Opportunity Information: Apply for D14AC00002
Apply for D14AC00002
- The Department of the Interior in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Dept. of the Interior Americorps VISTA Team" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.154 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 25, 2014 and posted on Jul 25, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 5, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,634,000.00 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 listing is not a typical open competition for grant applicants. It is a formal Notice of Intent from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary, announcing that DOI plans to issue a noncompetitive cooperative agreement to a specific organization, the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). In other words, it functions more like an advance public posting to document the government decision to make a sole-source style financial assistance award, rather than an invitation for multiple groups to apply and be competitively selected.
The purpose of the cooperative agreement is to fund SCC to establish and maintain an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) team that supports the DOI Office of the Secretary. The initiative is described as a collaboration between DOI and AmeriCorps VISTA that places full-time, college-educated VISTA members in some of the poorest communities where DOI has a presence. The broader program goal is to tackle root causes of poverty while also protecting natural resources, cultural heritage, and tribal cultures, aligning with the Secretarys youth priorities framed as "Play, Learn, Serve and Work" and encouraging stronger local ownership and community partnerships.
Programmatically, the DOI/VISTA effort is built around three-year projects that combine DOI resources with community partners to deliver outcomes in underserved or impoverished areas. VISTA placements are organized around three anti-poverty focus areas: Environmental Stewardship, Economic Opportunity, and Healthy and Sustainable Futures. The work VISTA members perform is described as capacity building rather than direct service, meaning they are intended to strengthen organizations and communities by building systems, partnerships, and sustainable programs that last beyond the VISTA term.
Examples of the kinds of capacity-building activities anticipated include designing new programming that helps underserved populations access education and career pathways connected to public lands, science education, and natural resource management. VISTAs may also develop sustainable volunteer engagement programs on DOI lands that both support public land stewardship and help alleviate poverty in nearby communities. Other common tasks listed include grant writing, partnership development, volunteer recruitment and training, data interpretation, fundraising coordination, event and festival planning, curriculum development, creation of outdoor classrooms, and professional presentations. A key value proposition in the synopsis is that VISTAs can improve operational efficiency and expand partnership capacity at relatively low cost to host sites.
Financially, the total estimated value over three years is stated as $2,634,000, with $878,000 to be obligated at the time of award to fully fund year one. The opportunity indicates a cost sharing or matching requirement. Funding is tied to the DOI Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2008 (Title I, Public Law 110-161), and DOI cites its authority to enter into the cooperative agreement under 16 U.S.C. 1723(c), the Public Land Corps authority. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement (not a procurement contract), categorized under environmental activity, and associated with CFDA 15.154, 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
The notice explains why the award is noncompetitive by pointing to DOI departmental policy allowing sole-source financial assistance when certain criteria are met. DOI states SCC meets the "Unique Qualifications" criterion because SCC has substantial experience running VISTA programs (13 years mentioned), and already has staffing, systems, and infrastructure to recruit, place, train, and support VISTAs nationwide in partnership with DOI, including cost-sharing the operational burden. SCCs existing support offices in Beckley, West Virginia and Durango, Colorado are specifically highlighted as established hubs that can manage placements and provide guidance to VISTA supervisors and partners.
Administratively, the posting lists an anticipated award date of August 8, 2014. Even though the Grants.gov style record includes dates such as a posted date (July 25, 2014) and a closing date (August 5, 2014), the substance of the document makes clear there is only one expected award and it is intended for SCC on a noncompetitive basis. The designated point of contact for questions is Anthony Jasper in DOIs Acquisition Services Directorate (anthonyjasper@ibc.doi.gov), with a phone number also provided in the contact section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open grant competition that multiple organizations can apply to?
No. This posting is a formal Notice of Intent from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Secretary, stating that DOI plans to issue a noncompetitive cooperative agreement to a specific organization. It is not presented as an invitation for multiple applicants to compete.
Who is the intended recipient of this noncompetitive award?
The intended recipient is the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC).
What type of funding instrument is DOI planning to use?
The planned instrument type is a cooperative agreement (a financial assistance award), not a procurement contract.
What is DOI planning to fund through this cooperative agreement?
DOI plans to fund SCC to establish and maintain an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) team that supports the DOI Office of the Secretary.
What is the overall purpose of the DOI/AmeriCorps VISTA effort described here?
The effort is described as a collaboration between DOI and AmeriCorps VISTA that places full-time, college-educated VISTA members in some of the poorest communities where DOI has a presence. The stated broader goal is to address root causes of poverty while also supporting protection of natural resources, cultural heritage, and tribal cultures, aligned with the Secretary's youth priorities described as "Play, Learn, Serve and Work" and focused on strengthening local ownership and community partnerships.
How are the projects structured (timeframe and approach)?
The program is described as being built around three-year projects that combine DOI resources with community partners to deliver outcomes in underserved or impoverished areas.
What are the anti-poverty focus areas for VISTA placements under this initiative?
Placements are organized around three anti-poverty focus areas: Environmental Stewardship, Economic Opportunity, and Healthy and Sustainable Futures.
Is the VISTA work described as direct service or capacity building?
The work is described as capacity building rather than direct service. The intent is to strengthen organizations and communities by building systems, partnerships, and sustainable programs that can continue beyond the VISTA term.
What are examples of capacity-building activities VISTA members may perform under this program?
Examples listed include designing programming that helps underserved populations access education and career pathways connected to public lands, science education, and natural resource management; developing sustainable volunteer engagement programs on DOI lands; and supporting organizations through activities such as grant writing, partnership development, volunteer recruitment and training, data interpretation, fundraising coordination, event and festival planning, curriculum development, creation of outdoor classrooms, and professional presentations.
Why is DOI saying the award will be noncompetitive?
The notice explains that DOI departmental policy allows sole-source financial assistance when certain criteria are met. DOI states SCC meets the "Unique Qualifications" criterion because SCC has substantial experience running VISTA programs (13 years is mentioned) and already has staffing, systems, and infrastructure to recruit, place, train, and support VISTAs nationwide in partnership with DOI, including cost-sharing the operational burden.
What SCC capabilities are specifically highlighted in the notice?
The notice highlights SCC's established support offices in Beckley, West Virginia and Durango, Colorado as hubs that can manage placements and provide guidance to VISTA supervisors and partners.
What is the estimated total funding amount and over what period?
The total estimated value over three years is stated as $2,634,000.
How much funding is expected to be obligated at the time of award?
$878,000 is expected to be obligated at the time of award to fully fund year one.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity indicates a cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the statutory or program authority cited for DOI to enter into this cooperative agreement?
DOI cites authority under 16 U.S.C. 1723(c), the Public Land Corps authority.
What appropriations source is referenced for this funding?
Funding is tied to the DOI Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2008 (Title I, Public Law 110-161).
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.154, 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
What category or activity area is the opportunity listed under?
It is categorized under environmental activity.
What is the anticipated award date stated in the notice?
The anticipated award date is August 8, 2014.
Why do there appear to be posted and closing dates if it is noncompetitive?
The Grants.gov-style record includes a posted date (July 25, 2014) and a closing date (August 5, 2014), but the narrative makes clear there is only one expected award and it is intended for SCC on a noncompetitive basis. The posting functions as an advance public notice documenting the intent to make the award rather than a call for competitive applications.
Who can be contacted with questions about this notice?
The designated point of contact is Anthony Jasper in DOI's Acquisition Services Directorate. An email address is provided: anthonyjasper@ibc.doi.gov. A phone number is also listed in the contact section of the posting.
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