Opportunity Information: Apply for L15AS00187
Apply for L15AS00187
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Project Title BLM Utah, Cerberus Collection Interpretive Plan Partnership" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224 Cultural Resource Management.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 24, 2015 and posted on Jun 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 11, 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 $100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office grant opportunity titled "BLM Utah, Cerberus Collection Interpretive Plan Partnership" focuses on turning a uniquely sensitive law-enforcement-derived museum collection into a thoughtful, public-facing educational resource. The Cerberus Collection contains roughly 40,000 prehistoric Southwestern archaeological items that were forfeited to the U.S. Government following "Operation Cerberus Action," a joint FBI and BLM undercover investigation that led in 2009 to the prosecution of 21 individuals for violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and other laws tied to theft and trafficking of cultural property from federal and tribal lands. Because these objects were removed and sold illegally, most of the collection lacks reliable documentation about where items came from (provenience) and their ownership history (provenance), which sharply limits research value and reduces how many objects can ultimately be accessioned long-term in a Department of the Interior (DOI)-approved repository. Even with those limitations, the BLM notes that the collection still contains thousands of pieces that are strong candidates for exhibits and education, and that these items can help tell a compelling story about protecting Native American cultural heritage and the damage caused by looting.
The purpose of the funding is to establish a cooperative partnership to develop an "Interpretive Plan" for the parts of the Cerberus Collection that have been identified for public access. In practical terms, the selected partner would work with BLM to create a clear interpretive framework that can guide consistent public messaging and educational use of the collection. A major emphasis is on developing a central interpretive theme and supporting subthemes that explain, in a coherent and culturally responsible way, the ethical, scientific, and cultural consequences of looting archaeological sites. The plan is expected to be built collaboratively, meaning the partner is expected to engage with interested tribes as well as other stakeholders such as government agencies, organizations, and related partners, so that the resulting interpretation is accurate, respectful, and aligned with broader cultural resource responsibilities.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Bureau of Land Management, offered as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.224 (Cultural Resource Management). The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $100,000 and an award ceiling of $100,000 (with a stated award floor of $2,500). No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement. The notice was posted June 24, 2015, with an application closing date of August 11, 2015, and an archive date of August 31, 2015, indicating it is a historical, time-limited competition rather than an open-ended program. For access issues or questions tied to the original announcement, the listed contact was Maria Gochis, Grants Management Officer (801-539-4178, mgochis@blm.gov), and the announcement referenced Grants.gov as the platform for the competitive process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "BLM Utah, Cerberus Collection Interpretive Plan Partnership" and is offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office.
What is the main goal of the project?
The goal is to develop an Interpretive Plan for the portions of the Cerberus Collection that have been identified for public access, turning a sensitive, law-enforcement-derived collection into a thoughtful, public-facing educational resource.
What is the Cerberus Collection?
The Cerberus Collection contains roughly 40,000 prehistoric Southwestern archaeological items that were forfeited to the U.S. Government following "Operation Cerberus Action," a joint FBI and BLM undercover investigation.
Why is the Cerberus Collection considered sensitive?
The items were removed and sold illegally, and the collection originates from a law-enforcement investigation. The opportunity emphasizes culturally responsible interpretation, particularly because the collection relates to theft and trafficking of cultural property from federal and tribal lands.
What happened during "Operation Cerberus Action"?
Operation Cerberus Action was a joint FBI and BLM undercover investigation that led in 2009 to the prosecution of 21 individuals for violations of ARPA, NAGPRA, and other laws tied to theft and trafficking of cultural property.
What laws are referenced in connection with the collection?
The opportunity references the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and other laws related to theft and trafficking of cultural property from federal and tribal lands.
What does it mean that many items lack "provenience" and "provenance"?
The notice explains that most objects lack reliable documentation about where items came from (provenience) and their ownership history (provenance). This limits research value and reduces how many objects can ultimately be accessioned long-term in a Department of the Interior (DOI)-approved repository.
If documentation is limited, why develop an interpretive plan at all?
BLM notes that, despite documentation limitations, the collection still contains thousands of pieces that are strong candidates for exhibits and education, and that they can help tell a compelling story about protecting Native American cultural heritage and the damage caused by looting.
What is an "Interpretive Plan" in this context?
Based on the notice, the Interpretive Plan is a clear interpretive framework to guide consistent public messaging and educational use of the parts of the collection identified for public access.
What kinds of themes must the Interpretive Plan address?
A major emphasis is developing a central interpretive theme and supporting subthemes that explain the ethical, scientific, and cultural consequences of looting archaeological sites in a coherent and culturally responsible way.
Is tribal consultation or tribal engagement expected?
Yes. The plan is expected to be built collaboratively, and the selected partner is expected to engage with interested tribes, along with other stakeholders, so the interpretation is accurate, respectful, and aligned with broader cultural resource responsibilities.
Who are the other stakeholders mentioned besides tribes?
The opportunity mentions other stakeholders such as government agencies, organizations, and related partners.
What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from BLM offered as a cooperative agreement.
What is the CFDA number and program area?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.224, Cultural Resource Management.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What is the estimated funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $100,000.
What is the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is $100,000, and the award floor is $2,500.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the information provided.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement.
When was the opportunity posted?
The notice was posted on June 24, 2015.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was August 11, 2015.
What does the archive date indicate?
The archive date was August 31, 2015. This indicates it was a historical, time-limited competition rather than an open-ended program.
Where was the competitive process hosted?
The announcement referenced Grants.gov as the platform for the competitive process.
Who was the listed contact for access issues or questions about the original announcement?
The listed contact was Maria Gochis, Grants Management Officer, at 801-539-4178 or mgochis@blm.gov.
Does the opportunity suggest the collection will be fully accessioned long-term?
No. The notice states that limited provenience and provenance reduce how many objects can ultimately be accessioned long-term in a DOI-approved repository.
What is the educational message emphasis described by BLM?
The emphasis is on explaining the ethical, scientific, and cultural consequences of looting, including the damage caused by looting and the importance of protecting Native American cultural heritage.
What makes this partnership "cooperative"?
The notice describes a cooperative partnership where the selected partner works with BLM to develop the Interpretive Plan collaboratively and engages tribes and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and respectful interpretation.
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