Opportunity Information: Apply for P16AC00007
Apply for P16AC00007
- The DOI-NPS in the environment, natural resources, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Not a Request for Funding: MISS Public Access and Alternative Transportation Project Canoe-Bike Share" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.941.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 30, 2015 and posted on Oct 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 13, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This notice describes a National Park Service (NPS) plan to fund a specific project without holding an open competition, and it is explicitly not a call for new applications. The opportunity is labeled "MISS Public Access and Alternative Transportation Project Canoe-Bike Share" under funding opportunity number P16AC00007, posted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The announcement mainly serves as a transparency step, letting the public know that NPS intends to move forward with a single, pre-identified recipient rather than soliciting proposals from the general public.
The planned recipient is Mississippi Park Connection (formerly known as the Mississippi River Fund). The NPS anticipates an award amount not to exceed $750,000 over the life of the agreement, with an additional $20,000 in cost share coming from REI. The assistance is tied to CFDA 15.941, "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance," and the activity sits at the intersection of environment/natural resources and transportation, reflecting the project focus on access and alternative ways to move around and experience park resources.
The project itself centers on developing and launching a pilot canoe and bike share program in 2016. Implementation is described as being done in partnership with multiple local partners as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Transportation Center, which often provides transportation planning and technical expertise on federally supported mobility projects. In addition to the canoe-bike share pilot, the recipient is expected to develop interactive signage at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to promote this and other transportation-related initiatives connected to MISS (the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area). In practical terms, the signage component is about outreach and wayfinding: meeting travelers where they already are and highlighting options for reaching and exploring park-related sites using shared mobility and other transportation alternatives.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which signals that NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement in the work. The notice states that NPS will be engaged in describing project goals and jointly developing the scope and activities, and will also provide additional hands-on participation such as technical assistance that goes beyond routine federal oversight. The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 101702(a) (formerly 16 USC 1g), which supports NPS use of cooperative agreements and transfer of services using appropriated funds.
A key point in the notice is why NPS is not competing the award. The single-source justification is "Unique Qualifications." NPS argues the selected recipient is uniquely positioned to do the work because of demonstrated ability and relationships needed to coordinate across multiple park partners and landowners, along with the capacity to support and leverage the effort through voluntary support and fundraising. The announcement also notes the recipient will help secure additional private funding to support this and other projects, with an emphasis on implementing improvements in time for the NPS Centennial celebration at MISS, which provides context for the timing and urgency.
Administratively, the anticipated agreement runs from 12/01/2015 to 12/31/2020, with an anticipated five-year period of performance. The listing indicates one expected award, an award ceiling of $750,000, and a posting/creation date of October 30, 2015, with a closing date of November 13, 2015, though the notice makes clear it is not accepting applications. The named point of contact is Susan Overson at MISS (susanoverson@nps.gov), who would be the appropriate person for questions about the planned noncompetitive award and project scope.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this a grant opportunity that is open for applications?
No. This notice is explicitly not a call for new applications. It describes the National Park Service (NPS) plan to fund a specific project without holding an open competition.
What is the title of this funding notice?
The opportunity is labeled "MISS Public Access and Alternative Transportation Project Canoe-Bike Share."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is P16AC00007.
Which federal agency is posting the notice?
The notice is posted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
Why did NPS post this notice if it is not accepting applications?
The announcement mainly serves as a transparency step to inform the public that NPS intends to proceed with a single, pre-identified recipient rather than soliciting proposals from the general public.
Who is the intended recipient for this planned award?
The planned recipient is Mississippi Park Connection (formerly known as the Mississippi River Fund).
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The listing indicates one expected award.
What is the maximum anticipated federal funding amount?
NPS anticipates an award amount not to exceed $750,000 over the life of the agreement.
Is there any cost share or matching support mentioned?
Yes. The notice describes an additional $20,000 in cost share coming from REI.
What CFDA program is associated with this assistance?
The assistance is tied to CFDA 15.941, "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area State and Local Assistance."
What type of project is being funded?
The project centers on developing and launching a pilot canoe and bike share program in 2016, aimed at improving public access and supporting alternative transportation connected to MISS (the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area).
What is the expected timing for the pilot canoe and bike share program?
The pilot canoe and bike share program is described as being developed and launched in 2016.
Are there additional deliverables beyond the canoe-bike share pilot?
Yes. The recipient is expected to develop interactive signage at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to promote the canoe-bike share pilot and other transportation-related initiatives connected to MISS.
What is the purpose of the airport signage component?
Based on the notice, the signage is intended for outreach and wayfinding by promoting options for reaching and exploring park-related sites using shared mobility and other transportation alternatives.
Will other organizations be involved in implementing the project?
Yes. Implementation is described as being done in partnership with multiple local partners and the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Transportation Center.
What role does the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Transportation Center play in this project?
The notice identifies Volpe as a partner in the implementation. It also characterizes Volpe as an entity that often provides transportation planning and technical expertise on federally supported mobility projects.
What is the funding instrument: grant or cooperative agreement?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
The notice indicates NPS anticipates substantial federal involvement. NPS will be engaged in describing project goals, jointly developing the scope and activities, and providing additional hands-on participation such as technical assistance beyond routine federal oversight.
What legal authority is cited for using a cooperative agreement?
The statutory authority cited is 54 USC 101702(a) (formerly 16 USC 1g).
Why is this award being made without open competition?
The single-source justification stated in the notice is "Unique Qualifications."
What reasons are given for the recipient's "Unique Qualifications"?
NPS states the selected recipient is uniquely positioned due to demonstrated ability and relationships needed to coordinate across multiple park partners and landowners, and the capacity to support and leverage the effort through voluntary support and fundraising.
Does the notice mention fundraising or private funding?
Yes. The announcement notes the recipient will help secure additional private funding to support this and other projects.
Is there a time-related reason mentioned for moving forward with this approach?
Yes. The notice references implementing improvements in time for the NPS Centennial celebration at MISS, which provides context for the timing and urgency.
What is the anticipated period of performance?
The anticipated agreement runs from 12/01/2015 to 12/31/2020, described as an anticipated five-year period of performance.
What are the posting/creation and closing dates shown on the listing?
The posting/creation date is October 30, 2015, and the closing date is November 13, 2015, though the notice makes clear it is not accepting applications.
Who should be contacted with questions about this notice?
The named point of contact is Susan Overson at MISS. The email provided is susanoverson@nps.gov.
What kinds of questions is the listed contact appropriate for?
Based on the notice, the contact is the appropriate person for questions about the planned noncompetitive award and the project scope.
What general topic areas does the project fall under?
The activity is described as sitting at the intersection of environment/natural resources and transportation, reflecting the focus on access and alternative ways to move around and experience park resources.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: DOI-NPS
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment, Natural Resources, Transportation
Next opportunity: National Fish Passage Program
Previous opportunity: Service Area Competition
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for P16AC00007
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "P16AC00007", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.