Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00235

  • The National Park Service in the education environment health natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Park Trust, Inc Buddy Bison School Program and Kids to Parks Day" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954 National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jul 23, 2015 and posted on Jul 23, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 3, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $450,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 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:

The National Park Trust, Inc. Buddy Bison School Program and Kids to Parks Day notice (Funding Opportunity Number P15AS00235) is a National Park Service (NPS) public announcement that it intends to fund a specific project without competition. It is not a request for applications, meaning outside organizations are not being invited to apply. Instead, NPS is signaling its plan to make a single award to the National Park Trust (NPT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, using a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 101702(a), and the program is listed under CFDA 15.954, National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.

The project centers on expanding and delivering youth education and outdoor experiences through two established efforts: the Buddy Bison school program and National Kids to Parks Day activities. The overall purpose is to provide conservation, nature, and outdoor recreation education to young people, with a clear emphasis on reaching underserved and urban communities. The agreement is designed to increase access to parks and structured outdoor learning, helping students from diverse backgrounds both experience national parks and build an ethic of stewardship for the natural and cultural resources managed within the National Park System.

Financially, the anticipated federal award amount is $450,000, paired with an equal $450,000 cost share from the recipient, reflecting a 100 percent match. The anticipated period of performance is five years from the date of award, and the anticipated length of the agreement is also five years. The notice indicates an expectation of one award total, with an award ceiling of $450,000 and an award floor of $1. The funding activity categories associated with the announcement include education, environment, health, and natural resources, aligning with youth well-being, outdoor access, and conservation learning outcomes.

Because the award is planned as non-competitive, the announcement explains the single-source justification used under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). NPS cites the "Unique Qualifications" criterion, stating that NPT has a long track record delivering high-quality education and outdoor recreation programs in national parks for underserved and urban youth, and that NPS has previously partnered with NPT on Buddy Bison school programs and Kids to Parks events. NPS also highlights that a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013 established a formal framework for collaboration, making NPT a uniquely positioned partner to expand outreach into additional communities and schools.

The roles are presented as a collaborative partnership typical of a cooperative agreement. NPT agrees to work with NPS to deliver outdoor educational and recreational activities for youth through Buddy Bison and Kids to Parks Day programming. On the NPS side, the agency agrees to collaborate and consult with NPT on selecting participating communities and schools and to help connect those groups to specific NPS park units where students can take part in programming. The notice also emphasizes distinctive capabilities that NPT brings to the project, including being the only organization running the Buddy Bison school programs, providing transportation for underserved urban youth to visit national parks, and holding exclusive access to licensed Buddy Bison Teachers Toolkits and curriculum materials used for the school program and Kids to Parks Day events. The toolkit and programming are described as especially focused on elementary-aged students, an audience segment the notice claims is not being served in the same way by other organizations working with NPS.

Administrative details included in the announcement show it was posted on July 23, 2015, with an original and current closing date of August 3, 2015, and an archive date of August 4, 2015. The point of contact listed is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov), and an additional information link is provided through Grants.gov for anyone needing to access the full notice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this funding opportunity open for applications from outside organizations?

No. This notice is not a request for applications. It is a public announcement from the National Park Service (NPS) stating its intent to fund a specific project without competition, meaning outside organizations are not being invited to apply.

Who is the intended recipient of the award?

NPS indicates it plans to make a single award to the National Park Trust (NPT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?

The notice states there is an expectation of one award total.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P15AS00235.

What is the program or CFDA listing associated with this notice?

The notice lists the program under CFDA 15.954, titled National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.

What statutory authority is cited for making this award?

The cited statutory authority is 54 USC 101702(a).

What is the purpose of the project being funded?

The overall purpose is to provide conservation, nature, and outdoor recreation education to young people, with an emphasis on increasing access to parks and structured outdoor learning and building stewardship for natural and cultural resources in the National Park System.

Which specific programs or activities are included in the project?

The project centers on expanding and delivering youth education and outdoor experiences through two established efforts: the Buddy Bison school program and National Kids to Parks Day activities.

Who is the primary audience for the programming described?

The notice emphasizes youth, with a particular focus on underserved and urban communities. It also notes that the toolkit and programming are especially focused on elementary-aged students.

What is the anticipated federal funding amount?

The anticipated federal award amount is $450,000.

Is a cost share or match required?

Yes. The notice describes an equal $450,000 cost share from the recipient, reflecting a 100 percent match.

What is the award ceiling and award floor?

The notice lists an award ceiling of $450,000 and an award floor of $1.

What is the anticipated period of performance?

The anticipated period of performance is five years from the date of award.

What is the anticipated length of the agreement?

The anticipated length of the agreement is also five years.

What type of funding instrument will be used?

NPS states it intends to use a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.

What does the notice say about how NPS and NPT will work together?

The notice describes a collaborative partnership typical of a cooperative agreement. NPT agrees to work with NPS to deliver outdoor educational and recreational activities for youth through Buddy Bison and Kids to Parks Day programming, while NPS agrees to collaborate and consult on selecting participating communities and schools and to help connect those groups to specific NPS park units.

Why is this award being made without competition?

The notice explains that the planned award is non-competitive and provides a single-source justification under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2).

What justification does NPS give for selecting the National Park Trust?

NPS cites the "Unique Qualifications" criterion, stating that NPT has a long track record delivering education and outdoor recreation programs in national parks for underserved and urban youth, and that NPS has previously partnered with NPT on Buddy Bison school programs and Kids to Parks events.

Does the notice mention any formal agreement that supports the partnership?

Yes. The notice states that a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013 established a formal framework for collaboration between NPS and NPT.

What unique capabilities does the National Park Trust bring, according to the notice?

The notice highlights that NPT is described as the only organization running the Buddy Bison school programs, that it provides transportation for underserved urban youth to visit national parks, and that it has exclusive access to licensed Buddy Bison Teachers Toolkits and curriculum materials used for the school program and Kids to Parks Day events.

What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The notice associates the announcement with education, environment, health, and natural resources.

When was this notice posted?

The notice was posted on July 23, 2015.

What were the closing and archive dates listed in the notice?

The notice lists an original and current closing date of August 3, 2015, and an archive date of August 4, 2015.

Who is the point of contact for this notice?

The point of contact listed is June Zastrow. The phone number provided is 303-987-6718, and the email provided is junezastrow@nps.gov.

Where can someone find the full notice referenced here?

The notice indicates that additional information is available through Grants.gov for anyone needing to access the full notice.

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