Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00245
Apply for P14AS00245
- The National Park Service in the community development education energy environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Aesthetic Flows in Hydro Power Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.921 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 11, 2014 and posted on Aug 11, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,100.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,100.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Park Service (NPS) funding notice titled "Promoting Aesthetic Flows in Hydro Power Projects" (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00245) is a notice of intent to award, not an open call for applications. In other words, NPS is publicly announcing that it plans to make a specific award, rather than inviting organizations to compete for the funding. The planned recipient is American Rivers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with Rupak Thapaliya listed as the principal investigator/program manager. The anticipated federal amount is $30,100 with no cost share or matching requirement, and the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which signals that NPS expects to be actively involved in carrying out the work rather than simply providing pass-through funding.
This award is described as a continuation under an existing cooperative agreement (P14AC00335) between NPS and American Rivers that focuses on boosting public involvement in river conservation and recreation. The broader purpose of that underlying agreement is to develop new guidance materials, update and enhance tools for effective river conservation and management, and produce and share educational materials that support conservation and public use of rivers. Under this specific project, the emphasis is on "aesthetic flows" at hydropower projects, meaning guidance on how water releases and flow levels can be managed to support scenic, recreational, and conservation values downstream of dams, particularly in contexts where hydropower operations affect what visitors and communities experience on rivers.
The planned work centers on producing practical guidance and a technical document that can be used in hydropower planning and licensing. American Rivers is expected to (1) develop and disseminate information and help plan the technical document on aesthetic flows; (2) deliver a detailed work plan within one month of the final signature and provide contract support to develop a technical report that includes study methodologies for determining appropriate aesthetic flows at hydropower projects; (3) help design and participate in outreach activities to promote the technical report and related educational materials; and (4) pursue additional funding to bring more stakeholders into related projects. The deliverables are therefore a mix of planning, a methodological technical report, and education/outreach intended to increase adoption and awareness.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, NPS anticipates substantial involvement. NPS roles include representing public interests in recreation and conservation during Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower licensing proceedings, consistent with consultation and technical assistance responsibilities under laws such as the Federal Power Act and others referenced in the notice (including the Outdoor Recreation Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the National Trails System Act). NPS will also support American Rivers in developing the technical report and educational materials, and will help plan and participate in outreach efforts such as meetings and workshops, including agenda development and public-facing information products. The intent is to strengthen public engagement and improve how aesthetic considerations are addressed when hydropower projects are licensed and managed.
NPS states it is not using full and open competition for this award and includes a single-source justification consistent with Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). While parts of the notice reference continuation as a justification criterion, the document also emphasizes "unique qualifications" as the basis for awarding without competition, essentially arguing that American Rivers is particularly suited to continue and complete the work in a way that avoids disruption and maintains continuity with the existing cooperative agreement. The statutory authority cited includes 16 USC 1(g) and 16 USC 1271 et seq., with specific reference to authorities under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act that allow the Department of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and provide limited assistance to encourage participation in protecting and managing river resources.
Key administrative details include CFDA 15.921 (Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance), an expected number of awards of one, and an award ceiling equal to the total anticipated amount ($30,100). The posting date is August 11, 2014, with an original/current closing date listed as August 25, 2014, though the practical significance of the closing date is limited because the notice is explicitly not a request for applications. The NPS point of contact is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding notice?
The funding notice is titled "Promoting Aesthetic Flows in Hydro Power Projects."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00245.
Is this an open grant competition?
No. This is a notice of intent to award, not an open call for applications. It publicly announces NPS plans to make a specific award rather than inviting competing applications.
Can organizations apply for this funding?
Based on the notice description, no. Because it is not a request for applications, it is not set up for outside organizations to submit proposals in response to the posting.
Who is the planned recipient?
The planned recipient is American Rivers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Who is listed as the principal investigator/program manager?
Rupak Thapaliya is listed as the principal investigator/program manager.
Which federal agency is issuing and planning this award?
The National Park Service (NPS) is the issuing agency and plans to make the award.
How much funding is anticipated?
The anticipated federal amount is $30,100.
Is there any cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice states there is no cost share or matching requirement.
What type of award mechanism will be used?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which indicates NPS expects substantial involvement in carrying out the work.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
In this notice, a cooperative agreement means NPS anticipates being actively involved in the project (for example, supporting development of materials and participating in outreach), rather than simply providing pass-through funding.
Is this award connected to a prior agreement?
Yes. It is described as a continuation under an existing cooperative agreement between NPS and American Rivers: P14AC00335.
What is the broader purpose of the underlying cooperative agreement (P14AC00335)?
The broader purpose is to boost public involvement in river conservation and recreation by developing new guidance materials, updating and enhancing tools for effective river conservation and management, and producing and sharing educational materials that support conservation and public use of rivers.
What is the focus of this specific project?
This project emphasizes "aesthetic flows" at hydropower projects, focusing on guidance for managing water releases and flow levels to support scenic, recreational, and conservation values downstream of dams where hydropower operations affect river conditions experienced by visitors and communities.
What are "aesthetic flows" in the context of this notice?
In this notice, "aesthetic flows" refers to water releases and flow levels managed to support scenic quality, recreation, and conservation values downstream of hydropower dams, especially where operations influence what people see and experience on the river.
What are the main planned activities for American Rivers under this project?
The notice describes four main areas of work: (1) develop and disseminate information and help plan a technical document on aesthetic flows; (2) deliver a detailed work plan within one month of the final signature and provide contract support to develop a technical report that includes study methodologies for determining appropriate aesthetic flows at hydropower projects; (3) help design and participate in outreach activities to promote the technical report and related educational materials; and (4) pursue additional funding to bring more stakeholders into related projects.
What deliverables are expected from this project?
The deliverables described include a detailed work plan (due within one month of the final signature), development support for a technical report with study methodologies for determining appropriate aesthetic flows at hydropower projects, and education/outreach materials and activities to promote adoption and awareness.
When is the work plan due?
The recipient is expected to deliver a detailed work plan within one month of the final signature.
What will the technical report cover?
The technical report is described as including study methodologies for determining appropriate aesthetic flows at hydropower projects, intended for use in hydropower planning and licensing.
How will outreach be handled under this award?
American Rivers is expected to help design and participate in outreach activities to promote the technical report and related educational materials. NPS also expects to help plan and participate in outreach efforts such as meetings and workshops, including agenda development and public-facing information products.
What role will NPS play during the project?
NPS anticipates substantial involvement, including representing public interests in recreation and conservation during FERC hydropower licensing proceedings, supporting American Rivers in developing the technical report and educational materials, and helping plan and participate in outreach (meetings, workshops, agendas, and public-facing information products).
How is this project related to FERC hydropower licensing?
The notice connects NPS involvement to representing public recreation and conservation interests during Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower licensing proceedings, and to improving how aesthetic considerations are addressed when hydropower projects are licensed and managed.
Is NPS using full and open competition for this award?
No. The notice states NPS is not using full and open competition and includes a single-source justification consistent with Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2).
Why is the award being made without competition?
The notice describes a single-source approach based on continuation under an existing cooperative agreement and emphasizes "unique qualifications" of American Rivers, stating the organization is particularly suited to continue and complete the work while maintaining continuity and avoiding disruption.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA 15.921 (Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance).
How many awards does NPS expect to make under this notice?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is equal to the total anticipated amount, $30,100.
What is the posting date for the notice?
The posting date is August 11, 2014.
What closing date is listed, and does it matter here?
The notice lists an original/current closing date of August 25, 2014. However, the notice explicitly states it is not a request for applications, so the practical significance of the closing date is limited in this case.
What statutory authorities are cited for this award?
The notice cites 16 USC 1(g) and 16 USC 1271 et seq., with specific reference to authorities under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act that allow the Department of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements and provide limited assistance to encourage participation in protecting and managing river resources.
Which laws are referenced in connection with NPS involvement and responsibilities?
The notice references NPS consultation and technical assistance responsibilities in hydropower licensing contexts under laws such as the Federal Power Act, and also references the Outdoor Recreation Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the National Trails System Act.
Who is the NPS point of contact for this notice?
The NPS point of contact is June Zastrow.
How can the point of contact be reached?
Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development Education Energy Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Acidification, hypoxia, and algal blooms Barriers to current and future ecosystem restoration and climate change resilience in Jamaica Bay (Post Hurricane Sandy study)
Previous opportunity: Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program
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 P14AS00245
[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 "P14AS00245", 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.