Opportunity Information: Apply for P13AS00125
Apply for P13AS00125
- The National Park Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2013)" 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 8, 2013 and posted on Jul 8, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Continuation of a collaborative effort between NPS and UAF Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA).. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $49,686.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $49,686.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity "Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2013)" is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement intended to continue and expand an existing partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), specifically through UAF's Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA). Issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program, the project is designed to strengthen the technical pipeline for acquiring, processing, archiving, and delivering satellite-based data products that NPS uses to track major ecological and seasonal landscape processes across Alaska parklands. The planned award amount is $49,686, with no cost-sharing requirement, and it falls under CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System). The statutory authority cited is 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j), which allows NPS to enter into cooperative research and training agreements with educational institutions and other partners, including the provision of staff support, funding, and related services for mutually agreed research efforts.
At its core, the project focuses on building out and keeping current two key classes of satellite-derived monitoring products: vegetation greenness metrics derived from NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and a suite of snow-cover metrics. These products support NPS Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring (AKR IM) staff in tracking when vegetation greens up and senesces, how long the growing season lasts, how snow cover forms and disappears, and how lake and inland-water ice timing changes over time. The work leverages GINA's established capabilities as Alaska's satellite data downlink and management facility, including its existing archives for MODIS and AVHRR sensors and its experience distributing geospatial data to operational users. In practical terms, the goal is to make these monitoring datasets more consistent, more automated, and easier to access, so park scientists can spend less time on manual processing steps and more time interpreting trends and variability relevant to climate and ecosystem change.
The project is structured around four primary objectives. First, GINA will update existing MODIS-based NDVI and snow metric products by adding the most recent years of data and maintaining the processing "stack" so updates can continue annually. Second, GINA will develop an AVHRR processing approach capable of generating NDVI seasonal metrics for Alaska, essentially adapting the existing MODIS metrics workflow so it works reliably with AVHRR time-series products. Third, the team will evaluate whether AVHRR data are suitable for producing Alaska-focused snow metrics (recognizing that sensor characteristics and data quality constraints may affect snow mapping compared with MODIS). Fourth, all satellite imagery and derived metric products will be distributed not only to NPS staff but also to public users through standard online delivery methods, including Web Coverage Services (WCS), Web Map Services (WMS) where applicable, and direct download via HTTP and FTP.
Deliverables are spelled out in fairly operational detail. For MODIS NDVI metrics, GINA will update annual vegetation timing layers and enhance the algorithm to estimate a "threshold greenness" value beyond the start of season, such as the date when NDVI reaches 20 percent of its seasonal maximum. The resulting public-facing data feeds will provide yearly raster layers for metrics including onset of greenness (onp), a threshold greenness timing layer (lfonp, with final threshold to be determined), end of greenness (endp), duration of greenness (durp), maximum NDVI value (maxv), and the date of maximum NDVI (maxp). GINA will also produce documentation describing the MODIS NDVI workflow, provide the underlying processing scripts (noted as IDL code) on a hard drive, and maintain a project website used by NPS and GINA staff to access the NDVI metrics.
For MODIS snow metrics, GINA will refine how the "continuous snow season" is defined and then update the most recent snow-year metrics on an annual basis. Distribution will again rely on a publicly accessible HTTP/FTP site and WCS feeds. The snow product is described as a 12-band yearly raster output capturing a broad set of timing and persistence indicators: the first and last day of the full snow season, the length of that full season, the start and end of the longest continuous snow segment, the length of that segment, total snow days and no-snow days, the number of continuous snow season segments, a flag describing pixel and snow type (land/ocean/water and snow condition), cloud-day counts, and total days within continuous-snow segments. GINA will also provide the programming code used to generate these snow metrics, supporting transparency and repeatability.
A major expansion element is the AVHRR NDVI work. GINA will process NDVI datasets and seasonal metrics from the AVHRR archive dating from 1989 to the present, using existing 7- and 14-day NDVI composite products for statewide Alaska coverage. The plan is to port or adapt the MODIS NDVI seasonal metrics algorithm so it accommodates AVHRR data characteristics, then have NPS and other science partners review the outputs for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). Once the products pass review, GINA will run the full AVHRR archive and deliver both the underlying raster data and the derived annual metrics to NPS via HTTP/FTP and physical hard drive, accompanied by a written technical report and the processing scripts used to generate the products.
NPS is not a passive funder in this cooperative agreement, and the announcement emphasizes substantial federal involvement. AKR IM staff will collaborate directly with GINA analysts to automate existing manual workflows for image analysis tied to three main monitoring themes: lake and inland-water ice timing (including freeze-up timing and duration), snow cover establishment and melt timing and persistence, and growing-season NDVI behavior (start and end of season, duration, and peak greenness). NPS will also partner with GINA on the practical side of data access by developing query-based web delivery methods, particularly through WCS interfaces for AVHRR and MODIS imagery and derived NDVI and snow products. In addition, NPS staff will conduct QA/QC on deliverables, host product delivery and training meetings in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and receive training from GINA on using the vegetation and snow extent web services. The agreement also includes an expectation that NPS will acknowledge cooperation with GINA in publications that use these products.
Finally, the notice explains why the award is being handled as a single-source action rather than a competed opportunity. The justification is based on "continuation and unique qualifications." GINA is described as a specialized satellite downlink, processing, archiving, and distribution facility housed at UAF's Geophysical Institute, already operating as a major Alaska-focused geospatial data clearinghouse with substantial MODIS and AVHRR holdings and established user interfaces for searching and downloading imagery. Because this effort is explicitly a follow-on to prior joint work and depends on GINA's existing infrastructure, data archives, and established processing and distribution workflows, NPS argues that competing the work is not practical. The public notice also provides contact information for access help (Tina Spengler, Agreements Officer, NPS Alaska Regional Office) and points to the associated Grants.gov listing (Funding Opportunity Number P13AS00125).
FAQs: Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2013)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement titled "Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2013)." It is designed to continue and expand an existing NPS partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), specifically UAF's Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA), to support satellite-data products used for monitoring ecological and seasonal landscape processes in Alaska national parks.
2) Which agency is offering the award?
The awarding agency is the National Park Service (NPS), including the NPS Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring (AKR IM) program staff as key collaborators.
3) What type of award mechanism is being used?
The project is issued as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. The notice emphasizes substantial federal involvement, which is a hallmark of a cooperative agreement (as described in the opportunity summary).
4) What is the funding amount for this project?
The planned award amount is $49,686.
5) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing requirement.
6) What CFDA program does this fall under?
This opportunity falls under CFDA 15.945, described as "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System."
7) What legal authority supports this cooperative agreement?
The cited statutory authority is 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j). As described in the notice, it authorizes NPS to enter into cooperative research and training agreements with educational institutions and other partners, including providing staff support, funding, and related services for mutually agreed research efforts.
8) Who is the intended partner/recipient for this award?
The agreement is intended to continue and expand an existing partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), through UAF's Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA).
9) What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is intended to strengthen and keep current a technical pipeline for acquiring, processing, archiving, and delivering satellite-based data products used by NPS to track major ecological and seasonal landscape processes across Alaska parklands. A practical goal described in the notice is to make the monitoring datasets more consistent, more automated, and easier to access so park scientists spend less time on manual processing and more time interpreting trends and variability related to climate and ecosystem change.
10) What kinds of satellite-derived products are the focus?
The work focuses on two key classes of monitoring products: (1) vegetation greenness metrics derived from NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and (2) a suite of snow-cover metrics.
11) What monitoring questions do these products help answer?
As described, the products support NPS AKR IM staff in tracking timing and duration of vegetation green-up and senescence, growing season length, snow cover formation and disappearance, and changes over time in lake and inland-water ice timing.
12) Which satellite sensors/data sources are used?
The opportunity references MODIS and AVHRR data. GINA is described as having established archives for MODIS and AVHRR and experience distributing geospatial data to operational users.
13) What are the primary objectives of the project?
The notice describes four primary objectives:
- Update existing MODIS-based NDVI and snow metric products by adding the most recent years of data and maintaining the processing "stack" for annual updates.
- Develop an AVHRR processing approach to generate NDVI seasonal metrics for Alaska by adapting the MODIS workflow to AVHRR time-series products.
- Evaluate whether AVHRR data are suitable for producing Alaska-focused snow metrics, acknowledging potential sensor/data-quality constraints relative to MODIS.
- Distribute all satellite imagery and derived metric products to NPS staff and to public users via online delivery methods including WCS, WMS where applicable, and direct download via HTTP and FTP.
14) What MODIS NDVI metric layers will be delivered?
The public-facing yearly raster layers described for MODIS NDVI include:
- onset of greenness (onp)
- a threshold greenness timing layer (lfonp, with final threshold to be determined)
- end of greenness (endp)
- duration of greenness (durp)
- maximum NDVI value (maxv)
- date of maximum NDVI (maxp)
15) What algorithm enhancement is planned for MODIS NDVI metrics?
GINA will enhance the algorithm to estimate a "threshold greenness" value beyond the start of season, such as the date when NDVI reaches 20 percent of its seasonal maximum. The notice notes that the final threshold for the lfonp layer is to be determined.
16) What documentation or code will be provided for MODIS NDVI processing?
GINA will produce documentation describing the MODIS NDVI workflow and provide the underlying processing scripts (noted as IDL code) on a hard drive. The project also includes maintaining a project website used by NPS and GINA staff to access the NDVI metrics.
17) What MODIS snow metrics will be delivered?
The MODIS snow product is described as a 12-band yearly raster output providing timing and persistence indicators for snow cover. The bands/indicators described include:
- first day of the full snow season
- last day of the full snow season
- length of the full snow season
- start of the longest continuous snow segment
- end of the longest continuous snow segment
- length of the longest continuous snow segment
- total snow days
- total no-snow days
- number of continuous snow season segments
- a pixel and snow type flag (land/ocean/water and snow condition)
- cloud-day counts
- total days within continuous-snow segments
18) Will the definition of the snow season be updated?
Yes. The opportunity states GINA will refine how the "continuous snow season" is defined and then update the most recent snow-year metrics annually.
19) Will the snow-metrics programming code be provided?
Yes. GINA will provide the programming code used to generate the MODIS snow metrics, supporting transparency and repeatability.
20) What is included in the AVHRR NDVI expansion work?
GINA will process NDVI datasets and seasonal metrics from the AVHRR archive dating from 1989 to the present. The work uses existing 7- and 14-day NDVI composite products for statewide Alaska coverage, and it includes adapting/porting the MODIS seasonal-metrics algorithm so it works with AVHRR characteristics.
21) How will quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) be handled for AVHRR outputs?
The plan described is that NPS and other science partners will review AVHRR outputs for QA/QC. After products pass review, GINA will run the full AVHRR archive and deliver the underlying raster data and derived annual metrics.
22) What AVHRR deliverables are expected after QA/QC?
After review, deliverables include AVHRR raster datasets, derived annual metrics, a written technical report, and the processing scripts used to generate the products. Delivery is described via HTTP/FTP and also by physical hard drive.
23) Will AVHRR be used for snow metrics too?
The project includes evaluating whether AVHRR data are suitable for producing Alaska-focused snow metrics. The notice notes that sensor characteristics and data-quality constraints may affect snow mapping compared with MODIS.
24) How will data and products be distributed?
Distribution described in the notice includes access for NPS staff and public users via standard online delivery methods, including Web Coverage Services (WCS), Web Map Services (WMS) where applicable, and direct download via HTTP and FTP. Some deliverables are also described as being provided on a physical hard drive.
25) What role does NPS play in this cooperative agreement?
NPS is described as having substantial involvement. AKR IM staff will collaborate with GINA analysts to automate existing manual workflows for image analysis tied to three monitoring themes: lake and inland-water ice timing (freeze-up timing and duration), snow cover establishment/melt timing and persistence, and growing-season NDVI behavior (start/end of season, duration, peak greenness). NPS staff will also conduct QA/QC on deliverables, host product delivery and training meetings in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and receive training from GINA on using the vegetation and snow extent web services.
26) Will there be web-based, query-driven access to the products?
Yes. The notice specifically describes NPS partnering with GINA to develop query-based web delivery methods, particularly through WCS interfaces for AVHRR and MODIS imagery and derived NDVI and snow products.
27) Are there expectations about acknowledging the partnership in publications?
Yes. The agreement includes an expectation that NPS will acknowledge cooperation with GINA in publications that use these products.
28) Why is this being handled as a single-source (non-competed) award?
The notice justifies single-source on "continuation and unique qualifications." It states GINA is a specialized satellite downlink, processing, archiving, and distribution facility at UAF's Geophysical Institute, already operating as a major Alaska-focused geospatial data clearinghouse with substantial MODIS and AVHRR holdings and established user interfaces. Because the effort is a follow-on to prior joint work and depends on GINA's existing infrastructure, archives, and workflows, NPS states competing the work is not practical.
29) What is GINA and why is it central to this work?
GINA is described as Alaska's satellite data downlink and management facility with established capabilities for processing, archiving, and distributing satellite data, including existing MODIS and AVHRR archives and operational experience providing geospatial data to users. The project is structured around leveraging and extending that existing capacity.
30) Where is this opportunity listed and what is the funding opportunity number?
The notice points to the associated Grants.gov listing and provides Funding Opportunity Number P13AS00125.
31) Who is the point of contact for access help?
The notice lists Tina Spengler, Agreements Officer, NPS Alaska Regional Office, as the contact for access help.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Inventory of Unique Plant Communities SCNP in advance of Cliamte Change
Previous opportunity: Social and Behavioral Interventions to Increase Solid Organ Donation
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for P13AS00125
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P13AS00125) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Vanished Villages Apply for P13AS00133 Funding Number: P13AS00133 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $77,500 |
| Ethnohistory and Ethnoarchaeology of Reindeer Herding on the Alaska Peninsula. (Year 3 Final) Apply for P13AS00136 Funding Number: P13AS00136 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $182,200 |
| Synthesis of historical and contemporary information on the avian fauna of Cape Krusenstern and Bering Land Bridge National Park Apply for P13AS00142 Funding Number: P13AS00142 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $54,389 |
| Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects Apply for F13AS00306 Funding Number: F13AS00306 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Youth Crew Stoll Trail Rehabilitation July 2014 Apply for FY2014 ISRO YCTR 0002 Funding Number: FY2014 ISRO YCTR 0002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2014) Apply for P14AS00185 Funding Number: P14AS00185 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $44,890 |
| Abanded Mineral Lands Support in Glen Canyon Recreation Area Apply for P14AS00219 Funding Number: P14AS00219 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $41,600 |
| Fall Caribou Survey Apply for 701819R175 Funding Number: 701819R175 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $12,000 |
| Regulatory Development for Subsistence Management Activities in Alaska Apply for 70181AR036 Funding Number: 70181AR036 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Estimation of Chinook Salmon Ecapement in Togiak River Watershed Apply for 70181AR039 Funding Number: 70181AR039 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $145,755 |
| 2010 Request for Proposals Seabird Monitoring Program Apply for 70181AR041 Funding Number: 70181AR041 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "P13AS00125", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.