OpportunityTitle: Parks as Classrooms
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: This is a notice of intent to award a discretionary cooperative agreement (task) to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for the Parks as Classroom project.  Applications will only be accepted from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
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. ABSTRACTFunding Announcement P12AC10335Project Title Parks as ClassroomsRecipient Golden Gate National Parks ConservancyTotal Anticipated Award Amount $50,000Cost Share $0Anticipated Length of Agreement 2 yearsAnticipated Period of Performance June 1, 2012 &#150; August 30, 2013Award Instrument Task AgreementStatutory Authority 16 U.S.C. &#167;1gCFDA # and Title CFDA: 15.946 &#150; Cultural Resources ManagementSingle Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique Qualifications &#150; 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;Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro (415) 561 - 7048OVERVIEWPARKS AS CLASSROOMS programs in Golden Gate National Recreation Area - set in indigenous habitats and historic landmarks, ancient redwood groves and dramatic coastal preserve - actively engage students in learning about and caring for national parks and their own communities. Designed by park staff, classroom teachers, students, and leaders of community organizations, park education programs encourage student achievement through innovative pedagogy and authentic experiences in the park. Programs are delivered in partnership by GGNPC and GGNRA staff. The goals and principles of the K-12 program confirm Golden Gate&apos;s commitment to inclusive and relevant inquiry-based learning linked to school curricula.The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Golden Gate National Recreation Area have built a strong and ongoing collaboration on education projects and programs throughout the park. Such projects have included Teacher Institutes, Student Career Opportunities, Increased Access for Underserved Students, Curriculum-Based education programs, High School Youth Programs, and Professional Development for staff through cooperative training opportunities. A nationally recognized collaboration is at the Crissy Field Center, located in the Presidio of San Francisco, an education partnership of the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service. The Center offers multicultural programs that actively engage students and teachers with their environments and promote collaborations in building a more sustainable and environmentally just society. The GGNPC and the NPS share common goals and a joint commitment to providing quality education programs and projects - with the twin outcomes of higher academic achievement for students, and greater links forged between schools, communities and their national park. Project Description:PARKS AS CLASSROMS (PAC) project supports a signature education program &#150; Dissonant Voices (four-day Teacher Professional Development Institute, including professional stipends for teachers, supplies), Educational opportunities for two (2) student volunteers in support of career development, and transportation for underserved students to participate in place-based education programs in Golden Gate. This project is part of our larger ongoing education partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.The four-day Institute will attract 20 middle and high school Social Studies educators from San Francisco Bay high schools to participate in a place-based program. The Institute will focus on historic sites within the park &#150; Alcatraz, Presidio, Nike Missile Site, Sutro Baths, Marin Headlands &#150; to provide teachers with primary and secondary resources to design lesson plans for their classroom. They will be able to tell the national story from a local perspective in topics such as the American Civil War, Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s, the Cold War and Public Perception. Presenters include local university faculty, NPS and Conservancy staff, and individuals from the community who have researched the relevant topics.The teachers will return with their students to engage in an education program in the park. The designated funds from the project for transportation will allow students from schools that serve primarily low income schools to participate in this endeavor. Education student volunteers will assist with all details of the institute itself, and then be the primary staff who will deliver the programs for the park visit. Student volunteers will demonstrate experience in education pedagogy, program delivery, and group management. The NPS and Conservancy staff will partner to offer training to the new student volunteers, including program delivery, NPS and Conservancy mission in education, and program management.A. GGNPC agrees to:1. Consult with the NPS Project Manager to recruit two (2) appropriately qualified volunteer individuals to conduct the hands-on work of the project. 2. Provide uniforms, materials, housing and cover any typical personnel costs for two (2) volunteers.3. Reimburse 20 institute participants at the rate of $200 each. 4. Reimburse the bus company $600 per visit for transportation costs.B. GGNRA agrees to:1. Provide financial assistance as presented in Article VI of this task agreement.2. Provide leadership in the planning and implementation of the Teacher Institute.3. Provide possible position descriptions for volunteers that describe the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to complete the work outlined in this task agreement.4. Provide technical and procedural guidance, work space.5. Provide supplies, materials, work station and computer with Interior Collections Management System (ICMS) software needed to accomplish the project.6. Monitor and review the volunteer work for quality and completeness. Provide a schedule to track progress and ensure that work is completed in a timely manner. 7. Schedule regular reporting meetings to share information with the GGNPC staff about the project.8. Provide administrative support as needed for the project.C. Both Parties Agree to:Create a cooperative partnership to maximize the benefits from the project accomplished by both organizations. SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATIONDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORSINGLE SOURCE POLICY REQUIREMENTSDepartment 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 &#150; 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 &#150; 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 &#150; The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress&#146; intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose;(4) Unique Qualifications &#150; 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 &#150; 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 the following criteria: Unique qualifications based on Cooperative Agreement 1443 CA 8140 98 001: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has been an active participant in the development and administration of National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area programs to include educational, restoration, conservation, community outreach and recreation. This project will fall under the established cooperative agreement and supports both education and community outreach.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Work
GrantorContactText: Erica Cordeiro &lt;br/&gt;Contract Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 415-561-7048