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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Nome Community Archaeology Expedition (NPS Cooperative Agreement)

1) Is this an open grant opportunity that anyone can apply for?

No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award under a cooperative agreement, which means it is not an open call for applications. It serves as public notice that the NPS plans to fund a specific set of activities with Alaska Geographic under an existing partnership.

2) Who is the intended recipient of the award?

The intended recipient is Alaska Geographic, described as the official nonprofit partner for Alaska's 15 national parks and other public lands.

3) Why is the award single-source instead of competitively competed?

The notice indicates the award is justified as a CESU task agreement under the North and West Alaska Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement (P13AC01025), which is cited as the basis for the single-source justification rather than full and open competition.

4) What type of agreement is being used for this project?

The project is structured as a cooperative agreement, specifically as a CESU task agreement under an existing Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partnership.

5) What is the name of the project described in the notice?

The project is titled the Nome Community Archaeology Expedition.

6) What is the anticipated period of performance?

The anticipated period of performance is August 15, 2015 through September 1, 2017.

7) How much federal funding is anticipated?

The total anticipated federal funding amount is $34,070.30.

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states that no cost share is required.

9) What is the statutory authority cited for this award?

The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 100.703.

10) What CFDA program listing is referenced?

The CFDA program listing referenced is 15.945.

11) What is the main purpose of the expedition?

The expedition is designed to respond to urgent cultural resource threats in Alaska's Bering Strait region by strengthening community awareness and stewardship, with an emphasis on engaging local and regional youth in archaeology and cultural resources protection.

12) What cultural resource threats is the project responding to?

The notice identifies coastal erosion and persistent looting as major threats putting archaeological and heritage resources at high risk in the Bering Strait region.

13) Which NPS-managed areas are mentioned as being within the region of concern?

The notice references NPS-managed units including Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument.

14) Who is the program primarily designed to serve?

A major emphasis is education and workforce development for students from rural western and northern Alaska, particularly youth who have not historically been well represented in stewardship roles connected to Alaska national parks.

15) What kinds of student outcomes are described?

Students are expected to gain meaningful field experience and hands-on exposure to archaeology, cultural resources protection, conservation, and the role of public lands; expand academic and vocational skills; build peer networks; and have opportunities to earn college credit.

16) Does the notice describe career or workforce pathways for participants?

Yes. The expedition is positioned as a pathway into future careers by introducing participants to scientific and conservation jobs that exist in agencies like the NPS and in nonprofit partners.

17) What broader NPS priorities does the notice connect this project to?

The notice explicitly links the effort to NPS priorities including the NPS Centennial and the NPS Call to Action, with the intent of reaching younger audiences.

18) What are the joint objectives between Alaska Geographic and the NPS?

The joint objectives include: creating a replicable youth program model blending educational content with local Native knowledge, immersive field experiences, and mentorship; deepening collaboration among Alaska Geographic, the NPS, Alaska Native organizations, schools, and community groups; building long-term capacity for youth programming tied to national parks; and delivering applied archaeology and outreach outputs.

19) What applied archaeology work is included?

The expedition includes documenting an archaeological site and evaluating its research potential.

20) Are outreach or communications deliverables required?

Yes. The project requires production of outreach materials that share findings and help promote or support future iterations of similar programs.

21) Why is this considered a cooperative agreement instead of a standard grant?

The notice describes substantial federal involvement consistent with a cooperative agreement model, including NPS collaboration on planning, implementation, educational delivery, safety support, logistics coordination, recruitment support, and collection/sharing of media and evaluation materials.

22) What responsibilities are assigned to Alaska Geographic?

Alaska Geographic is responsible for overall expedition management, documentation, and communications in close coordination with NPS staff. Responsibilities listed include risk management oversight and participant liability coverage; providing a trip leader trained in youth leadership with Wilderness First Responder (or higher) and emergency communications capability; assisting with student travel and logistics; supporting the creation and distribution of outreach products; participating in planning with partners; and delivering timely reporting.

23) What responsibilities are assigned to the National Park Service (NPS)?

The NPS role is described as significant and hands-on. NPS responsibilities include collaborating on program planning, implementation, and assessment; identifying and coordinating subject matter experts in Nome and relevant NPS staff to support safety and educational content; providing a trip co-leader (either NPS staff or partner staff); recruiting student participants and processing applications; delivering educational content; supporting partnership development; helping secure housing, transportation, and supplies through NPS channels and partner networks; and collecting and sharing media and evaluation materials.

24) Who recruits student participants and processes applications for participation?

The notice states that the NPS recruits student participants and processes applications.

25) Does the NPS provide the funding for the project?

Yes. The notice states the NPS provides the full $34,070.30 to Alaska Geographic to execute the stated objectives.

26) How is the opportunity categorized administratively?

The notice characterizes it as discretionary funding with an education activity focus.

27) What eligible applicant type is listed?

The listed eligible applicant type includes nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).

28) If a closing date is listed, does it function like a normal application deadline?

Even though a closing date of June 20, 2016 is included, the notice emphasizes that this is a pre-identified award action rather than a competitive solicitation.

29) Is this described as a continuation award?

Yes. The notice frames the project as a continuation award.

30) Who is the point of contact for this award?

The point of contact is Jeff Rasic, Ph.D., Chief of Integrated Resources Management for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. He is identified as the principal investigator/program manager and the NPS agreement technical representative contact for the project.