Sitka Youth Expedition to Glacier Bay (Find Your Parks)
OVERVIEW Although Sitka youth have easy access to Sitka National Historical Park (SITK) (the park is no more than a 15 minute drive from anywhere in Sitka), the next nearest park (GLBA) is almost never experienced by Sitkans. Although it is a mere 90 miles away, it is an unachievable trip for most Sitkans, much less most Alaskans, and is largely inaccessible to youth due to high cost and limited transportation modes. Following direction and goals set by the NPS Centennial and the NPS Call to Action, this youth program will help youth to â₏œFind your Parks,â₏ and will reach new and younger audiences who have not traditionally been well-represented as visitors of National Parks in Alaska. STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN The primary purpose of this federal assistance award is to more effectively connect local communities with their National Parks and engage the next generation of leaders, stewards, and supporters of Alaskaâ₏™s National Parks by building a collaborative partnership between Sitka National Historical Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and Alaska Geographic. More specifically, this project is to foster a stronger connection between the youth of Sitka and surrounding communities with neighboring Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT Coordinate overall management of the expedition, documentation, and communication, working in close collaboration with NPS staff (Superintendent of Sitka National Historical Park). 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: a. identifying and coordinating with subject matter experts and NPS staff in Sitka, Glacier Bay, Gustavus, and Hoonah, to assist with risk management and program content and provide guest speakers during the expedition, b. providing one or two trip co-leaders (either NPS or partner staff) c. assisting with recruiting student participants, d. providing educational content, e. assisting with partnership development, and f. assisting with housing, transportation, and supplies through the NPS and partners. â₏ƒ 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 â₏“ 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 â₏“ 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 â₏“ The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congressâ₏™ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose; (4) Unique Qualifications â₏“ 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 â₏“ 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: (1) Unsolicited Proposal Single Source Justification Description: Alaska Geographic has proposed a project that is consistent with National Park Service cooperative agreement authorities, National Park policies and initiatives, and represents an excellent value in terms of cost-sharing and cooperative effort. No other cooperating organization has suggested this type of unique and innovative idea to connect Alaska youth to their National Parks. No other organization has proposed this type of project and the results are fully consistent with NPS objectives and programs.
Office: National Park Service
Contract Specialist
Phone 907-644-3302
