KEFJ Centennial Mural

Challenge Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique Qualifications Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro OVERVIEW At the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, the 600,000 acre Kenai Fjords National Park hugs the rugged coastline, encompassing icefields and receding glaciers, marine and coastal habitats, mountains and fjords. The headquarters for the park is based out of Seward, AK. Sandwiched between the Kenai Mountains and the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. A spectacular 2.5 hour drive south from Anchorage brings you to this seaside community, the mural capitol of Alaska, and a gateway for Kenai Fjords National Park. The murals of Seward were created through collaboration with Alaska artists, youth, and community volunteers. There are currently over twenty murals located throughout Seward. Seward, AK hosts over one million visitors annually. Visitors to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula arrive by train, car, or cruise ship. Many will explore Seward’s downtown business on Fourth Avenue or visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. Many visitors are not aware of the presence of Kenai Fjords National Park and its national significance. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN The objective of this Agreement is to coordinate the design, creation and installation of a Kenai Fjords National Park mural to celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service and to revise and print the Walking Tour of the Murals of Seward brochure. This Agreement with the Seward Art Council will provide the National Park Service with the expertise needed to mobilize community volunteers for a mural project. The Seward Arts Council has completed over twenty murals in the Seward community, earning Seward, AK the distinction of the mural capitol of Alaska. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT 1. Work with a master artist to design a mural communicating the significance of Kenai Fjords National Park, titled Where Mountains, Ice, and Ocean Meet. 2. Purchase aluminum panels and supplies for painting of mural. 3. Coordinate volunteers and provide oversight for painting of mural at Seward Music & Arts Festival. 4. Create donor recognition board 5. Revise Walking Tour: Seward Mural Capital of Alaska brochure to include KEFJ Centennial mural. 6. Install mural. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT 1. Provide input and feedback on mural design. 2. Provide staff at Seward Arts Council’s Seward Music & Arts Festival to communicate the mural project. 3. Provide input and feedback on donor recognition board. 4. Review Walking Tour: Seward Mural Capital of Alaska brochure’s Kenai Fjords National Park section. 5. Provide oversight and specifications for the installation of the mural. SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION This project is for the design, creation, and installation of a community mural. The mural, titled Where Mountains, Ice, and Ocean Meet will illustrate the purpose and significance of Kenai Fjords National Park. The location of the mural is in downtown Seward and highly visible to the over one million visitors to Seward annually. The creation of the mural is meant to bring together youth volunteers and artists to enrich the downtown area of Seward and celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. Funding for this project leverages Alaska Geographic donation funds with matching federal dollars through Centennial Cost Challenge fund source. Although this project is for the design and creation of a mural – it is as much about community outreach and building good will with the gateway community of Seward as it is about the acquisition of a finished mural for Kenai Fjords National Park. The Seward Mural Society, part of the non-profit Seward Arts Council, has worked with a variety of public and private entities, and community groups to design, create, and install over twenty murals in Seward – making Seward the Mural Capitol of Alaska. No other entity has the ability to mobilize the community in this type of effort let alone the knowledge, expertise, and resources to complete this project as it is envisioned. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification must address one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable. In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria: (1) Unsolicited Proposal – The proposed award is the result of an unsolicited assistance application which represents a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach which is not the subject of a current or planned contract or assistance award, but which is deemed advantageous to the program objectives; (2) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the satisfactory completion of, or is a continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity; (3) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose; (4) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications; (5) Emergencies – Program/award where there is insufficient time available (due to a compelling and unusual urgency, or substantial danger to health or safety) for adequate competitive procedures to be followed. NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based on the following criteria: (4) Unique Qualifications of the Recipient to mobilize youth and local artist volunteers to design and paint a community mural. Resources and expertise to work with master artist and pull together the materials, supplies, and hardware for the project and installation.