Opportunity Information: Apply for P16AS00455
Apply for P16AS00455
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Informing Acoustic Norms in Frontcountry Settings of Denali National Park and Preserve" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 05, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 14, 2016 This is a notice to award to Pennsylvania State University. Application will not be accepted from any vendor other than Pennsylvania State University.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Park Service (NPS) funding notice P16AS00455, titled "Informing Acoustic Norms in Frontcountry Settings of Denali National Park and Preserve," is a non-competitive cooperative agreement announcement intended to publicly document NPS's plan to award funding to a single recipient: The Pennsylvania State University. It is explicitly not a call for proposals, and applications from any other organization would not be accepted. The anticipated award amount is $114,779 with no cost share required, issued as a CESU task agreement under statutory authority 54 USC 101702a and 54 USC 101702b, and tied to CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs). The planned period of performance runs from September 15, 2016 through September 30, 2020, with an overall agreement length of four years. The point of contact listed for NPS is Dave Schirokauer.
At its core, the project responds to a clear management gap at Denali. Over roughly a decade, the park built a strong inventory of its acoustic resources, focusing mostly on physical soundscape measurements such as sound pressure levels, acoustic events, and audibility of sound sources. Separately, a 2011-2012 study in Denali's backcountry found that visitors tended to rate human-caused (anthropogenic) sounds negatively, especially noise from propeller planes, helicopters, and buses. What remained unclear, and what this project targets, is how these same kinds of sounds affect visitors in Denali's frontcountry areas, where people are generally exposed to louder and more frequent noise events. The study area includes high-use developed settings such as the Denali Visitor Center campus, the Murie Science and Learning Center, the Riley Creek campground, and selected frontcountry trails. The practical goal is to help Denali manage the current and future soundscape in places where visitation is growing and where transportation-related noise sources (bus operations, airstrip activity, and the train depot) are prominent.
A major theme of the work is establishing "acoustic norms" and standards based on visitor expectations and tolerance. The research is designed not only to measure what noise exists, but to translate that information into social science indicators: what visitors find acceptable, what annoys them, and how those judgments relate to specific noise sources and measured sound levels. The project also includes a comparative element: it will intentionally use methods similar to the 2011-2012 backcountry work so Denali can evaluate whether visitor sensitivity to noise and support for noise-management policies have shifted over time. Using the same principal investigator and co-investigators as the earlier effort (now operating through Penn State) is presented as a way to improve reliability and make results more directly comparable.
The study is structured as a three-phase effort that blends qualitative and quantitative approaches, then merges them into a mixed-methods analysis. Phase 1 centers on in situ surveys paired with real-time acoustic monitoring. Visitors are guided through a listening exercise and then complete a questionnaire asking whether they heard aircraft and train noise and whether those sounds were annoying or interfered with their enjoyment or activities (including interpretive programs around the visitor center). These surveys are time-stamped and matched to acoustic events captured by recording devices, allowing the research team to compare perceptions with what actually happened at that moment. The timing and locations of the in-person surveys are coordinated with two rotating sound stations planned for 2017, and when those stations are not being used for active sampling they are used to build baseline data needed for modeling. Baselines were already noted at locations like the Murie Center and the Horseshoe and Triple Lakes (south) trails.
Phase 2 expands the toolkit and adds more controlled measurement of visitor response. One major component is a computer-based "dose-response" listening survey, modeled after techniques used in 2012. Participants listen to recorded sound clips that vary in the number of aircraft or train events and in sound levels, then rate annoyance and acceptability and report what they consider an acceptable number of aircraft events for that setting. Another optional Phase 2 technique is a "walking map" method that links annoyance ratings to precise locations on the trail system. By pairing survey responses with GPS tracks and dosimeter readings, the study can associate the visitor experience with the exact place and background conditions where noise is encountered, rather than relying only on general impressions.
Also in Phase 2, the project produces one of its most management-oriented deliverables: a temporal noise propagation model and dynamic acoustic map for the frontcountry. This mapping effort is described as similar in sophistication to Noise Map Simulation Modeling (NMSIM) products, but with a key twist: it incorporates time-of-day patterns and overlays quantified visitor experience within defined spatial polygons or raster cells. NPS staff and the NPS soundscape ecologist work alongside Penn State's acoustics lab to collect data and build the inferential map, while Penn State contributes the technical expertise and additional resources needed for the model development. The end product is intended to identify "hot spots" and "cold spots" by noise type and time of day, and to provide predictive power about where negative or positive visitor experiences are most likely to occur if management does not intervene. The announcement notes possible modeling approaches such as survival models or two-part generalized linear models (GLMs) for fitting visitor experience to mapped acoustic conditions.
Field sampling is planned for about 30 days during June through August 2017, targeting adults (18+) visiting the Denali Visitor Center campus. The sampling approach is systematic random sampling, stratified by time of day (AM and PM), with data collection limited to the 8 AM to 8 PM window. The study anticipates around 300 completed surveys. The analysis is expected to produce a set of "social sound standards" derived from normative curves, along with recommended frontcountry standards that can be used as a practical management tool for Denali's developed areas.
The work plan includes a detailed milestone schedule, beginning with a scoping trip in June 2016 and a project start date of September 15, 2016. Key administrative steps include survey development by November 2016 and submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by January 2017 to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, since visitor surveys require federal information-collection approval. Field planning and launch occur in spring and early summer 2017, with survey deployment throughout the 2017 summer season, followed by data cleaning and analysis starting September 2017. Draft reporting begins in early 2018 with NPS review and revisions through mid-2018, plus a study findings workshop in August 2018 and a final peer review in October 2018. The final report is due May 1, 2019, followed by a wrap-up session in June 2019, and a planned peer-reviewed journal publication by September 30, 2020.
Roles and responsibilities are split between Penn State as the recipient and NPS as the federal partner. Penn State commits to staffing (Peter Newman as PI, Derrick Taff as primary collaborator, and PhD student Lauren Abbott as secondary collaborator), managing the OMB approval process, finalizing and administering the survey after approval, conducting analysis, delivering data products and draft/final reports, running collaborative workshops with Denali staff, and publishing results with proper acknowledgment of NPS and Denali National Park and Preserve. NPS, for its part, provides the financial assistance justification and funding, assigns technical leadership and oversight (including an Agreement Technical Representative, a social science project manager/technical expert, and an acoustic research and soundscapes expert), supports data collection with equipment and trained personnel, develops acoustic metrics, integrates acoustic measurements with visitor survey data, and helps translate findings into a typology of soundscapes and visitor use that can inform different management scenarios. NPS also commits to ongoing review, workshops, and timely feedback on final products, and to acknowledging Penn State in resulting publications and presentations.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, single-recipient cooperative research effort meant to convert Denali's existing soundscape monitoring strengths into actionable frontcountry standards that reflect both measured noise conditions and visitor expectations. By combining event-verified in situ surveys, controlled listening experiments, spatially explicit trail-based experience mapping, and a time-sensitive noise propagation model, the project is designed to give park managers a clearer, defensible basis for decisions about aircraft, train, bus-area operations, and other frontcountry noise sources as visitation continues to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding notice P16AS00455?
P16AS00455 is a National Park Service (NPS) funding notice titled "Informing Acoustic Norms in Frontcountry Settings of Denali National Park and Preserve." It publicly documents NPS's plan to award funding through a cooperative agreement for a specific research project focused on visitor experience and soundscape conditions in Denali's frontcountry (high-use developed) areas.
Is this a competitive grant opportunity or a call for proposals?
No. This notice is explicitly not a call for proposals. It is described as a non-competitive cooperative agreement announcement intended to document NPS's plan to fund a single recipient.
Can other organizations apply for this funding?
No. Applications from any organization other than the named recipient would not be accepted.
Who is the intended recipient of this award?
The planned single recipient is The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State).
What is the anticipated award amount?
The anticipated award amount is $114,779.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost share is required.
What type of award mechanism is being used?
The funding is planned as a cooperative agreement, issued as a CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units) task agreement.
What statutory authority is cited for this award?
The notice cites statutory authority under 54 USC 101702a and 54 USC 101702b.
What CFDA program is associated with this project?
The project is tied to CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs.
What is the period of performance and overall agreement length?
The planned period of performance runs from September 15, 2016 through September 30, 2020, with an overall agreement length of four years.
Who is the NPS point of contact listed in the notice?
The point of contact listed for NPS is Dave Schirokauer.
What management problem is this project trying to address at Denali?
The project addresses a gap between Denali's strong physical soundscape inventory (sound pressure levels, acoustic events, audibility) and the need for actionable, visitor-based standards in frontcountry settings. Earlier work in Denali's backcountry (2011-2012) showed visitors tended to rate human-caused sounds negatively, but it was unclear how similar sounds affect visitors in frontcountry areas where noise events are louder and more frequent.
What does the project mean by "frontcountry" in Denali?
In this notice, "frontcountry" refers to developed, high-use areas where visitation is concentrated and where transportation-related noise sources are prominent.
Which Denali locations are included in the study area?
The study area includes high-use developed settings such as the Denali Visitor Center campus, the Murie Science and Learning Center, the Riley Creek campground, and selected frontcountry trails. Locations noted for baseline data include the Murie Center and the Horseshoe and Triple Lakes (south) trails.
What noise sources are the main focus of the study?
The study focuses on transportation-related and other human-caused sounds that visitors may encounter in frontcountry areas, including aircraft (such as propeller planes and helicopters), bus-related activity, airstrip activity, train noise associated with the train depot, and other frontcountry noise sources relevant to visitor experience.
What are "acoustic norms" and why are they important for this project?
"Acoustic norms" in this project refer to standards based on visitor expectations and tolerance for sound in specific settings. The goal is to translate measured noise conditions into social science indicators of acceptability and annoyance, producing defensible, management-ready standards for Denali's developed areas.
How does this project build on the earlier 2011-2012 Denali backcountry study?
The project intentionally uses methods similar to the 2011-2012 backcountry research so Denali can compare results over time and evaluate whether visitor sensitivity to noise and support for noise-management policies have shifted. Using the same principal investigator and co-investigators (now operating through Penn State) is described as improving reliability and comparability.
How is the research designed (in general terms)?
The study is structured as a three-phase effort that blends qualitative and quantitative approaches and then merges them into a mixed-methods analysis. The phases include in situ surveys paired with acoustic monitoring, controlled listening-based dose-response surveys (and an optional spatial "walking map" method), and development of a temporal noise propagation model and dynamic acoustic map.
What happens in Phase 1?
Phase 1 centers on in situ (on-site) surveys paired with real-time acoustic monitoring. Visitors participate in a listening exercise and complete a questionnaire about whether they heard aircraft and train noise and whether those sounds were annoying or interfered with enjoyment or activities (including interpretive programs near the visitor center). Surveys are time-stamped and matched to acoustic events recorded by monitoring devices.
How are the surveys linked to actual sound events?
Survey responses are time-stamped and matched to acoustic events captured by recording devices at the time of the survey, allowing the team to compare perceived conditions with measured events during the same time window.
What are the rotating sound stations mentioned for 2017?
The notice describes two rotating sound stations planned for 2017. They support active sampling coordinated with in-person survey timing and locations, and when not used for active sampling they help build baseline data needed for modeling.
What happens in Phase 2?
Phase 2 adds more controlled measurement of visitor response. A key element is a computer-based dose-response listening survey using recorded sound clips that vary in the number of aircraft or train events and in sound levels. Participants rate annoyance and acceptability and indicate what they consider an acceptable number of aircraft events for that setting. Phase 2 also includes an optional "walking map" method and supports development of a temporal noise propagation model and dynamic acoustic map.
What is the "dose-response" listening survey?
It is a computer-based listening exercise modeled after techniques used in 2012. Participants listen to recorded sound clips that differ by event frequency (number of aircraft or train events) and by sound level, then provide ratings of annoyance and acceptability and identify what they consider an acceptable number of events for the setting.
What is the optional "walking map" method?
The walking map method links annoyance ratings to precise locations on the trail system. By pairing visitor responses with GPS tracks and dosimeter readings, the study can associate the experience of noise with the exact place and background conditions where it occurs.
What is the temporal noise propagation model and dynamic acoustic map?
One of the most management-oriented deliverables is a temporal noise propagation model and dynamic acoustic map for Denali's frontcountry. It is described as similar in sophistication to Noise Map Simulation Modeling (NMSIM) products, but it incorporates time-of-day patterns and overlays quantified visitor experience within spatial polygons or raster cells.
What is the purpose of building a dynamic acoustic map?
The map is intended to identify "hot spots" and "cold spots" by noise type and time of day, and to provide predictive insight about where negative or positive visitor experiences are most likely to occur if management does not intervene.
What analysis approaches are mentioned for linking visitor experience to acoustic conditions?
The notice mentions possible modeling approaches such as survival models or two-part generalized linear models (GLMs) for fitting visitor experience to mapped acoustic conditions.
When is field sampling planned and how long will it last?
Field sampling is planned for about 30 days during June through August 2017.
Who is the target survey population for field sampling?
The sampling targets adults (18+) visiting the Denali Visitor Center campus.
What sampling approach is planned for the visitor surveys?
The planned approach is systematic random sampling, stratified by time of day (AM and PM), with data collection limited to the 8 AM to 8 PM window.
How many completed surveys are anticipated?
The study anticipates around 300 completed surveys.
What are the expected outcomes or deliverables from the analysis?
The analysis is expected to produce "social sound standards" derived from normative curves, along with recommended frontcountry standards designed to serve as a practical soundscape management tool for Denali's developed areas.
Why does the project involve the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?
The work plan includes submission of survey materials to OMB to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, because visitor surveys require federal information-collection approval.
What are the major project milestones mentioned in the notice?
Milestones include a scoping trip in June 2016; project start on September 15, 2016; survey development by November 2016; OMB submission by January 2017; field planning and launch in spring and early summer 2017; survey deployment during the 2017 summer season; data cleaning and analysis starting September 2017; draft reporting in early 2018 with NPS review and revisions through mid-2018; a study findings workshop in August 2018; final peer review in October 2018; a final report due May 1, 2019; a wrap-up session in June 2019; and a planned peer-reviewed journal publication by September 30, 2020.
Who are the key Penn State personnel identified for the project?
Penn State staffing listed in the notice includes Peter Newman as principal investigator (PI), Derrick Taff as primary collaborator, and PhD student Lauren Abbott as secondary collaborator.
What responsibilities are assigned to Penn State under the cooperative agreement?
Penn State responsibilities include staffing the project; managing the OMB approval process; finalizing and administering the survey after approval; conducting analysis; delivering data products and draft/final reports; running collaborative workshops with Denali staff; and publishing results with proper acknowledgment of NPS and Denali National Park and Preserve.
What responsibilities are assigned to NPS under the cooperative agreement?
NPS responsibilities include providing the financial assistance justification and funding; assigning technical leadership and oversight (including an Agreement Technical Representative, a social science project manager/technical expert, and an acoustic research and soundscapes expert); supporting data collection with equipment and trained personnel; developing acoustic metrics; integrating acoustic measurements with visitor survey data; and helping translate findings into a typology of soundscapes and visitor use to inform different management scenarios. NPS also commits to review, workshops, timely feedback, and acknowledging Penn State in resulting publications and presentations.
What makes this award a "cooperative" agreement rather than a typical grant?
Based on the notice description, the project is structured for active collaboration between Penn State and NPS. NPS is not only providing funding but also technical leadership, equipment, staff support, acoustic metric development, data integration, and ongoing review and workshops, indicating substantial federal involvement.
What is the practical management value of this work for Denali?
The project is intended to convert Denali's soundscape monitoring data into actionable frontcountry standards that reflect both measured acoustic conditions and visitor expectations. It aims to provide a clearer, defensible basis for soundscape-related decisions in developed areas where visitation is growing and transportation-related noise sources are prominent.
What types of visitor impacts are measured in the in situ surveys?
The in situ surveys ask whether visitors heard aircraft and train noise and whether those sounds were annoying or interfered with enjoyment or with activities, including interpretive programs near the visitor center.
Does the notice describe how results will be shared?
Yes. The work plan includes draft and final reporting, workshops (including a study findings workshop), peer review steps, and a planned peer-reviewed journal publication by September 30, 2020. The notice also states that publications will acknowledge NPS and Denali National Park and Preserve.
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