Opportunity Information: Apply for DOI NPS BADL E12AC30013
Apply for DOI NPS BADL E12AC30013
- The National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rare Earth Element Analysis in the Protection of Fossil Resources" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.944 Natural Resource Stewardship.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 1, 2011 and posted on Nov 1, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 15, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts.
- Notice of Intent to Award w/o competition. Temple University Principal Investigator is uniquely qualified by 20 years of research fossil resources at the White River Group and Badlands National Park and his research into the application of the Rare Earth Element fingerprinting methodologies to the protection of fossil resources.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Rare Earth Element Analysis in the Protection of Fossil Resources" (Funding Opportunity Number: DOI NPS BADL E12AC30013) was a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding action focused on protecting paleontological resources, particularly fossils, through scientific analysis and practical applications in enforcement and education. It was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work was intended to be carried out in close coordination with the NPS rather than as a simple pass-through award with minimal agency involvement. The activity category was Natural Resources, aligned with CFDA 15.944 (Natural Resource Stewardship), which generally covers projects that help conserve, study, and manage natural and cultural resources under NPS stewardship.
At its core, the project emphasized the use of Rare Earth Element (REE) analysis as a forensic and interpretive tool. REE analysis can function like a geochemical fingerprint: fossils often incorporate trace element signatures from the sediments and groundwater chemistry of the depositional environment where they formed. Because these signatures can vary by geologic formation and even by specific locations within a park, analyzing the REE pattern of a fossil can help link it back to its origin. In a resource protection and law enforcement context, that kind of sourcing capability can be valuable when fossils are illegally collected and moved off-site. If a fossil seized during an investigation can be chemically matched to a known formation or area (for example, within Badlands National Park and associated units of the White River Group), it strengthens the evidentiary basis for showing the material came from protected lands. In addition to enforcement uses, the opportunity also highlighted public education applications, suggesting the project would translate the science into materials or messaging that helps visitors understand why fossil theft is harmful, how fossils are protected, and how scientific methods are used to safeguard them.
Financially, the opportunity was modest and tightly scoped. The estimated total funding was $30,000, with an award ceiling of $30,000 and an award floor of $0. Only one award was expected. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, lowering the barrier to participation for an eligible partner and making the federal funding the primary source of project support. The posting date and creation date were both November 1, 2011, with an original and current closing date of November 15, 2011, and an archive date of December 15, 2011. Those dates indicate a short application window, but the eligibility information makes clear this was not a typical open competition.
The eligibility section explicitly states this was a "Notice of Intent to Award w/o competition," which means the NPS intended to make a sole-source cooperative agreement rather than solicit multiple competing proposals. The rationale given was that a Temple University principal investigator was uniquely qualified, based on two main factors: roughly 20 years of research on fossil resources associated with the White River Group and Badlands National Park, and specific research experience applying REE fingerprinting methodologies to fossil resource protection. That combination of long-term field and formation-specific expertise, plus demonstrated technical capability with REE methods, is the stated justification for proceeding without competition. While the announcement lists a broad set of eligible applicant types in general (including certain nonprofits, tribal governments, county and local governments, and public/private institutions of higher education), the practical reality for this action was that it was tailored to a specific partner due to specialized qualifications and continuity of work.
From an implementation standpoint, a cooperative agreement for this topic would typically involve activities such as building or refining a reference database of REE signatures from known fossil-bearing strata; developing sampling and chain-of-custody protocols appropriate for potential legal proceedings; coordinating with park law enforcement rangers and resource managers on how to use results in investigations; and creating interpretive or educational content that communicates the role of geochemical science in protecting park resources. Even though the public notice is brief, the stated purpose points to a blend of applied laboratory analysis, field-grounded geological context, and operational integration with NPS protection and outreach functions.
The awarding agency was the National Park Service. For assistance accessing the full announcement electronically, the listed contact was Theora McVay, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 402-661-1662, with an email address referenced but not provided in the text you supplied.
FAQs: Rare Earth Element Analysis in the Protection of Fossil Resources (DOI NPS BADL E12AC30013)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Rare Earth Element Analysis in the Protection of Fossil Resources."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOI NPS BADL E12AC30013.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
The awarding agency was the National Park Service (NPS).
What type of federal funding action was this?
This was an NPS discretionary funding action.
Was this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work was intended to be carried out in close coordination with the NPS rather than as a pass-through award with minimal agency involvement.
What was the main purpose of the project?
The project focused on protecting paleontological resources (particularly fossils) by using Rare Earth Element (REE) analysis as both a scientific tool and a practical tool for enforcement and public education.
What activity category did this opportunity fall under?
The activity category was Natural Resources.
Which CFDA program was this associated with?
It was aligned with CFDA 15.944 (Natural Resource Stewardship).
How does Rare Earth Element (REE) analysis relate to fossil protection?
REE analysis can function like a geochemical fingerprint. Fossils can incorporate trace element signatures from sediments and groundwater chemistry in the environment where they formed. Because these signatures can vary by geologic formation and even by location within a park, a fossil's REE pattern can help link it back to its origin.
How could REE analysis be used in enforcement or investigations?
If a fossil is illegally collected and moved off-site, REE analysis of a seized fossil can potentially be chemically matched to a known formation or area. For example, matching material to formations associated with Badlands National Park and units of the White River Group can strengthen the evidentiary basis for showing the fossil came from protected lands.
Did the opportunity include any public education component?
Yes. In addition to enforcement uses, the project highlighted education applications, including translating the science into materials or messaging that helps visitors understand why fossil theft is harmful, how fossils are protected, and how scientific methods are used to safeguard them.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding was $30,000.
What were the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling was $30,000 and the award floor was $0.
How many awards were expected?
Only one award was expected.
Was there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was the opportunity posted and created?
The posting date and creation date were both November 1, 2011.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date was November 15, 2011.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was December 15, 2011.
Was this an open competitive funding opportunity?
No. The eligibility section states it was a "Notice of Intent to Award w/o competition," meaning the NPS intended to make a sole-source cooperative agreement rather than solicit multiple competing proposals.
Why was the award planned without competition?
The rationale provided was that a Temple University principal investigator was uniquely qualified based on roughly 20 years of research on fossil resources associated with the White River Group and Badlands National Park, along with specific experience applying REE fingerprinting methodologies to fossil resource protection.
Who was identified as uniquely qualified in the notice?
The notice stated that a Temple University principal investigator was uniquely qualified (based on the stated experience and research background).
Did the announcement list general categories of eligible applicants?
Yes. The announcement lists broad eligible applicant types in general, including certain nonprofits, tribal governments, county and local governments, and public/private institutions of higher education.
Even with broad eligibility categories, could most organizations realistically apply?
Based on the information provided, the practical reality was that this action was tailored to a specific partner due to specialized qualifications and continuity of work, since it was a notice of intent to award without competition.
What kinds of activities would a cooperative agreement like this typically involve?
Based on the stated purpose and implementation description, typical activities could include building or refining a reference database of REE signatures from known fossil-bearing strata; developing sampling and chain-of-custody protocols appropriate for potential legal proceedings; coordinating with park law enforcement rangers and resource managers on how results could be used in investigations; and creating interpretive or educational content explaining how geochemical science supports protection of park resources.
What geographic or geologic context was mentioned?
The description referenced Badlands National Park and associated units of the White River Group as an example where REE matching could link fossils to protected lands.
Who was the listed contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The contact listed was Theora McVay, Contract Specialist.
What phone number was provided for the contact?
The phone number provided was 402-661-1662.
Was an email address provided in the supplied text?
An email address was referenced, but it was not provided in the text supplied.
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