Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00121
This grant opportunity, titled "NOTICE OF INTENT: FY2017 Implementation of Management Plan" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00121), is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It supports the FY2017 implementation of the management plan for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA). The heritage area itself was established by Congress through the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, Title VIII, Subtitle A, Section 8001), which also directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a compact with the heritage area management entity, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Inc. The central purpose is to help carry out activities that serve a public purpose and align with the heritage area enabling legislation and the approved management plan, recognizing that National Heritage Areas are nationally important landscapes where natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources come together to tell significant stories about the American experience.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means NPS is expected to stay involved beyond simply providing funds. The opportunity was listed as discretionary funding in the natural resources activity category (CFDA 15.939), with an expected single award and an award ceiling of $1. The posting was created on March 13, 2017, with an original closing date of March 23, 2017. While the eligibility field is broadly labeled "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the narrative makes it clear the work is centered on SdCNHA as the designated management entity, operating under the terms and conditions of an existing cooperative agreement and the task agreement described in the notice.
The funded work for FY2017 focuses heavily on organizational capacity and on-the-ground delivery in three major areas: administration and operations, public outreach, and grants/projects tied to the management plan. A major theme throughout the statement of work is accountability and compliance. SdCNHA emphasizes that federal funds will be closely monitored to ensure staff time, services, and other costs fall within federal rules and regulations, with responsible accounting practices supported by staff, the Board Treasurer, and an accountant. This reflects the expectation that the organization will maintain strong financial controls and documentation suitable for reimbursement-based federal assistance.
On the operational side, SdCNHA plans to maintain core staffing consisting of an Executive Director, a Financial Officer, and an Administrative Assistant, with the intention to leverage internships and in-kind contributions when possible. The organization also intends to strengthen internal governance through board development and refinement of foundational documents and systems. That includes revising bylaws, organizing and activating board committees, and clarifying committee roles within the overall structure. The committees specifically highlighted are the Executive Committee, the Grants and Projects Committee, and the Marketing and Outreach Committee, each meant to guide the board on initiatives and policies and provide clearer oversight and accountability.
Training and professional development is another major component of the FY2017 plan. SdCNHA intends to provide orientation and training for new board members while continuing skill-building for existing board members and staff. Training topics include understanding the task agreement, work plan, and reimbursement process; defining board and committee roles and responsibilities; learning SdCNHA policies and procedures; supporting rebranding efforts; exploring National Park Service and community partnership opportunities; and strengthening project development capabilities. The plan anticipates using a mix of local resources, NPS support, online and in-person courses, conferences, and job shadowing to deliver training in a practical and cost-effective way.
Public outreach is described as a core program emphasis, with attention to festivals, education, and partnerships. The plan calls for consistent marketing and communications activities intended to increase visibility for SdCNHA programs and accomplishments. Specific outreach tactics include purchasing advertisements in targeted publications, producing at least two press releases per month, creating radio public service announcements (with particular mention of KRZA, the local NPR station), attending at least five local community festivals to distribute program information and brochures, posting daily on social media about events and history, and conducting regular outreach with county commissioners and local boards. The organization also intends to produce an annual report, positioning it as both an accountability product and a communications tool.
A significant program delivery element is historic preservation and project support through a grants program. SdCNHA intends to continue developing its grantmaking infrastructure by revising the grant program handbook, updating the grant application, refining selection criteria, and revising contract agreements as needed. This is paired with a broader emphasis on improving general project planning, oversight, and management, suggesting that FY2017 is meant to strengthen both how projects are chosen and how they are carried out and monitored.
Partnership development is woven throughout the work plan, including collaboration with other National Heritage Areas in Colorado and New Mexico and participation in the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA). Named partners include Cache la Poudre National Heritage Area, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, and South Park Heritage Area. SdCNHA plans to engage through ANHA meetings, including fall and spring conferences and the annual Washington, DC meeting, both to learn best practices and to participate in national advocacy and coordination for heritage areas. Staff travel is also anticipated for partnership building, representing SdCNHA at meetings, visiting heritage area sites, and providing support to grantees when needed.
The FY2017 management emphases also include a detailed list of organizational decisions and systems the heritage area intends to strengthen. These include establishing clearer guidelines and standard operating procedures with support from staff and NPS; continuing development of employee policies, an employee handbook, and a board orientation manual; ongoing bylaw review and revisions; review and updates to employee contracts; and providing annual performance evaluations for all staff. In addition, the organization plans to build the structure needed for both short-term operations and long-term sustainability by recruiting, selecting, and training staff and board members, and by investing in targeted skills training such as grant-series trainings, InDesign training, and human resources training. An annual board retreat is also planned as a key professional development and planning milestone.
NPS responsibilities are clearly spelled out and reflect the cooperative nature of the agreement. NPS commits to providing advisory, technical, and financial assistance related to management plan implementation. NPS will also review SdCNHA subgrant applicant lists and recommended awards to ensure they comply with the management plan, the enabling legislation, and federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200. For projects that implicate historic preservation compliance, NPS will provide technical assistance related to Section 106 consultation, including advising on the appropriate level of effect, reviewing projects for alignment with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and helping facilitate consultation between SdCNHA and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office. Finally, NPS may review and comment on draft planning documents for projects identified in an attachment to the agreement when requested by SdCNHA or initiated by NPS.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as operational and program implementation support for a congressionally designated National Heritage Area, with FY2017 priorities centered on building strong internal systems, expanding and professionalizing outreach and marketing, administering a compliant grants and preservation project portfolio, and deepening regional and national partnerships, all under active NPS collaboration and federal compliance requirements.Apply for P17AS00121
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOTICE OF INTENT: FY2017 Implementation of Management Plan" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.939.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 13, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 23, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: NOTICE OF INTENT: FY2017 Implementation of Management Plan (P17AS00121)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "NOTICE OF INTENT: FY2017 Implementation of Management Plan" and the Funding Opportunity Number is P17AS00121.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What is being supported through this FY2017 award?
The award supports FY2017 implementation of the approved management plan for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA). The work is framed as carrying out activities that serve a public purpose and align with the heritage area enabling legislation and the management plan.
What is the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA) in the context of this award?
The SdCNHA is a congressionally designated National Heritage Area described as a nationally important landscape where natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources come together to tell significant stories about the American experience.
What law established the heritage area and guides this work?
The heritage area was established by Congress through the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, Title VIII, Subtitle A, Section 8001). The law also directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a compact with the heritage area management entity, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Inc.
What type of federal award is this?
This is a cooperative agreement. That structure indicates NPS is expected to remain actively involved beyond simply providing funding (for example, through technical, advisory, and compliance-related support).
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant in this notice?
Based on the description provided, the key difference is ongoing NPS involvement. NPS will provide advisory, technical, and financial assistance; review subgrant applicant lists and recommended awards for compliance; and support certain historic preservation compliance tasks (such as Section 106-related technical assistance).
What is the CFDA number and activity category listed for this funding?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.939 and was categorized as discretionary funding in the natural resources activity category.
How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
The notice indicates an expected single award.
What is the award ceiling listed in the notice?
The award ceiling is listed as $1.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting was created on March 13, 2017, with an original closing date of March 23, 2017.
Who is eligible to receive this award?
The eligibility field is broadly labeled "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." However, the narrative indicates the work is centered on the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area management entity (Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Inc.) operating under the terms and conditions of an existing cooperative agreement and the related task agreement described in the notice.
What is the main purpose of the FY2017 work described?
The central purpose is to implement the management plan through activities that align with the enabling legislation and approved management plan, with strong emphasis on organizational capacity, public outreach, grants/projects tied to the plan, and accountability and compliance.
What are the major program areas emphasized for FY2017?
The funded work for FY2017 is organized around three major areas: (1) administration and operations, (2) public outreach, and (3) grants/projects tied to the management plan.
What does the notice say about financial accountability and compliance?
The statement of work emphasizes that federal funds will be closely monitored to ensure staff time, services, and other costs comply with federal rules and regulations. It also highlights responsible accounting practices supported by staff, the Board Treasurer, and an accountant, consistent with documentation and controls appropriate for reimbursement-based federal assistance.
What staffing does SdCNHA plan to maintain under this FY2017 work plan?
The plan describes core staffing consisting of an Executive Director, a Financial Officer, and an Administrative Assistant, with the intention to leverage internships and in-kind contributions when possible.
What governance improvements are included in the FY2017 plan?
The plan includes board development and refinement of organizational documents and systems. Examples provided include revising bylaws, organizing and activating board committees, and clarifying committee roles within the overall structure to strengthen oversight and accountability.
Which board committees are specifically highlighted?
The committees specifically highlighted are the Executive Committee, the Grants and Projects Committee, and the Marketing and Outreach Committee.
What kinds of training and professional development are planned?
The plan calls for orientation and training for new board members and continuing skill-building for existing board members and staff. Training topics mentioned include: understanding the task agreement/work plan/reimbursement process; board and committee roles; SdCNHA policies and procedures; supporting rebranding efforts; exploring NPS and community partnership opportunities; and strengthening project development capabilities.
How does the plan propose delivering training?
The notice anticipates using a mix of local resources, NPS support, online and in-person courses, conferences, and job shadowing to provide practical, cost-effective training.
What public outreach and marketing activities are described?
Public outreach is described as a core emphasis, including festivals, education, and partnerships. The plan calls for consistent marketing and communications to increase visibility for SdCNHA programs and accomplishments.
What specific communications outputs are mentioned (press releases, ads, radio, social media)?
The work plan includes purchasing advertisements in targeted publications, producing at least two press releases per month, creating radio public service announcements (including mention of KRZA, the local NPR station), and posting daily on social media about events and history.
What community engagement activities are planned?
The plan includes attending at least five local community festivals to distribute program information and brochures, and conducting regular outreach with county commissioners and local boards.
Is an annual report included in the FY2017 deliverables?
Yes. The plan calls for producing an annual report, described as both an accountability product and a communications tool.
Does the FY2017 plan include a grants program for projects?
Yes. A significant program delivery element is historic preservation and project support through a grants program, with continued development of grantmaking infrastructure.
What improvements to the grants program infrastructure are described?
The plan includes revising the grant program handbook, updating the grant application, refining selection criteria, and revising contract agreements as needed.
Beyond grantmaking, what does the notice say about project oversight and management?
The FY2017 work plan includes an emphasis on improving general project planning, oversight, and management, suggesting an intent to strengthen both project selection and how projects are carried out and monitored.
What partnerships and networks are referenced in the work plan?
Partnership development includes collaboration with other National Heritage Areas in Colorado and New Mexico and participation in the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA).
Which partner heritage areas are named?
Named partners include Cache la Poudre National Heritage Area, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, and South Park Heritage Area.
What is ANHA and how is it used in the plan?
ANHA is referenced as a venue for learning best practices and participating in national advocacy and coordination for heritage areas. The plan mentions engagement through ANHA meetings, including fall and spring conferences and the annual Washington, DC meeting.
Does the plan anticipate travel, and for what purposes?
Yes. Staff travel is anticipated for partnership building, representing SdCNHA at meetings, visiting heritage area sites, and providing support to grantees when needed.
What organizational systems and policies does SdCNHA plan to strengthen?
The notice lists multiple internal systems to strengthen, including clearer guidelines and standard operating procedures (with staff and NPS support), development of employee policies, an employee handbook, a board orientation manual, ongoing bylaw review and revisions, review and updates to employee contracts, and annual performance evaluations for all staff.
Is a board retreat part of the FY2017 plan?
Yes. An annual board retreat is planned as a professional development and planning milestone.
What targeted skills trainings are specifically mentioned?
The plan mentions targeted trainings such as grant-series trainings, InDesign training, and human resources training.
What are NPS responsibilities under this cooperative agreement?
NPS responsibilities include providing advisory, technical, and financial assistance for management plan implementation; reviewing subgrant applicant lists and recommended awards for compliance with the management plan, enabling legislation, and federal cost principles (2 CFR 200); and providing technical assistance related to historic preservation compliance when applicable.
What role does NPS play in reviewing subgrants and recommended awards?
NPS will review SdCNHA subgrant applicant lists and recommended awards to ensure compliance with the management plan, the enabling legislation, and federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200.
What historic preservation compliance support is described?
For projects that implicate historic preservation compliance, NPS will provide technical assistance related to Section 106 consultation. This includes advising on the appropriate level of effect, reviewing projects for alignment with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and helping facilitate consultation between SdCNHA and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office.
Will NPS review project planning documents?
Yes, the notice states that NPS may review and comment on draft planning documents for projects identified in an attachment to the agreement when requested by SdCNHA or initiated by NPS.
What is the overall theme of the FY2017 effort described in the notice?
The opportunity is positioned as operational and program implementation support for a congressionally designated National Heritage Area, with FY2017 priorities centered on strengthening internal systems, professionalizing outreach and marketing, administering a compliant grants and preservation project portfolio, and deepening regional and national partnerships under active NPS collaboration.
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