short notice-of-intent-to-award[1].doc

US Department of Interior

National Park Service

NOTICE OF INTENT

TO AWARD

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.

ABSTRACT

Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to performed the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability, if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

WASO Contracting Office 12795 West Alameda Parkway Mail Stop WCP Lakewood, CO 80228 Office Phone: 303/969-2755

FAX: 303/969-2402

OVERVIEW

The NPS and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed an Interagency Agreement (IA), EPA # DW 14-95782701-0, to help communities impacted by brownfields and other derelict land issues to improve their quality-of-life and encourage economic regeneration through the development and stewardship of parkland, recreation areas, nature reserves, trail systems and other environmental improvements. Also, the clean-up of brownfields and other derelict lands offers an extensive opportunity to create needed green space in dense urban communities and to restore degraded natural resources such as open space and river corridors. The IA furthers the intent of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response and the USDI-NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS), to support development of the Groundwork model in the United States. The Groundwork model has been successfully developed and supports sustainable community-based environmental improvement efforts in Great Britain through the establishment of locally based Groundwork Trust organizations. This success is now being replicated in the United States through the development of the Groundwork USA network of Groundwork Trusts.

Groundwork USA, the national office of the Groundwork USA network, is a critical component of the Groundwork model. To build on the commitment of the network of Groundwork USA Pilot Communities to improve green space and reclaim brownfields for community benefit and economic redevelopment, Groundwork USA was established in 2001, was incorporated in 2002 and was approved as a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code on October 22, 2003.

In 2004, NPS, Groundwork USA and leaders of the local Groundwork Trusts completed a strategic plan to build the capacity of Groundwork USA to coordinate, promote and support development of the network of locally based Groundwork Trusts. The Strategic Plan was updated in 2010. Based on that plan, Groundwork USA will work with the NPS to:

· Provide the Trusts with needed services to ensure that each Trust is an effective, credible and valued partner within its host community,

· Build the capacity of the local Trusts through technical assistance, staff training, sharing of expertise, program development and networking,

· Engage in creative new alliances and broaden partnerships on the national and regional level to advance the Groundwork USA mission,

· Create new opportunities to support establishment new Trusts and attract national resources to support the projects and programs of the existing Trusts,

· Establish and oversee standards for Trust operations, projects and programs to insure accountability and protect the Groundwork brand,

· Oversee the development of the Groundwork USA network and new Groundwork Trusts, and

· Manage the partnership with the Federation of Groundwork Trusts in the United Kingdom.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Support the development of Groundwork USA programs and services that have a direct benefit on the ability of the Groundwork Trusts to deliver needed projects and programs and be effective, credible and valued partners within their host communities.

2. Support the establishment of Groundwork Trusts in new communities.

3. Support the development of public and private sector partnerships on the local, regional and national level that support the work of the Trusts, and support planning for the future development of Groundwork USA and the Groundwork USA Network.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Work with selected communities to promote the development and stewardship of parkland, watersheds, recreation areas, nature reserves, trail systems and other natural resources and environmental improvements and the transformation and reuse of brownfields and other derelict sites for conservation, recreation and economic development through the network of Groundwork Trusts.

2. Support the development of existing Groundwork Trusts by developing programs, services, resources and materials that have a direct benefit on the ability of the Groundwork Trusts to deliver needed projects and programs and be effective, credible and valued partners within their host communities. Activities can include, but are not limited to:

· Network meetings, conferences, trainings, staff and information exchanges, and site visits,

· Organizational development, fiduciary oversight, operation guidelines, policies, reference materials, templates and Trust performance reviews,

· Project and program development, strategic planning, reference materials, templates, ‘how to’ handbooks, and sample curriculum and activities,

· Promotion materials that will be used to recruit new volunteers or employees that support the agreement, graphic guidelines, templates, case studies, reports, and information resources, and

· Documenting and reporting results, accomplishments and outcomes.

3. Support the establishment of new Groundwork Trusts by developing and providing programs, services, resources and materials that enable a community to learn about, evaluate, plan, and establish a new Groundwork Trust. Activities can include, but are not limited to:

· Site visits, presentations, network discussions, and outreach activities,

· Feasibility studies, strategic planning, and business planning,

· Community involvement, outreach, networking and partnerships,

· Organizational development, guidelines, templates, handbooks, and promotion,

· Program and project development and implementation, and

· Documenting and reporting results, accomplishments and outcomes.

4. Develop public and private sector partnerships on the local, regional and national level to develop and implement joint projects and programs that support the work of the Groundwork Trusts.

5. Plan and implement strategies for building the capacity of Groundwork USA to support the work and development of the Groundwork Trusts and expand the Groundwork USA network to new communities.

6. Submit required quarterly narrative and financial reports to the National Park Service.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Support Groundwork USA, subject to the availability of funds, with funding and technical assistance to promote the development and stewardship of parkland, watersheds, recreation areas, nature reserves, trail systems and other environmental improvements and the transformation and reuse of brownfields and other derelict sites for conservation, recreation and economic development.

2. Provide ongoing technical assistance and available funding to support the work of Groundwork USA and the network of Groundwork Trusts to develop Groundwork USA programs that have a direct benefit on the ability of the Groundwork Trusts to deliver needed projects and programs and be effective, credible and valued partners within their host communities.

3. Provide ongoing technical assistance and available funding to support the work of Groundwork USA, the network of Groundwork Trusts and selected communities to evaluate Groundwork and its potential role in communities and, if determined to be appropriate, to develop new Groundwork Trusts in those communities in accordance with agreed upon feasibility studies and strategic plans.

4. Provide ongoing technical assistance and available funding to work with Groundwork USA and the network of Groundwork Trusts to develop public and private sector partnerships on the local, regional and national level to develop implement joint projects and programs that support the work of the Groundwork Trusts.

5. Provide review and input to plans and strategies for building the capacity of Groundwork USA to support the work and development of the Groundwork Trusts and expand the Groundwork USA network to new communities.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable.

In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives;

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity;

(3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications;

(5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed.

NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria

(2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded; this project is a continuation of water quality analysis initiated prior to bulkhead construction.

(4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications; Recipient has worked on this project since conception and has completed significant data a research and would not be cost effective to proceed with a new recipient.

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