Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00086
Apply for P15AS00086
- The National Park Service in the community development education environment natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Challenge Cost Share Projects Outdoor Foundation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.943 Challenge Cost Share.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 6, 2015 and posted on Apr 6, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $386,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $386,000.00 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 National Park Service (NPS) posted this item as a Notice of Intent to Award under Funding Opportunity Number P15AS00086, titled "Challenge Cost Share Projects - Outdoor Foundation." It is not a competitive grant solicitation and not a request for applications. Instead, it serves as public notice that NPS plans to make a single award, without full and open competition, to The Outdoor Foundation through a cooperative agreement action that continues an existing partnership. The anticipated federal funding amount is $386,000, and the project includes a cost share (matching) requirement. The action is structured as a Task Agreement (P15AC00416) issued under an existing Cooperative Agreement (P14AC01267), with an expected period of performance running from the date of final signature through January 31, 2016.
The purpose of the award is to support the FY15 Challenge Cost Share Program, which is designed to fund and deliver partnership-driven projects that benefit national parks, NPS sites, and NPS programs. The central objective is a collaborative effort between the Outdoor Foundation and NPS to broaden outreach to qualified organizations nationwide, help develop and support locally generated projects, and ensure those projects align with shared goals while improving services or outcomes for NPS visitors and programs. The opportunity sits within CFDA 15.943 (Challenge Cost Share) and is categorized under discretionary assistance with activity areas including community development, education, environment, natural resources, and regional development. Although the eligible applicant category listed is 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education), the posting makes clear that NPS is proceeding with a continuation award to a specific recipient rather than opening a competition.
The Outdoor Foundations role under the cooperative agreement is hands-on project support and program administration across a portfolio of locally led partner projects. Key responsibilities include tracking and supporting Challenge Cost Share projects that are generated by local partner organizations and approved by NPS, providing assistance to those organizations so projects are completed successfully, and ensuring the work addresses priorities at NPS sites and within NPS programs. The Outdoor Foundation is also responsible for executing project agreements with selected partners to confirm that funding is used only for approved purposes and that each project has clearly documented cost share contributions. In addition, the Foundation must provide written and graphic documentation of results back to NPS and work closely with NPS regional offices and the Washington Office to promote the program, help manage it equitably across regions, and support projects nationwide.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement rather than a simple pass-through grant. NPS duties include directing the process for soliciting local projects, making sure each proposed project has endorsement from an NPS site or program and that there is a committed local partner providing cost share support. NPS also supplies detailed guidelines covering application requirements, accounting standards, and documentation expectations for participating projects, and it identifies partnership program coordinators in every NPS region to help with evaluation and coordination. NPS makes the final project selections, verifies that NPS participation is clearly defined, connects partners with appropriate points of contact and technical expertise at NPS sites and programs, and provides the federal funding intended to stimulate and support the overall set of activities.
The legal authority cited for the award comes from 54 USC 101702(a) and 54 USC 101701(b). In practical terms, these provisions allow NPS to enter into cooperative agreements and to share costs or services with a wide range of partners (including nonprofits) to carry out authorized NPS functions across park units, affiliated areas, and designated National Scenic or Historic Trails. The single-source decision is justified under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2) using the "Continuation" criterion, meaning the funded activities are necessary to complete or continue work already underway, and running a new competition would be expected to disrupt continuity or completion. The posting also includes the NPS point of contact for questions: June Zastrow (303-987-6718, JuneZastrow@nps.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this notice about?
This posting is a National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) P15AS00086, titled "Challenge Cost Share Projects - Outdoor Foundation." It serves as public notice that NPS plans to make a single award to a specific organization.
Is this a competitive grant or open solicitation?
No. The notice explicitly states it is not a competitive grant solicitation and not a request for applications. It is a single-award action without full and open competition.
Can my organization apply for this funding?
Based on the notice, NPS is proceeding with a continuation award to The Outdoor Foundation rather than opening the opportunity to applicants. Even though an eligible applicant category is listed (501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education), the posting indicates the award is not being competed.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is The Outdoor Foundation.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
NPS intends to use a cooperative agreement action, structured as a Task Agreement (P15AC00416) issued under an existing Cooperative Agreement (P14AC01267).
What is the anticipated federal funding amount?
The anticipated federal funding amount is $386,000.
Is there a matching or cost share requirement?
Yes. The project includes a cost share (matching) requirement, meaning non-federal contributions are expected as part of the overall project funding structure.
What is the period of performance?
The expected period of performance runs from the date of final signature through January 31, 2016.
What program does this support?
The award supports the FY15 Challenge Cost Share Program, which is designed to fund and deliver partnership-driven projects that benefit national parks, NPS sites, and NPS programs.
What is the main goal of the effort described in the notice?
The central objective is a collaborative effort between the Outdoor Foundation and NPS to broaden outreach to qualified organizations nationwide, help develop and support locally generated projects, and ensure those projects align with shared goals while improving services or outcomes for NPS visitors and programs.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.943 (Challenge Cost Share).
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary assistance, with activity areas including community development, education, environment, natural resources, and regional development.
Why is NPS using a single-source (non-competitive) approach?
The notice cites a single-source justification under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2) using the "Continuation" criterion. This indicates the funded activities are necessary to complete or continue work already underway, and a new competition could disrupt continuity or completion.
What legal authority is cited for making this award?
The legal authority cited is 54 USC 101702(a) and 54 USC 101701(b), which allow NPS to enter into cooperative agreements and to share costs or services with partners (including nonprofits) to carry out authorized NPS functions across relevant NPS areas and programs.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
It means NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement in the project rather than making a simple pass-through grant. NPS will play an active role in directing and coordinating key aspects of how local projects are solicited, endorsed, selected, and supported.
What responsibilities does The Outdoor Foundation have under this cooperative agreement?
According to the notice, The Outdoor Foundation provides hands-on project support and program administration across a portfolio of locally led partner projects. Responsibilities include tracking and supporting Challenge Cost Share projects approved by NPS, assisting local partner organizations with successful completion, ensuring work addresses NPS priorities, executing project agreements with selected partners, documenting cost share contributions, and providing written and graphic documentation of results back to NPS.
What does NPS do under the cooperative agreement?
NPS directs the process for soliciting local projects, ensures each project has endorsement from an NPS site or program and a committed local cost share partner, provides guidelines for application requirements and accounting/documentation expectations, identifies regional partnership coordinators, makes final project selections, verifies NPS participation is clearly defined, connects partners with technical expertise and points of contact, and provides federal funding to stimulate and support the overall set of activities.
Will local partner organizations be involved even though the award is single-source?
Yes. The notice describes a portfolio of locally led partner projects generated by local partner organizations and approved by NPS, with the Outdoor Foundation supporting those partners and executing project agreements to confirm proper use of funds and documented cost share contributions.
What kinds of outcomes or deliverables are expected from the funded work?
The notice indicates expectations such as successful completion of locally generated projects that align with NPS priorities, documented cost share contributions, and written and graphic documentation of results provided back to NPS, along with nationwide program promotion and equitable management across regions.
Who can be contacted for questions about this notice?
The NPS point of contact listed is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: JuneZastrow@nps.gov.
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