Notice of Intent to award, not a request for applications | P17AS00191

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00191

This notice is a government funding announcement from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), but it is explicitly a Notice of Intent to award and not a request for applications. In practical terms, that means the NPS is signaling its plan to make a specific award (or proceed with an identified partner) rather than inviting the public to compete for the funding through an open application process. The opportunity is titled "Fencing and Trails Project for Flagstaff Area National Monuments, Wupatki National Monument" and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00191. It was created on April 13, 2017, and the listed "closing date" reiterates that this is not an open solicitation.

The planned funding would be issued as a Cooperative Agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency in carrying out the project. Unlike a standard grant where the recipient executes the work more independently, a cooperative agreement usually involves coordination, shared responsibilities, technical input, or ongoing collaboration with NPS staff during implementation. The activity areas tied to this award are Education and Natural Resources, reflecting the common NPS approach of combining resource protection and visitor-oriented stewardship outcomes (for example, protecting sensitive sites while improving trail conditions, visitor access management, and interpretive or educational value).

The project focus is on fencing and trails at Wupatki National Monument, part of the Flagstaff Area National Monuments in Arizona. While the notice does not provide detailed tasks, a fencing and trails project in an NPS monument setting generally centers on protecting cultural and natural resources, guiding visitor movement to reduce impacts, improving safety, and maintaining sustainable access. Fencing in these contexts is often used to deter off-trail travel into fragile areas, prevent resource damage (including archaeological features and sensitive habitats), and clearly delineate where visitors should or should not go. Trail-related work may include rehabilitation, minor construction or reroutes, drainage improvements, surface stabilization, signage integration, and other maintenance actions that keep trails durable and aligned with resource protection goals.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Even though the notice is not seeking applications, this eligibility statement clarifies what type of organization the NPS intends to fund under the award. The announcement anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1), with an award ceiling of $31,500, indicating a relatively small, targeted project rather than a large multi-year program. The listing includes CFDA number 15.931, which is the cataloging identifier used to classify the federal assistance program under which this cooperative agreement would be made.

Overall, the announcement communicates that the National Park Service plans to make one cooperative agreement, up to $31,500, with an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support a fencing and trails project at Wupatki National Monument. Because it is a notice of intent rather than an open competition, it should be viewed as informational for transparency and recordkeeping rather than an opportunity for new applicants to submit proposals.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to award, not a request for applications" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 13, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Notice of Intent to award, not a request for applications. (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 $31,500.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for P17AS00191

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