Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIWASOP12AC30548
Apply for NPS NOIWASOP12AC30548
- The National Park Service in the consumer protection sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Visitor Trail Use Study" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.942 Environmental Education and Conservation North Cascades Bioregion.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 11, 2012 and posted on Jun 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2012. (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 $200,000.00 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:
The Visitor Trail Use Study is a National Park Service (NPS) grant-funded project notice that serves mainly as a public announcement of intent to make a single, non-competitive award rather than an open call for applications. The NPS plans to fund one cooperative agreement, working in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), to carry out a public health-focused research effort aimed at reducing unintentional injuries and preventing situations that lead to rescues or fatalities in high-risk areas of national parks. In other words, the project is about understanding why visitors take risky actions around hazardous trail locations and using that knowledge to shape better prevention strategies.
At the center of the project is social science research on trail use behavior, specifically focusing on moments when hikers leave designated trails near dangerous locations. The study is designed to build practical, evidence-based insight that can be used to target interventions more effectively. The stated aims are to document patterns of trail departure (where, when, and how people step off-trail), identify the motivations behind those choices (such as seeking better views, shortcuts, photos, or misunderstanding risks), evaluate how people who leave the trail respond to alternative options that might keep them on safe routes, and develop a structured survey instrument. That survey tool is meant to quantify the reasons people leave the trail and measure how appealing different preventive countermeasures might be (for example, signage changes, barriers, trail design tweaks, messaging, or other on-site safety prompts). The work is positioned as foundational research that would support a later, follow-on study and potentially an intervention trial, with the long-term goal of reducing injuries and the need for professional rescues.
The cooperative agreement structure reflects shared responsibilities between HJF and NPS. HJF, as the recipient organization, is responsible for assembling and hiring the research team, handling the practical mechanics of the study (including acquiring supplies and equipment, arranging travel to the park site, and providing compensation where appropriate), ensuring the final report is completed and delivered to NPS, and making sure the researchers follow the statement of work and any applicable guidelines. NPS, for its part, supports and oversees the effort by orienting the researchers to park operations and the NPS mission, providing an on-site liaison and responding to project questions, contributing input into the research design and protocols, facilitating data collection by providing access to relevant sites, staff, and existing data as appropriate, and reviewing and approving each project phase before the next phase begins. This setup emphasizes that the research is not happening in isolation; it is integrated with park operations and subject to NPS review checkpoints.
A notable part of the announcement is that NPS is not pursuing full and open competition for this funding. Under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2), agencies must justify why a single-source award is necessary when competition is not practical. Here, NPS cites the award as stemming from an unsolicited proposal, meaning HJF (or associated researchers) submitted a concept viewed as unique or innovative and advantageous to NPS program objectives, and not duplicative of an existing or planned contract or assistance award. That rationale is used to support funding without a competitive process.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed as a discretionary funding action using a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument type, with an expected total of one award. The award ceiling is stated as $200,000 (with a floor of $0), and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The posting date is June 11, 2012, with a closing date of June 14, 2012, and an archive date of June 28, 2012, reflecting that this was a time-limited public notice rather than a competitive solicitation window. The program is associated with CFDA 15.942 (Environmental Education and Conservation, North Cascades Bioregion) and is categorized under a consumer protection-related funding activity due to its injury prevention and public safety focus.
In practical terms, the announcement signals that the NPS intended to direct funding to HJF to study hazardous trail behavior, produce a final report, and deliver a validated survey instrument that can be used later to measure visitor decision-making and test interventions aimed at keeping visitors safe in high-risk park locations.
Visitor Trail Use Study (NPS) - FAQs
1) What is the Visitor Trail Use Study?
The Visitor Trail Use Study is a National Park Service (NPS) grant-funded project focused on understanding visitor behavior around hazardous trail locations in national parks, especially situations where hikers leave designated trails near dangerous areas. The goal is to generate practical, evidence-based insight that can be used to reduce unintentional injuries and prevent situations that lead to rescues or fatalities.
2) Is this an open grant competition where multiple applicants can apply?
No. This notice primarily serves as a public announcement of intent to make a single, non-competitive award. It is not described as an open call for applications.
3) What type of award does NPS plan to make?
NPS plans to fund one cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement emphasizes active involvement by the federal agency, including collaboration, oversight, and review checkpoints across project phases.
4) Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), which would partner with NPS to carry out the research effort.
5) Why is NPS making a single-source, non-competitive award?
NPS states it is not pursuing full and open competition and justifies a single-source award under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). The rationale provided is that the project stems from an unsolicited proposal viewed as unique or innovative, advantageous to NPS program objectives, and not duplicative of an existing or planned contract or assistance award.
6) What problem is the project trying to solve?
The project targets unintentional injuries and unsafe situations in high-risk areas of national parks. It focuses on understanding why visitors take risky actions near hazardous trail locations so that NPS can shape more effective prevention strategies.
7) What specific visitor behavior is the study focused on?
The core behavioral focus is on moments when hikers leave designated trails near dangerous locations, including documenting where, when, and how people step off-trail.
8) What are the stated research aims of the Visitor Trail Use Study?
The stated aims include:
- Documenting patterns of trail departure (where, when, and how visitors step off-trail).
- Identifying motivations for leaving the trail (for example, seeking better views, taking shortcuts, taking photos, or misunderstanding risks).
- Evaluating how visitors who leave the trail respond to alternative options that could keep them on safer routes.
- Developing a structured survey instrument to quantify reasons for leaving the trail and measure how appealing different preventive countermeasures might be.
9) What kinds of motivations for off-trail behavior does the notice mention?
The notice provides examples of motivations such as seeking better views, taking shortcuts, taking photos, and misunderstanding risks.
10) What kinds of prevention strategies or countermeasures may be considered?
The notice mentions countermeasures that could be tested for appeal and effectiveness, including changes to signage, barriers, trail design tweaks, messaging, and other on-site safety prompts.
11) What is the main deliverable expected from the research?
The announcement indicates the project is intended to produce a final report delivered to NPS and a validated, structured survey instrument designed to measure visitor decision-making and perceptions of potential preventive measures.
12) How will the survey instrument be used?
The survey tool is intended to quantify the reasons people leave designated trails and measure how appealing different preventive countermeasures might be. The work is described as foundational research to support a later follow-on study and potentially an intervention trial.
13) Is this research meant to lead to additional future work?
Yes. The notice describes this as foundational research that would support a later, follow-on study and potentially an intervention trial, with the long-term aim of reducing injuries and the need for professional rescues.
14) What responsibilities does HJF have under the cooperative agreement?
HJF, as the recipient, is responsible for assembling and hiring the research team, handling study logistics (including supplies/equipment, travel to the park site, and providing compensation where appropriate), ensuring the final report is completed and delivered to NPS, and ensuring researchers follow the statement of work and applicable guidelines.
15) What responsibilities does NPS have under the cooperative agreement?
NPS responsibilities include orienting researchers to park operations and the NPS mission, providing an on-site liaison and responding to project questions, contributing input into research design and protocols, facilitating data collection by providing access to relevant sites/staff/existing data as appropriate, and reviewing and approving each project phase before the next phase begins.
16) How involved is NPS in the project?
NPS is positioned as an active partner. The notice describes NPS providing operational orientation, liaison support, input into research design and protocols, facilitation for data collection access, and formal review/approval at phase checkpoints.
17) What is the funding instrument type and what does that imply?
The instrument type is a cooperative agreement. Based on the description provided, that implies substantial involvement by NPS during the project, including collaboration on design/protocols and review/approval of phases.
18) How many awards does NPS expect to make?
The notice states an expected total of one award.
19) What is the maximum funding amount for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is stated as $200,000.
20) Is there a minimum award amount?
The award floor is stated as $0.
21) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
22) Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
23) What are the key dates for the posting, closing, and archiving of this notice?
The posting date is June 11, 2012. The closing date is June 14, 2012. The archive date is June 28, 2012. These dates reflect that this was a time-limited public notice rather than a competitive solicitation window.
24) What CFDA program is associated with this notice?
The notice is associated with CFDA 15.942 (Environmental Education and Conservation, North Cascades Bioregion).
25) How is the funding activity categorized?
The notice is categorized under a consumer protection-related funding activity due to its injury prevention and public safety focus.
26) What is the intended practical outcome of the work?
The announcement indicates NPS intended to direct funding to HJF to study hazardous trail behavior, produce a final report, and deliver a validated survey instrument that can be used later to measure visitor decision-making and help test interventions aimed at keeping visitors safe in high-risk park locations.
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