Exploration Camp Recipient Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation District Total Anticipated Award Amount $20,000 Cost Share 25% Anticipated Length of Agreement 3 months Anticipated Period of Performance 3 months Award Instrument Cooperative Agreement Statutory Authority 16 USC §1701 CFDA # and Title 1 5. 931 Single Source Justification Criteria Cited Unique qualifications Point of Contact Erica Cordeiro – 907-644-3315 OVERVIEW Denali National Park and Preserve (hereafter referred to as “Denali”), and Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation District (USSWCD) are partnering to run Denali-Susitna Exploration Camp, a two-week summer camp for Talkeetna youth.

Denali and USSWCD are strong historical partners in the coordination and development of educational programs and curricula.

These programs promote care for and enhancement of the cultural and natural resources protected by national parks.

STATEMENT OF JOINT OBJECTIVES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN These programs promote care for and enhancement of our cultural and natural heritage.

The partnership also strengthens the Service’s goal of serving south-Denali communities.

This project helps meet two goals of the NPS’ call to action; “Call to Action #15:
A Class Act”, which is to help students develop a deep understanding of park resources and the relevance of parks in their lives through a series of park education programs, and, “Call to Action #16:
Live and Learn”, which is to provide multiple ways for children to learn about the national parks and what they reveal about nature, the nation’s history, and issues central to our civic life.

Denali National Park and Preserve is continually seeking ways to reach out to the local community.

This program, called Denali – Susitna Exploration Camp (hereafter referred to as “camp”), has made great strides in helping the park to build strong ties with the children of the Talkeetna, Willow, Trapper Creek and Sunshine communities.

Camp consists of a two week-long component that will take place during the summer of 2015:
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) high school students will learn about cultural resources relevant to central Alaska during an archaeological field school to take place in the town of Talkeetna, AK.

During this week, the YCC students will learn archaeological excavation techniques, the history of Talkeetna, and the importance of cultural resources.

Camp objectives include:
• To share and make relevant the importance of archaeological resources and current research activities to camp participants and residents of the Upper Susitna Valley.

• To teach high school youth about cultural resources.

• To support USSWCD in enlisting the cooperation of local land owners in the wise preservation of their cultural resources.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT A.

The Recipient agrees to:
1. Recruit and register YCC students to participate in the camp week.

2. Provide proof of insurance for YCC and younger students participating in the camp.

3. Coordinate with NPS education and resources staff to provide YCC students with leadership, teaching, backcountry living, and natural and cultural history training.

4. Coordinate and pay for food, transportation, insurance.

5. Provide one or more staff to co-supervise the camp along with NPS staff.

Ensure all relevant equipment purchased remains property of Cultural Resources, which may be used in future camps.

6. Develop an emergency action plan.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT B.

NPS agrees to:
1. Provide NTE $20,000 in financial assistance to USSWCD to achieve the purposes of this agreement.

2. To the extent practical and depending on availability, allow USSWCD personnel to use government equipment and infrastructure to achieve the goals of the project (e.g.

electronics for audiovisual needs, use of Teklanika Field Camp, use of Murie Science and Learning Center classroom).

Any such equipment and infrastructure shall be accounted for according to appropriate NPS rules, regulations and standards.

3. Assist in the coordination of camp logistics and other needs as practicable.

4. Take the lead in the development of camp curricula and the field project.

5. Assist in the development and delivery of the camp by assigning appropriate personnel to work with the students (i.e.

cultural resource staff, archaeologists.) 6. Determine locations and make reservations for NPS sites and facilities used in the implementation of both camps.

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 – 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 – 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 – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict the award to a particular recipient of purpose; (4) Unique Qualifications – 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 – 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.

(6) Unique Qualifications – 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; NPS did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria:
Unique Qualifications:
• USSWCD already hires and insures YCC students from Talkeetna area, whom Denali seeks to serve.

This puts USSWCD in a unique position to partner and use the camp as an opportunity to build skills and serve the community.

• Denali-Susitna Exploration Camp has been conducted with USSWCD numerous times and the curricula were developed in concert with this entity.

It would be an effective use of the government’s resources to build on this past experience.