Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00098
Apply for P14AS00098
- The National Park Service in the education environment natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NMT National Cave and Karst Institute" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 9, 2014 and posted on May 9, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 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 $294,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $294,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This notice (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00098, titled "NMT National Cave and Karst Institute") is not an open grant competition and is not asking for applications. It is a public Notice of Intent to Award from the National Park Service (NPS) stating that the agency plans to make a single cooperative agreement award, without full and open competition, to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT). The planned award amount is $294,000, with no cost share or matching requirement, and it is structured as a continuation action under an existing cooperative relationship. The opportunity was posted May 9, 2014, with an associated closing date of May 23, 2014, but that date functions more as a notice timeline than an application deadline since proposals are not being solicited.
The purpose of the award is to continue federal support for the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), which Congress created in 1998 through Public Law 105-325 (codified as a note to 16 U.S.C. 4310). NCKRI was established to advance speleology and cave and karst science, improve the collection and standardization of cave-related information, encourage interdisciplinary research cooperation, expand public education, support national and international coordination to protect cave and karst environments, and promote sustainable resource management practices related to these landforms. The law also sets up NCKRI to be jointly administered by the NPS and an external partner organization selected by the Secretary, which is the underlying reason the NPS maintains an ongoing partnership structure rather than treating the work as a one-off, competed grant.
Historically, NMT became the primary academic partner for jointly administering NCKRI with the NPS through a cooperative agreement executed in 2005 (CA H2360030007). The notice explains that the NPS remains the primary lead with ultimate responsibility for the Institute and maintains oversight through governance mechanisms such as chairing the Institute budget committee and working through the cooperative agreement framework. A newer cooperative agreement (P14AC00029) took effect around January 14, 2014, continuing the work under the earlier agreement, and this notice covers a specific task agreement under that umbrella (Task Agreement P14AC00575). The anticipated period of performance runs from the date of award through September 30, 2015, aligning with federal fiscal year operations.
The work to be supported falls into three main activity areas, all carried out by NMT in close cooperation with NPS staff (including the Geologic Resources Division and other cave and karst specialists) and the NCKRI Board of Directors. First, the project emphasizes public outreach and communication: continuing upgrades to the Institute website with current information and educational content (including online lessons), building a cave and karst educator network, and developing the Institute headquarters as a hub for education and outreach programming. Second, it focuses on strengthening NCKRI's standing as a leading research center by building research partnerships at local, national, and international levels; presenting results at conferences; organizing conferences that elevate cave and karst science and raise NCKRI visibility; conducting at least one nationally significant cave and karst research project; and establishing NCKRI as a national clearinghouse for cave and karst information. Third, it supports progress toward completing the Institute headquarters building by identifying and approaching potential sponsors to fund unfinished portions and pursuing contract research to generate independent revenue that can supplement operating expenses and help finish the facility.
The notice also explains why the NPS is not competing this award. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), the NPS cites the "Continuation" justification criterion, meaning the funded activity is necessary to complete or continue ongoing work already being supported, and opening it to competition would materially disrupt continuity or completion. This is presented as a continuation of an established statutory and operational partnership in which NMT serves as the academic co-administrator of NCKRI alongside the NPS, making the cooperative agreement structure central to how the Institute is meant to function.
Administratively, the award is categorized under CFDA 15.944 (Natural Resource Stewardship) and aligns with activity areas spanning education, environment, natural resources, and science and technology/research and development. The statutory authorities cited include 16 U.S.C. 1(g), which authorizes NPS cooperative agreements involving the transfer of appropriated funds to eligible entities for public purposes that carry out NPS programs, and the NCKRI authorizing provisions tied to 16 U.S.C. 4310 (including provisions addressing administration and the use of contracts and cooperative agreements). The listed NPS point of contact for this notice is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov), and the principal investigator/program manager on the recipient side is Richard Cervantes at NMT.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open grant competition?
No. Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00098 ("NMT National Cave and Karst Institute") is a public Notice of Intent to Award from the National Park Service (NPS). It is not a competitive funding opportunity and it is not requesting applications or proposals.
Are applications being accepted for this opportunity?
No. The notice states that proposals are not being solicited. The NPS plans to make a single cooperative agreement award without full and open competition.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT). The notice describes a planned single award to NMT.
What is the planned funding amount?
The planned award amount is $294,000.
Is cost sharing or a match required?
No. The notice specifies there is no cost share or matching requirement.
What type of award is being used?
The NPS plans to use a cooperative agreement (rather than a competed grant). The notice describes it as a continuation action under an existing cooperative relationship.
What does "Notice of Intent to Award" mean here?
In this context, it means the NPS is publicly announcing its plan to make a single cooperative agreement award to a specific organization (NMT) without running a full competitive process.
What are the posted and closing dates, and do they function as an application deadline?
The opportunity was posted May 9, 2014, with an associated closing date of May 23, 2014. However, the notice explains that this is not an application deadline because applications are not being requested; the dates function as part of the notice timeline.
What is the purpose of this planned award?
The purpose is to continue federal support for the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), which was created by Congress in 1998.
What is NCKRI and what was it established to do?
NCKRI (National Cave and Karst Research Institute) was established to advance speleology and cave and karst science; improve the collection and standardization of cave-related information; encourage interdisciplinary research cooperation; expand public education; support national and international coordination to protect cave and karst environments; and promote sustainable resource management practices related to caves and karst landforms.
What is the legal authority for establishing NCKRI?
The notice cites Public Law 105-325 (1998), codified as a note to 16 U.S.C. 4310, as the law creating NCKRI.
Why is the NPS using an ongoing partnership model instead of a one-time competed award?
The notice explains that the authorizing law sets up NCKRI to be jointly administered by the NPS and an external partner organization selected by the Secretary. This statutory structure is a key reason the NPS maintains an ongoing cooperative partnership arrangement.
Why is this award not being competed?
The NPS cites the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) and uses the "Continuation" justification criterion. The notice explains the activity is necessary to continue ongoing work already being supported, and competing it would materially disrupt continuity or completion.
What does the "Continuation" justification mean in this notice?
As described, it means the work is part of an established, ongoing effort already being carried out under an existing cooperative relationship, and the agency believes switching to a competed process would disrupt the continuity of that work.
How does NMT relate to NCKRI?
According to the notice, NMT became the primary academic partner for jointly administering NCKRI with the NPS through a cooperative agreement executed in 2005 (CA H2360030007), and the planned award continues that partnership structure.
What cooperative agreement instruments are referenced?
The notice references an earlier cooperative agreement executed in 2005 (CA H2360030007). It also references a newer cooperative agreement (P14AC00029) that took effect around January 14, 2014, and notes that this notice covers a specific task agreement under that umbrella (Task Agreement P14AC00575).
What is the anticipated period of performance?
The anticipated period of performance runs from the date of award through September 30, 2015.
What are the main activity areas that will be supported?
The notice describes three main activity areas: (1) public outreach and communication, including website upgrades and educational content; (2) strengthening NCKRI as a leading research center, including partnerships, conferences, and at least one nationally significant research project; and (3) progress toward completing the Institute headquarters building, including identifying sponsors and pursuing contract research to generate independent revenue.
What public outreach and communication activities are included?
The notice includes continuing upgrades to the Institute website with current information and educational content (including online lessons), building a cave and karst educator network, and developing the Institute headquarters as a hub for education and outreach programming.
What research-focused activities are included?
The notice describes building research partnerships at local, national, and international levels; presenting results at conferences; organizing conferences to elevate cave and karst science and increase NCKRI visibility; conducting at least one nationally significant cave and karst research project; and establishing NCKRI as a national clearinghouse for cave and karst information.
What headquarters-building activities are included?
The notice describes identifying and approaching potential sponsors to fund unfinished portions of the Institute headquarters and pursuing contract research to generate independent revenue that can supplement operating expenses and help finish the facility.
Who will carry out the work and how will the NPS be involved?
The work is to be carried out by NMT in close cooperation with NPS staff (including the Geologic Resources Division and other cave and karst specialists) and the NCKRI Board of Directors.
Does the NPS retain oversight responsibilities?
Yes. The notice states that the NPS remains the primary lead with ultimate responsibility for the Institute and maintains oversight through governance mechanisms, including chairing the Institute budget committee and working through the cooperative agreement framework.
What CFDA program is associated with this award?
The award is categorized under CFDA 15.944 (Natural Resource Stewardship).
What general program areas does this opportunity align with?
The notice indicates alignment with activity areas spanning education, environment, natural resources, and science and technology/research and development.
What statutory authorities are cited for the cooperative agreement?
The notice cites 16 U.S.C. 1(g) (authorizing NPS cooperative agreements involving the transfer of appropriated funds to eligible entities for public purposes that carry out NPS programs) and the NCKRI authorizing provisions tied to 16 U.S.C. 4310 (including provisions addressing administration and the use of contracts and cooperative agreements).
Who is the NPS point of contact for this notice?
The listed NPS point of contact is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov).
Who is the principal investigator or program manager on the recipient side?
The notice lists Richard Cervantes at NMT as the principal investigator/program manager.
Can another organization apply to replace NMT as the recipient?
The notice does not describe an application or selection process for other organizations. It states the NPS plans to make a single award to NMT without full and open competition as a continuation action.
Is this funding meant to start a new project or continue existing work?
It is meant to continue existing work. The notice describes the action as a continuation under an existing cooperative relationship supporting NCKRI operations and related activities.
Does the notice describe any specific deliverables or outcomes?
It describes intended activity areas and examples of work (website upgrades, educator network, conferences, at least one nationally significant research project, clearinghouse role, sponsor outreach, and contract research), but it does not provide a detailed deliverables schedule in the information provided.
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