Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00185
Apply for P14AS00185
- 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 (FY2014)" 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 17, 2014 and posted on Jul 17, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Services intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $44,890.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $44,890.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2014)" is a National Park Service (NPS) notice announcing its intent to fund a specific, non-competitive cooperative agreement with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network. CESUs are partnership frameworks used by federal agencies to collaborate with universities and other partners on research, technical support, and education tied to natural and cultural resource management. For FY2014, the intended award amount is $44,890, with no cost sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity falls under CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System) and is categorized within environment and natural resources activities.
Legally, the project is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j), which allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter agreements with educational institutions and other entities to build coordinated research and training programs related to National Park System resources, including the provision of staff support, funding, equipment, facilities, and administrative services when appropriate. Within that authority, the project is designed as a continuation and expansion of earlier work between the NPS Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring Program (AKR IM) and UAFs Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA), a major Alaska-focused satellite data downlink, processing, archiving, and distribution center housed at UAFs Geophysical Institute.
At a practical level, the purpose of the project is to strengthen the data pipeline NPS staff rely on to monitor large-scale landscape processes across Alaska national parks by expanding and updating satellite-derived products for vegetation and snow. Specifically, the partnership aims to augment GINAs existing holdings from the MODIS and AVHRR satellite sensors with updated and improved vegetation greenness products (NDVI, or Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and snow metrics products. These datasets help NPS staff track ecological timing and trends, including when green-up begins and ends, how long the growing season lasts, how snow cover forms and melts, and how ice conditions on large freshwater bodies shift over time. The broader intention is to streamline and automate workflows that NPS analysts otherwise would have to do more manually, while also making the resulting imagery and metrics easier to access through modern web-based distribution services.
The project is organized around four primary objectives. First, GINA will update existing MODIS-based NDVI and snow metric products with the most recent years of data and continue maintaining those archives on an annual update cycle. Second, GINA will develop an AVHRR processing algorithm to generate NDVI metrics tailored for Alaska, essentially adapting approaches already used for MODIS so that the longer historical AVHRR record can be used consistently. Third, the partnership will evaluate whether AVHRR data can reliably support the creation of snow metrics for Alaska, recognizing that snow mapping performance can vary by sensor characteristics and conditions. Fourth, the project will emphasize distribution: satellite imagery and derived NDVI and snow metrics are to be delivered not only to NPS users but also to the public through services such as Web Coverage Services (WCS), plus direct download options via HTTP and FTP.
The deliverables spelled out for UAF GINA are fairly specific and operational. For MODIS NDVI metrics, GINA is expected to update the metrics stack yearly and incorporate an additional calculation related to "threshold greenness" beyond the start of season, described as something like the date when NDVI reaches 20 percent of its maximum value (an approach often used to characterize early-season transition timing). GINA will serve these products through publicly accessible WCS/WMS feeds and a designated FTP site, and it will provide documentation and code. The NDVI metrics to be made available include onset of greenness timing, the threshold greenness timing (to be finalized), end of greenness, duration of greenness, maximum NDVI value, and timing of maximum NDVI. Alongside the data feeds, GINA must deliver an electronic report documenting the processing algorithm, plus a copy of the processing scripts (noted as IDL code) and continue maintaining a project website used by NPS and GINA staff.
For MODIS snow metrics, GINA will refine how the "continuous snow season" is defined and process the most recent snow-year metrics on an annual cycle. The outputs are described as yearly multi-band snow metric images (12 bands) distributed via a publicly accessible HTTP/FTP site and WCS feed. The metrics include first and last day of the full snow season, the length of the full snow season, the timing and duration of the longest continuous snow segment, counts of snow days and no-snow days, the number of continuous snow season segments, flags identifying pixel and snow type (including land/water distinctions and snow continuity categories), cloud day counts, and the total number of days within continuous snow segments. GINA is also expected to deliver the programming code used to produce these snow metrics, reinforcing that the project is meant to be repeatable and maintainable rather than a one-off analysis.
A major expansion element is the AVHRR NDVI work. GINA will process NDVI datasets and seasonal metrics for AVHRR 7-day and 14-day NDVI products covering Alaska from 1989 to the present, providing a longer-term record than MODIS alone can offer. This requires porting or adapting the MODIS NDVI metrics algorithm so it can operate properly with AVHRR data characteristics. After initial processing and code porting, NPS staff and other science partners will review the AVHRR-derived products for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). Once the products pass review, GINA will process the entire AVHRR archive and deliver both the archive and the yearly metrics to NPS via HTTP/FTP and via hard drive, along with an electronic methods report and the associated processing scripts.
The NPS role is described as "substantial involvement," which is typical for cooperative agreements where federal staff are active partners rather than passive funders. NPS Inventory and Monitoring staff are expected to work closely with GINA to automate analysis workflows tied to key indicators: lake ice freeze-up timing and duration, snowpack establishment and melt timing and duration, and growing season NDVI metrics such as start and end dates, season length, and peak greenness. NPS will also collaborate on building efficient, query-based web delivery methods through WCS for AVHRR and MODIS imagery and derived products, conduct QA/QC on GINA deliverables, and host product delivery and training meetings in Fairbanks and Anchorage so staff can review outputs and learn how to use the vegetation and snow web services effectively. Finally, NPS commits to acknowledging the cooperation with GINA in publications that rely on these satellite products.
The notice also explains why this is being handled as a single-source, non-competitive award. Under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2), agencies must justify why competition is not practicable. The justification here is based on continuity and unique qualifications: GINA already operates the Alaska-focused satellite downlink and archive infrastructure, already manages extensive AVHRR and MODIS holdings, already provides established interfaces for searching and downloading those datasets, and has been the long-term collaborator for the earlier phases of this same work. Because this project is explicitly a follow-on effort built on prior jointly developed methods, archives, and distribution systems, the NPS argues that bringing in a different partner would be inefficient and impractical.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00185, posted July 17, 2014, archived August 17, 2014, with an estimated total funding amount and ceiling of $44,890 (and an award floor of $25,000). Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with the CESU approach and the intention to fund UAF. Contact information is provided for the NPS Alaska Regional Office agreements officer for anyone needing access support for the announcement.
FAQs: Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2014)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to fund a specific cooperative agreement titled "Development, Processing, and Distribution of Satellite Data Products for Monitoring Landscape Processes in Alaska National Parks (FY2014)."
Is this a competitive grant opportunity?
No. The notice describes a single-source, non-competitive cooperative agreement. NPS states the award is intended for a specific partner due to continuity and unique qualifications.
Who is the intended recipient?
The intended recipient is the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), working through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, with the work carried out by UAF's Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) at the Geophysical Institute.
What is a CESU and why is it used here?
CESUs (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units) are partnership frameworks used by federal agencies to collaborate with universities and other partners on research, technical support, and education tied to natural and cultural resource management. This opportunity is being implemented through that partnership model.
Which agency is offering the award?
The offering agency is the National Park Service (NPS), specifically connected to the NPS Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring Program (AKR IM).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System."
What is the primary purpose of the project?
The project aims to strengthen and streamline the satellite data pipeline used by NPS staff to monitor large-scale landscape processes across Alaska national parks by expanding, updating, and improving satellite-derived vegetation (NDVI) and snow metrics products, and by improving web-based distribution services.
What kinds of landscape processes are being monitored with these products?
The products support monitoring of ecological timing and trends such as vegetation green-up start and end, growing season length, snow cover formation and melt, and ice conditions on large freshwater bodies over time.
Which satellite sensors and datasets are included?
The work focuses on MODIS and AVHRR satellite sensor data. It updates and maintains MODIS-based NDVI and snow metrics and expands processing for AVHRR NDVI products (including 7-day and 14-day composites) to support a longer historical record.
What are the four main objectives described for the project?
- Update existing MODIS-based NDVI and snow metrics with the most recent years of data and maintain archives on an annual update cycle.
- Develop an AVHRR processing algorithm to generate Alaska-tailored NDVI metrics by adapting methods used for MODIS.
- Evaluate whether AVHRR can reliably support creation of snow metrics for Alaska.
- Distribute imagery and derived NDVI and snow metrics to NPS users and the public through web services (such as WCS) and direct download methods (HTTP/FTP).
What is NDVI, in the context of this project?
NDVI stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. In this project, NDVI products and derived metrics are used to characterize vegetation greenness and seasonal timing (phenology), such as onset, end, duration, and peak greenness.
What MODIS NDVI metrics are expected as deliverables?
The deliverables include a yearly updated MODIS NDVI metrics stack and a set of NDVI metrics served via web services and FTP. The metrics listed include:
- Onset of greenness timing
- Threshold greenness timing (to be finalized)
- End of greenness
- Duration of greenness
- Maximum NDVI value
- Timing of maximum NDVI
What is the "threshold greenness" calculation mentioned for MODIS NDVI?
The notice describes an additional NDVI timing calculation related to "threshold greenness," described as something like the date when NDVI reaches 20 percent of its maximum value. This is intended to characterize early-season transition timing, with details to be finalized.
How will MODIS NDVI products be distributed?
The notice specifies distribution via publicly accessible web services such as WCS/WMS feeds and via a designated FTP site, along with documentation and code.
What MODIS snow metric deliverables are described?
GINA is expected to refine the definition of "continuous snow season" and process the most recent snow-year metrics on an annual cycle. The outputs are described as yearly multi-band snow metric images (12 bands), distributed via a publicly accessible HTTP/FTP site and a WCS feed.
What types of snow metrics are included in the MODIS snow products?
The notice lists snow metrics including:
- First and last day of the full snow season
- Length of the full snow season
- Timing and duration of the longest continuous snow segment
- Counts of snow days and no-snow days
- Number of continuous snow season segments
- Flags identifying pixel and snow type (including land/water distinctions and snow continuity categories)
- Cloud day counts
- Total number of days within continuous snow segments
Will code and documentation be delivered as part of the project?
Yes. The notice specifies that GINA will provide documentation and code for the MODIS NDVI products, deliver an electronic report documenting the processing algorithm, provide a copy of the processing scripts (noted as IDL code), and provide the programming code used to produce the snow metrics.
What AVHRR NDVI work is included in this project?
GINA will process NDVI datasets and seasonal metrics for AVHRR 7-day and 14-day NDVI products covering Alaska from 1989 to the present, creating a longer-term record than MODIS alone. This includes porting/adapting the MODIS NDVI metrics algorithm to work with AVHRR data characteristics.
What is the time span of the AVHRR archive described?
The notice specifies AVHRR NDVI products covering Alaska from 1989 to the present.
Is there a QA/QC step for AVHRR products?
Yes. After initial processing and code porting, NPS staff and other science partners will review the AVHRR-derived products for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) before GINA processes and delivers the full archive.
How will the AVHRR products be delivered?
After review and acceptance, the AVHRR archive and yearly metrics are to be delivered to NPS via HTTP/FTP and via hard drive, along with an electronic methods report and associated processing scripts.
What role does NPS play under this cooperative agreement?
The notice describes "substantial involvement" by NPS. NPS Inventory and Monitoring staff will collaborate with GINA to automate workflows, conduct QA/QC on deliverables, collaborate on query-based web delivery methods through WCS, and host product delivery and training meetings in Fairbanks and Anchorage. NPS also commits to acknowledging cooperation with GINA in publications that rely on these products.
What indicators or workflows are NPS staff focusing on?
The notice highlights automation and analysis workflows tied to indicators including:
- Lake ice freeze-up timing and duration
- Snowpack establishment and melt timing and duration
- Growing season NDVI metrics (start date, end date, season length, peak greenness)
What distribution services are specifically mentioned for public access?
The notice mentions Web Coverage Services (WCS) and also references WMS feeds for NDVI products, along with direct download options via HTTP and FTP.
Why did NPS justify a non-competitive, single-source award?
NPS cites continuity and unique qualifications. The justification notes that GINA already operates Alaska-focused satellite downlink and archive infrastructure, manages extensive AVHRR and MODIS holdings, provides established search/download interfaces, and has been the long-term collaborator for earlier phases. Because this effort is a follow-on built on prior jointly developed methods, archives, and distribution systems, NPS states that switching partners would be inefficient and impractical under DOI policy (505 DM 2).
What is the legal authority for the project?
The project is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j), which allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter agreements with educational institutions and other entities to support coordinated research and training programs related to National Park System resources, including support such as staff, funding, equipment, facilities, and administrative services when appropriate.
What is the funding amount for FY2014?
The intended award amount for FY2014 is $44,890.
Is there a minimum or maximum award amount stated?
Yes. The notice states an award floor of $25,000 and an estimated total funding amount and ceiling of $44,890.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00185.
When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The notice was posted on July 17, 2014, and archived on August 17, 2014.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized within environment and natural resources activities.
Who is eligible to apply based on the notice?
The notice lists eligible applicants as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with the CESU approach and the stated intent to fund UAF.
Who can be contacted for access support related to the announcement?
The notice provides contact information for an NPS Alaska Regional Office agreements officer for anyone needing access support for the announcement (specific contact details are referenced as being provided in the announcement).
What does "continuation and expansion of earlier work" mean here?
The notice describes this as follow-on work building on earlier collaboration between NPS Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring (AKR IM) and UAF GINA, including previously developed methods, archives, and distribution systems for MODIS and AVHRR satellite products.
Will the project maintain updates over time, or is it a one-time delivery?
The notice emphasizes ongoing operations: MODIS NDVI and snow products are to be updated annually, and the archives are to be maintained on an annual update cycle.
Will there be training or in-person meetings?
Yes. The notice states NPS will host product delivery and training meetings in Fairbanks and Anchorage so staff can review outputs and learn to use the vegetation and snow web services.
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