Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00287
Apply for P14AS00287
- The National Park Service in the community development education employment, labor and training natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "River Conservation Tools and Learning Network Development" 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 21, 2014 and posted on Aug 21, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 4, 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 $25,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 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:
River Conservation Tools and Learning Network Development (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00287) is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, meaning it is not an open call for proposals and is not requesting applications. The announcement serves as public notice that NPS intends to provide a single cooperative agreement award to River Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, as a continuation of an existing multi-year partnership. The anticipated federal funding amount is $25,000 with no cost share required, and the period of performance runs from the date of award through 09/30/2015. The award falls under CFDA 15.921 (Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance) and is authorized under several statutes, including 16 USC 1(g) (cooperative agreements for NPS public purposes), 16 USC 1a-2(g) (cooperative research and training agreements), and 16 USC 1271 et seq. (Wild and Scenic Rivers Act authorities supporting river protection and management partnerships).
The core purpose of the project is to strengthen river and watershed conservation outcomes by building practical tools and a learning network that supports national water trail managers and aligns with broader priorities in the river and watershed conservation community. NPS and River Network frame this work as part of a collaborative effort to empower the public to protect rivers and other waters by advancing watershed protection goals. The partnership is designed to be multi-year in concept, with this task agreement representing an initial year of work that sets up infrastructure and products intended to have value beyond the immediate participants. The project is explicitly informed by a 2014 needs assessment, which identified cross-cutting priorities such as increasing citizen engagement in river and watershed protection and exploring financial innovation to fund conservation.
The planned activities for River Network during this award period center on three main deliverables. First, River Network will establish a National Water Trails Managers Learning Network, including an online forum for regular interaction and document sharing and a schedule of peer calls where managers can exchange information on topics they identify as most relevant. Second, River Network will work with NPS to develop a strategy for a “phase two” expansion of the learning network and to support a national water trails training workshop. Third, River Network will provide logistical, organizational, and facilitation support for that national water trails training workshop anticipated in Spring/Summer 2015, including administering NPS-funded scholarships for attendance if funding is available and coordinating with local host organizations.
Beyond convening and networking, the project also emphasizes producing educational materials that capture and spread best practices. River Network is expected to plan, develop, and produce an educational program (for example, a webinar series or a how-to manual) so that methodologies developed through the learning network can be applied more broadly across the field, not just by workshop or network participants. A major priority for these products is helping organizations move members of the public from recreation-oriented involvement toward deeper participation as volunteers/supporters and ultimately “engaged citizens” in river and watershed protection. The process for developing these materials includes researching River Network affiliate experiences, convening trail managers to share what works, and bringing in perspectives from experts outside the water recreation and environmental sectors to adapt proven engagement approaches. If staffing, intern support, or later modifications provide additional capacity, the scope may expand to include tools focused on conservation finance approaches such as ballot initiatives, tax measures, and water funds.
NPS anticipates substantial involvement, which is why the instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a more hands-off grant. NPS responsibilities include co-developing the learning network strategy based on the needs assessment, providing leadership and organizational support for the national training workshop, sharing contact and background information for national water trail managers, and seeking interagency support through the Interagency National Water Trails team. NPS also commits to integrating related tasks into work plans for NPS RTCA internship programs where appropriate, maintaining regular communication with River Network (including monthly calls), providing the funding necessary to complete the tasks, and promoting the National River Rally as a training and networking opportunity to NPS staff and the broader RTCA network.
Finally, the announcement explains why the award is being made without full and open competition. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), NPS cites the “Continuation” criterion, arguing that the work is necessary to satisfactorily complete or continue an activity already underway and that recompeting it would significantly disrupt continuity. The point of contact listed for the opportunity is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov).
FAQs: River Conservation Tools and Learning Network Development (P14AS00287)
Is this an open grant opportunity where organizations can apply?
No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award. It is not an open call for proposals and it is not requesting applications.
Who is NPS intending to fund under this notice?
NPS intends to provide a single cooperative agreement award to River Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, as a continuation of an existing multi-year partnership.
Why is the award not being competed?
NPS states the award is being made without full and open competition under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) using the "Continuation" criterion. NPS explains the work is necessary to continue an activity already underway and that recompeting it would significantly disrupt continuity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00287.
What is the type of federal assistance instrument?
The planned award is a cooperative agreement, reflecting substantial involvement by NPS in carrying out the project.
How much federal funding is anticipated?
The anticipated federal funding amount is $25,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost share is required.
What is the period of performance?
The period of performance runs from the date of award through 09/30/2015.
What CFDA program does this fall under?
This award falls under CFDA 15.921, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance.
What legal authorities are cited for the award?
The notice cites multiple authorities, including 16 USC 1(g) (cooperative agreements for NPS public purposes), 16 USC 1a-2(g) (cooperative research and training agreements), and 16 USC 1271 et seq. (Wild and Scenic Rivers Act authorities supporting river protection and management partnerships).
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The project aims to strengthen river and watershed conservation outcomes by building practical tools and a learning network that supports national water trail managers and aligns with broader priorities in the river and watershed conservation community. The work is framed as part of a collaborative effort to empower the public to protect rivers and other waters by advancing watershed protection goals.
How does this project relate to a broader, multi-year partnership?
The partnership is described as multi-year in concept, with this task agreement representing an initial year of work. The intent is to establish infrastructure and products designed to have value beyond the immediate participants.
What informed the project design and priorities?
The work is explicitly informed by a 2014 needs assessment. The notice highlights cross-cutting priorities such as increasing citizen engagement in river and watershed protection and exploring financial innovation to fund conservation.
What are the main deliverables expected from River Network during the award period?
The planned activities are organized around three main deliverables: (1) establishing a National Water Trails Managers Learning Network; (2) developing a strategy with NPS for a phase two expansion of the learning network and supporting a national water trails training workshop; and (3) providing logistical, organizational, and facilitation support for the national training workshop anticipated in Spring/Summer 2015.
What is the National Water Trails Managers Learning Network?
It is a learning network that River Network will establish for national water trail managers. It is expected to include an online forum for regular interaction and document sharing, plus a schedule of peer calls where managers can exchange information on topics they identify as most relevant.
What does "phase two" mean in this notice?
"Phase two" refers to an expansion of the learning network beyond the initial setup. River Network is expected to work with NPS to develop a strategy for this expansion and to support a national water trails training workshop.
Is there a national training workshop included in the project?
Yes. The notice anticipates a national water trails training workshop in Spring/Summer 2015, and River Network is expected to provide logistical, organizational, and facilitation support.
Will scholarships be available for the national training workshop?
The notice indicates River Network may administer NPS-funded scholarships for attendance if funding is available.
What role do local host organizations play for the workshop?
River Network is expected to coordinate with local host organizations as part of planning and delivering the national water trails training workshop.
Does the project include educational materials or training content beyond meetings and workshops?
Yes. River Network is expected to plan, develop, and produce an educational program (for example, a webinar series or a how-to manual) so that methodologies developed through the learning network can be applied more broadly across the field, not only by workshop or network participants.
What is a major priority for the educational products?
A major priority is helping organizations move members of the public from recreation-oriented involvement toward deeper participation as volunteers/supporters and ultimately "engaged citizens" in river and watershed protection.
How will River Network develop the educational materials?
The notice describes a development process that includes researching River Network affiliate experiences, convening trail managers to share what works, and bringing in perspectives from experts outside the water recreation and environmental sectors to adapt proven engagement approaches.
Could the project expand to include conservation finance tools?
Possibly. If staffing, intern support, or later modifications provide additional capacity, the scope may expand to include tools focused on conservation finance approaches such as ballot initiatives, tax measures, and water funds.
Why is this structured as a cooperative agreement instead of a traditional grant?
The notice states NPS anticipates substantial involvement, which is why a cooperative agreement is used rather than a more hands-off grant.
What involvement and responsibilities does NPS plan to have?
NPS responsibilities include co-developing the learning network strategy based on the needs assessment; providing leadership and organizational support for the national training workshop; sharing contact and background information for national water trail managers; and seeking interagency support through the Interagency National Water Trails team.
What ongoing coordination is expected between NPS and River Network?
NPS commits to maintaining regular communication with River Network, including monthly calls.
Does NPS mention any support through internships or internal programs?
Yes. NPS indicates it will integrate related tasks into work plans for NPS RTCA internship programs where appropriate.
How will NPS help promote training and networking opportunities connected to this work?
NPS states it will promote the National River Rally as a training and networking opportunity to NPS staff and the broader RTCA network.
Who is the point of contact for this notice?
The listed point of contact is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
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