Experienced Services Program

 

The Experienced Services Program (ESP) will provide support to the NPS on natural and cultural resource conservation projects that enable the agency to carry out its mission. Special emphasis will be placed on projects that improve the maintenance of our national park resources and enhance the visitor experience. ESP participants will provide technical assistance and support to the NPS in the development and execution of projects that benefit the general public and provide support to NPS employees. This program will provide opportunities to qualified individuals 55 years of age and older, who have specific technical skills and abilities not available or underrepresented at current NPS staffing levels. The ESP participants will not replace or displace current NPS employees.

Active 15.011 National Park Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2019 This is a new program, therefore no project have yet been undertaken.
Fiscal Year 2020 Senior citizen participants served as mentors to youth and others working in National Parks, and NPS programs. Seniors assisted with research, cataloging projects, facilities improvements and other activities.
Fiscal Year 2021 A number of agreements have been initiated to place senior citizen participants in parks and park program offices to assist in achieving the NPS mission. More information will be available next fiscal year.
Fiscal Year 2022 Life to date total number of task agreements: 150 Number of parks/offices using the ESP as of 9/30/22: 65 Additional new parks/offices using the ESP as of 7/17/23: 20 (more to come as pending FY23 task agreements are awarded) Unique individuals enrolled in the NPS life-to-date: 229 Just under half of our enrollees (as of FY22) had never been NPS employees, so they bring interesting and useful perspectives to their offices. Important additions to portfolio: Several parks (Yosemite, Glacier) saw great value in the ESP and executed 5 task agreements each, supporting several aspects of park operations, from finance to construction to EMS and wilderness planning. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School also used the ESP in FY22, continuing into FY23, to access the skills of experienced artisans and professionals to plan lessons and actively teach the students during the school year and during summer programs. These enrollees have skills ranging from stone masonry to video production. New initiatives: The Maintenance Action Teams are interested in using the ESP to leverage experienced workers to help plan projects, coordinating with youth programs as necessary, around the NPS. Wildland fire programs in several regions are also using ESP to accomplish the necessary updates to fire management plans that are due soon. Cooperative Agreements, Transfer of Service Appropriated Funds U.S.C. 54 U.S.C. §101702(a)
The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Public Law 116-260, Division G - Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Title I. Section 111.
Older Workers Act of 1965 This program is limited to qualified non-profit organizations subject to 26 USC 501 c(3) of the tax code, and must be designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965. Proof of establishment must be submitted with the application. Private non-profit organizations that support career advancement and placement for individuals 55 years of age and older. Individuals 55 years of age and older. Documentation demonstrating the organization's proof of establishment under the Secretary of Labor Title V of the Older American Act of 1965, and proof of past performance in recruiting and provide employment opportunities for individuals 55 years of age and older. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however the National Park Service will provide applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award. Projects may be renewed on an annual basis, not to exceed a total of 5 years. If renewals or extensions are applicable to the project, this information will be included in the funding opportunity announcement. When renewals or extensions are applicable, continuation of funding for these activities are at the discretion of Congress and will be subject to availability of appropriated funds. Proposals received in response to announcements on grants.gov are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the announcement. Awards may be made to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year. This program will provide opportunities to qualified individuals 55 years of age and older who have specific technical skills and abilities not available or underrepresented at current NPS staffing levels. The EWP participants will not replace or displace current NPS employees. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Agreements with successful applicants will be entered into between 90-120 from notification of potential award. After award, funds are distributed to the recipient through ASAP. None/Not specified. Jamie Crispin
1849 C Street NW
Room 2357
Washington, DC 20240 USA
jamie_crispin@nps.gov
Phone: 913-727-0766 14-1036-0-1-303 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$6,734,168.00; FY 23 est $6,500,000.00; FY 24 est $6,500,000.00; FY 20$4,193,186.00; FY 21 est $5,000,000.00; FY 19$0.00; FY 18 - Estimated range of $10,000-$150,000 per funded award. Not applicable. Fiscal Year 2019 This is a new program and therefore no funds have been awarded under this program listing.
Fiscal Year 2020 A number of parks and programs used funding to recruit eligible participants to move the mission of NPS forward. Participants assisted with administrative, interruptive, facilities and other areas with the National Park Service.
Fiscal Year 2021 A number of parks and programs used funding to recruit eligible participants to move the mission of NPS forward. Participants assisted with administrative, interruptive, facilities and other areas with the National Park Service.
Fiscal Year 2023 Experienced Services Program (ESP) participants will provide technical assistance and support to the NPS in the development and execution of projects that benefit the general public and provide support to NPS employees. This program will provide opportunities to qualified individuals 55 years of age and older, who have specific technical skills and abilities not available or underrepresented at current NPS staffing levels. The ESP participants will not replace or displace current NPS employees.