Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS DOIP15AC01879
This grant opportunity, titled "Develop LIDAR data set for Sitka NHP, Indian River Watershed, local National Historic Landmarks and surrounding City and Borough of Sitka and US Forest Service lands" (Funding Opportunity Number NPS DOIP15AC01879), is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary cooperative agreement focused on improving landslide and flood-related hazard modeling in and around Sitka, Alaska. The need for the project is tied directly to a major storm event on August 18, 2015, when intense rainfall and wind triggered more than 45 landslides across Chichagof and Baranof Islands. Several slides damaged roads and other infrastructure, and one event resulted in three fatalities. A prominent example cited is the Kramer Avenue slide, described as roughly 12 acres and about 1,000 feet long, crossing a patchwork of jurisdictions that includes Tongass National Forest lands, private property, and City of Sitka land. The underlying geologic conditions (including ash layers over glacial till), combined with steep slopes and a wet coastal climate, make the area especially landslide-prone. The storm also produced rapid hydrologic response in the Indian River, which runs through Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka NHP); the hydrograph rose sharply and reportedly reached about 1.3 feet above flood stage, damaging flood protection features (revetments) inside the park.
The central purpose of the agreement is to collect high-resolution elevation data using LIDAR so that federal, state, and local partners can substantially improve risk analysis and geohazard modeling. This matters for immediate public safety and for near-term infrastructure decisions, including Sitka NHPs planned replacement of the Indian River Pedestrian Bridge, where better modeling could influence siting, design criteria, and long-term resilience. The project is framed as a shared effort among the NPS, the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), the US Forest Service (USFS), the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the City and Borough of Sitka, with the broader intent of turning improved terrain data into practical guidance for agencies and residents to reduce the chance of future loss of life and property.
The stated objectives emphasize producing elevation data that is accurate, broadly useful, and specifically suited to geohazard applications. The opportunity calls for data collection that meets the USGS Quality Level 2 (QL2) standard, which is a commonly used federal benchmark for LIDAR quality appropriate for detailed mapping and many engineering and hazard-modeling uses. The target area is at least 50 square miles (or as much as available funds allow), and it must include Sitka National Historical Park as part of the area of interest, along with the surrounding City of Sitka and the Indian River headwaters where terrain and runoff conditions can drive downstream impacts.
DGGS, as the eligible applicant and intended recipient (eligible applicants are state governments), is expected to take the lead on the technical execution and data stewardship. Their responsibilities include coordinating closely with the park to ensure the collected elevation products meet QL2 requirements; ensuring the park is covered in the acquisition footprint; and distributing the final data to key user groups, including NPS, USFS, USGS, the City and Borough of Sitka, and other parties supporting geohazard assessment in the community. DGGS is also tasked with providing oversight and technical expertise, completing required performance reporting, acknowledging NPS support in publications or formal presentations that rely on the cooperative agreement, and sharing all work products in readily reproducible, digitally compatible formats (for example, raw point clouds and GIS shapefiles). An additional public-benefit requirement is that DGGS will host the final LIDAR dataset and derivative products on its website for public access, and it must comply with applicable federal assistance copyright provisions (43 CFR 12(c)), including flowing those requirements down into any sub-awards. The agreement also specifies a clear point of contact on the DGGS side, naming the State Geologist or designee.
NPSs role is primarily funding, coordination, and technical collaboration rather than being the direct data producer. NPS commits to providing financial assistance (the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $100,000 and expects a single award), defining and refining data requirements jointly with DGGS to maximize the value of what gets collected, and sharing examples and references from similar NPS LIDAR projects. NPS also provides technical expertise related to NPS and USGS LIDAR methods and ways to translate elevation data into interpretive or public-facing products, helps coordinate input from the various stakeholders, and agrees to review draft work products and provide written recommendations as needed. On the management side, NPS will assign an Agreement Technical Representative (ATR) and designate a liaison to help coordinate discussions among DGGS, NPS, and USGS. The opportunity also highlights a downstream implementation pathway: NPS will support DGGS and partners in using the LIDAR to develop hazard and risk models through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast, reinforcing that the deliverable is not just data collection but improved modeling and decision support.
A notable administrative element is that the award is justified as a single-source action rather than a fully competed opportunity, using the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2). The justification cited is the "Emergency" criterion: after the deadly August 2015 landslides and infrastructure damage, and with the rainy season approaching in Southeast Alaska, agencies needed hazard and risk models as quickly as possible. Because LIDAR is described as critical input to those models and DGGS already has the capability, relevant data access, and a strong co-interest in the work, the NPS determined DGGS could deliver the needed products rapidly enough to meet the urgency.
Key program details included in the notice are: it is an NPS cooperative agreement in the environment activity category; CFDA number 15.946; eligibility limited to state governments; an original closing date of September 23, 2015; an anticipated single award; and a maximum federal amount of $100,000. Overall, the opportunity is structured as an accelerated, safety-driven data acquisition and sharing effort meant to give Sitka-area managers and residents better tools to understand landslide and flood risks, prioritize mitigation, and make smarter infrastructure decisions across overlapping federal, state, local, and private landscapes.Apply for NPS DOIP15AC01879
- The National Park Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Develop LIDAR data set for Sitka NHP, Indian River Watershed, local National Historic Landmarks and surrounding City and Borough of Sitka and US Forest Service lands" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.946.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-09-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-09-23. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Develop LIDAR data set for Sitka NHP, Indian River Watershed, local National Historic Landmarks and surrounding City and Borough of Sitka and US Forest Service lands."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS DOIP15AC01879.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Department of the Interior, as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What type of award is this?
This is an NPS discretionary cooperative agreement (a form of federal financial assistance that includes substantial involvement from the federal agency, such as technical collaboration and review of work products).
What is the primary purpose of the cooperative agreement?
The central purpose is to collect high-resolution elevation data using LIDAR so partners can significantly improve landslide and flood-related hazard modeling in and around Sitka, Alaska, and translate that improved terrain data into practical risk analysis and decision support.
Why is this project needed?
The project is tied directly to a major storm event on August 18, 2015, when intense rainfall and wind triggered more than 45 landslides across Chichagof and Baranof Islands. Several slides damaged roads and other infrastructure, and one event caused three fatalities. The same storm also produced rapid hydrologic response in the Indian River (which runs through Sitka National Historical Park), reportedly rising to about 1.3 feet above flood stage and damaging flood protection features (revetments) inside the park.
What specific hazards is the project intended to address?
The project is intended to improve modeling and understanding of landslide hazards and flood-related risks, especially where steep terrain, wet coastal conditions, and local geology make landslides more likely and where watershed runoff can drive downstream flooding impacts.
What is LIDAR and why is it being used here?
The opportunity calls for LIDAR-based elevation mapping because high-resolution terrain data is described as critical input for hazard and risk models. Better elevation data supports more accurate landslide and flood modeling and helps agencies and communities make more informed infrastructure and public safety decisions.
What quality standard must the LIDAR data meet?
The notice specifies that the data collection must meet the USGS Quality Level 2 (QL2) standard, a commonly used federal benchmark for LIDAR quality suitable for detailed mapping and many hazard-modeling and engineering uses.
What geographic area must be covered?
The target area is at least 50 square miles (or as much as available funds allow). The acquisition footprint must include Sitka National Historical Park and is intended to include the surrounding City of Sitka and the Indian River headwaters, where terrain and runoff conditions can drive downstream impacts.
Which locations or examples are highlighted as motivating this work?
The notice highlights the Kramer Avenue landslide as a prominent example, described as roughly 12 acres and about 1,000 feet long, crossing a patchwork of jurisdictions including Tongass National Forest lands, private property, and City of Sitka land.
How does the local geology and climate factor into the project?
The notice explains that underlying geologic conditions (including ash layers over glacial till), combined with steep slopes and a wet coastal climate, contribute to heightened landslide susceptibility in the Sitka area.
How will this LIDAR data be used by Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka NHP)?
The opportunity notes that better modeling supported by LIDAR could inform near-term infrastructure decisions, including Sitka NHP's planned replacement of the Indian River Pedestrian Bridge, where improved hazard modeling could influence siting, design criteria, and long-term resilience.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to state governments. The notice identifies the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) as the eligible applicant and intended recipient.
Why is the award described as single-source rather than fully competitive?
The award is justified as a single-source action under the Department of the Interior single-source policy (505 DM 2) using the "Emergency" criterion. The justification cites the deadly August 2015 landslides, infrastructure damage, and the approaching rainy season, emphasizing the need to develop hazard and risk models quickly. DGGS is described as having the capability and co-interest to deliver needed products rapidly enough to meet the urgency.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The notice indicates a single award is anticipated.
What is the maximum federal funding amount for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $100,000.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.946.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
The notice lists the opportunity under the environment activity category.
What was the closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date listed is September 23, 2015.
What are DGGS's main responsibilities under the cooperative agreement?
DGGS is expected to lead technical execution and data stewardship. Responsibilities described include coordinating closely with Sitka NHP to ensure elevation products meet QL2 requirements; ensuring Sitka NHP is included in the acquisition footprint; distributing final data to key user groups (including NPS, USFS, USGS, and the City and Borough of Sitka); providing oversight and technical expertise; completing required performance reporting; acknowledging NPS support in publications or formal presentations that rely on the agreement; and sharing all work products in readily reproducible, digitally compatible formats (including examples like raw point clouds and GIS shapefiles).
Does the agreement require the data to be made publicly available?
Yes. The notice states that DGGS will host the final LIDAR dataset and derivative products on its website for public access.
What formats are expected for data and deliverables?
The opportunity emphasizes that work products must be shared in readily reproducible, digitally compatible formats, with examples including raw point clouds and GIS shapefiles.
Are there copyright or data-rights requirements mentioned?
Yes. DGGS must comply with applicable federal assistance copyright provisions (43 CFR 12(c)) and must flow those requirements down into any sub-awards.
Who is the DGGS point of contact for the agreement?
The agreement specifies a point of contact on the DGGS side as the State Geologist or a designee.
What is NPS's role in the project?
NPS's role is primarily funding, coordination, and technical collaboration rather than direct data production. NPS commits to providing financial assistance; defining and refining data requirements jointly with DGGS; sharing examples and references from similar NPS LIDAR projects; providing technical expertise related to NPS and USGS LIDAR methods and to interpretive/public-facing uses of elevation data; coordinating input from multiple stakeholders; and reviewing draft work products with written recommendations as needed.
Will NPS assign staff to manage and coordinate the cooperative agreement?
Yes. NPS will assign an Agreement Technical Representative (ATR) and designate a liaison to help coordinate discussions among DGGS, NPS, and USGS.
Which partners are mentioned as being involved or intended users of the data?
The opportunity frames the work as a shared effort among NPS, DGGS, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the City and Borough of Sitka. DGGS is expected to distribute the final data to NPS, USFS, USGS, the City and Borough of Sitka, and other parties supporting geohazard assessment in the community.
How does the project connect to universities?
The notice describes a downstream implementation pathway where NPS will support DGGS and partners in using the LIDAR to develop hazard and risk models through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Southeast.
What is the broader intended outcome beyond producing a dataset?
The broader intent is to turn improved terrain data into practical guidance for agencies and residents, helping reduce the chance of future loss of life and property by improving hazard modeling, risk analysis, mitigation prioritization, and infrastructure decision-making across overlapping federal, state, local, and private lands.
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