Opportunity Information: Apply for P15AS00059
Apply for P15AS00059
- The National Park Service in the community development education employment, labor and training environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project at Niobrara National Scenic River and Missouri National Recreation River" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 5, 2015 and posted on Mar 5, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 19, 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 $223,946.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $964,336.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Park Service (NPS) grant opportunity titled "Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project at Niobrara National Scenic River and Missouri National Recreation River" is a public notice of intent to award funding, not an open call for applications. In other words, NPS posted this announcement to document that it planned to fund a specific partner without full and open competition. The work supports the NPS Vegetation Inventory Program (VIP) within the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division, focusing on producing standardized vegetation classification and map products for two park units: Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB) and Missouri National Recreation River (MNRR).
The planned recipient is Colorado State University (CSU), specifically through the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), with Joe Stevens listed as the principal investigator/program manager. The total anticipated funding is $964,336 spread across four federal fiscal years, with no cost share or matching requirement. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning NPS expects to be substantially involved in shaping methods, reviewing products, and ensuring the work meets NPS program standards. The agreement is described as a continuation under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, and it operates under CFDA 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU)." The statutory authority cited includes 54 USC 101702(a) (cooperative agreements to carry out NPS programs) and 54 USC 100703 (authority to establish cooperative study units with universities and partners for research and integrated information products).
The core purpose of the project is to complete vegetation classification and mapping to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) alliance level for both NIOB and MNRR. Deliverables and tasks include field sampling, development or refinement of the vegetation classification, coordination and support for the mapping team, creation of spatial vegetation maps that meet the alliance-level standard, and an accuracy assessment to evaluate how well the mapped classes match conditions on the ground. The project also includes production of a final report and a wrap-up meeting to close out the work and ensure results are usable for park management. The work is intended to follow NPS VIP standards and the NPS Final Product Specifications, and it is structured around the VIP's broader "12-step" vegetation inventory framework, with the initial phase covering steps 1 through 4 and later work expected to be handled through modifications and task agreements.
Multiple groups are expected to collaborate on implementation. Besides CNHP at CSU, the effort involves the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) staff at CSU, staff from the two park units, the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network, and the NPS Vegetation Inventory Program team. CNHP is highlighted as having long-standing experience with NPS vegetation inventory efforts dating back to the mid-1990s and having completed similar projects for several NPS units (including Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes, and Bighorn Canyon). The announcement emphasizes CNHP's expertise with the National Vegetation Classification Standard (including Version 2), field data collection protocols, classification development, working with mapping teams on modeling approaches, and conducting accuracy assessments and closeout activities.
A key element of the announcement is the single-source justification. NPS states it did not solicit competitive proposals because the selected partner has "unique qualifications" under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). The justification argues that CNHP/CSU has the specific technical expertise, institutional experience, and established working relationship with NPS VIP needed to carry out a complex, iterative vegetation mapping and classification effort. Because the project involves research assistance and requires close coordination, iterative method development, and compliance with NPS policies (including data quality and sensitive data protections), NPS describes substantial agency involvement as necessary throughout the project. A point of contact is provided for questions: June Zastrow at NPS (phone 303-987-6718; email junezastrow@nps.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is this an open grant opportunity that organizations can apply for?
No. This announcement is a public notice of intent to award funding and is not an open call for applications. It was posted to document that the National Park Service (NPS) plans to fund a specific partner without full and open competition.
2) What is the official title of the funding notice?
The notice is titled "Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project at Niobrara National Scenic River and Missouri National Recreation River."
3) Which NPS program is this work supporting?
The work supports the NPS Vegetation Inventory Program (VIP) within the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division. The focus is on producing standardized vegetation classification and map products.
4) Which park units are included in the project?
The project covers two NPS units: Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB) and Missouri National Recreation River (MNRR).
5) Who is the planned recipient of the award?
The planned recipient is Colorado State University (CSU), specifically through the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP).
6) Who is listed as the principal investigator/program manager?
Joe Stevens is listed as the principal investigator/program manager for the planned recipient.
7) How much funding is anticipated, and over what time period?
The total anticipated funding is $964,336 spread across four federal fiscal years.
8) Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice states there is no cost share or matching requirement.
9) What type of award instrument will be used?
The planned award instrument is a cooperative agreement.
10) What does it mean that the award will be a cooperative agreement?
It means NPS expects to be substantially involved during the project. The notice indicates NPS will help shape methods, review products, and ensure the work meets NPS program standards.
11) Is this project connected to a CESU?
Yes. The agreement is described as a continuation under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework.
12) What CFDA program is referenced for this award?
The notice references CFDA 15.945, "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CESU)."
13) What statutory authorities are cited for the planned award?
The notice cites 54 USC 101702(a) (cooperative agreements to carry out NPS programs) and 54 USC 100703 (authority to establish cooperative study units with universities and partners for research and integrated information products).
14) What is the primary purpose of the project?
The core purpose is to complete vegetation classification and mapping for both NIOB and MNRR to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) alliance level.
15) What level of vegetation classification is the project targeting?
The project is targeting the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) alliance level for the classification and mapped products.
16) What major activities and deliverables are described?
Key tasks and deliverables described include field sampling, development or refinement of the vegetation classification, coordination and support for the mapping team, creation of spatial vegetation maps meeting the alliance-level standard, an accuracy assessment, a final report, and a wrap-up meeting to close out the work and support usability for park management.
17) Will the project include field work?
Yes. Field sampling is explicitly listed as part of the work.
18) Will the project produce spatial vegetation maps?
Yes. The notice describes creation of spatial vegetation maps that meet the alliance-level standard.
19) What is the purpose of the accuracy assessment mentioned in the notice?
The accuracy assessment is intended to evaluate how well the mapped vegetation classes match conditions observed on the ground.
20) Are there standards or specifications the products must follow?
Yes. The work is intended to follow NPS VIP standards and the NPS Final Product Specifications, and it is structured around the VIP's broader "12-step" vegetation inventory framework.
21) How does the project relate to the VIP "12-step" framework?
The notice states that the initial phase covers steps 1 through 4, with later work expected to be handled through modifications and task agreements.
22) Which groups are expected to collaborate on implementation?
In addition to CNHP at CSU, the notice mentions collaboration involving CEMML staff at CSU, staff from the two park units, the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network, and the NPS Vegetation Inventory Program team.
23) Why was a competitive solicitation not used?
NPS states it did not solicit competitive proposals because the selected partner has "unique qualifications" under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). The notice emphasizes CNHP/CSU's technical expertise, institutional experience, and established working relationship with NPS VIP.
24) What types of expertise are highlighted as unique qualifications?
The notice highlights experience with the National Vegetation Classification Standard (including Version 2), field data collection protocols, vegetation classification development, coordination with mapping teams on modeling approaches, conducting accuracy assessments, and closeout activities.
25) Why does NPS describe substantial agency involvement as necessary?
The notice explains that the work requires close coordination, iterative method development, and compliance with NPS policies, including data quality and sensitive data protections, which makes substantial NPS involvement necessary throughout the project.
26) What is CNHP's experience with NPS vegetation inventory projects?
The notice states CNHP has long-standing experience with NPS vegetation inventory efforts dating back to the mid-1990s and has completed similar projects for multiple NPS units, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes, and Bighorn Canyon.
27) Is there a contact person for questions about this notice?
Yes. The point of contact provided is June Zastrow at NPS.
28) How can someone contact the NPS point of contact listed?
Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
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