must provide an estimated cumulative budget for the total project in the proposal. The estimated budget must align with the projected scope of work presented in the application.

• Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D) – Assurances This form must be signed and submitted with your application.

• Standard Form LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities In accordance with 43 C.F.R. § 18 and 31 U.S.C. § 1352 this form must be completed and signed if the amount of the Federal award is anticipated to exceed $100,00.00.

• Proposal Narrative - Proposal Submission Format The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria (see Section E). The proposal text must be no longer than 20 pages, no smaller than font size 11, and have 1-inch margins. The 20-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and resumes (Forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the statement of indirect charges are not counted as part of the 20 page limit). Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included.

• Indirect Costs If your proposed budget includes indirect costs, the rate as proposed must meet the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Section 200.414 and 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix III through Appendix VII as applicable. A negotiated indirect cost rate agreement must be provided with your proposal. Proposals that fail to document their indirect costs may have those costs disallowed.

• Other Documents Required by the Program - All applicants must provide a statement to identify whether or not any overlap exists between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel, including any application that was submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal). If no overlap or duplication exists, a sample statement to satisfy this requirement might be: “[Insert Applicant Name] affirms that no overlap or duplication exists between the proposed project in this application and any other active or anticipated project in terms of activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel, including any application that was submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source (Federal or non-Federal).” If any overlap or duplication does exist, applicants must provide a description of the overlap including when the overlapping or duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (entity and program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. The statement and the description of overlap or duplication, when applicable, may be provided within the proposal or as a separate attachment to the application. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be overlapping or duplicative of the funding requested from NPS, the applicant must immediately notify the NPS point of contact. Any overlap or duplication of funding between the proposed project and other active or anticipated projects may impact selection and/or funding amount.

If selected for award, NPS reserves the right to request additional or clarifying information for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to:

(a) Other budget information

(b) Financial capability

(c) Evaluation of risk

(d) Name and phone number of the Designated Responsible Employee for complying with national policies prohibiting discrimination (See 43 C.F.R. § 17)

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant (unless exempt under 2 CFR §25.110) is required to:

(a) Be registered in SAM;

(b) Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application (currently a DUNS number);

(c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

Registration processes for SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov

A financial assistance agreement will not be made with a non-Federal entity until the non- Federal entity has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements.

If a non-Federal entity has not fully complied with the requirements by the time that an https://www.sam.gov/ agreement is ready for award, a determination may be made that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award. That determination may be used as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

In addition, in order to submit an application through Grants.gov an applicant must have an active SAM registration and register for submission permissions through the Grants.gov website.

Utilize the following link to guide you through this process:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

4. Submission Dates and Times Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service.

Applications must be received by October 1, 2021 – 5:00 PM Mountain. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline.

Application preparation time may take several weeks, so please start the application process as soon as possible. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered for award. If it is determined that a proposal was not considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified during the selection process.

5. Intergovernmental Review This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” Applicants subject to EO 12372 must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State’s process. The names and addresses of the SPOC’s are listed in the OMB’s home page at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

6. Funding Restrictions Costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of performance of a signed Federal award are only allowable with written approval by a Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

7. Other Submission Requirements Applications must be submitted by grants.gov to the National Park Service by the deadline identified in paragraph 4 above. Applications submitted by other means or not received by the deadline will not be considered.

Applicants are required to provide their proposal electronically.

In the event the applicant experiences technical difficulties with submitting their application, please contact: steve_livingston@nps.gov.

START THIS PROCESS EARLY DON’T DELAY!

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/

Section E: Application Review Information

1. Criteria NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criteria. Each applicant is required to provide a detailed narrative, in accordance with section D.2., of the following criteria elements. It is HIGHLY recommended that the project narrative have sections labeled as follows:

Criterion 1 THIS CRITERIA MUST BE INCLUDED IN MERIT REVIEW Description Weight 5% Secretary’s Priority 10:1.a

Secretary’s Priority 10:1.a: Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water.

The SIP program places participants in national park units across the country to utilize science to address natural resource issues in order to improve the ability of NPS managers to manage land and water of the National Park System.

Criterion 2 Description Weight 35% Program Administration

Ability to effectively complete all administrative functions to provide compensation, insurance, personnel management, and programmatic…