Phase I Water Quality Assessment at Pipestone National Monument | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Phase I Water Quality Assessment at Pipestone National Monument (P16AS00045)

What is the official title of this funding opportunity?

The official title is "Phase I Water Quality Assessment at Pipestone National Monument."

Who is issuing this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (DOI-NPS).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is P16AS00045.

What type of funding mechanism is this?

This opportunity is set up as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a traditional grant?

In a cooperative agreement, the National Park Service is expected to have active involvement in the project. Based on the announcement, the work is expected to be carried out with collaboration from Pipestone National Monument and the NPS Water Resources Division, rather than being a hands-off award.

What is the main goal of the project?

The goal is to support a Phase I water quality assessment as an initial, short-term component of a broader effort that includes both short- and long-term water quality assessment and monitoring.

What is meant by "Phase I" in this context?

Phase I is described as the initial, short-term component of a larger water quality effort. In practical terms (as stated in the opportunity summary), Phase I typically serves as a baseline or scoping stage that helps establish current conditions and informs what longer-term monitoring should measure and how it should be designed.

Where is the work focused geographically?

The work focuses on water resources within and adjacent to Pipestone National Monument.

Does the assessment only cover areas inside the Monument boundaries?

No. The opportunity explicitly indicates the assessment should consider water resources within and adjacent to Pipestone National Monument, meaning nearby areas that could influence the Monument's water quality are also in scope.

What broader program areas does this opportunity relate to?

The opportunity falls under program areas tied to environment, health, natural resources, and science and technology research and development.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 15.945.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed primarily at public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The announcement also notes that additional eligible applicants may be possible as indicated by supplemental eligibility language, but that supplemental language is not included in the provided excerpt.

How many awards does the National Park Service expect to make?

The National Park Service anticipated making a single award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $10,000.

Does the award size suggest anything about the project scope?

Yes. The stated $10,000 award ceiling suggests a relatively small, targeted Phase I effort rather than a large, multi-year study.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was created and posted on February 5, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline (original and current closing date) was March 4, 2016.

Is this opportunity described as discretionary funding?

Yes. The National Park Service issued it as a discretionary funding opportunity.

Which National Park Service units are expected to be actively involved?

The announcement specifies active involvement and collaboration from Pipestone National Monument and the NPS Water Resources Division.

How does this Phase I project fit into longer-term NPS efforts?

The Phase I assessment is positioned as the initial step that contributes to a larger NPS initiative to understand and monitor water quality conditions affecting Pipestone National Monument over time, including both short- and long-term assessment and monitoring.