Native Plant Seed Collection Program for Lake Mead National Recreation Area | P17AS00646

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Native Plant Seed Collection Program for Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

It is a National Park Service (Department of the Interior) funding action that supports native plant restoration in southern Nevada and northeastern Arizona by building capacity for native seed collection, processing, and data management. The work is aimed at improving the supply and traceability of high-quality native seed used in restoration projects.

Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the National Park Service (NPS), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

What geographic area does the project support?

The project supports native plant restoration work in southern Nevada and northeastern Arizona, tied to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The main purpose is to strengthen native plant restoration efforts by improving the ability to collect, process, store, and document native plant seed in a way that land managers can reliably use for future restoration planning and implementation.

How does this project connect to the Great Basin Institute (GBI) Research Associate Program?

The project is tied to the Great Basin Institute (GBI) Research Associate Program, which partners with federal and state agencies across Nevada to provide training, hands-on conservation experience, and environmental education opportunities, especially for diverse youth and early career professionals.

What role is being supported through this funding action?

The practical intent described is to place a Resource Assistant (RA) into field and facility work that directly supports native plant restoration projects through the collection and preparation of high-quality native seed.

What kinds of field activities would the Resource Assistant (RA) perform?

The RA role is field-intensive and includes locating and accessing suitable native plant populations by vehicle or on foot, conducting ecological surveying, identifying native and non-native plant species, and documenting site conditions and observations for land management decision-making.

Does the work include support for seed increase fields?

Yes. The RA is expected to support seed increase fields, including routine plant care such as planting, weeding, and irrigation.

What seed collection skills are emphasized in the opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes learning to evaluate seed ripeness and viability, then selecting and applying appropriate harvesting techniques, collection protocols, cleaning procedures, and storage methods so collected seed is usable for future restoration.

What does "accession" documentation mean in this context?

It refers to properly tracking each seed collection with accurate records so the seed can be traced back to its origin and handled correctly in storage and later use. The opportunity highlights that documentation is a key requirement, not an optional add-on.

What are the data management responsibilities described?

The RA is responsible for managing collection and storage information using GIS for spatial data, Microsoft Access for database tracking, and photo documentation to support verification and reporting.

Why is data management a major deliverable for this project?

The description makes clear the program is not only about collecting seed. It is also about building a defensible, organized seed inventory system that land managers can rely on when planning restoration activities, monitoring outcomes, and meeting internal documentation standards.

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

This is described as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism.

What is the CFDA number and program category listed?

The CFDA number is 15.931, and the opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources.

Who is eligible to apply based on the listing?

Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

What is the opportunity number and title?

The opportunity number is P17AS00646. The title is "Native Plant Seed Collection Program for Lake Mead National Recreation Area."

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The award ceiling shown in the listing is $33,307.

Is this an open, competitive grant application opportunity?

No. The notice explicitly states it is a Notice of Intent to Award and not a request for applications. It was published to inform the public that NPS planned to fund the work under an existing cooperative agreement with the Great Basin Institute (GBI) rather than run an open competition.

If it is not a request for applications, why does it show posting and closing dates?

The listing includes posting dates that reflect the Notice of Intent timeline (created August 10, 2017, with an original closing date of August 24, 2017). These dates do not indicate an open competitive cycle in this case because the notice is not soliciting applications.

Why does the opportunity show expected awards as 0?

The listing shows expected awards as 0 because the action is effectively a sole-source or pre-arranged award under an existing partnership rather than a typical competitive grant process with multiple awards.

What types of tools and systems are specifically mentioned for managing project data?

The opportunity specifically mentions GIS, Microsoft Access, and photo documentation as tools used to manage spatial data, database tracking, and verification/reporting support for seed collections and storage information.

What outcomes does NPS appear to be seeking through this work?

Based on the description, the intended outcomes include improved capacity to collect and prepare high-quality native seed, stronger documentation and traceability of seed accessions, and a more organized seed inventory system that supports restoration planning and land management needs.