Innovative Partnerships for Managing Tourism and Recreation in World Heritage Sites and Other Protected Areas | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is this an open grant competition that organizations can apply to?

No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, not an open call for proposals. It is posted to publicly document that NPS plans to fund a specific set of activities without conducting full and open competition.

2) Why does the listing show a closing date if applications are not being accepted?

The posting includes a closing date (June 12, 2013), but the text explains it is not soliciting applications. The listing appears to be provided for transparency and public record purposes rather than to invite proposals.

3) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Innovative Partnerships for Managing Tourism and Recreation in World Heritage Sites and Other Protected Areas."

4) What agency is making the award?

The awarding agency is the National Park Service (NPS).

5) Who is the intended recipient of the award?

The intended recipient is Colorado State University (CSU). Jim Barborak is listed as the principal investigator/program manager.

6) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is P13AS00078.

7) What type of funding instrument will be used?

The funding will be issued as a cooperative agreement, structured as a task agreement under an existing cooperative agreement (Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, RM CESU Cooperative Agreement Number H2370094000).

8) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

It means NPS anticipates substantial involvement in the project rather than acting only as a pass-through funder. In this project, NPS will help identify and recruit participants and will coordinate follow-up with partner agencies to gather feedback after the course.

9) What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this award?

The CFDA is 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System."

10) What is the statutory authority for making this award?

The award is made under 16 USC 1g, which allows NPS to transfer appropriated funds to eligible partners for public-purpose work supporting NPS programs.

11) How much funding is anticipated?

The anticipated award amount is $30,000. The announcement also indicates an award ceiling of $30,000 and a single expected award.

12) Is there any cost-share or matching requirement?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-share or matching requirement.

13) What is the project period of performance?

The period of performance runs from the date of award through December 31, 2013.

14) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as education.

15) Who is eligible to apply, according to the listing?

Eligible applicants are described as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. However, the notice is not an open solicitation and identifies a specific intended recipient (CSU).

16) What is the main purpose of the project?

The project focuses on building practical capacity and international collaboration around managing tourism and recreation in protected areas, especially World Heritage sites and comparable reserves.

17) What specific activity is being funded under this task agreement?

The specific funded activity is the participation of one Colombian and two Chilean park managers in CSU's 2013 Protected Area Management Course in Fort Collins, Colorado, beginning July 3, 2013.

18) Where and when is the course taking place?

The course is held in Fort Collins, Colorado, and it begins July 3, 2013.

19) How many international participants are supported, and from which countries?

Three participants are supported in total: one park manager from Colombia and two park managers from Chile.

20) What responsibilities does CSU have under this agreement?

CSU will organize and deliver the annual Protected Area Management Course and cover key participation costs for the three international attendees. CSU must also produce a final course report for the NPS Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the RM CESU.

21) What participant costs are covered by CSU under this award?

Covered items include: roundtrip transportation between Denver International Airport and CSU; lodging and per diem during the course; outfitter fees and field-trip logistics; field equipment and supplies (including basic field gear); local transportation during the course (vans, shuttles, and specialized transport such as pack animals or rafts as needed); instructional materials (handouts and a jump drive with course content); health insurance coverage while in the United States; and CSU instructional/conference service/processing fees.

22) Does the funded support include health insurance for participants while in the United States?

Yes. The covered items explicitly include health insurance coverage while in the United States.

23) Does the funded support include airport transfers?

Yes. The covered items include roundtrip transportation between Denver International Airport and CSU.

24) Does the project include field trips or on-the-ground logistics?

Yes. CSU will cover outfitter fees and field-trip logistics, as well as local transportation during the course. The description notes that specialized transport (for example, pack animals or rafts) may be used as needed.

25) What reporting is required and when is it due?

CSU is required to produce a final course report for the NPS Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the RM CESU. The report is due by September 30, 2013.

26) What is NPS expected to do as part of its substantial involvement?

NPS will identify and recruit the three participants (one from Colombia and two from Chile). NPS will also coordinate follow-up with partner agencies in those countries to gather feedback after the course.

27) What is the purpose of the post-course feedback?

The feedback is intended to help shape potential follow-on cooperative activities. The training is described as a starting point for ongoing collaboration and technical assistance rather than a one-off event.

28) Why is this being awarded as a single-source (non-competitive) action?

NPS cites the Department of the Interior single-source policy and uses the "Unique Qualifications" justification criterion. The rationale given is that CSU's Center for Protected Area Management and Training (CPAMT), and particularly Jim Barborak, is uniquely positioned due to deep expertise and extensive international contacts related to concessions and tourism management in protected areas.

29) What specific qualifications are cited for CSU/CPAMT?

NPS states that CPAMT has conducted more research on park concessions globally than any other institution and has the relationships needed to connect with the right specialists and participants internationally, making competition impracticable for the stated objectives.

30) What is the related cooperative agreement framework mentioned in the notice?

The task agreement is issued under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (RM CESU) Cooperative Agreement Number H2370094000.

31) Who is the NPS point of contact for this notice?

The NPS point of contact is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.

32) When was this notice posted?

The posting date is May 30, 2013.

33) Where is this notice listed for public reference?

The notice appears as a related listing on Grants.gov for reference and public record.