Restoration and Invasive Species Treatment in Northern Great Plains Parks | NPS NOIP19AC00344

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00344

The National Park Service (NPS), within the Department of the Interior, issued a public notice for a discretionary funding action titled "Restoration and Invasive Species Treatment in Northern Great Plains Parks" (Funding Opportunity Number: NPS NOIP19AC00344). The notice explains that NPS intends to make a single award as a task agreement (P19AC00344) under an existing, previously competed master cooperative agreement (P15AC00017). In practical terms, this means the agency is not opening a new competition; it is announcing its plan to fund work through an established agreement mechanism rather than soliciting fresh proposals from the general public.

The core purpose of the task agreement is natural resource stewardship focused on invasive plant management and ecological restoration across a network of NPS units in the Northern Great Plains region. The work will be carried out through the Northern Great Plains Exotic Plant Management Team, which supports parks by addressing invasive species issues and improving the condition of native plant communities. The project scope includes on-the-ground field activities as well as planning and assessment work that helps target treatment to where it will have the most benefit.

The planned activities cover several standard invasive species and restoration practices. These include mapping and inventory efforts for both exotic (non-native) and native plant species, which are essential for understanding the distribution of problem species and tracking changes over time. Treatment methods are described as a mix of herbicide applications for weed control, manual removal where appropriate, and the use of biological control techniques when suitable. In addition, the work includes collecting native plant seed and conducting site preparation and restoration actions, which supports re-establishment of native vegetation after invasive species removal and helps reduce the likelihood of reinfestation.

Geographically, the effort spans multiple National Park Service units located in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Within those parks, the priority treatment and restoration areas are strongly tied to visitor use corridors and infrastructure, specifically trails, campgrounds, and trailheads. By focusing on these high-traffic areas, the project aims to reduce the spread of invasive plants (which can be transported by people, pets, vehicles, and maintenance equipment) while also improving the ecological condition of places visitors frequently see and use.

Beyond invasive plant treatment, the notice highlights related maintenance work that supports both resource protection and visitor access. Trail maintenance and reconstruction are included, particularly in response to flood impacts, and there is also mention of maintaining road shoulder profiles to preserve base ground vegetation. Together, these actions are intended to stabilize soils, maintain or restore vegetation cover, and limit opportunities for invasive plants to establish along disturbed edges such as trails and roadsides.

The expected outcomes emphasize improved visitor experience and safety alongside ecological benefits. The NPS notes that trails and adjacent areas are more enjoyable and safer when they are in better ecological condition, and that healthier native vegetation improves habitat quality for wildlife. This framing reflects a combined management approach where invasive species treatment, restoration, and targeted maintenance work reinforce each other to protect park resources while supporting recreation.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.931, with an anticipated single award and an award ceiling of $475,000. The notice was created on August 20, 2019, with an original closing date of August 30, 2019, though the key point is that it is explicitly not a request for applications. The "Eligible Applicants" field is broadly labeled as "Others" with a reference to additional eligibility details, but because this action is tied to a previously competed master cooperative agreement, participation is effectively limited to the partner(s) already positioned under that existing agreement framework rather than open to new applicants.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Restoration and Invasive Species Treatment in Northern Great Plains Parks" 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 Aug 20, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 30, 2019. (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 $475,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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