Opportunity Information: Apply for FY2014 WICA PLC 0004
Apply for FY2014 WICA PLC 0004
- The National Park Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information Wind Cave National Park 2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance" 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 Mar 18, 2014 and posted on Mar 18, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 21, 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 $45,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $45,000.00 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:
This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) request for information tied to a potential cooperative agreement project at Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The project is titled "2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance" (Funding Opportunity Number FY2014 WICA PLC 0004) and falls under the environment and natural resources category, specifically CFDA 15.931 (Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations). Rather than a traditional open grant competition for individuals, it is aimed at qualifying youth service organizations that can recruit, place, and manage trail crews and coordinate closely with NPS staff to deliver hands-on conservation and stewardship work paired with training and educational experiences.
The park is seeking two separate trail crews made up primarily of high school and college-aged participants (generally ages 16 to 25, plus other qualified individuals). Each crew is expected to include six crew members and two crew leaders, and each crew would work for about 21 days (roughly three weeks). The first crew is scheduled to start June 9, 2014, and the second crew is scheduled to start July 14, 2014. Estimated funding is $22,500 per crew, for a total estimated project amount of $45,000, with cost sharing or matching indicated as a requirement. The notice lists one expected award, suggesting NPS intends to select a single partner organization that can supply and oversee both crews.
The core purpose of the project is trail system maintenance and improvement across a 30-plus-mile network within Wind Cave National Park. Work activities described include installing wooden posts and trail markers along designated routes; repairing trail tread erosion; installing stone and log water bars to reduce ongoing erosion; removing dead and downed trees from trails; trimming and cutting brush and vegetation that encroach on trail corridors; and reconstructing or constructing footpath bridges. When weather limits backcountry trail work, crews may be reassigned to tasks like removing noxious weeds. The day-to-day structure is intended to be collaborative: park staff provide work assignments, operational coordination, safety training, and education to ensure the crews gain meaningful resource management and conservation experience while also supporting visitor services and safe park operations.
A major logistical element is that crews are required to camp while in the park. The park describes multiple camping options, with safety emphasized as the top priority: if conditions allow, crews may camp in backcountry areas or at Elk Mountain Campground, and there is also a campsite near the VIP area that offers access to cooking, showers, and shelter as needed. Importantly, the crews (and by extension the supporting organization) must provide their own transportation to and from the park and for travel during the work, as well as meals, camping gear, and a broad range of personal protective and safety items. Examples listed include hearing and eye protection, gloves, hard hats, sun protection, first aid kits, insect repellent, and poison ivy repellent. The park is located in the southern Black Hills and can experience significant weather extremes, from sub-zero temperatures in winter to temperatures over 100 degrees in summer, which is highlighted to set expectations for working conditions.
The work is described as physically demanding and performed outdoors in mountainous and high prairie terrain. Crew members should be in good physical condition and ready for long periods of standing, hiking, and lifting moderately heavy materials, sometimes in extreme weather that can escalate into serious events. Crews should also be prepared to carry tools, equipment, meals, and water over long distances to remote sites. Work on weekends and holidays may be required. The park also notes potential hazards and field realities, including the possibility of encountering large wildlife such as bison, mountain lions, elk, and deer, as well as hazardous plants and animals like poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and fleas. NPS staff will provide education to supervisors and crews on backcountry procedures and hazards before work begins, but the expectation is that the participating organization can support a disciplined, safety-focused crew environment.
The announcement outlines the kinds of skills and backgrounds that are desirable for participants. Physically, it calls out agility, stamina, flexibility, coordination, and cardiovascular endurance. Mentally and socially, it emphasizes self-motivation, a positive attitude, teamwork, respect, and confidence. Educationally, it mentions that coursework or experience in areas such as resource management, American history, natural history, writing/publishing, and communications can be relevant, reflecting that this is meant to be more than manual labor and includes a strong training and learning component tied to conservation and public lands stewardship.
For organizations interested in being considered, NPS requests a Statement of Information/Qualifications (maximum three pages) describing how the organization would implement and manage the project in coordination with NPS staff. The statement must include the applicant's name, organization, and contact details; a brief description of the organization and its mission; and specific qualifications and experience related to recruiting and placing youth trail crews, including examples of past projects and the availability of staff, faculty, or students who could support the work. In addition to the statement, organizations must submit a bid. NPS indicates it will review these materials to determine which organization is best suited to provide the needed services for this specific project.
The submission deadline for the electronic Statement of Information and bid is 5:00 PM CST on Friday, March 21, 2014, and submissions (and questions) are directed to Julie Hendricks at juliehendricks@nps.gov (phone 402-661-1662). Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education. The opportunity was posted March 18, 2014, with the same date listed for creation, and it later archived on April 20, 2014. A final clarification included in the notice is that this request is intended for organizations capable of supplying crews for internship-style service learning opportunities; individuals who want to serve as interns or crew members are instructed to contact the park directly, and general youth program information is available through the NPS youth programs website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance (Wind Cave National Park)
What is this opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) request for information connected to a potential cooperative agreement project at Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The project is titled "2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance" (Funding Opportunity Number FY2014 WICA PLC 0004) and is focused on hands-on trail maintenance and stewardship work carried out by youth trail crews.
Is this an open grant opportunity for individuals?
No. This notice is aimed at qualifying youth service organizations that can recruit, place, and manage trail crews in close coordination with NPS staff. Individuals interested in serving as interns or crew members are instructed to contact the park directly.
What program area and CFDA does this fall under?
The opportunity is in the environment and natural resources category and is associated with CFDA 15.931, Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education.
How many awards does NPS expect to make?
The notice lists one expected award, which suggests NPS intends to select a single partner organization that can supply and oversee both trail crews.
How many trail crews are being requested?
Wind Cave National Park is seeking two separate trail crews.
What is the expected crew size and structure?
Each crew is expected to include six crew members and two crew leaders, and crews are made up primarily of high school and college-aged participants (generally ages 16 to 25, plus other qualified individuals).
What are the expected start dates and duration for each crew?
The first crew is scheduled to start June 9, 2014, and the second crew is scheduled to start July 14, 2014. Each crew would work for about 21 days (roughly three weeks).
How much funding is available?
Estimated funding is $22,500 per crew, for a total estimated project amount of $45,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is indicated as a requirement in the notice.
What is the primary purpose of the project?
The core purpose is trail system maintenance and improvement across a 30-plus-mile trail network within Wind Cave National Park.
What types of work will the crews perform?
Activities described include installing wooden posts and trail markers; repairing trail tread erosion; installing stone and log water bars to reduce erosion; removing dead and downed trees from trails; trimming and cutting brush and vegetation along trail corridors; and reconstructing or constructing footpath bridges.
What happens if weather prevents backcountry trail work?
When weather limits backcountry trail work, crews may be reassigned to other tasks such as removing noxious weeds.
How will day-to-day work be coordinated?
The day-to-day structure is intended to be collaborative. Park staff provide work assignments, operational coordination, safety training, and education so crews gain meaningful conservation and resource management experience while supporting visitor services and safe park operations.
Will the crews be camping during the project?
Yes. Crews are required to camp while in the park.
Where will crews camp?
The park describes multiple camping options, with safety as the top priority. If conditions allow, crews may camp in backcountry areas or at Elk Mountain Campground. A campsite near the VIP area is also mentioned, with access to cooking, showers, and shelter as needed.
Who provides transportation for the crews?
The crews (and the supporting organization) must provide their own transportation to and from the park and for travel during the work.
Who provides meals and camping gear?
The crews (and the supporting organization) must provide meals and camping gear.
What safety and personal protective equipment is required?
The notice indicates crews must provide a broad range of personal protective and safety items. Examples listed include hearing and eye protection, gloves, hard hats, sun protection, first aid kits, insect repellent, and poison ivy repellent.
What are the expected working conditions and weather considerations?
The park is located in the southern Black Hills and can experience significant weather extremes, ranging from sub-zero temperatures in winter to temperatures over 100 degrees in summer. Work is outdoors and may occur in challenging conditions.
How physically demanding is the work?
The work is described as physically demanding and performed outdoors in mountainous and high prairie terrain. Crew members should be in good physical condition and ready for long periods of standing, hiking, and lifting moderately heavy materials, sometimes in extreme weather. Crews should also be prepared to carry tools, equipment, meals, and water over long distances to remote sites.
Are weekends or holidays included in the work schedule?
Yes. Work on weekends and holidays may be required.
What hazards or field risks are noted?
Potential hazards include encounters with large wildlife such as bison, mountain lions, elk, and deer, as well as hazardous plants and animals such as poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and fleas. The notice also highlights that extreme weather can escalate into serious events.
Will NPS provide safety training?
Yes. NPS staff will provide education to supervisors and crews on backcountry procedures and hazards before work begins, and will also provide safety training as part of operational coordination.
What participant skills or traits are considered desirable?
The notice emphasizes physical abilities such as agility, stamina, flexibility, coordination, and cardiovascular endurance, along with mental and social traits such as self-motivation, a positive attitude, teamwork, respect, and confidence.
Are there educational elements tied to the work?
Yes. The project is described as pairing hands-on conservation and stewardship work with training and educational experiences. Coursework or experience in areas such as resource management, American history, natural history, writing/publishing, and communications is mentioned as relevant.
What must an interested organization submit?
NPS requests a Statement of Information/Qualifications (maximum three pages) describing how the organization would implement and manage the project in coordination with NPS staff, plus a bid.
What must be included in the Statement of Information/Qualifications?
The statement must include the applicant's name, organization, and contact details; a brief description of the organization and its mission; and specific qualifications and experience related to recruiting and placing youth trail crews, including examples of past projects and the availability of staff, faculty, or students who could support the work.
How will NPS use the submitted materials?
NPS indicates it will review the Statement of Information/Qualifications and the bid to determine which organization is best suited to provide the needed services for this specific project.
What is the submission deadline?
The deadline for the electronic Statement of Information and bid is 5:00 PM CST on Friday, March 21, 2014.
Where should submissions and questions be sent?
Submissions and questions are directed to Julie Hendricks at juliehendricks@nps.gov, phone 402-661-1662.
When was this opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The opportunity was posted March 18, 2014 (with the same date listed for creation) and later archived on April 20, 2014.
What should individuals do if they want to participate as interns or crew members?
The notice clarifies that this request is intended for organizations capable of supplying crews for internship-style service learning opportunities. Individuals who want to serve as interns or crew members are instructed to contact the park directly, and general youth program information is available through the NPS youth programs website.
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