Parntership for the National Trails System | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This grant notice, titled "Partnership for the National Trails System" (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00209), is a National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award, meaning it is not an open call for applications. Instead, it serves as public notice that NPS intends to make a non-competitive (single-source) cooperative agreement award to the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS), a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The anticipated federal funding amount is $100,000 with no cost share or matching requirement, and it is identified as a continuation award running from the date of award through 08/30/2019. The program is listed under CFDA 15.921, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, and falls within broad activity areas including community development, education, environment, natural resources, and regional development.

The purpose of the award is to strengthen collaboration between NPS and PNTS to promote, enhance, and support the National Trails System, including its National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. PNTS is described as a coalition made up of 35 nonprofit trail organizations whose missions support specific components of the National Trails System. Through this cooperative agreement, PNTS, NPS, and other partners are positioned to coordinate nonprofit involvement, share information, and jointly promote trail development and stewardship efforts at national, state, and local levels. The work covered by the agreement includes communications and outreach, research on trail-related issues, education and training, and special projects that advance system-wide trail goals.

On the PNTS side, the primary deliverables center on public-facing and partner-facing education and coordination. A major commitment is producing "Pathways Across America," a quarterly publication described as the only national publication devoted specifically to Americas National Scenic and Historic Trails. The publication is intended to raise awareness of National Trails System issues and improve communication among federal staff, state agencies, and nonprofit supporters to increase effectiveness and public benefit. PNTS also commits to working closely with NPS to expand Pathways into a supplemental web-based format. Beyond the publication, PNTS is expected to plan, develop, and produce additional educational and informational materials that encourage innovative approaches to completing and fully developing individual trail components and the broader system. PNTS will also provide planning and organizational support for national scenic and national historic trails workshops, including support for the 15th and 16th National Scenic and Historic Trails Conferences (scheduled for 2015 and 2017 in the notice). Finally, PNTS will undertake projects and activities aligned with the "Decade for the National Trails" initiative, which is framed around increasing public awareness, completing trails on the ground, and strengthening the capacity of agencies and nonprofits to sustain trails for long-term public benefit.

Because the award instrument is a cooperative agreement, NPS anticipates substantial involvement rather than simply providing pass-through funding. NPS responsibilities include encouraging participation across NPS program offices, park units, and other federal agencies in National Trails System activities; collaborating with PNTS on article development and reviewing each issue of Pathways Across America; ensuring the publication reaches appropriate NPS staff nationwide; and sharing information needed to produce joint educational and informational products. NPS also commits to participating with PNTS in organizing and delivering conferences and workshops, and to collaborating on projects that advance the Decade for the National Trails goals. Importantly, the notice explains that specific projects under the umbrella agreement will be authorized through separate task agreements, each with its own work plan and budget developed cooperatively by NPS and PNTS. Both parties also agree to coordinate regularly, align efforts so they complement each other, and work together on research, education, training, marketing, and fundraising related to the National Trails System.

The notice also lays out why NPS is not using full and open competition for this award, citing Department of the Interior single-source policy requirements (505 DM 2). NPS justifies the single-source approach based on three criteria: the award stems from an unsolicited proposal, it is a continuation of currently funded activity where competition could disrupt continuity, and PNTS has unique qualifications. The core argument is that PNTS was created by the lead nonprofit organizations for each national scenic and historic trail specifically to serve as a unified affiliation and support entity for the National Trails System. The notice states that no other organization has the same sole focus and mission for supporting national scenic and historic trails, and that PNTS is recognized in this specialized role even by broader trail and outdoor organizations and by state and federal land management partners. Statutory authority is cited from 16 U.S.C. 1(g) and the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.), emphasizing the federal ability to use cooperative agreements and the intent to assist nonprofit organizations supporting national trails.

Administrative details included in the posting identify this as an expected single award with an award ceiling of $100,000 (and a nominal floor of $1), posted on July 28, 2014, with an associated closing date of August 11, 2014 (though the substance of the notice indicates it is not an application-based competition). The named principal investigator or program manager for PNTS is Gary Werner, and the NPS point of contact is June Zastrow (phone 303-987-6718, email JuneZastrow@nps.gov) 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 Environment Natural Resources Regional Development

Next opportunity: BLM AZ Gila District Youth Internships and Public Land Corps Opportunities

Previous opportunity: Developing the Foundation for Management Assessment Points

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 P14AS00209

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P14AS00209) 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 "P14AS00209", 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.