NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications.
This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service’s intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition.
ABSTRACT
Funding Announcement Number P16AC01031 Project Title Nome Community Archaeology Expedition Recipient Alaska Geographic Principle Investigator / Program Manager Jeff Rasic, Ph.
D.
Chief of Integrated Resources Management Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve National Park Service 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone:
(907)750-7356 Email:
Jeff_Rasic@nps.gov Fax:
(907)455-0601 Total Anticipated Award Amount $34,07 0. 30 Cost Share none New Award or Continuation? Continuation Anticipated Period of Performance August 15, 2015 through September 1, 2017 Award Instrument CESU task agreement Statutory Authority 54 USC§10 0. 703 CFDA # and Title 1 5. 945 Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Task Agreement under North and West Alaska Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement P13AC01025 NPS ATR Point of Contact Jeff Rasic OVERVIEW Cultural resources in the Bering Strait region are among the richest in the world, and are recognized and protected in National Park Service units like Bering Land Bridge Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument.
Cultural resources in this region are at severe risk of destruction from coastal erosion, and rampant site looting.
The project described here, the Nome Community Archaeology Expedition, is an attempt to address these issues by making local students aware of and excited about the science of archaeology and the insights it can provide into Alaska Native traditions.
Alaska Geographic, the proposed recipient of financial assistance through this task agreement, is the official non-profit partner of Alaska’s 15 national parks and other public lands.
A core purpose of Alaska Geographic is to support Alaska’s parks and other public land management agencies, and connect people to public lands.
This project fulfills a public purpose by assisting Alaska Geographic in efforts to connect people to public lands in Alaska.
In this case the audience is young people from rural Alaskan communities.
One of the primary ways Alaska Geographic achieves public education goals is through organized field courses or seminars like the one described for this project, a field course focused on archaeology, Alaska Native history, cultural resources, conservation and scientific careers, and public lands conservation.
This project also serves the public directly through the students (as members of the public).
Students from western and northern Alaska will have the opportunity to expand academic skills, earn college credit, and build peer network.
Additionally, students will be exposed to career possibilities in scientific and conservation disciplines of the sort that can be found in government agencies like the NPS and non-profit conservation organizations like Alaska Geographic.
Following direction and goals set by the NPS Centennial and the NPS Call to Action, this program will help educate new and younger audiences who have not traditionally been well-represented as stewards to National Parks in Alaska.
STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN Alaska Geographic and NPS will collaborate to accomplish the following objectives:
1) Provide an opportunity for students from rural communities and diverse backgrounds to expand their academic and vocational skills, earn academic credit, and build peer networks with fellow students.
2) Develop a replicable youth program that includes strong educational content aligned with land conservation and resource preservation themes and local native knowledge, immersive field experiences, hands-on work with local experts and NPS professionals.
3) Foster partnerships between NPS Alaska Geographic, Alaska Native organizations, schools, and other community organizations to build capacity to provide local youth with meaningful opportunities connected to National Parks.
4) Document an archaeological site and assess its research potential.
5) Produce outreach materials to distribute findings and promote future programs.
RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Alaska Geographic agrees to:
1. Coordinate overall management of the expedition, documentation, and communication, working in close collaboration with NPS staff.
This will include:
a.
Providing risk management oversight and participant liability b.
Providing one trip leader for the expedition trained in youth leadership, Wilderness First Responder or higher and emergency communications.
c.
Assisting with student travel and logistics 2. Aid in the creation and distribution of outreach materials.
3. Complete goals of the project as outlined in the objectives, participate in planning meetings with partners, and submit reports in a timely manner.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT Substantial involvement on the part of the National Park Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award.
In particular, the National Park Service will be responsible for the following:
1. Collaborate in program planning, implementation, and assessment, to assist in meeting the goals and objectives of this project, including:
a.
Identifying and coordinating with subject matter experts in Nome and NPS staff to assist with risk management and program content and provide guest speakers during the expedition.
b.
Providing one trip co-leader (either NPS or partner staff) c.
Recruiting student participants d.
Processing student applications e.
Providing educational content f.
Assisting with partnership development g.
Assisting with housing, transportation, and supplies through the NPS and partners h.
Collecting and sharing media and any evaluation materials with program partners.
2. Provide $34,07 0. 30 to Alaska Geographic to carry out the work stated in the preceding objectives.
See financial plan for budget details.
NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
This is a task agreement that is being issued under an existing, previously competed CESU agreement (P13AC01025)