National Park Service Applying spatial models to better understand the nature of ship whale encounters in and near Glacier Bay NP, yr 2 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "National Park Service Applying spatial models to better understand the nature of ship whale encounters in and near Glacier Bay NP, yr 2."

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding action under the Department of the Interior.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The project supports natural resource research focused on ship and whale interactions in and around Glacier Bay National Park. The emphasis is on applying spatial modeling approaches to better characterize when and where vessel traffic and whales overlap, as a step toward understanding encounter risk and informing management actions that could reduce disturbances or vessel strikes.

What does "yr 2" mean in the title?

Based on the title, "yr 2" indicates this work is the second year of a multi-year effort focused on spatial modeling of ship-whale encounter dynamics in and near Glacier Bay National Park.

Is this a competitive grant solicitation?

No. This notice is not a competitive grant solicitation. It is a notice of intent to make a noncompetitive, single-source award.

Can other organizations apply for this funding?

No. The notice states it is not a request for applications and that the recipient has already been selected as the sole source. Eligibility is effectively limited to the identified partner.

Who is the selected recipient for this single-source award?

The opportunity is explicitly identified as a single-source award to the University of Montana.

What authority or policy is cited for making a noncompetitive award?

The notice cites Department of the Interior guidance referenced as 505 Departmental Manual 2.12C as the basis for the noncompetitive, single-source award approach.

What funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates the National Park Service expects to have substantial involvement during the project compared to a typical grant. Examples of involvement noted in the description include coordination on data, methods, deliverables, and/or integration with park operations.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Natural Resources.

What CFDA program is referenced?

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

How many awards does NPS expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount is $25,475.

Is cost sharing or a match required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching funds are required.

Why are the award ceiling and floor both listed as 0?

The posting lists the award ceiling and floor as 0, which often appears in informational notices of intent rather than open competitions with defined funding ranges, or where the precise amount is governed by the task agreement details rather than a published ceiling.

How will the award be issued?

The award will be issued as a task agreement under the National Park Service Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

What is the Rocky Mountain CESU in this context?

In this context, the Rocky Mountain CESU is described as a mechanism NPS uses to partner with academic and other eligible institutions for research, technical assistance, and training aligned with park management needs.

Does the opportunity invite proposals from multiple applicants?

No. The announcement communicates that NPS plans to fund a specific partner for a specific scope of work rather than inviting multiple applicants to submit proposals.

Where does the work focus geographically?

The research focus is in and near Glacier Bay National Park, specifically concerning ship and whale interactions in that area.

What are the key public posting dates?

The notice was posted and created on June 5, 2013. The original and current closing date is June 10, 2013. The archive date is July 10, 2013.

Does the closing date represent an application deadline?

Not in the typical sense. Because this is a notice of intent rather than an application-based competition, the short closing window is best interpreted as the period the notice is publicly available for review rather than a time in which applicants are expected to apply.

Who can be contacted for access issues or administrative questions?

The contact listed is Kelly Adams, Grants Management Specialist. Phone: 303-969-2392.

What kinds of questions is the listed contact intended to address?

Based on the notice, the contact is intended for access issues or administrative questions about the full announcement.

Is this opportunity described as a discretionary funding action?

Yes. It is described as an NPS discretionary funding action intended to support natural resource research related to ship and whale interactions.

What is the core research approach highlighted in the notice?

The notice highlights applying spatial models to better understand the nature of ship-whale encounters by identifying when and where vessel traffic and whales overlap.

What management relevance is mentioned for this research?

The notice states that characterizing overlap between vessel traffic and whales is a key step in understanding encounter risk and informing management actions that could reduce disturbances or strikes.

Is there any indication this opportunity is open-ended or rolling?

No. The posting includes specific dates (posted June 5, 2013; closing June 10, 2013; archived July 10, 2013) and is framed as a notice of intent for a single-source award rather than an open application process.