Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00188
Apply for P14AS00188
- The National Park Service in the education employment, labor and training science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Geo Scientist in Parks Mosaics in Science Youth Internship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931 Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 21, 2014 and posted on Jul 21, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 4, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $66,262.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $66,262.00 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:
This grant opportunity, titled "Geo Scientists in Parks and Mosaics in Science Youth Internship Program" (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00188), is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award funding under a cooperative agreement. It is not an open call for applications and was posted mainly to give the public formal notice that NPS planned to make a non-competitive (single-source) continuation award. The planned recipient is the Geological Society of America (GSA), with Dr. John Hess listed as the principal investigator/program manager. The anticipated federal award amount is $66,262.50, paired with a substantial cost share contribution of $177,694.00. The award is a continuation task agreement (Task Agreement P14AC01247) under an existing cooperative agreement (P13AC00336, originally executed on 5/30/2013), with a performance period running from the award date through 12/31/2016.
At its core, the funded work supports two established internship and youth engagement pipelines: Geoscientists in the Parks (GIP) and Mosaics in Science (MIS). These programs place geoscientists and other natural resource science participants into projects across lands administered by NPS. The internships are designed to help parks complete practical scientific work such as resource inventorying, monitoring, applied research, and interpretation/education efforts that translate science for visitors and stakeholders. The bigger purpose is to strengthen science-based decision-making inside park units, improve the quality and usefulness of information shared with the public, and expand the network of partners and volunteers who can help parks meet resource management needs. The announcement also emphasizes that this internship hiring approach helps address unmet geoscience priorities identified across parks, regions, networks, and NPS central offices, while also supporting broader Department of the Interior and NPS goals around youth engagement and diversity.
Because the award is structured as a cooperative agreement, NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement rather than simply writing a check and stepping back. GSA is responsible for much of the program infrastructure and administration. That includes maintaining and updating the GeoCorps America and MIS websites and the online application system; coordinating with the NPS program manager on which projects will be offered; recruiting applicants through GSA's ongoing outreach; and managing the end-to-end administrative process for recruitment, application intake, and selection logistics. GSA also handles participant paperwork requirements (including participant agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and interagency volunteer agreements), and it provides the administrative backbone for stipends, travel advances/allowances, and required tax documentation. In addition, GSA communicates directly with interns/participants about obligations and deliverables and collects required closeout materials, such as 5-10 digital photos with captions, a written report, a program evaluation, a sponsor thank-you letter, and any project products developed during the placement. GSA then shares these materials, along with annual reports and publications produced under the agreement, with NPS (specifically the Geologic Resources Division), and ensures participants properly acknowledge both NPS and GSA in resulting publications or audiovisual products.
NPS, on the other hand, provides the on-the-ground project framework and supervision that makes these placements workable. NPS staff identify park and program needs, create project proposals, and enter opportunities into GSA's system. NPS selects participants from the qualified applicant pool that GSA assembles, then supports those participants with the practical necessities of field-based work: tools and equipment (including safety gear), site transportation, access to facilities, and clear project specifications and applicable rules. NPS also provides either housing or a housing allowance, delivers orientation at the duty station (including mission context, policy and procedure briefings, vehicle/equipment use rules, and housing rules), and supplies qualified mentors for technical oversight, direction, and final approval of work products. Safety training and ongoing project-related training are explicitly required to ensure participants can perform duties competently and safely. After each project, the participating park/office must produce a written evaluation, and that evaluation must be submitted to GSA before the NPS unit can advertise another GeoCorps/GIP or MIS project, creating a built-in accountability loop. NPS also maintains internal and public-facing program sites and databases used for coordination, reporting, and outreach.
The justification for making this award without full and open competition is based on the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) and specifically cites the "continuation" criterion. The announcement argues that the activities funded are a necessary continuation of work already underway and that competing the award would risk disrupting program continuity or completion. The legal authorities referenced to support the cooperative agreement approach include 16 U.S.C. 1(g) (cooperative agreements supporting NPS programs), 16 U.S.C. 1f (Challenge Cost Share authority enabling shared cost/service arrangements with non-federal partners when there is substantial NPS involvement), and 16 U.S.C. 1723(c) (Public Lands Corps authority allowing the Secretary to enter into agreements to carry out appropriate conservation projects, including youth-related efforts). Administratively, the opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931 (youth conservation activities) and lists eligibility in general terms as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), although in practice this notice is tied to the named continuation recipient rather than an open competition. For questions, the NPS point of contact is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, JuneZastrow@nps.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award funding under a cooperative agreement for the project titled "Geo Scientists in Parks and Mosaics in Science Youth Internship Program." The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00188.
Is this an open call for applications?
No. This notice is not an open call for applications. It was posted primarily to provide formal public notice that NPS planned to make a non-competitive (single-source) continuation award.
Who is the planned recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is the Geological Society of America (GSA). Dr. John Hess is listed as the principal investigator/program manager.
What is the purpose of the funded work?
The funded work supports two established internship and youth engagement pipelines: Geoscientists in the Parks (GIP) and Mosaics in Science (MIS). These programs place geoscientists and other natural resource science participants into projects on lands administered by NPS.
What kinds of projects do the internships support?
The internships are intended to help parks complete practical scientific work, including resource inventorying, monitoring, applied research, and interpretation/education efforts that translate science for visitors and stakeholders.
What broader goals does this program support?
The announcement emphasizes strengthening science-based decision-making in park units, improving the quality and usefulness of information shared with the public, and expanding networks of partners and volunteers to help meet resource management needs. It also highlights addressing unmet geoscience priorities across NPS and supporting Department of the Interior and NPS goals related to youth engagement and diversity.
What type of agreement is NPS using for this award?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement rather than providing funding with minimal ongoing participation.
What is the anticipated federal award amount?
The anticipated federal award amount is $66,262.50.
Is there a cost share requirement or contribution?
Yes. The opportunity describes a substantial cost share contribution of $177,694.00 paired with the federal award amount.
Is this award new funding or a continuation?
This is a continuation task agreement (Task Agreement P14AC01247) under an existing cooperative agreement (P13AC00336), originally executed on 5/30/2013.
What is the performance period for the funded work?
The performance period runs from the award date through 12/31/2016.
Why is the award being made without full and open competition?
The justification is based on the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) using the "continuation" criterion. The notice states the funded activities are a necessary continuation of work already underway, and competing the award could disrupt program continuity or completion.
What legal authorities are referenced for using a cooperative agreement?
The notice references the following authorities: 16 U.S.C. 1(g) (cooperative agreements supporting NPS programs), 16 U.S.C. 1f (Challenge Cost Share authority for shared cost/service arrangements with non-federal partners when NPS has substantial involvement), and 16 U.S.C. 1723(c) (Public Lands Corps authority for agreements to carry out conservation projects, including youth-related efforts).
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931 (youth conservation activities).
What does the eligibility section say?
Eligibility is described in general terms as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). However, the notice explains this is not an open competition and is tied to the named continuation recipient.
What is GSA responsible for under this cooperative agreement?
GSA is responsible for much of the program infrastructure and administration. This includes maintaining and updating the GeoCorps America and MIS websites and the online application system; coordinating with the NPS program manager on which projects will be offered; recruiting applicants through outreach; and managing the administrative process for recruitment, application intake, and selection logistics.
What administrative and paperwork tasks does GSA handle for participants?
GSA handles participant paperwork requirements such as participant agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and interagency volunteer agreements. GSA also provides the administrative backbone for stipends, travel advances/allowances, and required tax documentation.
What participant deliverables and closeout materials are collected?
GSA communicates directly with participants about obligations and deliverables and collects required closeout materials, including 5-10 digital photos with captions, a written report, a program evaluation, a sponsor thank-you letter, and any project products developed during the placement.
How are reports and materials shared with NPS?
GSA shares collected closeout materials, along with annual reports and publications produced under the agreement, with NPS (specifically the Geologic Resources Division). Participants are also expected to properly acknowledge both NPS and GSA in resulting publications or audiovisual products.
What is NPS responsible for during the internships/placements?
NPS provides the on-the-ground project framework and supervision. NPS staff identify park and program needs, create project proposals, and enter opportunities into GSA's system. NPS selects participants from the qualified applicant pool assembled by GSA.
What support does NPS provide to participants at the duty station?
NPS supports participants with tools and equipment (including safety gear), site transportation, access to facilities, clear project specifications and rules, and orientation at the duty station. Orientation includes mission context, policy and procedure briefings, vehicle/equipment use rules, and housing rules.
Does NPS provide housing?
Yes. The notice states NPS provides either housing or a housing allowance.
What mentoring and training are required?
NPS supplies qualified mentors for technical oversight, direction, and final approval of work products. Safety training and ongoing project-related training are explicitly required so participants can perform duties competently and safely.
Is there an evaluation requirement after each project?
Yes. After each project, the participating park/office must produce a written evaluation and submit it to GSA.
How does the program enforce accountability for park/office participation?
The notice describes an accountability loop: the written evaluation must be submitted to GSA before the NPS unit can advertise another GeoCorps/GIP or MIS project.
Does NPS maintain any internal or public program resources related to this work?
Yes. NPS maintains internal and public-facing program sites and databases used for coordination, reporting, and outreach.
Who is the NPS point of contact for questions?
The NPS point of contact is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: JuneZastrow@nps.gov.
What is the key takeaway for organizations looking to apply?
Based on the notice, this is a single-source continuation award intended for the Geological Society of America (GSA) and is not presented as an open, competitive opportunity for new applicants.
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