THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Partnership to Conduct Vital Signs Monitoring of Natural Resources in 15 NPS Units THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is this an open grant opportunity that anyone can apply for?

No. The notice explicitly states "THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS." It is described as a cooperative agreement action rather than a competitive, open call.

2) What type of federal funding instrument is being used?

This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally means the agency (here, the National Park Service) remains actively involved in the work rather than only providing funds.

3) Who are the parties to the cooperative agreement?

The agreement is between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and Missouri State University (MSU), organized through the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network (HTLN).

4) What is the overall purpose of the agreement?

The purpose is to carry out long-term "Vital Signs" monitoring across 15 National Park Service units located in eight states in the central Great Plains, coordinated through the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network.

5) What is the Vital Signs Monitoring Program?

It is a long-term monitoring program launched in the late 1990s that tracks key indicators of ecosystem health (for example, water quality and species diversity). The idea is to consistently collect and analyze indicators over time to detect ecological change and emerging threats early.

6) What kinds of threats is the monitoring intended to help detect?

The notice describes the program as aiming to spot emerging threats early, including habitat loss, invasive species, and other disruptions, so park managers can respond before damage becomes severe.

7) Why does the program use a network structure across multiple parks?

The network approach allows multiple parks to coordinate and share resources. This is intended to make monitoring more efficient and more consistent across the region.

8) How many park units are involved, and where are they located?

The agreement covers long-term monitoring across 15 National Park Service units in eight states in the central Great Plains (as described in the notice).

9) What are the main objectives of the agreement?

The objectives emphasize (1) resource protection through science-based stewardship (designing and implementing monitoring and related research to support natural resource management decisions) and (2) education and public value by engaging university faculty and students in real-world conservation work and building awareness of conservation.

10) What responsibilities does Missouri State University have under this agreement?

MSU's responsibilities include maintaining an undergraduate internship program that supports HTLN monitoring data collection and processing (with interns receiving course credit tied to special projects), supporting graduate research through stipends that address park information needs, providing professional labor via temporary research assistants, employing student workers for long-term monitoring tasks (such as field data collection and data processing), and providing workspace and institutional access to support the partnership.

11) What does the undergraduate internship component involve?

The university is expected to maintain an undergraduate internship program that helps HTLN staff with collecting and processing monitoring data. Interns receive course credit tied to special projects.

12) Does the agreement include support for graduate students?

Yes. The notice states MSU supports graduate research through stipends aimed at addressing specific information needs identified by parks in the network.

13) What kinds of staffing support does MSU provide beyond internships and graduate stipends?

MSU provides professional labor through temporary full-time or part-time research assistants and employs student workers to sustain long-term monitoring tasks, including field data collection and data processing.

14) What office and lab space does MSU provide to NPS under the agreement?

MSU commits to providing dedicated office space and lab space for NPS employees on campus, noted as five offices and a lab room (or equivalent), along with access to campus computer and phone networks and routine custodial and maintenance services.

15) How long is the office and lab space commitment described in the notice?

The notice specifies the space commitment through July 31, 2019.

16) What campus access or credentials does MSU provide to Heartland Network staff?

To support smooth operations, MSU provides credentials to Heartland Network staff (staff or adjunct faculty status) so they can access the university library and other campus resources.

17) What is the National Park Service's role in this cooperative agreement?

NPS provides financial assistance to support internships, graduate stipends, research assistants, and student workers who contribute to designing and implementing the long-term monitoring program. NPS also plays an active operational role by coordinating work tasks, providing input on annual work plans and performance appraisals, communicating changing information needs, and reviewing/approving work in stages before subsequent stages begin.

18) How does NPS provide oversight during performance?

The notice describes structured oversight, including staged review and approval of work before later stages can proceed, and close monitoring of management processes such as staffing and operations under the task agreement.

19) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

It is listed under Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS NOIP14AC00221.

21) What CFDA listing is referenced for this opportunity?

The notice references CFDA 15.944, Natural Resource Stewardship.

22) When was this opportunity posted, and what were the closing dates?

The posting date is August 20, 2015. The original and current closing date is August 30, 2015. The archive date is September 29, 2015.

23) How many awards were expected?

The expected number of awards is one.

24) What is the estimated funding amount, and what are the ceiling and floor?

The estimated total funding is $46,102. The award ceiling is also $46,102, and the award floor is $0.

25) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The notice indicates that cost sharing or matching is required.

26) Who is eligible for this opportunity?

Eligibility is limited. The notice specifies eligibility for members of the GREAT RIVERS Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) and notes that it is not open to the general public.

27) Who can be contacted with questions about the announcement or access issues?

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