Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00368
Apply for P15AS00368
- The National Park Service in the community development education employment, labor and training environment information and statistics natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ENHANCED WETLAND MONITORING RELATIVE TO UNGULATE MANAGEMENT IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 1, 2015 and posted on Sep 1, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 10, 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 $29,999.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $29,999.00 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 is a public announcement from the National Park Service (NPS) that it intends to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award for a project called "Enhanced Wetland Monitoring Relative to Ungulate Management in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve." It is not an open solicitation and is not asking for applications. The anticipated recipient is Colorado State University (CSU), working through the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) Wetlands Program, with an expected total award of $29,999 and no cost-share requirement. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement (meaning NPS will be substantially involved in the work rather than simply providing a pass-through grant), and the planned period of performance runs from the date of final signature through December 31, 2018. The funding is issued under statutory authorities in Title 54 of the U.S. Code and is associated with CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU-related work).
The core purpose of the project is to strengthen wetland monitoring in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GSDNP) so park managers have better science to support an Ungulate Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (UMP/EIS). The park is building on existing Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) Wetland Ecological Integrity (WEI) monitoring, but wants an enhanced approach that more directly tracks how wetlands and riparian areas are responding to increased ungulate use (for example, grazing pressure and trampling), while also accounting for hydrology, weather, and climate change. In practical terms, the project is meant to help explain how near-surface hydrology and vegetation communities in a high-elevation, arid setting change over time under multiple stressors, and how those changes might be influenced by future management actions. The findings are intended to be useful not only inside the park but also for similar wetland systems across the San Luis Valley and comparable environments.
The project deliverables are clearly laid out and center on both planning and on-the-ground data collection. Key outputs include: (1) a draft enhanced wetland monitoring plan tailored to the UMP/EIS needs, (2) a first full round of field monitoring at 40 wetland sites, (3) a quality-assured and certified dataset for those monitored sites, and (4) a report analyzing the results with a focus on ungulate-related effects in GSDNP. An important part of that report is the development of draft ecological thresholds and/or management assessment points, essentially proposed indicators or trigger points that can help managers interpret monitoring results and decide when conditions may be crossing into unacceptable impact or when management changes might be warranted. Overall, the project aims to produce estimates of wetland status and to translate monitoring data into decision-relevant guidance for the UMP/EIS process and beyond, including potential future actions like hydrologic restoration (such as modifying wells or ditches).
CSU/CNHP’s role is hands-on and field-oriented, with added responsibility for coordination with NPS technical systems. The recipient is expected to work with ROMN to adapt the existing WEI monitoring protocol so it better supports the UMP/EIS questions, then staff the project with a field crew and handle recruitment, training, and supervision of field technicians. Because accurate vegetation and wetland assessment depends heavily on plant identification and consistent field methods, the announcement emphasizes strong botanical ID skills and safe operation in remote backcountry conditions. CSU/CNHP is also expected to coordinate with NPS data management staff to ensure the ROMN WEI database can accept and manage the project’s field data, including sharing CNHP data-management practices and reliable species information sources. Finally, CSU/CNHP participates in quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), data analysis, and interpretation, with an emphasis on collaborative workshops involving GSDNP staff, the UMP team, CSU, USGS, and other partners, and with results intended for publication in NPS series reports and potentially in peer-reviewed journals.
NPS’s involvement goes beyond funding and reflects why this is structured as a cooperative agreement. NPS will provide financial assistance, collaborate in adapting the monitoring protocol for GSDNP’s specific management planning needs, and provide training to field technicians in ROMN WEI methods as well as backcountry travel and safety. NPS also leads the data management work needed to meet the project’s products, and it takes a leading role in statistical analysis, interpretation, peer review, and publication through the NPS Natural Resource Publication Management Series, with scholarly publication as appropriate. In other words, CSU/CNHP is not simply delivering a product to NPS; both parties are expected to actively shape methods, data systems, and interpretation together.
The notice also explains why the award is being made without competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), non-competitive awards must be justified using specific criteria. NPS cites criterion (2), "Continuation," meaning the work is necessary to complete or continue an ongoing activity and competing it would disrupt continuity or completion. This effort is described as a task agreement (P15AC01707) under an existing cooperative agreement (P14AC00728), routed through the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) at a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5%. The rationale is that CSU/CNHP already has deep experience monitoring wetlands in the San Luis Valley and statewide, and has an established working relationship and familiarity with GSDNP from prior work such as the park’s vegetation mapping and inventory, making continuity and technical alignment a priority.
Administratively, the opportunity information indicates a single expected award, an estimated total funding amount equal to the ceiling ($29,999), eligibility category listed as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education (though this notice is not competitive), and contact information for the NPS point of contact, June Zastrow (phone 303-987-6718, email junezastrow@nps.gov). The original posting date was September 1, 2015, with an original closing date of September 10, 2015, and an archive date of September 11, 2015, reflecting that it functioned primarily as a transparency notice rather than a call for proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open grant solicitation? Can organizations apply?
No. This notice is a public announcement of NPS intent to make a single, non-competitive cooperative agreement award. It is not an open solicitation and it is not requesting applications.
Who is the anticipated recipient of the award?
The anticipated recipient is Colorado State University (CSU), working through the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) Wetlands Program.
What is the project title?
The project is titled "Enhanced Wetland Monitoring Relative to Ungulate Management in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve."
What agency is making the award?
The award is being made by the National Park Service (NPS).
What kind of agreement is being used?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning NPS will be substantially involved in the work (not merely providing pass-through funding).
What is the expected total funding amount?
The expected total award amount is $29,999, and the notice indicates the estimated total funding amount equals the ceiling amount ($29,999).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there is no cost-share requirement.
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The notice indicates a single expected award.
What is the period of performance?
The planned period of performance runs from the date of final signature through December 31, 2018.
What park or location is the project focused on?
The project focuses on Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GSDNP).
What is the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to strengthen wetland monitoring at GSDNP so park managers have better science to support an Ungulate Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (UMP/EIS).
What management issue is driving the enhanced monitoring?
The monitoring is meant to more directly track how wetlands and riparian areas respond to increased ungulate use (including grazing pressure and trampling), while also accounting for hydrology, weather, and climate change.
How does this relate to existing monitoring work?
The park is building on existing Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) Wetland Ecological Integrity (WEI) monitoring, but wants an enhanced approach tailored to the UMP/EIS questions.
What kinds of changes is the monitoring intended to help explain?
It is intended to help explain how near-surface hydrology and vegetation communities in a high-elevation, arid setting change over time under multiple stressors, and how those changes may be influenced by future management actions.
Are the results expected to be useful beyond Great Sand Dunes?
Yes. The findings are intended to inform management inside the park and be useful for similar wetland systems across the San Luis Valley and comparable environments.
What are the key deliverables for this project?
The notice lists four main deliverables: (1) a draft enhanced wetland monitoring plan tailored to the UMP/EIS needs, (2) a first full round of field monitoring at 40 wetland sites, (3) a quality-assured and certified dataset for those sites, and (4) a report analyzing results with a focus on ungulate-related effects in GSDNP.
How many wetland sites will be monitored in the first full field round?
The first full round of field monitoring is planned for 40 wetland sites.
What is meant by a "quality-assured and certified dataset" in this notice?
Based on the notice, it means the field data collected from the monitored sites will go through quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and be prepared to an accepted standard for use in the ROMN WEI data systems.
What will the analysis report focus on?
The report will analyze monitoring results with an emphasis on ungulate-related effects in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
What are "ecological thresholds" or "management assessment points" in this project?
They are draft proposed indicators or trigger points to help managers interpret monitoring results and recognize when conditions may be crossing into unacceptable impact or when management changes might be warranted.
How will the project support decision-making for the UMP/EIS?
The project aims to produce estimates of wetland status and translate monitoring data into decision-relevant guidance for the UMP/EIS process and beyond.
Does the notice mention potential future management actions that the monitoring could inform?
Yes. It notes the work could help inform future actions such as hydrologic restoration, including possible modifications to wells or ditches.
What role will CSU/CNHP play?
CSU/CNHP is expected to work with ROMN to adapt the existing WEI monitoring protocol to better support UMP/EIS questions, staff a field crew, recruit/train/supervise field technicians, coordinate with NPS data management staff, participate in QA/QC, and contribute to data analysis and interpretation through collaborative workshops.
What skills or field capabilities does the notice emphasize for the recipient team?
The notice emphasizes strong botanical plant identification skills, consistent field methods for vegetation and wetland assessment, and safe operation in remote backcountry conditions.
What data management coordination is expected?
CSU/CNHP is expected to coordinate with NPS data management staff to ensure the ROMN WEI database can accept and manage the project field data, including sharing CNHP data-management practices and reliable species information sources.
What role will NPS play during the project (beyond providing funds)?
NPS will collaborate in adapting the monitoring protocol, provide training in ROMN WEI methods and backcountry travel/safety, lead data management work needed to meet the products, and take a leading role in statistical analysis, interpretation, peer review, and publication through NPS publication channels, with scholarly publication as appropriate.
Why is this award non-competitive (single-source)?
NPS cites Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) and uses criterion (2), "Continuation." The notice states the work is needed to complete or continue an ongoing activity and competing it would disrupt continuity or completion.
Is this connected to an existing agreement or task agreement?
Yes. It is described as a task agreement (P15AC01707) under an existing cooperative agreement (P14AC00728).
Is the project associated with a CESU?
Yes. The notice states it is routed through the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
Is there a negotiated indirect cost/overhead rate mentioned?
Yes. The notice references a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5% through the CESU.
What CFDA program is associated with this funding?
The notice associates the funding with CFDA 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System" (CESU-related work).
What statutory authorities are referenced for issuing the funding?
The notice states the funding is issued under statutory authorities in Title 54 of the U.S. Code.
What is the listed eligibility category in the opportunity information?
The eligibility category is listed as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, although the notice also makes clear this is not a competitive opportunity.
Who is the NPS point of contact for this notice?
The point of contact listed is June Zastrow, phone 303-987-6718, email junezastrow@nps.gov.
What were the posting and closing dates shown on the notice?
The original posting date was September 1, 2015, the original closing date was September 10, 2015, and the archive date was September 11, 2015.
Why does the notice have a closing date if it is not soliciting applications?
Based on the description provided, it functioned primarily as a transparency notice announcing intent to award rather than a call for proposals, even though it displayed posting/closing/archive dates.
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