Vegetation Mapping Project Accuracy Assessment Field work at Niobrara National Scenic River | P17AS00570

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00570

The grant opportunity titled "Vegetation Mapping Project Accuracy Assessment Field work at Niobrara National Scenic River" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00570) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on improving and validating the quality of a vegetation map for Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB). The core purpose is not to create the map from scratch, but to fund the on-the-ground field work and data collection needed to measure, document, and report how accurate the existing draft vegetation map is, following the standards of the NPS Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program (NPS VMI). In practice, this means building the evidence base that shows how well mapped vegetation types match what is actually present in the field, so the final map product has a quantifiable and defensible accuracy assessment.

This opportunity sits within the natural resources category (CFDA 15.945) and is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates active involvement and collaboration between the federal agency and the partner rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The award ceiling is $93,380, and the NPS expects to make one award, reflecting a tightly scoped project with a single designated partner.

A key detail is that this is effectively a continuation effort tied to prior work already completed under collaboration between the NPS and Colorado State University. The description notes that Colorado State University has already helped complete major foundational components of the NPS VMI workflow for the park, including vegetation plot data collection, vegetation classification, development of a vegetation key, and production of a draft vegetation map. The remaining need, and what this funding is intended to cover, is a thorough field-based accuracy assessment of that draft map. This kind of assessment typically involves visiting selected locations in the park, collecting standardized observations about vegetation types and conditions, and comparing those observations to what the draft map predicts for those same locations. The resulting dataset is then used to calculate accuracy metrics that meet NPS VMI requirements and to identify any vegetation classes or areas where the map may need refinement.

The posting is also explicit that it is not open for competition. Although the eligibility field lists "Others" with additional clarification, the notice states it is a notice of intent to partner with Colorado State University under an existing cooperative agreement (referenced as P17AC00971) and that no applications will be accepted. The creation date is July 27, 2017, and the closing language reinforces that this is an administrative announcement of a planned, continuation-style partnership rather than a call for proposals.

In short, this funding supports the final quality-control phase of a larger vegetation mapping effort at Niobrara National Scenic River. The deliverable emphasis is on field verification and statistically defensible accuracy reporting so the vegetation map meets NPS VMI program standards, can be used with greater confidence for resource management, and has a documented measure of how reliable it is across the landscape.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Vegetation Mapping Project Accuracy Assessment Field work at Niobrara National Scenic River" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 27, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Notice of intent to partner with Colorado State University under existing cooperative agreement P17AC00971. No applications will be accepted.. (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 $93,380.00 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).

Apply for P17AS00570

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