Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP13AC00045

  • The National Park Service in the education environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Operation of Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954 National Park Service Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 17, 2015 and posted on Aug 17, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 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 $28,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $28,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center
Apply for NPS NOIP13AC00045

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Opportunity Summary:

The National Park Service (NPS) funding opportunity titled "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS - Operation of Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center" (Funding Opportunity Number NPS NOIP13AC00045) describes a discretionary cooperative agreement intended to support the continued operation and delivery of education and outreach programming through the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center. The notice is explicitly not a public call for applications, meaning it was posted to document an intended award rather than to invite competitive proposals from multiple organizations. The project sits at the intersection of education, environment, and natural resources and is tied to CFDA 15.954, which covers NPS conservation, protection, outreach, and education activities. The announcement lists an estimated total funding amount of $28,000, with an award ceiling of $28,000 and no minimum floor, and it indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

The recipient identified for this cooperative agreement is the Dunes Learning Center, selected because of its long-standing working relationship and demonstrated performance delivering programming in partnership with NPS. According to the notice, the Dunes Learning Center has spent roughly 15 years collaborating with NPS to develop joint programming for schools, youth, and adults, including residential education experiences that require long lead times. A major part of why this partner was chosen is operational continuity: the Learning Center works with school districts years in advance to schedule programs and has an established curriculum that has been developed, implemented, and evaluated closely with NPS involvement. NPS states it wants to maintain the existing level of service to the community without interruptions to programming or disruption to the network of community partners and regional organizations that have been engaged over time. The notice also emphasizes that the partner is uniquely positioned to deliver these services and has already been providing them for more than a decade in coordination with NPS.

NPS describes substantial involvement, which is a defining feature of a cooperative agreement compared with a more hands-off grant. In practical terms, this reflects an active federal role in shaping and supporting the work rather than simply providing funds. The rationale for not soliciting full and open competition is grounded in the specialized nature of the relationship and programming infrastructure already in place: the Learning Center and NPS have a mature joint program model, established scheduling pipelines with school districts, and a curriculum that has been jointly refined and assessed. The announcement points to specific planned activities that further reinforce the need for an experienced, integrated partner, including coordination with a volunteer youth corps to provide an overnight, in-depth experience at another national park, and collaboration with a regional symphony group to produce an anniversary concert involving multiple partners and stakeholders. These components suggest the project is not only educational but also community-facing and partnership-heavy, requiring an organization that can manage logistics, stakeholders, and program delivery in close coordination with NPS.

Administrative details in the posting show the opportunity was posted and created on August 17, 2015, with an original and current closing date of August 27, 2015, and an archive date of September 26, 2015. Although "Eligible Applicants" is broadly listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the eligibility information field reiterates that this is not a request for applications and is specific to the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center arrangement, reinforcing that this posting functions as a public record of a non-competitive intended award rather than a competitive funding opportunity. For assistance accessing the full announcement, the listed contact is Noel Miller, Grants Management Specialist, at 402-661-1658 or noelmiller@nps.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this National Park Service funding opportunity?

The posted title is "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS - Operation of Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS NOIP13AC00045.

Is this a public request for applications (RFA) that organizations can apply to?

No. The notice explicitly states it is not a request for applications. It was posted to document an intended award rather than to invite competitive proposals.

What type of federal award is described in the notice?

The notice describes a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement mean in this context?

The notice indicates "substantial involvement" by NPS, which is a defining feature of a cooperative agreement. This reflects an active federal role in shaping and supporting the work rather than simply providing funds.

What is the purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to support the continued operation and delivery of education and outreach programming through the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center.

Which program area or CFDA is this associated with?

It is tied to CFDA 15.954, which covers National Park Service conservation, protection, outreach, and education activities.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount is $28,000.

What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling is $28,000.

Is there an award floor (minimum amount)?

No. The notice indicates there is no minimum floor.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The posting states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is the identified recipient of this cooperative agreement?

The recipient identified in the notice is the Dunes Learning Center.

Why was the Dunes Learning Center selected?

The notice cites a long-standing working relationship and demonstrated performance delivering programming in partnership with NPS. It also emphasizes operational continuity and the existence of an established, jointly developed curriculum and scheduling pipeline with school districts.

How long has the Dunes Learning Center been working with NPS on these programs?

The notice states the Dunes Learning Center has spent roughly 15 years collaborating with NPS to develop joint programming for schools, youth, and adults.

What kinds of audiences are served by the programming described?

The notice references programming for schools, youth, and adults, including residential education experiences.

Why does the notice say full and open competition was not used?

The rationale provided is that the Dunes Learning Center and NPS have a mature joint program model, established long-range scheduling with school districts, and a curriculum that has been jointly refined and evaluated with NPS involvement. NPS states it wants to maintain the existing level of service without interruption and avoid disrupting established community and regional partner networks.

What does NPS mean by wanting "operational continuity"?

Based on the notice, operational continuity refers to maintaining the existing level of service to the community and preventing interruptions to programming, including programs that require long lead times and are scheduled with school districts years in advance.

What examples of planned activities are mentioned in the announcement?

The notice mentions coordination with a volunteer youth corps to provide an overnight, in-depth experience at another national park, and collaboration with a regional symphony group to produce an anniversary concert involving multiple partners and stakeholders.

Does the posting suggest the work is partnership-heavy or community-facing?

Yes. The notice highlights coordination with multiple partners (including a volunteer youth corps and a regional symphony group) and emphasizes maintaining a network of community partners and regional organizations engaged over time.

What are the posting and closing dates listed?

The opportunity was posted and created on August 17, 2015. The original and current closing date is August 27, 2015.

When was the notice archived?

The archive date listed is September 26, 2015.

What does the "Eligible Applicants" field say?

The posting lists "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." However, the eligibility information reiterates that this is not a request for applications and is specific to the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center arrangement.

Who can be contacted for assistance accessing the full announcement?

The listed contact is Noel Miller, Grants Management Specialist, at 402-661-1658 or noelmiller@nps.gov.

Is this posting mainly a public record of an intended award?

Yes. The notice is described as documenting an intended, non-competitive award rather than inviting competitive applications from multiple organizations.

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