Funding Opportunity Number: P15AS01023
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
Category of Funding Activity: Education
Eligible Applicants Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Agency Name: DOI-NPS
Closing Date: 2015-07-11
Award Ceiling: $200,000
Expected Number of Awards: 1
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. ABSTRACT Funding Announcement P15AS01023 Project Title SUPPORTING THE ALASKA NATIVE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAM (ANSEP) Recipient UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE Total Anticipated Award Amount $140,000 Cost Share 0 Anticipated Length of Agreement 5 years Anticipated Period of Performance 5 years Award Instrument CESU Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority 54 USC 101702(b) CFDA # and Title 15. 945, Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Continuation Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro OVERVIEW The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is creating a systematic change in the hiring patterns of Indigenous Americans in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by increasing the number of individuals on a career path to leadership in STEM fields. The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program is a comprehensive suite of Pre-College, Summer Bridge, University Retention, and Graduate components. The Pre-College component brings computer technology to isolated communities; provides middle school and high school students with a vision of a career in engineering and science; connects students with professionals in industry and academia; provides industrial partners with a technologically trained workforce; catalyzes an interest in algebra for middle school students and trigonometry, chemistry, and physics for high school students; and develops the enabling infrastructure necessary to sustain the effort long term. We build empowerment and excitement around careers in engineering and science. Academically prepared Indigenous students are now enrolling at our University in record numbers. After high school graduation, Pre-College students transition to the Summer Bridge component. During the Summer Bridge, new high school graduates spend nine weeks before their first year at the university completing an internship and mathematics training. A student's internship may be in an office or field setting and each student is paired with an engineer or scientist in their sponsor organization. Mathematics training is at the ANSEP building on the UAA campus. The primary goals of the program are to develop a peer group, earn financial support for college, increase mathematics skills, build relationships with mentors through an internship, solidify their vision for a career path, and learn to navigate at the University. The University Retention component is an academic community composed of students, faculty, staff, and external partners who are focused on the academic success, as well as the personal and professional development of the students. Students are teamed in an academic community where they are supported by peers and professionals, working together for success. Students are co-enrolled in classes, take a college survival skills class during the first semester, participate in organized study groups, are provided with opportunities for peer and professional mentoring, work summer internships, earn merit based scholarships and participate in planned group social activities. The goal is to successfully graduate with a BS degree in a STEM discipline. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT 1. Integrate recruitment and retention of students into the ANSEP Pre-College, Summer Bridging, and University Retention model. 2. Three students in either the science and/ or engineering disciplines would participate in the ANSEP program with the NPS. This may vary due to the needs of the NPS and the availability of mentors. 3. Provide a detailed budget outlining costs and expenses. 4. Appoint an individual who shall represent the ANSEP at UAA in carrying out its obligations. 4. In coordination with the NPS, provide oversight to ensure program implementation proceeds as prescribed. 5. Forward to the NPS ATR copies of all annual and final reports. 6. Within 90 days after completion of this Agreement, forward the NPS ATR the final report summarizing program accomplishments for all activities occurring under the scope of this agreement. (1) 7. No later than 90 days after each twelve month term of this Agreement, ANSEP at UAA shall submit to the NPS ATR a Financial Status Report using SF 425 for all activities occurring under the scope of this agreement. In accordance with Department of the Interior Policy, delinquent submittal of SF 425 reports may result in withholding of payment, suspension or termination of this agreement. (2) 8. No later than 90 days after completion of this Agreement, provide a Financial Status Report using SF 425 to the NPS ATR. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT A. Integrate recruitment and retention of students into the ANSEP Pre-College, Summer Bridging, and University Retention model. B. Three students in either the science and/ or engineering disciplines would participate in the ANSEP program with the NPS. This may vary due to the needs of the NPS and the availability of mentors. C. Provide a detailed budget outlining costs and expenses. D. Appoint an individual who shall represent the ANSEP at UAA in carrying out its obligations. 4. In coordination with the NPS, provide oversight to ensure program implementation proceeds as prescribed. 5. Forward to the NPS ATR copies of all annual and final reports. 6. Within 90 days after completion of this Agreement, forward the NPS ATR the final report summarizing program accomplishments for all activities occurring under the scope of this agreement. (3) 7. No later than 90 days after each twelve month term of this Agreement, ANSEP at UAA shall submit to the NPS ATR a Financial Status Report using SF 425 for all activities occurring under the scope of this agreement. In accordance with Department of the Interior Policy, delinquent submittal of SF 425 reports may result in withholding of payment, suspension or termination of this agreement. (4) 8. No later than 90 days after completion of this Agreement, provide a Financial Status Report using SF 425 to the NPS ATR. 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. NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: Continuation
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