Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00354
Apply for P14AS00354
- The National Park Service in the community development education environment information and statistics natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Web Mapping and EGIS Support" 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 Sep 8, 2014 and posted on Sep 8, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $633,459.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $633,459.00 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 "Web Mapping and EGIS Support" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P14AS00354) is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, meaning it is not an open call for applications. Instead, it serves as a public transparency notice that NPS plans to continue funding a specific partner, Colorado State University (CSU), without full and open competition. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement under the NPS Cooperative Research and Training Programs (CFDA 15.945) within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, specifically routed through the Rocky Mountains CESU with a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5 percent. The anticipated funding is approximately $633,459 (the announcement also references $663,459.20 in one section), with no cost share requirement, and it is described as a continuation action connected to existing Cooperative Agreement P14AC00728 (with the task agreement identified as P14AC01681). The period of performance runs from the date of award through September 29, 2015. The named principal investigator/program manager at CSU is Melanie Laituri, and the NPS point of contact is June Zastrow.
At its core, the project is aimed at strengthening and modernizing NPS digital outreach through better web mapping and enterprise GIS (EGIS) support, driven in part by heightened public attention surrounding the agency's centennial. NPS frames maps as a key piece of its digital strategy, especially for reaching the public across modern platforms. The work focuses on updating NPS mapping platforms so park mapping products can be distributed more widely and function effectively across multiple channels, including the main NPS.gov website and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. A major theme in the description is that this environment changes quickly, so the effort is expected to involve ongoing research and development to keep pace with evolving technology. Another central feature is engagement: NPS describes a need for consistent interaction with the public as well as coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and non-profit organizations. That engagement includes the ability to accept crowd-sourced data from the public and integrate it into park maps, along with building collaboration and communication workflows with external partners. The announcement also notes that most products developed under the task agreement are expected to be released under an open-source license, positioning the work as reusable beyond NPS and emphasizing transparency and broader public benefit.
The cooperative agreement structure is reflected in the detailed division of responsibilities. CSU is expected to provide research associates under the supervision of the principal investigator, participate in joint teams with NPS staff (with leadership potentially coming from either organization), and work closely with affiliates, academic partners, and the public as appropriate. CSU deliverables are described broadly and include research reports and recommendations, user and stakeholder requirements gathering, engagement and project planning, software/code development, mapping products, and both user-facing and technical documentation. Accessibility compliance is explicitly included: products are to comply with Section 508 requirements (referencing 36 CFR Part 1194, Subpart C, Sections 31 and 41) to the fullest extent possible. On the NPS side, the agency anticipates substantial involvement, including collaboration by RISD staff and affiliates, providing office space and other material support such as equipment and travel needed for researchers to do the work and publish outputs, and continued participation in cooperative teams that include outside partners and multiple NPS programs.
Finally, the announcement explains why the award is being made as a single-source continuation rather than competed. Under Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2), NPS cites the "Continuation" justification: the work is considered necessary to satisfactorily complete or continue an activity already being funded, and competing it would significantly disrupt continuity or completion. The legal authority cited for making the cooperative agreement includes 16 U.S.C. 1(g), 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j), and 16 U.S.C. 5933, which collectively support NPS entering cooperative agreements with educational institutions and other entities to conduct research, training, and integrated information product development related to national park system resources and NPS program purposes. The net effect is that this posting is mainly informational: it documents NPS intent to fund CSU to continue a specific, ongoing mapping and GIS modernization effort, rather than inviting new proposals from other applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Web Mapping and EGIS Support (P14AS00354)
Is this an open grant competition?
No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, not an open call for applications. It functions as a public transparency notice that NPS plans to make a continued award to a specific partner without full and open competition.
Who is the intended recipient of this award?
The intended recipient is Colorado State University (CSU). The notice states NPS plans to continue funding CSU for this work.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P14AS00354.
What is the project called?
The opportunity is titled "Web Mapping and EGIS Support."
What type of award is planned?
The award is planned as a cooperative agreement, reflecting substantial involvement by NPS in the work alongside CSU.
What program and network does this cooperative agreement fall under?
The award is under the NPS Cooperative Research and Training Programs (CFDA 15.945) within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, routed through the Rocky Mountains CESU.
Is there a negotiated indirect cost (overhead) rate mentioned?
Yes. The notice references a negotiated overhead rate of 17.5 percent through the Rocky Mountains CESU.
How much funding is anticipated?
The anticipated funding is approximately $633,459. The announcement also references $663,459.20 in one section, indicating two amounts appear in the notice.
Is cost sharing required?
No. The notice states there is no cost share requirement.
Is this a new project or a continuation?
This is described as a continuation action connected to an existing cooperative agreement. It is associated with Cooperative Agreement P14AC00728, and the task agreement is identified as P14AC01681.
What is the period of performance?
The period of performance runs from the date of award through September 29, 2015.
Why is NPS not competing this opportunity?
NPS cites a single-source "Continuation" justification under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). The notice states the work is necessary to complete or continue an already-funded activity and that competing it would significantly disrupt continuity or completion.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is intended to strengthen and modernize NPS digital outreach by improving web mapping and enterprise GIS (EGIS) support, including updating mapping platforms so park mapping products can be distributed more widely and work effectively across multiple channels.
What platforms and channels are mentioned for map distribution?
The notice specifically mentions distribution through the main NPS.gov website and on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Why does the notice emphasize ongoing research and development?
The notice states the technology environment changes quickly, so the effort is expected to involve ongoing research and development to keep pace with evolving technology.
What role does public engagement play in the project?
Public engagement is described as central. NPS notes a need for consistent interaction with the public and coordination with agencies and organizations, including the ability to accept crowd-sourced data from the public and integrate it into park maps.
Does the project involve collaboration with other organizations?
Yes. The notice highlights coordination and workflow development with federal, state, and local agencies and non-profit organizations, as well as collaboration with affiliates, academic partners, and the public as appropriate.
Will products from this work be open source?
Most products developed under the task agreement are expected to be released under an open-source license, positioning the work as reusable beyond NPS and aligned with transparency and broader public benefit.
What kinds of deliverables are expected from CSU?
Deliverables are described broadly and include research reports and recommendations; user and stakeholder requirements gathering; engagement and project planning; software/code development; mapping products; and both user-facing and technical documentation.
Are there accessibility requirements for the products developed?
Yes. The notice states products are to comply with Section 508 requirements to the fullest extent possible, referencing 36 CFR Part 1194, Subpart C, Sections 31 and 41.
What does the cooperative agreement structure imply about NPS involvement?
The notice indicates NPS anticipates substantial involvement, including collaboration by RISD staff and affiliates, participation in cooperative teams (including outside partners and multiple NPS programs), and providing support such as office space, equipment, and travel needed for researchers to perform and publish the work.
What is CSU expected to contribute in terms of staffing and participation?
CSU is expected to provide research associates under the supervision of the principal investigator, participate in joint teams with NPS staff (with leadership potentially from either organization), and work closely with affiliates, academic partners, and the public as appropriate.
Who is the principal investigator/program manager at CSU?
The named principal investigator/program manager at CSU is Melanie Laituri.
Who is the NPS point of contact?
The NPS point of contact listed in the notice is June Zastrow.
What legal authorities are cited for making this cooperative agreement?
The notice cites 16 U.S.C. 1(g), 16 U.S.C. 1a-2(j), and 16 U.S.C. 5933 as authorities supporting NPS entering cooperative agreements with educational institutions and other entities for research, training, and integrated information product development related to national park system resources and NPS program purposes.
What is the practical takeaway for organizations looking to apply?
Based on the notice, this posting is mainly informational and documents NPS intent to fund CSU as a continuation. It does not invite new proposals from other applicants.
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