Every 4th Grade Student to a National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park 907/422-0531 CJ_Rea@nps.gov Total Anticipated Award Amount $28,620.42 Cost Share $14,310.21 New Award or Continuation? New Anticipated Period of Performance August 24th, 2015 – September 30th 2015 Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(a); 54 USC 101701 CFDA # and Title 15.406 Centennial Initiative Challenge Cost Share Single Source Justification Criteria Cited (1 ) Unsolicited Proposal NPS ATR Point of Contact CJ Rea CJ_Rea@nps.gov 907/422-0531 OVERVIEW This project is a Centennial initiative project that is being put forth to reach underserved fourth grade youth. Funds will be spent to bring 300 Anchorage 4th grade students to Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Sea Life Center. Students will receive programing from the park service ahead of their arrival. Once they arrive to Seward they will attend 4 different programs including 2.5 hours of instruction at Kenai Fjords National Park and 2.5 hours of instruction at the Alaska Sea Life Center. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN The partner organization, The Anchorage School District, will arrange for booking of classroom presentations, presentations on site in Seward and transportation. The Anchorage school district will make this opportunity available to all under served 4th grade classrooms on a first come first served basis. The Anchorage School district will submit receipts and obtain reimbursements through the ASAP system. Kenai Fjords National Park will develop programming in alignment with the school district’s curriculum. They will also work with the Alaska Sea Life Center to develop programming that matches the 4th grade curriculum. Park rangers will present to students in classrooms ahead of their trip to Seward. Park rangers will also present 2.5 hours of programming to students at Exit Glacier in Seward, Ak. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Recipient Involvement: Cost of Alaska Sea Life center programming and Nocturne even will be covered by this agreement. The recipient will also pay for transportation services using a provider of their choice for bringing students to Seward. 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: THE NPS agrees to create a pre-visit program for students to receive in their classrooms. The NPS will further, develop an onsite program for students which adheres to the curriculum standards of Anchorage fourth grade science. The park service will work with the Alaska Sea Life Center to help plan their programs with this fourth grade audience as well. SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION 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. The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: There are only three school districts within easy travel ranger of Kenai Fjords National Park. Many of the schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School and Matsu districts are already visiting the park. A much greater number of underserved youth attend the Anchorage School District and many of these groups have never been able to afford the cost to visit Kenai Fjords National Park. Unique Qualifications Single Source Justification Description: Kenai Fjords National Park is a significant distance from most schools (90 mile +) This agreement is written specifically for a school district to be able to visit Kenai Fjords National Park and take advantage of a series of programs we offer. There are only two school districts within a reasonable (2 hours or less) travel distance from the park. Of those two we see a large number of Kenai Peninsula Borough School district students’ percentage wise. We are reaching out to underserved youth in an attempt to bring schools who could not afford this opportunity on their own. We hope to see new faces and create an understanding of the mission of National Parks with a new audience.