Opportunity Information: Apply for FY2015 VOYA 0001
Apply for FY2015 VOYA 0001
- The National Park Service in the employment, labor and training environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rehabilitate Safety Portages" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931 Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 21, 2015 and posted on Jan 21, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 17, 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 $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 having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
Rehabilitate Safety Portages (Funding Opportunity Number FY2015 VOYA 0001) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on improving snowmobile safety portages and other trails in Voyageurs National Park while giving youth and young adults a hands-on conservation work and learning experience. The project is designed to strengthen visitor safety and enjoyment by repairing trail surfaces and clearing vegetation that has narrowed corridors and reduced sightlines, especially along snowmobile routes where visibility and adequate passing width are essential. The work also supports park operations by ensuring trails are wide and stable enough for grooming equipment, helping maintain reliable winter access.
The NPS is looking for a single qualified nonprofit partner (must be a 501(c)(3), not an institution of higher education) that can field and manage a four-week backcountry trail crew. The minimum crew structure is at least two leaders plus eight crew members, and at least one leader must be sawyer qualified to operate a chainsaw and brush saw. In practical terms, the partner needs to be capable of recruiting and supervising a youth-focused crew in a remote setting and ensuring the team can safely perform vegetation clearing, brushing, and tread repairs, including tasks like adding fill and removing root masses from uprooted trees.
Cost and logistics are split between the partner and the NPS. The partner is responsible for providing skilled leaders and covering essentially all crew-related support and risk management costs, including training, travel, recruitment, administrative support, basecamp gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and 24-hour emergency response capability. The NPS will support the effort by providing a crew liaison, project materials, tools, a communication device, and a basecamp location, which will be in the park backcountry for most of the project. This setup emphasizes that applicants should be comfortable operating in remote conditions where self-sufficiency, safety planning, and field leadership are critical.
The opportunity is funded at a total of $30,000, with an award floor and ceiling both listed as $30,000, and it includes a cost sharing or matching requirement. It is categorized as discretionary funding and will be issued as a cooperative agreement, reflecting the expectation of active collaboration with NPS staff during planning and implementation. The CFDA number is 15.931 (Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations), aligning the project with youth engagement, stewardship, and service-learning objectives.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant capabilities, particularly experience in trail maintenance, chainsaw and brush saw operations, and backcountry camping. Because Voyageurs is known for its water-based access and wilderness character, canoeing knowledge is also listed as a desired skill, suggesting that water travel and remote camp logistics may be part of daily operations. Overall, the NPS is seeking a partner that can deliver both high-quality field outcomes (safer, better-functioning trails) and a meaningful youth workforce development experience through supervised conservation work.
To apply, interested organizations were instructed to submit a Statement of Information/Qualifications (maximum three pages) along with a bid. The statement needed to explain how the organization would implement and manage the project in coordination with NPS staff, and it had to include basic organizational details (name, mission, contact information) plus evidence of relevant experience, especially in recruiting and placing youth interns and executing similar field projects. Submissions were to be sent electronically to catherineschroeder@nps.gov by Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. The NPS indicated it would review the statements and bids to select the organization best suited to deliver the specific services and outcomes for this project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Rehabilitate Safety Portages" grant opportunity?
Rehabilitate Safety Portages (Funding Opportunity Number FY2015 VOYA 0001) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement focused on improving snowmobile safety portages and other trails in Voyageurs National Park. The project also provides youth and young adults with a hands-on conservation work and learning experience.
What is the main goal of the project?
The project is designed to strengthen visitor safety and enjoyment by repairing trail surfaces and clearing vegetation that has narrowed trail corridors and reduced sightlines. This is especially important along snowmobile routes where visibility and adequate passing width are essential.
Why is this work especially important for snowmobile routes?
Snowmobile routes require clear sightlines and enough width for safe passing. Vegetation encroachment and narrowed corridors can reduce visibility and create safety issues. The project targets these risks by brushing/clearing and improving trail tread conditions.
How does the project support park operations?
In addition to improving visitor safety, the work supports park operations by helping ensure trails are wide and stable enough for grooming equipment. This helps maintain reliable winter access.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which indicates active collaboration is expected between the selected partner and NPS staff during planning and implementation.
Is this a competitive or discretionary funding opportunity?
It is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the CFDA number and what does it indicate?
The CFDA number is 15.931, titled "Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations." This aligns the project with youth engagement, stewardship, and service-learning objectives.
Who is eligible to apply?
NPS is looking for a single qualified nonprofit partner that must be a 501(c)(3). Institutions of higher education are not eligible under the stated requirements.
How many partners will be selected?
The NPS stated it is looking for a single qualified nonprofit partner to field and manage the project’s backcountry trail crew.
What is the total funding amount for this opportunity?
The total funding amount is $30,000. The award floor and the award ceiling are both listed as $30,000.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the expected project duration for the field crew?
The selected partner must be able to field and manage a four-week backcountry trail crew.
What is the minimum required crew structure?
The minimum crew structure is at least two leaders plus eight crew members.
Are there specific qualifications required for crew leadership?
Yes. At least one leader must be sawyer qualified to operate a chainsaw and brush saw.
What kinds of tasks will the crew perform?
The work includes vegetation clearing and brushing, as well as trail tread repairs. Examples of tread work mentioned include adding fill and removing root masses from uprooted trees.
What experience should applicants demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant capabilities, particularly experience in trail maintenance, chainsaw and brush saw operations, and backcountry camping.
Is canoeing experience relevant to this project?
Canoeing knowledge is listed as a desired skill. Because Voyageurs National Park is known for water-based access and a wilderness character, water travel and remote camp logistics may be part of operations.
Will the project be based in a remote/backcountry setting?
Yes. The basecamp location will be in the park backcountry for most of the project. Applicants should be comfortable operating in remote conditions where self-sufficiency, safety planning, and field leadership are critical.
What is the partner organization responsible for providing?
The partner is responsible for providing skilled leaders and covering essentially all crew-related support and risk management costs. This includes training, travel, recruitment, administrative support, basecamp gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and 24-hour emergency response capability.
What support will the National Park Service provide?
The NPS will support the effort by providing a crew liaison, project materials, tools, a communication device, and a basecamp location.
What does "cooperative agreement" mean for day-to-day project work?
Based on the description, it means the partner should plan and implement the work in coordination with NPS staff, with NPS involvement through collaboration and support such as a crew liaison, materials/tools, and communications support.
What application materials were required?
Interested organizations were instructed to submit a Statement of Information/Qualifications (maximum three pages) along with a bid.
What needed to be included in the Statement of Information/Qualifications?
The statement needed to explain how the organization would implement and manage the project in coordination with NPS staff. It also had to include basic organizational details (name, mission, and contact information) plus evidence of relevant experience, especially recruiting and placing youth interns and executing similar field projects.
How were applications submitted?
Submissions were to be sent electronically via email to catherineschroeder@nps.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline provided was Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. CDT.
How would the NPS select the awardee?
The NPS indicated it would review the statements and bids to select the organization best suited to deliver the specific services and outcomes for the project.
What outcomes is the NPS looking for from the selected partner?
The NPS is seeking both high-quality field outcomes (safer, better-functioning trails and portages through clearing and repairs) and a meaningful youth workforce development experience through supervised conservation work.
What kinds of safety and risk management capabilities are expected from the partner?
The partner is expected to handle crew-related support and risk management, including providing PPE, maintaining liability coverage and personal accident insurance, and ensuring 24-hour emergency response capability appropriate for remote backcountry operations.
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