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Gardiner Gateway Project (Funding Opportunity Number P15AC00153) - FAQs

1) What is the Gardiner Gateway Project grant opportunity?

The Gardiner Gateway Project (Funding Opportunity Number P15AC00153) was a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding program offered as a cooperative agreement. It supported coordinated planning and implementation work in the Gardiner gateway area near Yellowstone National Park.

2) Who offered this funding?

The opportunity was offered by the National Park Service as a discretionary funding program, structured as a cooperative agreement.

3) What was the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The central purpose was to formalize how the National Park Service and Park County, Montana would work together to direct and coordinate the project from early planning through design, phasing, and construction. It was intended to set clear guidelines and a structured working relationship, rather than simply fund one isolated construction task.

4) What kinds of activities or work were emphasized?

The agreement emphasized coordinated planning and implementation, including establishing project management guidelines, decision-making protocols, operational responsibilities, and processes for transferring funds between partners.

5) Where was the project focused geographically?

The work focused on the Gardiner gateway area near Yellowstone National Park, involving coordination between NPS and Park County, Montana.

6) What community needs or problem areas did the project target?

The project targeted practical, on-the-ground community development needs connected to health, life, and safety concerns in a high-traffic gateway community. Priority problem areas included traffic congestion, parking constraints, street conditions, pedestrian access and sidewalks, drainage and utilities, general infrastructure needs, lighting, public restrooms, park-related facilities, signage, and other public amenities affecting residents and visitors.

7) Why were these improvements considered important for Gardiner?

The opportunity highlighted heavy seasonal visitation associated with Yellowstone National Park and the need for collective solutions that improve functionality and safety in the gateway area for both residents and visitors.

8) Did the opportunity focus only on transportation and infrastructure?

No. In addition to infrastructure and safety upgrades, the opportunity also emphasized broader community and regional benefits, including economic development, marketing and advertising, tourism support, and business development.

9) What outcomes or benefits were expected beyond Gardiner itself?

The stated focus included outcomes that could benefit Gardiner, Park County, the State of Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, positioning the work as both a public-realm improvement effort and a strategy to strengthen the visitor gateway experience and local economic resilience.

10) What was the total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $45,114.

11) Was the award amount flexible, or was it fixed?

Based on the listed matching award ceiling and floor of $45,114, one award at that exact amount was expected.

12) How many awards were anticipated?

Only one award was anticipated.

13) Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning the recipient would have needed to contribute non-federal resources according to the cooperative agreement terms.

14) Who was eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool was limited to county governments, consistent with Park County's role as the local government partner.

15) What was the funding activity category?

The funding activity category was listed as Community Development.

16) What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number referenced was 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System).

17) What does it mean that this was a cooperative agreement?

In this opportunity, the cooperative agreement format emphasized an organized partnership approach between NPS and Park County, including coordinated decision-making, defined responsibilities, and structured processes for managing and implementing the project across planning, design, phasing, and construction.

18) When was the opportunity posted?

The posting date (and creation date) was March 2, 2015.

19) What was the application deadline?

The application closing date was March 16, 2015.

20) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on April 15, 2015.

21) Who was the contact person listed for assistance at the time?

The listed contact was Tina Holland, Agreements Specialist at the National Park Service.

22) What contact details were provided for the listed NPS contact?

Phone: 307-344-2082
Email: tinaholland@nps.gov

23) What types of public amenities were explicitly mentioned?

Examples named in the opportunity included lighting, public restrooms, signage, and other public amenities that affect both residents and visitors, along with park-related facilities.

24) What types of mobility and access issues were highlighted?

The opportunity specifically highlighted vehicular traffic congestion, parking constraints, pedestrian access, sidewalks, and street conditions as priority problem areas.

25) What types of site or utility concerns were included?

Drainage and utilities were explicitly listed, along with general infrastructure needs.