Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00078
Apply for NPS DOIP16AC00078
- The DOI-NPS in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Crew for EPMT at Wrangle St Elias National Park" 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 Dec 29, 2015 and posted on Dec 29, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 09, 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 $27,000.00 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 "Conservation Crew for EPMT at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NPS DOIP16AC00078; also referenced as Funding Announcement P16AC00078) is a National Park Service (NPS) public notice stating the agency's intent to fund a specific project without open competition. It is explicitly not a request for applications. Instead, it documents a planned single-source award under an existing cooperative agreement framework between the Department of the Interior/NPS and the Student Conservation Association (SCA). The project falls under CFDA 15.931 (environment-related assistance), uses a task agreement award instrument, and is authorized under 16 USC 1723(c)(1).
At a high level, the project is designed to support hands-on conservation work while also creating education, training, and employment-style opportunities for young adults. The crew will work alongside the park's Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) to help manage invasive plants at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The work is resource-management focused and combines field labor with skill-building in stewardship, safety, and environmental awareness. The announcement lists the point of contact as James Cato, and identifies NPS staff involvement for technical direction and oversight.
The core on-the-ground scope is invasive plant management. The conservation crew is expected to assist with surveying for invasive species, monitoring known infestations, and carrying out control activities. Control methods described are primarily manual and low-impact techniques such as pulling, digging, and cutting, supported by appropriate hand tools and safety gear. The opportunity also emphasizes educational outcomes: participants will learn to identify native versus non-native plants, gain exposure to public land stewardship, and build familiarity with the natural and cultural heritage of Wrangell-St. Elias. In addition, the crew may collect and cultivate native seeds to support small-scale restoration work, which ties invasive removal to follow-up habitat recovery.
The planned recipient is the Student Conservation Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the funding reflects a shared investment. The total anticipated federal award amount is $26,646.92, with a stated cost share of $10,095.78. The anticipated length of the agreement is four weeks, with an overall performance window noted as 4/22/2016 through 9/16/2016. The funding announcement also lists an award ceiling of $27,000, an expectation of one award, and a posting/creation date of December 29, 2015 (with a listed closing date of January 9, 2016, even though the notice is not soliciting applications).
Roles and responsibilities are split clearly between SCA and NPS. SCA is responsible for providing trained leadership and an equipped crew, including team leader training through SCA programs that cover Leave No Trace principles (referencing SCA's "Lightly on the Land"), backcountry and leadership skills, risk management, tool use, team building, and administrative basics. SCA also commits to supplying a supervised work crew for a predetermined number of work days, ensuring crew members are physically capable of completing 8-hour field days. Logistical support is a major component of SCA's contribution: transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias, transportation to work sites, subsistence during the tour, and necessary tools and camping equipment such as tents. SCA also provides participant support benefits such as a living allowance, insurance, and AmeriCorps awards when applicable, along with in-service commercial travel during the performance period. Additional support includes a 24/7 staffed hotline, site visits, and performance evaluations.
NPS, in turn, provides the federal financial assistance amount and covers the cost of the team leader training before the crew begins work. The park commits to onboarding and operational support through general orientation to park operations, NPS mission context, and safety training. NPS assigns a qualified technical representative (named in the notice as Chris Overbaugh) to serve as the work lead, provide day-to-day direction, specify work methods and priorities, offer technical advice, make corrections or adjustments as needed, and provide final approval of the completed work. NPS also agrees to provide necessary equipment and supplies relevant to the tasks, including specialized tools when available, hands-on training, and a designated place for the crew to set up living quarters. At the end of the project, the park will produce a written completion evaluation assessing outcomes and SCA performance.
The reason this award is non-competitive is also spelled out. Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification when competition is not practical, and the notice summarizes allowable justifications such as unsolicited proposals, continuation needs, legislative intent, unique qualifications, or emergencies. In this case, the NPS justification is that the task agreement is being issued under an existing, previously competed cooperative agreement (referenced as Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031) with the SCA for conservation projects. In other words, rather than opening a new competition, NPS is using an already-competed umbrella agreement to issue a project-specific task agreement for this particular invasive plant management crew effort.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a short-duration, field-based invasive species support project at Wrangell-St. Elias that also functions as a workforce development and conservation training experience for young adults, with SCA handling recruitment, training, logistics, and participant support, and NPS providing funding, technical oversight, safety orientation, and project direction under a pre-existing cooperative agreement structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Conservation Crew for EPMT at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park" opportunity?
It is a National Park Service (NPS) public notice describing the agency's intent to fund a specific project: a short-duration conservation crew supporting the park's Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) with invasive plant management at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
Is this a competitive grant or open funding opportunity?
No. The notice explicitly states it is not a request for applications. It documents a planned single-source (non-competitive) award.
Can organizations or individuals apply for this funding?
No. Based on the notice, the NPS is not soliciting applications and is not running an open competition for this project.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Why is the award being made without open competition?
The notice explains that the task agreement will be issued under an existing, previously competed cooperative agreement between NPS and SCA (Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031). Because the underlying cooperative agreement was already competed, NPS is issuing a project-specific task agreement rather than opening a new competition.
What are the main project goals?
The project is designed to support hands-on resource management work (invasive plant management) while also providing education, training, and employment-style opportunities for young adults through a field-based conservation crew experience.
Where will the work take place?
The work will take place at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
What does EPMT stand for in this announcement?
EPMT refers to the park's Exotic Plant Management Team, which focuses on managing invasive (non-native) plants.
What kinds of tasks will the conservation crew perform?
The crew is expected to assist with surveying for invasive species, monitoring known infestations, and conducting control activities.
What control methods are described in the notice?
The notice emphasizes manual, low-impact control methods such as pulling, digging, and cutting, using appropriate hand tools and safety gear.
Does the project include restoration work after invasive plant removal?
It may. The notice indicates the crew may collect and cultivate native seeds to support small-scale restoration work, linking invasive removal with follow-up habitat recovery.
What educational or workforce development outcomes are emphasized?
Participants are expected to learn to identify native versus non-native plants, gain exposure to public land stewardship, build skills related to safety and stewardship, and become familiar with the natural and cultural heritage of Wrangell-St. Elias.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS DOIP16AC00078. The notice is also referenced as Funding Announcement P16AC00078.
What CFDA program is associated with this project?
The project is listed under CFDA 15.931 (environment-related assistance).
What type of award instrument is planned?
The notice describes the award as a task agreement issued under an existing cooperative agreement framework.
What legal authority is cited for this project?
The notice cites authorization under 16 USC 1723(c)(1).
How much federal funding is anticipated?
The total anticipated federal award amount is $26,646.92.
Is there a cost share component?
Yes. The notice lists a cost share of $10,095.78.
Is there an award ceiling?
Yes. The funding announcement lists an award ceiling of $27,000.
How many awards does NPS expect to make?
The notice states there is an expectation of one award.
How long is the project expected to last?
The anticipated length of the agreement is four weeks.
What is the overall performance window noted in the announcement?
The overall performance window is listed as 4/22/2016 through 9/16/2016.
What are the posting and closing dates shown in the notice?
The posting/creation date is December 29, 2015. A closing date of January 9, 2016 is also listed, even though the notice states it is not soliciting applications.
Who is the point of contact for the opportunity?
The notice lists James Cato as the point of contact.
Who provides technical direction for the work at the park?
NPS assigns a qualified technical representative to provide day-to-day direction and oversight. The notice names Chris Overbaugh in this role.
What responsibilities does the Student Conservation Association (SCA) have under this project?
SCA is responsible for providing trained leadership and an equipped crew, including team leader training through SCA programs. SCA also provides a supervised crew for a predetermined number of work days and ensures crew members are physically capable of completing 8-hour field days.
What types of training are included on the SCA side?
The notice describes team leader training through SCA programs covering Leave No Trace principles (referencing SCA's "Lightly on the Land"), backcountry and leadership skills, risk management, tool use, team building, and administrative basics.
What logistical support does SCA provide?
SCA provides transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias, transportation to work sites, subsistence during the tour, and necessary tools and camping equipment such as tents. SCA also provides in-service commercial travel during the performance period.
What participant support benefits are mentioned?
The notice mentions a living allowance, insurance, and AmeriCorps awards when applicable.
What additional support does SCA provide during the project?
The notice describes additional support such as a 24/7 staffed hotline, site visits, and performance evaluations.
What responsibilities does the National Park Service (NPS) have under this project?
NPS provides the federal financial assistance amount and covers the cost of team leader training before the crew begins work. The park also provides orientation to park operations, NPS mission context, and safety training, and supplies technical direction and oversight through its designated representative.
Does NPS provide equipment or a place to live?
Yes. The notice states NPS will provide necessary equipment and supplies relevant to the tasks (including specialized tools when available), hands-on training, and a designated place for the crew to set up living quarters.
How is project performance evaluated at the end?
The notice states the park will produce a written completion evaluation assessing outcomes and SCA performance.
What policy is referenced regarding non-competitive awards?
The notice references Department of the Interior policy 505 DM 2, which requires a written justification when competition is not practical.
What kinds of justifications for non-competitive awards are mentioned?
The notice summarizes allowable justifications such as unsolicited proposals, continuation needs, legislative intent, unique qualifications, or emergencies, and then explains the specific basis used here: issuing a task agreement under an already-competed cooperative agreement with SCA.
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