Essex National Heritage Area | NPS 18 NERO 0149

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Essex National Heritage Area Opportunity (NPS 18 NERO 0149)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) for the Essex National Heritage Area. The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS 18 NERO 0149, and the federal assistance listing (CFDA) number provided is 15.939.

2) Is this a request for applications (RFA) or open solicitation?

No. The posting is explicitly not a request for applications. It is published as public notice of NPS intent to fund a specific task agreement rather than to invite new proposals through an open, competitive process.

3) Why would NPS post a notice if it is not seeking applications?

Based on the notice description, the purpose is transparency and public notification. NPS is signaling its intent to proceed with funding under an already-established cooperative agreement framework, rather than running a new competition.

4) What funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement. The notice indicates the work will be carried out through a task agreement issued under an existing master cooperative agreement.

5) What is a "task agreement" in this context?

The notice describes a specific task agreement to be made under an existing master cooperative agreement. Practically speaking, it means NPS intends to fund a defined scope of work using an agreement vehicle that has already been established previously.

6) Has the master cooperative agreement already been competed?

Yes, according to the notice, the master cooperative agreement has either already been competed in the past or has been supported by a single-source justification.

7) Can new organizations apply for this funding?

The notice states it is not a request for applications and that the funding action is tied to a pre-existing cooperative agreement mechanism. Based on the information provided, it is not structured as an open opportunity for new applicants to submit proposals.

8) How many awards does NPS expect to make?

NPS expects to make one award.

9) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The anticipated funding amount shown as the award ceiling is up to $628,000.

10) Is $628,000 guaranteed to be awarded?

The notice describes $628,000 as the anticipated funding amount and award ceiling, and it states NPS plans to commit up to that amount through a single cooperative agreement task arrangement. That language indicates a maximum planned amount rather than a guarantee that the full amount will be obligated in every scenario.

11) What is the program category for this opportunity?

The notice categorizes the opportunity under Regional Development.

12) Who is the awarding agency?

The awarding agency is the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

13) What is the eligibility category listed?

The eligibility category is listed as "Others." The notice also mentions that additional eligibility details would normally be provided in an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section in the full announcement.

14) If eligibility is listed, does that mean I can apply?

Not necessarily. The notice explains that the announcement is not open for applications and is instead tied to a pre-existing cooperative agreement and a specific task agreement. In that context, the eligibility label is largely informational.

15) When was this notice created?

The notice was created on August 21, 2018.

16) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed is August 30, 2018.

17) Does the closing date function like a typical application deadline?

Because the posting is explicitly not a request for applications, the closing date should not be interpreted as a standard proposal submission deadline for the public. Based on the notice description, the posting operates as a public notice of intent rather than a competitive application window.

18) What does this notice indicate about the intended recipient?

The notice implies that the recipient and overall framework for the work have effectively already been determined through prior competitive processes or through a single-source justification supporting the existing agreement structure.

19) What does CFDA (federal assistance listing) 15.939 refer to in this notice?

The notice lists 15.939 as the federal assistance listing (CFDA) number associated with this funding opportunity. It serves as the program identification reference provided in the announcement.

20) What is the main takeaway for someone searching for open grants?

The main takeaway is that this particular posting is not an open competition. It is a notification that NPS intends to fund a specific task agreement under an already-established cooperative agreement related to the Essex National Heritage Area, with up to $628,000 planned and one expected award.