P25AS00212 Notice of Funding Opportunity.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Financial Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

P25AS00212

Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

Additional Information on Eligibility

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Contents and Format

Application Documents

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Other Required Information

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review Criteria

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

Other Information

Appendix A - Application Package Forms SF424, SF424A, SF424B, SFLLL and Detailed Budget

(Example Budget Justification)

BASIC INFORMATION

Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)

Funding Opportunity Title: 2025 Preservation Technology and Training Cooperative Agreements

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: P25AS00212

Legislative Authority: 54 U.S.C. 305305(b)

Assistance Listing Number: 15.923 National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Total Anticipated Funding to Award: $200,000.00. The amount of funding available per award for this NOFO will be determined once final fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations have been made.

This NOFO will be cancelled if FY 2025 appropriations are insufficient to support new awards.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 4-6

Each activity or project under the anticipated agreement will be treated individually, with more detail through award negotiations, including project statements, project plans and budgets developed cooperatively between the NPS and the non-Federal entity.

Anticipated Amount Per Award: An estimated range of $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 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.

NCPTT Preservation Technology and Training (PTT) Awards will have the following max thresholds for the following activities:

• Innovative research that develops new technologies, applications or adapts existing technologies to preserve cultural resources (up to $50,000)

• Specialized workshops, training, or symposia that identify and address national preservation needs (up to $25,000)

• Media: Graphic stories related to preservation practice, collated series of short videos showcasing best preservation practices, podcasts, or publications etc. which disseminate practical preservation methods or provide better tools for preservation practice (up to $15,000)

(All media products must comply with 508 accessibility requirements. Create Accessible

Digital Products | Section508.gov)

Cost Sharing Required? No

Submission Dates and Times: From January 3, 2025 through March 4, 2025 11:59 PM eastern time.

Estimated Processing Time: NPS estimates it will notify the applicant selected for award by July

1, 2025.

Anticipated Award Date: Projects receiving funding through this NOFO should assume a start date of around September 1, 2025. Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.

☒ U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single

Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review

SPOC List.

Have Questions? Contact

Programmatic Questions: NCPTT Administrative Coordinator: Kevin Ammons kevin_ammons@nps.gov

Administrative Questions: Financial Assistance Awarding Officer: Rachel Dell’Osso rachel_dell'osso@nps.gov

NOTE: All applications must be submitted via email with the required application documents as email attachments to NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov.

Executive Summary

The Cultural Resource Focused Preservation Technology and Training (PTT) cooperative agreements are administered by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), the

National Park Service’s innovation center for the preservation community. The 2025 PTT cooperative agreements are intended for cultural resource projects which will create better tools, better materials, and better approaches to conserving buildings, landscapes, and cultural resources. The cooperative agreements should be seen as pushing the cultural resource field of preservation forward and any application should be innovative in nature and on the cutting edge of preservation practice. The cooperative agreement scope should showcase a new model of preservation practice and be able to be disseminated to the broadest audience and impact national, regional, and/or local preservation organizations.

In accordance with 54 U.S.C. § 305305(b) this funding opportunity is limited to cooperative agreements with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, educational institutions, and other public entities to carry out the Center's responsibilities.

https://www.section508.gov/create/ https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ mailto:kevin_ammons@nps.gov mailto:NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

☒ State governments

☒ County governments

☒ City or township governments

☒ Special district governments

☒ Independent school districts

☒ Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

☒ Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

☒ Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

☒ Private institutions of higher education

☒ Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

In accordance with 54 U.S.C. § 305305(b) this funding opportunity is limited to cooperative agreements with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, educational institutions, and other public entities to carry out the Center's responsibilities.

Foreign Entities or Projects: This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Excluded Parties: NPS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The NPS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

Cost Sharing Requirement

Non-federal entity cost sharing is encouraged, but not required to be eligible for an award under this

NOFO.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in

SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial

Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your

“Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete.

Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

☒ This program may allow an applicant to apply while their SAM.gov registration is in progress, with prior approval. For more information, refer to the point of contact identified in the Basic Information section above.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Background and Objectives: The Cultural Resource Focused Preservation Technology and

Training (PTT) cooperative agreements are administered by the National Center for Preservation

Technology and Training (NCPTT), the National Park Service’s innovation center for the preservation community. The 2025 PTT cooperative agreements are intended for cultural resource projects which will create better tools, better materials, and better approaches to conserving buildings, landscapes, and cultural resources. The cooperative agreements should be seen as pushing the cultural resource field of preservation forward and any application should be innovative in nature and on the cutting edge of preservation practice. The cooperative agreement scope should showcase a new model of preservation practice and be able to be disseminated to the broadest audience and impact national, regional, and/or local preservation organizations.

Program Description

2025 Priorities.

NCPTT’s 2025 program strongly encourages innovative applications for research and training in the following areas:

• Augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or machine learning for management of cultural resources.

• Changing climate impacts on cultural resources.

• Applications from descendant and marginalized communities that leverage Indigenous knowledge.

• Series of graphic stories, zines, and/or short videos showcasing best preservation practice.

While NCPTT encourages applicants to address the above cultural resource research priorities, other applications showing innovative research potential in the cultural resource field can apply.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Programmatic Guidance

• Digital Documentation: Note any application for digital documentation/visualization of cultural resources such as buildings or landscapes should go beyond the basic purchase of equipment and scanning of the cultural resource(s). Projects need to investigate new ways to conduct, analyze, process, and disseminate digital documentation techniques, data, and showcase use of final digital products. Projects that do not go beyond basic scanning of cultural resources will not be considered innovative and scored with this in mind.

• Symposia, conferences, and training: any application for symposia, conferences, or training, must consider how the content of the event is disseminated to a wider audience beyond the event participants. Disseminating the events content to the wider field will be prioritized and any application focused on a single event without a robust dissemination plan post event will not be seen to meet the dissemination requirement.

• Media: as PTT cooperative agreements are federally funded, media (i.e., podcasts and webinars) should be made available for publication by NCPTT on NPS website for dissemination to as broad an audience as possible.

• All cooperative agreement products must be fully 508 compliant to allow dissemination to a broader audience. Create Accessible Digital Products | Section508.gov

PTT cooperative agreements will NOT fund the following:

• “Brick and mortar” construction or rehabilitation projects.

• Publications for profit during the project funding cycle.

• Trainings that generate income to the applicant.

• Routine or well-established technologies that lack innovation.

• Conventional archeological or architectural survey that lack innovation.

• Natural Resource projects. Note: The PTT Awards are CULTURAL RESOURCE

FOCUSED.

Legislative Authority

54 U.S.C. 305305: General provisions (b) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements. - Subject to appropriations, the Center may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, educational institutions, and other public entities to carry out the Center's responsibilities under this chapter.

Type of Award

Stand-Alone Cooperative Agreement – a legal instrument of financial assistance entered into when the principal purpose of the relationship of the agreement is to transfer something of value from the Federal awarding agency to the non-Federal entity to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law, and substantial involvement on the part of the National Park Service is anticipated in carrying out the funded activity. Stand-alone cooperative agreements contain terms and conditions, statements of work, and funding that is obligated by the cooperative agreement. They are not linked to task agreements or master cooperative agreements as they are fully self-contained.

Substantial Involvement for Cooperative Agreement:

Substantial involvement may include:

• NCPTT anticipate developing a cooperative partnership with the recipient.

• NPS will cooperate with the recipient and support the goals of the project.

• NPS staff may assist the recipient in an advisory capacity and may, provide orientation to resources which otherwise may not be available, overseeing assignments, providing technical assistance and may participate in any training.

• NPS will collaborate and participate in the public dissemination of the results of the research and both preservation and conservation projects depending on available funds.

• NPS staff will work together with the recipient to jointly organize and deliver seminars, workshops, and types of training programs for the purpose of promoting historic preservation to non-Government entities, States, Tribes, and local governments and the public depending on available funds.

• NPS will provide an NCPTT Program Coordinator to serve as liaison to (the recipient) for the work under the agreement. Noting NCPTT major program areas are Building, Landscapes, Material Conservation, and Archeology.

Other Information: Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Contents and Format

Pre-Application Requirements

NCPTT strongly suggests that applicants discuss the proposed project which will be submitted for funding, with NCPTT program staff to confirm that it meets the awards criteria or to advance the conceptual framework. See contacts in Basic Information section.

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below. Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of the document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov

Forms Repository.

FORMS REQUIREMENT

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-

Certification Regarding Lobbying.

Required from all applicants

See Appendix A

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs.

Applicants must provide an estimated cumulative budget for the total

Required from all applicants

See Appendix A https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

FORMS REQUIREMENT

project in the proposal. The estimated budget must align with the projected scope of work presented in the application.

SF-424B – Assurances Required from all applicants.

See Appendix A

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Detailed Budget: The project budget shall include detailed information on all cost categories and must clearly identify all project costs. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items including the cost of work to be provided by contractors or sub-recipients. In addition, applicants shall include a narrative description of the items included in the project budget, including the value of in-kind contributions of goods and services provided to complete the project when cost share is identified to be included. Cost categories can include, but are not limited to, those costs items included on the SF424A.

Required from all applicants.

See Appendix A for an example, but use of this template is not required.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019): The project abstract must be completed to meet Federal award reporting requirements.

Ensure the project abstract succinctly describes the project in plain language that the public can understand and use without the full proposal. If the application is funded, this information will be made available for public access including on USAspending.gov. Note: the abstract summary will also be in the project narrative but must be supplied separately.

Required from all applicants.

The project abstract summary must be a separate file attachment in the application.

Create the file in Microsoft

Word or Word compatible software.

Project Narrative

Project Narrative

Proposal Submission Format

The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria (see

Merit Review Criteria). The proposal text must be no longer than 13 pages, no smaller than font size 12, and have .75-inch margins. The 13-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and resumes (Forms

SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, Detailed Budget, and the statement of indirect charges are not counted as part of the page limit). Only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included.

The project narrative must be a separate file attachment in the application. Create the file in Microsoft

Word or Word compatible software. The project narrative must include the following:

PROJECT TITLE:

PROJECT TYPE: CHOOSE ONE

▪ Research

▪ Training/Workshop/Symposium

▪ Digital applications or software development

▪ Technical Publication and Media (Books, Video, Graphic stories, etc.)

▪ Digital Documentation and visualization Technologies

PROJECT DISCIPLINE: CHOOSE ONE

▪ Archeology

▪ Buildings

▪ Landscapes

▪ Materials Conservation

PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY: (250 words) Explains the project abstract succinctly describes the project in plain language that the public can understand.

INNOVATION: Please explain how your project addresses, uses, or adapts innovative preservation technology (100 words)

NATIONAL NEED AND IMPACT: Describe the project’s significance and national impact (250 words). How will this project benefit the American Public? How can this project be used in other regions of the country? Does this project cut across disciplines?

BACKGROUND: Offer pertinent background information for a general audience (500 words)

METHODOLOGY: Explain the methodology to be used in the project (up to 1,000 words)

REFERENCES: Please provide no more than a one-page list of bibliographic references for project.

WORK PLAN: Provide a bulleted list of tasks with time frame and ensure work plan is feasible.

Agreement terms are generally between one and two years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work. (500 words) Example:

▪ Month One: Purchase all supplies and test materials.

▪ Months Two through Five: Develop test protocols.

▪ Months Six through Eight: Undertake tests.

▪ Month Nine: Compare test results.

▪ Months Ten through Eleven: Write up results and all final protocols.

▪ Month Twelve: Make necessary revisions and submit final reports.

DISSEMINATION PLAN: Explain how the results of your project will be disseminated to the end users and will be disseminated to as large an audience as possible. (250 words)

QUALIFICATIONS: Prepare a narrative summary of the expertise of the team. (500 words) Attach one-page resumes of each team member.

BUDGET NARRATIVE: Provide a narrative summary of the project budget. Ensure that any travel and salaries meet federal guidelines. If the project is expected to generate income, for example by registration fees for a workshop or symposium, please indicate the nature and source of the income.

How will these funds be used to offset costs for the project? (250 words)

OUTCOMES: Describe tangible outcomes associated with project (500 words). In addition to the interim and final reports required for the cooperative agreement, will there be other products? Written papers? Presentations? Social Media? Websites? Handbooks? Etc. Show how you will work with

NCPTT to share and disseminate the work cooperatively.

Budget Narrative

Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Project budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

• Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

Other Required Information

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112

Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement: Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other

Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement: U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non- profit organizations expending $1,000,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart F. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a

Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a

Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

NOTE: All applications must be submitted via email with the required application documents as email attachments to NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov.

Submission Dates and Times

Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service.

Applications must be received by March 4, 2025 11:59 PM Eastern time. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application well before the deadline. Note: Per 2 CFR 1402.204 (f) Bureaus and offices must consider the timeliness of the application submission. Applications that are submitted beyond the announced deadline date must be removed from the review process.

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

Submission Instructions

See application documents charts above and attached Appendix documents for needed submission materials.

All applications must be submitted via email with the required application documents as email attachments to NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov by the deadline. File size must be limited to 20MB per email submission. In the event the applicant experiences technical difficulties with submitting their application, please contact: Rachel Dell’Osso, Financial Assistance Awarding Officer, at rachel_dell’osso@nps.gov

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see

Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2

CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR 25.205 for more information.

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 mailto:NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov mailto:NOFO-NCPTT@NPS.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205

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

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

PTT Cooperative agreements will NOT fund the following:

• “Brick and mortar” construction or rehabilitation projects.

• Publications for profit during the project funding cycle.

• Trainings that generate income to the applicant.

• Routine or well-established technologies that lack innovation.

• Conventional archeological or architectural survey that lack innovation.

• Natural Resource projects. Note: PTT Awards are CULTURAL RESOURCE FOCUSED.

Merit Review Criteria

NPS will evaluate and consider only those applications that separately address each of the merit review criteria in the project Narrative application requirement. Each applicant is required to provide a detailed project narrative of the following criteria elements. It is HIGHLY recommended that the project narrative has sections labeled by criterion.

Criterion 1

Preservation Technology Innovation 25%

How is the research new and different from other projects?

How is the project technical in nature?

In what ways is the project technically sound?

How do project results improve the preservation practice?

Criterion 2

National Need and Impact 25%

How does this project address a wide range of preservation needs?

How are the project results applicable to more than one cultural resource?

Criterion 3

Dissemination Plan 25%

How will the results be disseminated beyond conference presentations and journal articles?

Criterion 4

Methodology, Workplan, Team Qualifications, Budget 25%

Is the methodology sound, reasonable, and logical?

Is the workplan feasible and able to be completed in the project period?

Is the team experienced and qualified to do the work proposed?

Is the budget reasonable and customary for the expected outcomes?

Review and Selection Process

NPS personnel, and in some cases independent reviewers, will review all proposals. All proposals for funding will be considered using the criteria outlined above. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested.

a. Initial Review

Prior to conducting the comprehensive merit review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether: (1) the applicant is eligible for an award; (2) the information required by the NOFO has been submitted; (3) all mandatory requirements of the NOFO are satisfied; and (4) the proposed project is responsive to the program objectives of the NOFO (program determination). If an applicant fails to meet the requirements or objectives of the NOFO, or does not provide sufficient information for review, the applicant will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further review.

b. Comprehensive Merit Review

All applications that satisfactorily pass the initial review will be eligible for the Comprehensive

Merit Review. Each criteria element will be scored on a 1–5-point scale:

The following numerical rating values may be assigned: 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

The scoring of each criterion must be based on the strengths and weaknesses of the application narrative. To assist in assigning an appropriate score, the following will be used as a guideline:

Rating Descriptive Statement

5 Superior: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates that it will meet the Government's performance requirements and demonstrates no weaknesses.

4 Good: Applicant fully addresses all aspects of the criterion, convincingly demonstrates a likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements, and demonstrates only a few minor weaknesses.

3 Satisfactory: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements.

The Application contains weaknesses and/or a number of minor weaknesses.

2 Marginal: Applicant addresses all aspects of the criterion and demonstrates the ability to meet the Government's performance requirements. The

Application contains significant weaknesses and/or a significant number of minor weaknesses.

1 Poor: Applicant addresses some aspects of the criterion and demonstrates some doubt in the likelihood of successfully meeting the Government's requirements. Significant weaknesses are demonstrated and clearly outweigh any strength presented.

c. Selection

The Selection Official may consider the merit review recommendation, program policy factors, and the amount of funds available to select applications for funding.

Program Policy Factors:

1. Geographic distribution

2. Leveraging of federal resources and partnerships

3. Equitable distribution of funding to a range of program objectives

d. Discussions and Award

The Government may enter into discussions with a selected applicant for any reason deemed necessary, including, but not limited to: (1) only a portion of the application is selected for award;

(2) the Government needs additional information to determine that the applicant is capable of complying with the requirements of DOI Financial Assistance Regulations, and/or (3) additional specific terms and conditions are required. Failure to satisfactorily resolve the issues identified by the Government may preclude award to the applicant.

This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct.

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives.

• avoid obviously unallowable costs.

• identify costs requiring prior approval.

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly.

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

Risk Review

Prior to making an award, the program assesses the risk posed by the applicant per 2 CFR 200.206. If an award will be made, the program may apply special conditions corresponding to the risk assessed. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the program reviews eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant’s SAM.gov records per 2 CFR 200.206(a). The program also assesses financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges. Negative information that leads to an applicant being designated as “Medium Risk” or “High Risk” may result in specific conditions, as identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, being incorporated into the final award.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. Beginning performance before receiving a

Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Upon being selected for the award, successful applicants will receive a notification of the selection of their application for funding. NPS estimates it will notify the applicant selected for award by July 15, 2025. A notice of selection is not an authorization to begin performance on an agreement. This notice https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.206(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.211 will detail the next steps in the awarding process. Projects should expect to begin by September 1, 2025, once all paperwork has been processed and the cooperative agreement is fully awarded. Organizations whose applications have not been selected will be advised as promptly as possible.

Anticipated start date: Anticipated start date September 1st 2025

Anticipated end date: Anticipated end date September 30th 2027

Agreement terms for funded projects are generally between one and two years, depending on the negotiated project statement of work.

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI Standard Terms and Conditions.

Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

NPS will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

Data Availability

Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315:

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

Geospatial Data

If you receive financial assistance from the DOI, recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the

Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the

Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial

Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8feb98c2e3e5ad2/section-200.315

Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata.

Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check

GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

Reporting

The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e),

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2

CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA Subaward

Reporting System (FSRS).

Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates which have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, recipients are required to notify NPS in writing as soon as the recipient becomes aware of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The recipient should also notify NPS in writing of any favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.330 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://www.fsrs.gov/

Other Information

Payments

Domestic recipients are required to register in and receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s

Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by NPS. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank outside the U.S. are required to receive payment through the U.S. Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS) System. Foreign recipients receiving funds to a final destination bank in the U.S. are required to enter and maintain current banking details in their SAM.gov entity profile and receive payment through the Automated Clearing House network by electronic funds transfer (EFT). NPS will include recipient-specific instructions on how to request payment, including identification of any additional information required and where to submit payment requests, as applicable, in all Notices of Award.

Appendix A - Application Package Forms SF424, SF424A, SF424B, SFLLL and Detailed Budget (Example Budget Justification)

The SF424, SF424A, SF424B, and SFLLL can be found here: grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-

424-mandatory-family

Example Budget

Justification.xlsx https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-mandatory-family https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-mandatory-family