Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS MWRO P15AC00808
Apply for NPS MWRO P15AC00808
- The National Park Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Not a Request for Proposals Assist with Hydrographic Surveys and Other Aquatic Studies at Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Superior National Parks" 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 Jun 19, 2015 and posted on Jun 19, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 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 $128,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $128,000.00 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 Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This notice describes a National Park Service (NPS) intent to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award for a project focused on hydrographic surveys and nearshore aquatic science in Great Lakes national parks, specifically in and around Sleeping Bear Dunes (Lake Michigan) and Lake Superior park units. It is explicitly not a request for proposals or applications; instead, it serves as a public announcement that NPS plans to fund a specific recipient to carry out defined project activities. The funding opportunity number is NPS MWRO P15AC00808, it sits under CFDA 15.944 (Natural Resources Stewardship), and it was posted June 19, 2015 with an original closing date of June 30, 2015 and an archive date of July 30, 2015.
The planned recipient is Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), working through its Great Lakes Water Studies Institute. NPS anticipated a total award amount not to exceed $128,000 over a five-year period, with no cost share requirement. The anticipated period of performance runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2020, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement under statutory authority 54 USC 101702(b) (cooperative agreements and cooperative research and training programs). The notice lists an expectation of one award and indicates the broader eligibility categories that could apply on similar announcements (institutions of higher education and certain nonprofits), but in this case the intent is to proceed without competition.
The core purpose of the project is to support nearshore mapping and monitoring in multiple Great Lakes national parks to improve scientific understanding of lake-bottom structure (bathymetry), benthic habitat characteristics, and overall nearshore ecosystem condition. NPS describes the effort as producing usable scientific products that will be shared with both the public and the scientific community, including technical reports, interpretive and outreach materials, and student presentations. A key feature is the direct engagement of faculty and students from a nearby technical college, pairing resource stewardship needs with hands-on workforce development.
Operationally, the joint work plan centers on NMC providing assistance to NPS with lake-bottom mapping and aquatic monitoring through two student internship positions, particularly in the first year. One intern is expected to work alongside an NPS boat operator and hydrographic surveyor to collect bathymetric data and benthic habitat information using multi-beam sonar, supplemented by photo and video imagery. The second intern is expected to support water quality sampling and broader aquatic system monitoring. While NPS will provide field training on use of its sonar system and water quality monitoring approaches, the interns are ultimately expected to become capable of conducting data collection independently, and to contribute to data processing, analysis, and related deliverables.
The roles are split in a way that reflects the cooperative nature of the agreement. NMC’s involvement includes providing interns for fieldwork, data processing, and analysis, and providing faculty expertise. The notice specifically highlights Professor Hans VanSumeren as providing technical advice and helping collect lake-bottom photo and video imagery at Sleeping Bear Dunes using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), especially in areas of high interest not only to NPS but also to partner agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). NPS’s involvement is described as primary responsibility for the project’s objectives and ongoing work, including program oversight, student orientation, technical assistance, safety training, and ensuring that findings are translated into interpretive and outreach products. NPS also indicates it will collaborate with the recipient on goal-setting and scope development, provide staff mentorship, and supply tools and equipment as needed.
The justification for making the award without full and open competition is based on two cited criteria: continuation and unique qualifications. NPS argues that the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is uniquely positioned in the upper Great Lakes region because it offers specialized training aligned with the specific technical work required, including experience with multi-beam sonar technologies used to create lake-bottom maps in multiple parks. In addition, NPS points to the established working relationship and demonstrated technical capability of the named project investigator (VanSumeren), particularly his expertise with ROV-based imagery collection to characterize substrate and habitat. The notice also references Department of the Interior single-source policy requirements (505 DM 2), outlining the general allowable grounds for non-competitive assistance awards (such as unsolicited proposals, continuation, legislative intent, unique qualifications, and emergencies) and situating this award within that policy framework.
Finally, the announcement provides points of contact for further information: Jay Glase, NPS Fishery Biologist (jayglase@nps.gov, 402-661-1512) and Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist (juliehendricks@nps.gov, 402-661-1662). The overall message is that NPS intends to proceed with a targeted cooperative agreement to advance nearshore mapping, habitat characterization, and aquatic monitoring in Great Lakes national parks while also training and employing students through structured internships, and it is publishing this notice to document and explain why the award will be made to a specific organization without competition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this notice about?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) public notice stating its intent to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award for a project focused on hydrographic surveys and nearshore aquatic science in Great Lakes national parks.
Is this a request for proposals (RFP) or an open application opportunity?
No. The notice explicitly says it is not a request for proposals or applications. It is an announcement that NPS plans to fund a specific recipient for defined project activities.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is NPS MWRO P15AC00808.
What CFDA program does this fall under?
This notice sits under CFDA 15.944, Natural Resources Stewardship.
When was the notice posted, and what were the key dates?
The notice was posted on June 19, 2015. It listed an original closing date of June 30, 2015 and an archive date of July 30, 2015.
Who is the planned recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), working through its Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award.
What is the anticipated award amount and duration?
NPS anticipated a total award amount not to exceed $128,000 over a five-year period.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice states there is no cost share requirement.
What is the period of performance?
The anticipated period of performance runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2020.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The notice states the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What is the statutory authority cited for this cooperative agreement?
The cited authority is 54 USC 101702(b), covering cooperative agreements and cooperative research and training programs.
Which parks or locations are included in the project focus?
The project focuses on Great Lakes national parks, specifically in and around Sleeping Bear Dunes (Lake Michigan) and Lake Superior park units.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to support nearshore mapping and monitoring to improve scientific understanding of lake-bottom structure (bathymetry), benthic habitat characteristics, and overall nearshore ecosystem condition in multiple Great Lakes national parks.
What kinds of scientific work are included?
The work includes hydrographic surveying (bathymetric mapping), benthic habitat characterization, nearshore ecosystem monitoring, and water quality sampling as part of broader aquatic system monitoring.
What technologies and data collection methods are mentioned?
The notice mentions multi-beam sonar for bathymetric data collection, plus photo and video imagery to supplement habitat information. It also references the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to collect lake-bottom photo and video imagery.
Will students be involved in the project?
Yes. A key feature described is direct engagement of faculty and students from a nearby technical college through structured internships, linking NPS resource stewardship needs with hands-on workforce development.
How many student internship positions are included, and what will they do?
The joint work plan centers on two student internship positions (particularly in the first year). One intern is expected to work with an NPS boat operator and hydrographic surveyor to collect bathymetric and benthic habitat data using multi-beam sonar and imagery. The second intern is expected to support water quality sampling and broader aquatic monitoring.
Will NPS provide training to the interns?
Yes. NPS will provide field training on use of its sonar system and water quality monitoring approaches. The interns are expected to become capable of conducting data collection independently and to contribute to data processing, analysis, and deliverables.
What are the expected outputs or deliverables?
NPS describes producing usable scientific products shared with the public and the scientific community, including technical reports, interpretive and outreach materials, and student presentations.
What roles will Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) play?
NMC is described as providing interns for fieldwork, data processing, and analysis, along with faculty expertise to support the project.
What roles will NPS play?
NPS is described as having primary responsibility for the project objectives and ongoing work, including program oversight, student orientation, technical assistance, safety training, collaboration on goal-setting and scope development, staff mentorship, and providing tools and equipment as needed. NPS also states it will ensure findings are translated into interpretive and outreach products.
Who is specifically named for technical expertise in the notice?
The notice specifically highlights Professor Hans VanSumeren as providing technical advice and helping collect lake-bottom photo and video imagery at Sleeping Bear Dunes using an ROV.
Are other agencies mentioned as having related interest in the work?
Yes. The notice mentions that certain high-interest areas are of interest not only to NPS but also to partner agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Why is NPS making this award without competition?
The notice cites two reasons: continuation and unique qualifications. It states that NMC's Great Lakes Water Studies Institute is uniquely positioned in the upper Great Lakes region due to specialized training aligned with the technical work required, including experience with multi-beam sonar mapping in multiple parks. It also cites the established working relationship and demonstrated technical capability of the named investigator, including ROV-based imagery expertise.
Does the notice reference any policy for single-source or non-competitive awards?
Yes. It references the Department of the Interior single-source policy requirements (505 DM 2) and lists general allowable grounds for non-competitive assistance awards (including unsolicited proposals, continuation, legislative intent, unique qualifications, and emergencies), placing this award within that framework.
Does the notice list general eligibility categories even though it is non-competitive?
Yes. The notice indicates broader eligibility categories that could apply on similar announcements (institutions of higher education and certain nonprofits), but it also makes clear that this specific action is intended to proceed without competition.
Who can be contacted for more information?
The notice lists two contacts: Jay Glase, NPS Fishery Biologist (jayglase@nps.gov, 402-661-1512) and Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist (juliehendricks@nps.gov, 402-661-1662).
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