Development of a Monitoring Strategy for Climate Change Impacts on NPS Coastal resources

Post Date

January 20th 2010

Application Due Date

February 2nd 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

NPS-10-NERO-0001

CFDA Number(s)

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Cooperative Agreement

Funding Activity Categories

Environment

Eligibility Categories

Unrestricted

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $40000

• Award Range:

  $40000 - $40000

Grant Description

Instructions for submitting Application for Federal Assistance Cooperative Agreement No. H4531-10-0807 PROJECT TITLE: Development of a monitoring strategy for climate change impacts on NPS coastal resources SPONSORED BY: National Park Service National Capital Region, Northeast Coastal and Barrier, and Northeast Temperate Networks The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program expects to fund a project to develop a monitoring strategy for NPS coastal resources that are potentially impacted by climate change. Approximately $40,000 will be available for this effort and the project will be completed by September 2010. The National Park Service will have substantial involvement in all stages of this project including discussions of timing and format of workshops, participation in workshops to determine monitoring metrics, and making final decisions about priorities and funding levels for proposed monitoring activities. The National Park Service will provide background natural resource information to the cooperator as necessary; such information may include park spatial data, technical reports, and existing monitoring protocols. This posting includes the following: • Description of the proposed project • Requirements of application and proposal • Review criteria PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The National Park Service (NPS) has undertaken a bold initiative to develop a comprehensive, long-term monitoring program for natural resources throughout the National Park system. The goals of the Vital Signs Monitoring Program are to determine the status and trends of selected indicators of ecological condition, to provide early warning of abnormal conditions, to improve understanding of the dynamic nature of park ecosystems, and to measure progress in meeting park performance goals. To achieve these goals, NPS has organized 270 park units into 32 networks based on common ecological resources. This program integrates across spatial scales (biological, ecological, landscape) and across relevant disciplines (terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, wetland ecology, population ecology, landscape ecology, biogeochemistry, and others). Additional information on the NPS vital signs program is available at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/index.cfm. Background on the monitoring efforts of the National Capital Region Network (NCRN), Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN), and Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) are available at http://www1.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/, http://www1.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncbn/, and http://www1.nature.nps.gov/im/units/netn/. The NPS I&M program received a base funding increase in FY2010 to enhance monitoring of the impacts of climate change on park natural resources. A portion of this funding is being directed to the National Capital Region, Northeast Coastal and Barrier, and Northeast Temperate Networks to enhance the monitoring of coastal resources in the North Atlantic. The geographic area for this enhanced monitoring effort intentionally overlaps the area of the USFWS North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, and the three networks are expected to involve the USFWS, states, and other federal agencies in this planning effort. The involvement of multiple agencies is expected to lead to more consistent monitoring of coastal resources from Virginia to Maine. By the end of FY2010, the three networks are expected to produce a coastal climate change monitoring strategy that describes the metric selection process, final metrics chosen for monitoring, and priorities for monitoring. The strategy will include options for monitoring based on anticipated project budgets (for all three networks) ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 annually. The specific tasks associated with this project are as follows: The Recipient will: 1. Revise the approach for meeting the goals of the project. This will involve a review of the approach described by the Recipient in their proposal, with the participation of NPS staff. The final approach will be approved by NPS and will likely be a workshop or series of workshops to bring together NPS, USFWS, NOAA, state agencies, Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units, and representatives from other organizations to receive input and generate regional support for collaborative monitoring. In addition, the final process needs to be sensitive to the needs of park resource managers, so that the monitoring program provides them with useful information. 2. Organize and facilitate all workshops and meetings related to this project. 3. Review existing monitoring activities by the NPS and other organizations to identify strengths, weaknesses, and data gaps. As much as possible, the climate change monitoring strategy should build on existing programs implemented by the NPS and other organizations. 4. Define monitoring goals and objectives and propose specific measures, with feedback and final approval from the NPS. The cooperators will work together and with other organizations to define monitoring questions and objectives that will address the impacts of climate change on coastal resources. Specific monitoring metrics will be proposed that will enable researchers and resource managers to evaluate the impacts of climate change on NPS coastal resources. 5. Develop a draft sampling design. The sampling design includes the scope of the monitoring effort (statistical population being sampled or rationale for using a non-statistical approach), proposed sample size, and site selection methods. This portion of the project will require input from academic or agency statisticians. 6. Write a draft climate change monitoring strategy. The report will describe the approach taken to develop goals, objectives, and measures; present the prioritized list of final measures; outline the draft sampling design; and incorporate a budget for monitoring beginning in FY2011. The strategy will include planning for three anticipated project budgets, for potential annual funding of $200,000, $300,000, and $400,000. 7. Identify peer reviewers for the draft monitoring strategy. 8. Obtain 3 external peer reviews of the monitoring strategy and revise the monitoring strategy to address reviewer comments. This will include the preparation of a document describing substantive comments and how the comments were addressed. 9. If a second round of external peer reviews is deemed necessary by the NPS, the Acronym will revise the monitoring strategy in response to reviewer comments. This will include the preparation of a document describing substantive comments and how the comments were addressed. The NPS will: 1. Provide suggested peer reviewers for the draft monitoring strategy. 2. Provide suggestions for addressing substantive reviewer comments. If suggestions relate to areas of NPS management responsibility (e.g., allocation of funds and prioritization of projects), NPS will make the appropriate changes to the monitoring strategy. 3. Determine whether a second round of external peer review is needed. If so, NPS will coordinate the peer review and provide comments to the Recipient. REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION AND PROPOSAL The submission of the Application for Federal Assistance and Proposal provides a means for applicants to express their interest in this project, to provide a discussion of their proposed approach, and to highlight past experiences that are relevant. A complete application package consists of forms SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance), SF424A (Budget), and SF424B (Assurances), as well as a project Proposal. Proposals should include the following; • Project Title • Principal Investigators and other key personnel-Persons identified as key personnel must be committed to the project to the level identified in the proposal. Key personnel cannot be changed out or replaced without the approval of the replacement by the NPS. • Abstract (300 words max) • Introduction and Background – Brief summary of the project and the applicant’s background and qualifications, focusing on the applicant’s area(s) of expertise and relevant experience. • Methods – Details on the approach the applicant will take to meet the project objectives. Applicants should address their capabilities to perform this project, including but not limited to available staff, technical tools, and infrastructure. • Deliverables and timeline – A monitoring strategy document that has been peer-reviewed and revised is due to NPS by 8/31/2009. An additional round of review and revision may be needed prior to 12/31/2009. • Budget (unit breakdowns in addition to SF424a) Identify any additional funding sources. • Short CV or resume of Principal Investigator(s) and other key personnel (2 pages maximum per person) • Past Performance information- Provide contact information for three to five individuals who can attest to quality and customer satisfaction on previous current and similar projects. DEADLINE and CONTACT PERSON: Application packages must be submitted by e-mail to Brian R. Mitchell (brian_mitchell@nps.gov, Program Manager, National Park Service, Northeast Temperate Network) and received by 5 pm (Eastern Time), February 2, 2010. Signed original documents can follow later by mail. EVALUATION CRITERIA Application packages will be evaluated based on the following: • Technical merit of the proposed approach. • Experience in facilitating complex natural resource projects to achieve buy-in from multiple stakeholders. • Capability to perform this project, including access to technical tools, personnel, etc. • Past Performance. • Reasonableness of proposed budget. • Contribution of matching funds from other sources to support the project. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The successful recipient of this financial assistance award will be required to submit SF-424, Federal Financial Report on a quarterly basis, and upon completion of the agreement. Quarterly reports are due within 30 days of report period end dates corresponding with calendar quarters. Final report is due within 90 days of agreement completion.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of the Interior

• Office:

  National Park Service

• Agency Contact:

  Daniel Braccia
  Contract Specialist
  Phone 215-597-5374

• Agency Mailing Address:

  Grants.gov Responses

• Agency Email Address:

  denny_braccia@nps.gov