Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00258
Apply for P15AS00258
- The National Park Service in the education employment, labor and training environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Characterizing air quality in Theodore Roosevelt Rocky Mountain National Parks" 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 Jul 30, 2015 and posted on Jul 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 10, 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 $270,009.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $270,009.00 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 grant opportunity titled "Characterizing air quality in Theodore Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain National Parks" is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award a cooperative agreement to Colorado State University (CSU). It is not an open solicitation and is not asking for new applications. Instead, it serves as a public notification that NPS plans to fund a specific continuation project without competition. The total anticipated award is $270,009, with no cost share or matching requirement, and the work is expected to run from the date of award through September 30, 2016. The award is issued under statutory authority 54 USC 101702(a) and 54 USC 101702(b), and is associated with CFDA 15.945, which covers cooperative research and training programs related to resources of the National Park System. The project is administered through the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), using a negotiated indirect cost rate of 17.5 percent.
At its core, the project is about analyzing and interpreting air quality data and related environmental measurements collected in and around two national parks: Theodore Roosevelt National Park (influenced by activity in the surrounding Bakken shale region) and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), which experiences pollutant transport and complex atmospheric chemistry tied to the Colorado Front Range. Rather than focusing on deploying entirely new large-scale field campaigns, the work emphasizes continued analysis of existing datasets from prior sampling efforts and targeted follow-on measurements. The intent is to better understand pollutant concentrations, chemical composition, and deposition processes that affect park ecosystems, including nitrogen deposition and ammonia exchange, both of which are major concerns for high-elevation and sensitive landscapes.
CSU's responsibilities center on scientific analysis and technical support across several connected study components. First, CSU will continue analyzing air quality measurements from 2013 and 2014 field experiments conducted in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and nearby areas impacted by the Bakken oil and gas development region. Second, CSU will analyze results from the July and August 2014 Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment (FRAPPE) deployment conducted in Rocky Mountain National Park, including interpretation of atmospheric measurements relevant to pollution transport and chemical transformation. Third, CSU will analyze reactive nitrogen species concentration and deposition monitoring in RMNP, which speaks directly to ecosystem exposure to nitrogen pollution through both air concentrations and deposition pathways. Fourth, CSU will evaluate pilot-scale testing of new methods aimed at determining bidirectional ammonia fluxes in RMNP, recognizing that ammonia can move both into and out of ecosystems depending on conditions and that measuring this exchange accurately is technically challenging but important for nitrogen budgeting. In addition, CSU will continue to maintain the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory, supporting ongoing capacity for field measurements. CSU will also analyze spring 2016 Rocky Mountain snowpack samples for organic and inorganic nitrogen (including oxidized and reduced forms), using snow chemistry as another way to estimate atmospheric deposition to mountain environments. Finally, CSU will complete analysis and produce peer-reviewed journal publications from earlier NPS-sponsored efforts, including work on national patterns, pathways, and historical trends in dry and wet deposition of reactive nitrogen.
NPS is not simply a funder in this arrangement; the project is structured as a cooperative agreement specifically because NPS will be substantially involved. NPS staff will participate in major phases of the work such as data analysis and report writing, and NPS will serve as coauthors on peer-reviewed publications that result from the research. NPS will also provide access to monitoring locations within the parks, as well as equipment shelters and specialized monitoring instruments where needed. To manage the collaboration, NPS will assign both an Agreement Technical Representative and an NPS Technical Lead. NPS scientists will work closely with CSU on interpreting key measurement categories from FRAPPE and related efforts, including fine particulate composition, volatile organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen gas-phase species, all of which are central to understanding visibility, ozone and secondary aerosol formation, and nutrient deposition effects in protected areas.
The notice explains why the award is being made without competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), NPS must justify when competitive procedures are not practicable. In this case, NPS cites the "Continuation" criterion, meaning the planned work is necessary to satisfactorily complete or continue an ongoing activity already being funded, and opening the work to competition would risk disrupting continuity, delaying completion, or breaking the linkage between datasets, methods, and personnel. The award is described as a task agreement (P15AC01356) under an existing cooperative agreement (P14AC00728), reinforcing that it is a continuation of established work rather than a new standalone project.
Administrative details included in the announcement note that the funding opportunity number is P15AS00258, it was posted July 30, 2015, and it had an original and current closing date of August 10, 2015, with an archive date of August 11, 2015. The expected number of awards is one, and eligible applicants are listed as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, although the notice makes clear that this specific action is intended for CSU as a continuation award. The named point of contact is June Zastrow at NPS (phone 303-987-6718, email junezastrow@nps.gov), who is the listed contact for accessing the announcement and related information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this grant opportunity open for new applications?
No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award a cooperative agreement to Colorado State University (CSU). It is not an open solicitation and is not requesting new proposals or applications.
Why is the award being made without competition?
NPS states the award is being made as a single-source continuation under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). The reason given is that the work continues an ongoing effort and competing it could disrupt continuity, delay completion, or break linkages among existing datasets, methods, and personnel.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is Colorado State University (CSU).
How much funding is anticipated?
The total anticipated award amount is $270,009.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice indicates there is no cost share or matching requirement.
What is the expected period of performance?
The work is expected to run from the date of award through September 30, 2016.
What is the project about in plain terms?
The project focuses on analyzing and interpreting air quality data and related environmental measurements collected in and around Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The emphasis is on continued analysis of existing datasets from prior sampling efforts, plus targeted follow-on measurements, to better understand pollutant concentrations, chemical composition, and deposition processes that affect park ecosystems.
Which parks are included in this work?
The work covers Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
What air quality concerns are motivating the work in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is described as being influenced by activity in the surrounding Bakken shale region. The project includes continued analysis of air quality measurements from 2013 and 2014 field experiments in the park and nearby impacted areas.
What air quality concerns are motivating the work in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Rocky Mountain National Park is described as experiencing pollutant transport and complex atmospheric chemistry tied to the Colorado Front Range. The work includes analysis of data related to pollution transport, chemical transformation, and reactive nitrogen exposure and deposition.
Does the project involve new large-scale field campaigns?
Not primarily. The notice explains that the work emphasizes continued analysis of existing datasets from prior sampling efforts along with targeted follow-on measurements, rather than deploying entirely new large-scale field campaigns.
What specific study components will CSU work on?
CSU responsibilities include: (1) continued analysis of 2013 and 2014 air quality measurements from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and nearby Bakken-influenced areas; (2) analysis of July-August 2014 FRAPPE deployment results in RMNP; (3) analysis of reactive nitrogen species concentration and deposition monitoring in RMNP; (4) evaluation of pilot-scale testing of methods to determine bidirectional ammonia fluxes in RMNP; (5) continued maintenance of the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory; (6) analysis of spring 2016 Rocky Mountain snowpack samples for organic and inorganic nitrogen (oxidized and reduced forms); and (7) completion of analyses and peer-reviewed publications from earlier NPS-sponsored work on patterns, pathways, and historical trends in dry and wet deposition of reactive nitrogen.
What is FRAPPE and how is it used in this project?
FRAPPE refers to the Front Range Air Pollution and Photochemistry Experiment. The notice specifies CSU will analyze results from the July and August 2014 FRAPPE deployment conducted in Rocky Mountain National Park, including interpretation of measurements relevant to pollution transport and chemical transformation.
What does the project mean by “reactive nitrogen†and why is it important here?
The notice highlights reactive nitrogen species concentration and deposition monitoring in RMNP as a key component, noting nitrogen deposition and ammonia exchange are major concerns for high-elevation and sensitive landscapes. The work is intended to help understand ecosystem exposure through both air concentrations and deposition pathways.
What is meant by “bidirectional ammonia flux†in RMNP?
The notice describes ammonia as capable of moving both into and out of ecosystems depending on conditions. The project includes evaluating pilot-scale testing of methods to determine this bidirectional exchange, which is described as technically challenging but important for nitrogen budgeting.
What role does snowpack chemistry play in the project?
CSU will analyze spring 2016 Rocky Mountain snowpack samples for organic and inorganic nitrogen (including oxidized and reduced forms). The notice frames snow chemistry as another way to estimate atmospheric deposition to mountain environments.
What is the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory and what will CSU do with it?
The notice states CSU will continue to maintain the NPS Mobile Air Sampling Laboratory to support ongoing capacity for field measurements.
Why is this being issued as a cooperative agreement instead of a standard grant?
The notice states the award is structured as a cooperative agreement because NPS will be substantially involved. NPS staff will participate in major phases such as data analysis and report writing and will serve as coauthors on peer-reviewed publications resulting from the research.
What specific involvement will NPS have in the work?
NPS will participate in data analysis and report writing, serve as coauthors on peer-reviewed publications, provide access to monitoring locations within the parks, and provide equipment shelters and specialized monitoring instruments where needed. NPS will also assign an Agreement Technical Representative and an NPS Technical Lead to manage collaboration.
What measurement categories are highlighted as central to NPS-CSU interpretation work?
The notice states NPS scientists will work closely with CSU on interpreting measurements from FRAPPE and related efforts, including fine particulate composition, volatile organic compounds, and reactive nitrogen gas-phase species.
What is the statutory authority for this award?
The notice cites 54 USC 101702(a) and 54 USC 101702(b) as the statutory authority.
What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.945, which covers cooperative research and training programs related to resources of the National Park System.
What administrative unit or program channel is used to administer the project?
The project is administered through the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
What indirect cost rate is referenced for this agreement?
The notice indicates a negotiated indirect cost rate of 17.5 percent.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is P15AS00258.
What are the key posting and closing dates listed in the notice?
The notice was posted July 30, 2015. The original and current closing date is August 10, 2015, and the archive date is August 11, 2015.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The expected number of awards is one.
Who is listed as eligible to apply, and does that mean applications will be accepted?
The notice lists eligible applicants as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. However, the notice also makes clear this specific action is intended as a continuation award to CSU and is not an open solicitation for new applications.
What is the relationship between the task agreement and the existing cooperative agreement?
The award is described as a task agreement (P15AC01356) under an existing cooperative agreement (P14AC00728), indicating it is a continuation of established work rather than a new standalone project.
Who is the point of contact for this notice?
The listed point of contact is June Zastrow at NPS. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
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