NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Comparative Landscape Scale Cultural Resource Conservation West Virginia | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This notice is a public statement from the National Park Service (NPS) that it intends to make a non-competitive award for a specific, already-identified project rather than inviting new applications. In other words, it is not a solicitation and it is not asking other organizations to apply. The opportunity, listed under Funding Opportunity Number P15AS00326 and posted on August 20, 2015, exists mainly to document that NPS plans to fund a defined scope of work under an existing cooperative framework.

The project is titled "Comparative Landscape Scale Cultural Resource Conservation West Virginia" and the intended recipient is Pennsylvania State University. The total anticipated award amount is $36,844, with no cost share or matching requirement. The award is structured as a Task Agreement (P15AC01552) issued under an existing Cooperative Agreement (P11AC30805), and it runs from the date of final signature through September 30, 2017 (the same end date is given for both the agreement term and the period of performance). The work falls under CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU), indicating it is part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units network approach to research and applied science support for public land and resource management.

At a practical level, the goal of the project is to help Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) incorporate cultural resources into large-scale conservation planning. The focus is West Virginia, and the work is explicitly described as "comparative" and "landscape scale," meaning it is intended to create statewide, consistent, map-based products and methods that can be compared with an earlier pilot effort conducted in Pennsylvania. The underlying idea is to make cultural resource considerations (such as archaeological sites, historic places, and broader cultural landscapes) easier to integrate alongside natural resource data when agencies and partners set conservation priorities across big regions.

Pennsylvania State Universitys responsibilities are centered on building data, evaluating it, and producing models that identify conservation priorities. First, the university is to develop a comprehensive geospatial library relevant to cultural resources for West Virginia. Alongside building that library, it must identify, analyze, and document the available data sources and their resolution, with special attention to data quality and geographic coverage gaps. Another major task is a policy and planning review: the university will examine state and local comprehensive planning documents to understand how cultural resource management, preservation, and planning are addressed in policy. After assembling the necessary inputs, the university will run test modeling using the same general process used in the Pennsylvania pilot study, then produce comparative models at a 270-meter resolution to identify landscape-scale cultural resource conservation priorities for West Virginia. Finally, it will compare the West Virginia effort to the Pennsylvania pilot across several concrete dimensions: reliability of results, time required to execute the process, data quality, data availability, and policy context. The deliverable set culminates in recommendations on how to scale this approach to additional states within the Appalachian LCC region.

NPS is not just providing funding; it is expected to be substantially involved, which is typical for cooperative agreements and is one reason the CESU mechanism is used. NPS commitments include convening a group of technical experts from different cultural resource disciplines to work with the university in evaluating the conservation priorities identified by the modeling. NPS will also help facilitate access to relevant datasets, including information held by partners in the National Historic Preservation Program, and conservation datasets and products developed by or in coordination with LCCs. In addition, NPS will collaborate with the university and bring in other partners as needed to assess what it would take to expand the effort across the Appalachian LCC and potentially beyond.

The announcement also explains why the award is being made without full and open competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), agencies must justify non-competitive awards using specified criteria. NPS cites the "Continuation" criterion, meaning this work is considered necessary to complete or continue an existing, ongoing effort, and competing it would risk disrupting continuity or completion. The project is explicitly described as a continuation under the existing cooperative agreement, and it is processed through the Chesapeake Watershed CESU at a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5 percent, with the rationale that it meets CESU requirements for public purpose, alignment with CESU mission, and substantial NPS involvement.

Legally, the notice cites authorities in Title 54 of the U.S. Code that support NPS use of cooperative agreements and cooperative study units, including provisions for transfer of appropriated funds, research and training programs, and cooperative study units. Administrative details in the listing indicate an expected single award, an award ceiling equal to the total estimated funding ($36,844), and eligibility category information typical of Grants.gov listings (even though the notice is not seeking applications). The NPS point of contact for the notice is June Zastrow (phone 303-987-6718, email junezastrow@nps.gov), who is listed for questions or access issues related to the announcement.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Park Service

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development Education Employment, Labor and Training Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Imaging Diagnostics of Dental Diseases and Conditions (Caries, Periodontal Disease, Cracked Teeth, and Pulp Vitality) (R43/R44)

Previous opportunity: Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Areas FY 2016

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 P15AS00326

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P15AS00326) also looked into and applied for these:

 

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 "P15AS00326", 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.