National Park Service: Service and Conservation Corps Program

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 West Jefferson Ave. Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
ATTN: Beth Walden

Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered for award.

Please note, that the Funding Opportunity Announcement references Appendix E on page 8, as the location of a copy of the SF 424A – Budget Information form. Appendix E was not attached with the solicitation. Appendix D has been modified to include an Application Package. The Application Package contains copies of the required forms for this Funding Opportunity Announcement, forms include: SF 424 (Application for Financial Assistance), SF 424 A (Budget Information), and DI‐2010 (Assurances).

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

Error in Application Submission in Previous Announcement Synopsis:

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.

Please do not submit your application via Grants.gov. SEE CORRECTION BELOW

Correction:

Please submit applications as follows:

WHERE TO SUBMIT
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE,
BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden
Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS‐09WASO‐00001

Questions from Potential Applicants:

1) What is the size of the grants?

The amount of individual grants is determined by the type of proposal and the program selection committee.

2) Define in-kind cost share.

Please refer to OMB Circular A-122 – “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for an explanation of in-kind cost share.

3) When is the selection date?

The selection will occur approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.

4) Can we propose work in parks other than the National Parks?

This announcement applies to NPS lands only.

5) Can we include references, i.e. congressman?

Applicants can use any references, just be aware of the page limitation for proposals.

6) Can we make teaming arrangements with organizations in other regions? Is a partnership between two corps okay (one of us would be the prime recipient and a contract would be done between the two corps)? Or are you more looking for large organizations like SCA that have nationwide programs?

Teaming arrangements can be made. A partnership between two organizations is fine.

7) Under the section of Eligible Applicants, number 4 states, “Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region.” Does this mean that the organization must have projects in more than one region? If so, an organization that is servicing only one region does not meet eligibility requirements for this funding source?

Applicants must be able to work in more than one region.

8) Culture is an important part of our region, is it okay to build that into part of our curriculum?

Yes, it is encouraged.

9) We are looking to have full-time interns at the NPS as well as a summer youth corps program. Our full time interns will basically be at the NPS. Our region has youth corps summer programs, and working at the national parks is part of our curriculum. However, they do work at other sites like with USFWS, our Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, etc to get exposure to various ecosystems and management styles. Is it okay to support youth with this grant to participate in this program even though they work at other sites in addition to the NPS?

NPS funds must be spent on NPS projects unless otherwise specified in the project task agreement. An example of an exception is if the park has a project on its land but also through an agreement with a state park or other entity that engages in assistance projects with NPS; then the participants would receive this dual exposure. This is something that is handled on a case by case basis.

10) Is there a particular format or questions you would like us to answer?

The format and application package information is in Section IV.

11) Please define fulltime work as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement?

For the purposes of this funding announcement, Full time work is defined as 32 hours per week.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

A qualified service and conservation corps means any program established by a State, or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit organization that:

1. Is capable of offering meaningful, full time, productive work for individuals between the ages of 15 and 25, inclusive, in a natural or cultural resource setting.

2. Gives participants a mix of work experience, basic life skills, education, training, and support services.

3. Provides participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States.

4. Organizations that are interested in developing conservation projects in more than one NPS region. Below are the NPS regions:

Alaska Region
Alaska

Intermountain Region
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma

Midwest Region
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio

National Capital Region
Washington DC Metro area

Northeast Region
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia

Pacific West Region
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii

Southeast Region
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

AGENCY NAME

National Park Service – WASO (Washington Contracting Office)

DESCRIPTION

To see the complete Funding Opportunity Announcement, press the gray tab above (FULL ANNOUNCEMENT).

The National Park Service (NPS) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior was founded in 1916 and manages 391 units of the National Park System. The NPS also helps to administer dozens of affiliated sites, the National Register of Historic Places, National Heritage Areas, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Historic Landmarks and National Trails.

The NPS has many facilities and natural resources that are in disrepair or are in a degraded condition. There is a need for labor-intensive rehabilitation, restoration, and enhancement work, which cannot be carried out by NPS at existing personnel levels. The NPS is committed to providing educational and work opportunities to young people so that they can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the NPS natural and cultural resources. It also has been established historically that through partnership agreements between non-profit organizations and the Service that these facilities and natural resources can be restored and maintained in an cost effective and efficient manner.

The budget for fiscal year 2008 is $2.75 billion. Parks generate 246,000 jobs for local economics and provide $12 billion in economic impacts each year.

The National Park Service maintains 874 visitor centers and contract stations. In 2006, more than 125 million people attended over 616,000 special events and ranger programs in parks. 400,000 young visitors participated in the “Junior Ranger” program.

President George Bush’s charge to the NPS, issued during its 90th anniversary in 2006, calls for all Americans to work together to prepare the national parks for another century of conservation, preservation, and enjoyment. Performance goals were established for environmental leadership, education, recreational experience, stewardship, and professional excellence. For FY 2008, President Bush proposed the largest operating budget in NPS history and launched the $3 billion National Park Centennial Initiative to provide the resources needed to meet these goals.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a program involving cooperative efforts in cultural and natural resource conservation related to projects such as trail development and maintenance, historic, cultural, forest and timber management, minor construction work, archeological conservation, and native plant habitat restoration and rehabilitation.

2. Promote and stimulate public purposes such as education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural resources through the involvement of youth and young adults in care and enhancement of public resources.

3. Continue the longstanding efforts of the NPS to provide opportunities for public service, youth employment, minority youth development and training, and participation of young adults in accomplishing conservation-related work.

JOINT (NPS AND PARTNER ORGANIZATION) PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Design and implement conservation related projects.

2. Provide educational programs to the young people working on the conservation related projects at NPS sites.

3. Create a cooperative partnership to maximize the benefits from the projects accomplished by NPS and the partner organizations.

4. Complete all projects in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov, under this announcement, to be considered for award.
QUESTIONS
Questions regarding the content of the announcement should be submitted by e-mail to:

beth_walden@nps.gov

Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service. Applications must be received by 03/06/2009. You are encouraged to transmit your application well before the deadline. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED OR CONSIDERED FOR AWARD. If it is determined that a proposal will not be considered due to lateness, the applicant will be notified. Application preparation time may take several weeks. Please start the application process as soon as possible.

WHERE TO SUBMIT

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BY THE DUE DATE, BY MAIL, FEDEX, UPS, ETC., TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:

National Park Service
Washington Contracting Office
7333 W. Jefferson Avenue
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80235
Attn: Elizabeth Walden – Funding Opportunity Announcement – NPS-09WASO-00001

LINK TO FULL ANNOUNCEMENT
Click on the tab above (FULL ANNOUNCEMENT)