National Park Service

Description

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without competition. OVERVIEW The Transportation Scholar program is in partnership with the National Park Foundation, National Park Service, Eno Transportation Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Technical Assistance Center. The program was developed to support and promote sustainable transportation solutions that help preserve Park resources and enhance visitors� experience. The program provides a unique opportunity for career development or public service to transportation specialists or master's and doctoral candidates in the fields of transportation, engineering, and planning. This matching grant program gives transportation specialists a unique opportunity for career development and public service. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN The objective of this Agreement is to enter into a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service (NPS) and the National Park Foundation (NPF) to provide a match of $99,000 to the NPF Transportation Scholars program; permits extension of 4 scholars for six months. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT The National Park Foundation agrees to accept and incorporate $99,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Parks Roads and Parkways matching funding support provided through the National Park Service into the existing Transportation Scholar in the Parks program, to lengthen the time at four of the competitively-selected sites for the research proposed. The NPF remains responsible for the administration of the whole program and will provide monthly briefings and annual report pursuant to the requirements identified in this Agreement. The NPF agrees to administer these matching funds without any overhead cost recovery (i.e., all funds will be used for the direct costs of the program). NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT Provide $99,000 in Federal Lands Highway Park Roads and Parkways Program funds to the National Park Foundation, a non-profit organization, to enhance the existing Transportation Scholars in the Parks program of the National Park Foundation. Both the parks and the scholars are selected on a nationally-competitive basis with a multi-faceted selection committee. On behalf of the Federal Lands Highway Park Roads and Parkways Program, the NPS will assure stewardship and oversight of the fund provided to the Transportation Scholars. Each Scholar is assigned a NPS Park supervisor and mentored by experts in different fields of transportation. In addition to the matching $99,000 in Federal Lands Highway Park Roads and Parkways Program funds, host Parks are responsible for providing housing, office space, any specialized gear, equipment, supplies or materials, including technology needs, to carry out the projects successfully. The NPS will assist the National Park Foundation to provide transportation technical training (June 2011 Denver Service Center) and to produce and distribute a press releases regarding the program, including donor recognition, as allowed by DO 21. In addition, the NPS will assist the Transportation Scholars produce a brief narrative report highlighting the benefits and challenges of the program at the end of project including press clippings, photos and poster presentation before the National Academy of the Sciences, Transportation Research Board in January 2012.

Who can apply

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)

Contact

Elizabeth Walden <br/>Contracting Officer <br/>303-987-6739
beth_walden@nps.gov