Opportunity Information: Apply for P13AS00207
Apply for P13AS00207
- The National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Air Quality and Nitrogen Deposition in the Rocky Mountain and Bakken Formation Regions" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 16, 2013 and posted on Aug 16, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $425,499.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $425,499.00 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 opportunity titled "Air Quality and Nitrogen Deposition in the Rocky Mountain and Bakken Formation Regions" is a notice of intent to award rather than an open call for applications. In other words, it is not inviting proposals from the public. Instead, NPS is formally notifying the public that it plans to make a single cooperative agreement award, without full and open competition, to continue an existing body of air quality and atmospheric deposition research. The work is being carried out through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) framework, which is specifically designed to link federal land-management agencies with universities and other partners for applied research, technical assistance, and training that supports resource stewardship.
At the core of the project is a goal that is both scientific and management-focused: improving the understanding of where key air pollutants come from, how they move and change in the atmosphere, how they are deposited onto landscapes (especially nitrogen deposition), and what impacts they have on national park resources. The emphasis is on U.S. National Parks in the Rocky Mountain region and in areas influenced by development in the Bakken Formation. NPS frames this as essential to protecting visitor experiences such as clean air and good visibility, while also safeguarding ecosystem health in parks including Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The project is also intended to strengthen the value of routine national monitoring programs by adding targeted measurements and analyses that help explain local and regional air quality problems and reveal gaps in current monitoring strategies.
The work is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning NPS expects substantial involvement in how the project is designed, analyzed, and communicated. The effort complements established monitoring networks like IMPROVE (visibility and fine particles), AMon (ammonia), NADP (deposition), and CASTNet (atmospheric concentrations and deposition-related metrics). Rather than duplicating those networks, this project aims to pull together data streams from multiple sources and add specialized field studies to get a more detailed picture of reactive nitrogen and related pollutants, including how wildfire smoke episodes alter nitrogen chemistry and deposition patterns. Another recurring theme is improving source understanding, including separating the roles of reduced nitrogen (such as ammonia and ammonium, often linked to agriculture and some combustion processes) versus oxidized nitrogen (such as NOx-derived species, often linked to vehicles, industry, and combustion), and examining the contribution of organic nitrogen to overall deposition.
Colorado State University (CSU), as the intended recipient under the Rocky Mountain CESU, is tasked with several specific deliverables and continuation activities. These include continuing analysis of data from the Grand Teton Reactive Nitrogen Deposition Study (GrandTReNDS) to complete assessments of reactive nitrogen concentrations and deposition in the Grand Teton region; completing analysis and publishing results from the IMPROVE NHx study (focused on reduced nitrogen components associated with particulate matter and related sampling); and analyzing periods of smoke influence using observations from projects such as RoMANS and GrandTReNDS along with measurements tied to events like the Fort Collins High Park fire, integrating data from NADP, AMon, IMPROVE, CASTNet, and other sources. CSU is also expected to continue evaluating organic nitrogen as a potentially important part of nitrogen deposition in the Rocky Mountain region, an area of ongoing scientific uncertainty and growing management interest.
A major component centers on the Bakken region, where oil and gas development can affect local and downwind air quality. CSU will analyze findings from the 2013 Bakken Air Quality Study (BAQS) and also plan and conduct a second BAQS during winter 2013/2014 to further assess wintertime air quality and development-related impacts. Winter studies are often important in oil and gas basins because meteorology and atmospheric chemistry can favor pollutant build-up and different particle and ozone-related dynamics compared with other seasons. CSU is additionally responsible for continuing maintenance of the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory, which supports field deployments and specialized measurements across park and regional sites.
NPS, for its part, is not just providing funds; it is directly involved in the technical work. The agency will participate in analysis and/or modeling, contribute to report writing, and co-author peer-reviewed publications with CSU scientists. NPS will provide access to monitoring locations and infrastructure such as equipment shelters and specialized instruments when needed, and it will assign key personnel including an Agreement Technical Representative and an NPS Technical Expert. NPS will also work closely with CSU on planning and executing the BAQS field effort and interpreting measurements that include fine particle composition, volatile organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen in the gas phase. In addition, NPS will conduct spatial and temporal analyses of the field data and perform air quality modeling with CSU to evaluate how different regional emission sources influence observed concentrations and deposition. To support modeling, NPS will provide meteorological fields and oversee elements of the spatiotemporal analytical work.
The notice explains that NPS is not running a competitive solicitation because this is justified as a continuation effort and because the selected partner has unique qualifications. The award is described as a Task Agreement (P13AC01187) under an existing Rocky Mountain CESU Cooperative Agreement (H2370094000). The total anticipated funding is $425,499, with a performance period running from the date of award through September 30, 2014. The announcement lists one expected award, no cost-sharing or matching requirement, and identifies eligible applicants in general as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, though the notice itself makes clear that the intent is to fund CSU through the CESU mechanism rather than to solicit new applicants.
Finally, NPS cites statutory authority that supports cooperative research and training agreements with academic institutions, including provisions in 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j) and 16 U.S.C. 5933. These authorities are aimed at building coordinated research and training programs and establishing cooperative study units with universities to produce multidisciplinary research and integrated information products relevant to National Park System resources and surrounding regions. In practice, this opportunity is positioned as a continuation of specialized, partner-driven science meant to directly inform park air resource management while also producing publishable research outcomes and hands-on training benefits for CSU graduate students involved in the work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open grant opportunity that the public can apply for?
No. This is a notice of intent to award, not a competitive funding solicitation. It is not inviting proposals from the public.
What is the National Park Service planning to award?
NPS plans to make a single cooperative agreement award (without full and open competition) to continue an existing body of research on air quality and atmospheric deposition.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
One award is expected.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
Colorado State University (CSU) is the intended recipient under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) framework.
Why is NPS not running a competitive solicitation?
The notice states this is justified as a continuation effort and because the selected partner has unique qualifications. The intent is to continue ongoing, specialized work through the CESU mechanism rather than solicit new applicants.
What funding amount is anticipated?
The total anticipated funding is $425,499.
What is the performance period for the project?
The performance period runs from the date of award through September 30, 2014.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What type of agreement is being used?
The award is described as a cooperative agreement, specifically a Task Agreement (P13AC01187) under an existing Rocky Mountain CESU Cooperative Agreement (H2370094000).
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
It means NPS expects substantial involvement in how the work is designed, analyzed, and communicated. NPS will participate in technical work such as analysis/modeling, reporting, and publications.
What is the project about in plain terms?
The project focuses on understanding where key air pollutants come from, how they move and change in the atmosphere, how they are deposited onto landscapes (with a strong emphasis on nitrogen deposition), and what impacts they have on national park resources.
Which regions are the focus of this effort?
The work focuses on U.S. National Parks in the Rocky Mountain region and in areas influenced by development in the Bakken Formation region.
Which national parks are specifically mentioned?
The notice specifically references Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Why is nitrogen deposition a major emphasis?
Nitrogen deposition is highlighted as a key pathway by which air pollution can affect ecosystems. The work aims to better understand reactive nitrogen in the atmosphere and how it is deposited, including uncertainties around different nitrogen forms.
What kinds of pollutants or pollutant categories are discussed?
The notice emphasizes reactive nitrogen and related pollutants, including reduced nitrogen (such as ammonia and ammonium), oxidized nitrogen (NOx-derived species), and organic nitrogen as a potentially important but uncertain contributor to deposition. It also discusses wildfire smoke impacts on nitrogen chemistry and deposition patterns.
What is the difference between reduced nitrogen and oxidized nitrogen in this project context?
Reduced nitrogen (for example ammonia and ammonium) is often associated with agriculture and some combustion processes, while oxidized nitrogen (NOx-derived species) is often linked to vehicles, industry, and other combustion sources. The project aims to help separate and understand their respective roles in deposition and impacts.
How does wildfire smoke fit into the research?
The project includes analyzing smoke-influenced periods to understand how wildfire smoke episodes can alter nitrogen chemistry and deposition patterns, using observations from multiple studies and monitoring networks.
Does this project replace existing national air monitoring programs?
No. The project is intended to complement established monitoring networks rather than duplicate them. It aims to integrate multiple data streams and add targeted measurements and analyses to explain local and regional issues and identify monitoring gaps.
Which monitoring networks are referenced as being complemented by this work?
The notice references IMPROVE (visibility and fine particles), AMon (ammonia), NADP (deposition), and CASTNet (atmospheric concentrations and deposition-related metrics).
What are CSU's main Rocky Mountain region deliverables mentioned in the notice?
CSU is tasked with continuing analysis from the Grand Teton Reactive Nitrogen Deposition Study (GrandTReNDS), completing analysis and publishing results from the IMPROVE NHx study, analyzing smoke-influence periods using datasets from projects such as RoMANS and GrandTReNDS (and events like the Fort Collins High Park fire), and continuing evaluation of organic nitrogen in Rocky Mountain nitrogen deposition.
What is GrandTReNDS?
GrandTReNDS refers to the Grand Teton Reactive Nitrogen Deposition Study, and the notice states CSU will continue analyzing its data to complete assessments of reactive nitrogen concentrations and deposition in the Grand Teton region.
What is the IMPROVE NHx study described here?
It is described as a study focused on reduced nitrogen components (NHx) associated with particulate matter and related sampling, with CSU expected to complete analysis and publish results.
What smoke-related datasets or projects are named?
The notice references observations from RoMANS and GrandTReNDS, along with measurements tied to events such as the Fort Collins High Park fire, and integration of data from NADP, AMon, IMPROVE, CASTNet, and other sources.
What is the Bakken-focused component of the work?
A major component addresses the Bakken region, where oil and gas development can affect local and downwind air quality. CSU will analyze findings from the 2013 Bakken Air Quality Study (BAQS) and plan and conduct a second BAQS during winter 2013/2014 to assess wintertime air quality and development-related impacts.
Why conduct a winter air quality study in the Bakken region?
The notice explains that winter studies can be important in oil and gas basins because meteorology and atmospheric chemistry can favor pollutant build-up and different particle and ozone-related dynamics compared with other seasons.
What kinds of measurements are mentioned for BAQS-related work?
The notice mentions interpreting measurements that include fine particle composition, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and reactive nitrogen in the gas phase.
What is the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory and what will happen to it under this project?
It is a mobile laboratory that supports field deployments and specialized measurements across park and regional sites. CSU is responsible for continuing maintenance of the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory.
What roles will NPS personnel play during the project?
NPS will assign key personnel including an Agreement Technical Representative and an NPS Technical Expert, and will be directly involved in analysis/modeling, report writing, and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications with CSU.
What support will NPS provide beyond funding?
NPS will provide access to monitoring locations and infrastructure (such as equipment shelters and specialized instruments when needed), participate in planning and executing BAQS field efforts, conduct spatial and temporal analyses, and perform air quality modeling with CSU. NPS will also provide meteorological fields and oversee elements of spatiotemporal analytical work used for modeling and interpretation.
What is the broader management purpose of this research for national parks?
NPS frames the work as essential to protecting visitor experiences such as clean air and good visibility, while also safeguarding ecosystem health in affected parks. The project is also intended to increase the value of routine monitoring by adding targeted measurements and integrated analyses that clarify local and regional air quality problems.
Who is listed as eligible to apply, and does that matter for this notice?
The announcement identifies eligible applicants in general as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. However, the notice clearly indicates the intent is to fund CSU through the CESU mechanism and is not seeking applications from other entities.
What legal authorities does NPS cite for this cooperative research arrangement?
NPS cites statutory authority including 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j) and 16 U.S.C. 5933, which support cooperative research and training agreements and cooperative study units with universities to produce multidisciplinary research and integrated information products relevant to National Park System resources and surrounding regions.
Does the notice mention training or student involvement?
Yes. The work is positioned as partner-driven science that supports publishable research outcomes and provides hands-on training benefits for CSU graduate students involved in the work.
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