Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00204
Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00204
- The DOI-NPS in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alaska SCA Academy" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 16, 2016 and posted on Feb 16, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2016. (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 $170,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Alaska SCA Academy opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPS DOIP16AC00204) is a National Park Service (NPS) notice that it intends to fund a specific, pre-identified project without competition. It is not a request for applications and does not invite the public to apply. Instead, it serves as a public announcement that NPS plans to issue a task agreement under an already-established cooperative agreement with the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The award is associated with CFDA 15.931 (Education), is categorized as a discretionary opportunity, and is administered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
The project is titled "SCA Academy - NPS Alaska Region" and is designed as a workforce development and conservation education pipeline for young adults, particularly college students from diverse backgrounds. The central goal is to introduce participants to the National Park Service, highlight the range of career paths within NPS, and provide structured early-career experiences that can help students move toward NPS employment or become long-term conservation stewards. The program is built around both training and hands-on exposure: a week-long academy orientation followed by a summer-long internship placement that provides practical work experience in NPS-related career fields.
Funding for the project is anticipated at $165,431.23, with a cost share contribution of $71,766.50. The planned period of performance runs from March 13, 2016 through December 31, 2016, matching the anticipated length of the agreement. The award instrument is a task agreement issued under Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031, and the cited statutory authority is 16 USC 1723(c)(1). The expected number of awards is one, with an award ceiling listed at $170,000. The point of contact identified in the notice is James Cato.
Programmatically, the academy begins with a week-long orientation hosted in Seward, Alaska, with Kenai Fjords National Park serving as the host park. During this orientation, students receive an introduction not only to Kenai Fjords but also to other parks across the NPS system, along with background on NPS history and mission. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and career exploration, giving participants direct exposure to multiple NPS job functions. The orientation also includes leadership development, mentoring basics, a service component, and recreational opportunities, with the added benefit of students interacting with staff from Kenai Fjords and other participating parks. After the orientation, participants transition into summer-long internships intended to deepen work skills, provide real-world experience, and immerse students in NPS operations and conservation-related career fields.
Responsibilities are split between SCA and NPS in a collaborative management approach. SCA is responsible for coordinating with NPS to recruit and select up to 22 academy orientation participants, co-developing the orientation curriculum, and overseeing the academy's development and progress. SCA also covers key participant support functions, including transportation to and from participating parks, living allowance support and subsistence/per diem during the program, providing a 24/7 staffed hotline, conducting site visits and performance evaluations, and arranging housing for participants, SCA staff, and guest speakers during the orientation. In addition, SCA facilitates the placement of participants into their internship sites.
NPS, in turn, agrees to work jointly with SCA on planning and coordination and to support recruitment efforts for student participants. NPS hosts the week-long orientation in Seward with Kenai Fjords as the host park, helps develop the summer mentorship program, assists with orientation curriculum development, and delivers presentations that cover NPS history, mission, and career opportunities. This structure makes the program both a training academy and a mentorship-linked pathway, connecting classroom-level learning with field-based experience and professional networking inside the park system.
The notice also explains why the award is being made without full and open competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), agencies must justify why competition is not practicable. While multiple single-source justification criteria exist (such as continuation, unique qualifications, legislative intent, and emergencies), the specific justification here is that this task agreement is being issued under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031) that was previously competed and awarded to SCA. In other words, the agency is using an established partnership framework to carry out the Alaska Region SCA Academy activities rather than opening a new competitive solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Alaska SCA Academy funding opportunity?
The Alaska SCA Academy opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPS DOIP16AC00204) is a National Park Service (NPS) notice announcing the intent to fund a specific, pre-identified project. It supports the project titled "SCA Academy - NPS Alaska Region," which is focused on workforce development and conservation education for young adults, particularly college students from diverse backgrounds.
Is this a competitive grant that the public can apply for?
No. This notice is not a request for applications and does not invite the public to apply. It is a public announcement that NPS intends to issue a task agreement to a specific partner under an already-established cooperative agreement.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The notice explains that NPS plans to issue a task agreement under Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031, which was previously competed and awarded to SCA.
What does "without competition" mean in this notice?
Why is the award being made without full and open competition?
The notice cites the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) and states the justification is that the task agreement is being issued under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00031) that was previously competed and awarded to SCA. Because the partnership mechanism is already in place, NPS is not opening a new competition for the same work.
Which federal agency is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What is the CFDA number and program category associated with this award?
The award is associated with CFDA 15.931 (Education) and is categorized as a discretionary opportunity.
What is the project title?
The project is titled "SCA Academy - NPS Alaska Region."
What is the main goal of the SCA Academy - NPS Alaska Region project?
The central goal is to create a workforce development and conservation education pipeline. The project is designed to introduce participants to NPS, highlight career paths within NPS, and provide early-career experiences that can help students move toward NPS employment or become long-term conservation stewards.
Who is the project designed to serve?
The project is designed for young adults, particularly college students from diverse backgrounds.
What are the major components of the program?
The program includes two main components: (1) a week-long academy orientation and (2) a summer-long internship placement in NPS-related career fields.
Where does the week-long orientation take place?
The orientation is hosted in Seward, Alaska, with Kenai Fjords National Park serving as the host park.
What does the orientation cover?
During orientation, students receive introductions to Kenai Fjords and other parks across the NPS system, along with background on NPS history and mission. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and career exploration, giving participants exposure to multiple NPS job functions.
Does the orientation include leadership or service activities?
Yes. The orientation includes leadership development, mentoring basics, a service component, and recreational opportunities, and it also creates opportunities for participants to interact with staff from Kenai Fjords and other participating parks.
What happens after the orientation week?
After the orientation, participants transition into summer-long internships intended to deepen work skills, provide real-world experience, and immerse students in NPS operations and conservation-related career fields.
How many participants can take part in the academy orientation?
The notice indicates SCA will recruit and select up to 22 academy orientation participants in coordination with NPS.
What is the anticipated funding amount for the project?
The anticipated federal funding for the project is $165,431.23.
Is there a cost share requirement or contribution mentioned?
Yes. The notice lists a cost share contribution of $71,766.50.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed at $170,000.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the period of performance for the planned agreement?
The planned period of performance runs from March 13, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
What award instrument will be used?
The award instrument is a task agreement issued under Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031.
What statutory authority is cited for this agreement?
The notice cites statutory authority 16 USC 1723(c)(1).
What responsibilities does SCA have under the collaborative approach?
SCA is responsible for coordinating with NPS to recruit and select participants (up to 22), co-developing the orientation curriculum, overseeing the academy's development and progress, and facilitating internship placements. SCA also provides key participant support functions, including transportation to and from participating parks, living allowance support and subsistence/per diem during the program, a 24/7 staffed hotline, site visits and performance evaluations, and housing arrangements for participants, SCA staff, and guest speakers during the orientation.
What responsibilities does NPS have under the collaborative approach?
NPS agrees to work jointly with SCA on planning and coordination, support recruitment efforts, host the week-long orientation in Seward (with Kenai Fjords as the host park), help develop the summer mentorship program, assist with orientation curriculum development, and deliver presentations on NPS history, mission, and career opportunities.
Does the program include mentoring?
Yes. The structure described includes mentoring basics during orientation and mentions that NPS will help develop the summer mentorship program tied to the internship experience.
Who is the point of contact listed in the notice?
The point of contact identified in the notice is James Cato.
What is the purpose of publishing a notice like this if applications are not being accepted?
Based on the notice description, the purpose is to publicly announce NPS's intent to fund a specific project with a pre-identified partner, including the rationale for using a non-competitive approach under an existing, previously competed cooperative agreement.
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