Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00367
Apply for P15AS00367
- The National Park Service in the business and commerce education employment, labor and training information and statistics science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Evaluation of the Response to the Centennial Find Your Park campaign" 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 9, 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 $40,129.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,129.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This notice is a public announcement from the National Park Service (NPS) that it intends to make a single, non-competitive award to support an evaluation project tied to the agency's 2016 Centennial outreach. It is not a request for applications and does not invite proposals from other organizations. The opportunity is listed as Funding Announcement P15AS00367 and is essentially a transparency step letting the public know NPS plans to fund a specific set of activities with a named recipient.
The project is titled "Evaluation of the Response to the Centennial Find Your Park campaign" and the intended recipient is Colorado State University (CSU). The total anticipated award amount is $40,129, with no cost share or matching requirement. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning NPS expects to be substantially involved in the work rather than simply providing funds and receiving a final deliverable. The anticipated period of performance runs from the date the agreement is fully signed through 12/31/2016. The statutory authorities cited include 54 USC 101702(a) and (b) and 54 USC 100703, and the assistance listing is under CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU-related).
The central goal of the work is to help NPS understand whether its Centennial-era messaging, especially the Find Your Park campaign, actually resonates with the public it is trying to reach, with a particular emphasis on millennials and social media engagement. During the Centennial campaign, NPS encouraged people to share experiences and perspectives through FindYourPark.com (including "Share Your Story") and related partner or public platforms, including venues not managed by NPS. At the same time, NPS produced its own content intended to spark engagement and shape public understanding. This project is meant to examine both streams of content, user-generated and NPS-generated, and compare them to see where they align and where they differ, so NPS can adjust its communications to be more relevant, inclusive, and effective.
Methodologically, the work centers on content analysis, a standard social science approach for systematically coding and analyzing text, images, audio, and video to identify themes and patterns connected to defined research questions. CSU is expected to develop a research protocol that covers how content will be sampled, what coding scheme will be used to represent key themes, and how the team will ensure reliability between coders so results are defensible. The announcement highlights example questions such as how visitors versus NPS discuss natural resource stewardship and science topics, what natural resource subjects come up most often, and what kinds of posts (for example photos versus questions, or particular subjects) generate the most engagement in the form of likes, shares, and comments. While NPS planned to track typical campaign metrics like awareness and visit counts, the notice emphasizes that there was not otherwise a planned evaluation comparing public content to NPS-produced content, and that this analysis offers a relatively low-cost way to assess "relevancy" in a more meaningful, qualitative way.
The planned activities are laid out in three main parts: first, analyzing social media content posted by visitors across campaign-related platforms such as Share Your Story, hitRecord, and other related venues; second, conducting a comparable content analysis of posts created and published by NPS; and third, translating the findings into recommendations for future messaging, including identifying underserved audiences and improving how NPS communicates natural resource topics. The intended outcomes are an evaluation of social media engagement related to the Centennial campaign and, more importantly, practical guidance that helps NPS align its communications content with how modern audiences actually talk about and connect with parks, nature, stewardship, and science.
Roles are also clearly divided. CSU is responsible for consulting with NPS as the research protocol is developed, implementing the protocol with an initial focus on natural resource topics, producing recommendations including message guidance and product templates, and delivering and presenting a final report summarizing results and recommendations. CSU is also expected to collaborate with NPS to present findings to internal audiences like NPS web managers and Centennial coordinators. NPS, in turn, commits to facilitating connections and coordination, helping identify the relevant social media venues and priority topics and events, reviewing and guiding the protocol and products for alignment with NPS mission and standards, meeting regularly to provide direction, and organizing internal presentations of the results.
Finally, the notice explains why the award is being made without competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy, NPS cites the "Continuation" justification, meaning this work is considered necessary to complete or continue an existing, ongoing effort where competition would disrupt continuity. The notice specifies that this is a Task Agreement (P15AC01704) under an existing Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728) and is being executed through the Rocky Mountains CESU at a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5%, with the cooperative agreement structure reflecting substantial NPS involvement and alignment with CESU public-purpose objectives. The listing also notes administrative details such as the posting date (Sep 1, 2015), an expected single award, eligible applicant category (public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, though the award is already intended for CSU), and the primary contact for questions: June Zastrow at NPS (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this funding announcement open for applications?
No. This notice is not a request for applications and does not invite proposals. It is a public transparency announcement that the National Park Service (NPS) intends to make a single, non-competitive award to a named recipient.
What is the funding announcement number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed as Funding Announcement P15AS00367.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is Colorado State University (CSU).
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The notice indicates an expected single award.
What is the title of the project being funded?
The project is titled "Evaluation of the Response to the Centennial Find Your Park campaign."
What is the total anticipated award amount?
The total anticipated award amount is $40,129.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice states there is no cost share or matching requirement.
What type of award instrument will be used?
The planned award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which means NPS expects to be substantially involved in the work rather than only providing funds and receiving a final deliverable.
What is the anticipated period of performance?
The anticipated period of performance runs from the date the agreement is fully signed through 12/31/2016.
Which agency is issuing this notice?
The notice is issued by the National Park Service (NPS).
What assistance listing (CFDA) is associated with this award?
The assistance listing is CFDA 15.945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU-related).
What statutory authorities are cited for this award?
The notice cites 54 USC 101702(a) and (b), and 54 USC 100703 as statutory authorities.
What is the main purpose of this project?
The central goal is to help NPS understand whether its Centennial-era messaging, especially the Find Your Park campaign, resonates with the public it is trying to reach, with a particular emphasis on millennials and social media engagement.
What kinds of content will be evaluated?
The project is intended to examine both (1) user-generated content posted by the public and partners and (2) content generated by NPS during the campaign, and then compare the two to see where they align and where they differ.
Which platforms or venues are mentioned as sources of user-generated content?
Examples mentioned include FindYourPark.com (including "Share Your Story"), hitRecord, and other related venues, including platforms not managed by NPS.
What method will CSU use to conduct the evaluation?
The work centers on content analysis, a social science method for systematically coding and analyzing text, images, audio, and video to identify themes and patterns tied to defined research questions.
What is CSU expected to develop as part of the methodology?
CSU is expected to develop a research protocol that addresses how content will be sampled, what coding scheme will be used to represent key themes, and how reliability between coders will be ensured so results are defensible.
What are examples of research questions highlighted in the notice?
Examples include: how visitors versus NPS discuss natural resource stewardship and science topics; what natural resource subjects come up most often; and what kinds of posts (such as photos versus questions, or specific subjects) generate the most engagement (likes, shares, comments).
Why is this evaluation being pursued in addition to standard campaign metrics?
The notice explains that while NPS planned to track typical campaign metrics like awareness and visit counts, there was not otherwise a planned evaluation specifically comparing public content to NPS-produced content. This content analysis is described as a relatively low-cost way to assess "relevancy" in a more meaningful, qualitative way.
What are the main parts of the planned work?
The planned activities are described in three parts: (1) analyzing visitor social media content across campaign-related platforms; (2) conducting a comparable content analysis of posts created and published by NPS; and (3) translating findings into recommendations for future messaging, including identifying underserved audiences and improving communication of natural resource topics.
What outcomes or deliverables are expected from the project?
Intended outcomes include an evaluation of social media engagement related to the Centennial campaign and practical guidance to help NPS better align communications with how modern audiences talk about and connect with parks, nature, stewardship, and science. The notice also specifies a final report summarizing results and recommendations, and presentations to internal NPS audiences.
What responsibilities are assigned to Colorado State University (CSU)?
CSU is responsible for consulting with NPS during protocol development, implementing the protocol (initially focusing on natural resource topics), producing recommendations (including message guidance and product templates), delivering and presenting a final report, and collaborating with NPS to present findings to internal audiences such as NPS web managers and Centennial coordinators.
What responsibilities are assigned to the National Park Service (NPS)?
NPS commits to facilitating connections and coordination, helping identify relevant social media venues and priority topics and events, reviewing and guiding the protocol and products for alignment with NPS mission and standards, meeting regularly to provide direction, and organizing internal presentations of the results.
Why is the award being made without competition?
NPS cites a single-source justification under Department of the Interior policy using the "Continuation" rationale, meaning the work is considered necessary to complete or continue an existing, ongoing effort where competition would disrupt continuity.
How does this award relate to existing agreements?
The notice states this is a Task Agreement (P15AC01704) under an existing Cooperative Agreement (P14AC00728).
What CESU network is referenced for executing this agreement?
The award is being executed through the Rocky Mountains CESU.
Is an overhead rate mentioned?
Yes. The notice references a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5%.
Who is listed as the primary contact for questions?
The primary contact is June Zastrow at NPS. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
What is the posting date shown in the notice?
The posting date listed is Sep 1, 2015.
What applicant category is shown as eligible, even though the award is already intended for CSU?
The notice lists "public and state-controlled institutions of higher education" as the eligible applicant category, while also making clear this is a single, non-competitive award intended for CSU.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce Education Employment, Labor and Training Information and Statistics Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ENHANCED WETLAND MONITORING RELATIVE TO UNGULATE MANAGEMENT IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE
Previous opportunity: High resolution hydrologic modeling of Glacier Bay National Park
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 P15AS00367
[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 "P15AS00367", 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.