Museum Collection Relocation | P17AS00767

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Museum Collection Relocation (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00767)

What is the Museum Collection Relocation opportunity (P17AS00767)?

This is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement action under the U.S. Department of the Interior to support hands-on museum collections management work connected to a major upgrade of collection storage infrastructure, specifically the installation of a new compact shelving storage system for a park museum collection.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

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

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Education.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.946.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The purpose is to support practical museum collections management tasks needed to prepare for and work through a major storage upgrade, including the installation of compact shelving. The work focuses on protecting objects, improving storage quality, and maintaining accurate collection control and records during the conversion.

What kinds of activities and tasks are supported under this project?

Supported work includes moving and relocating collection items, rehousing objects in appropriate archival materials, and tracking objects to maintain control over their location and status. The scope also includes documentation and cataloging as part of museum accountability and stewardship.

Does the project include documentation and cataloging work?

Yes. The scope explicitly includes documentation and cataloging as core museum accountability and stewardship functions while the storage system is being modernized.

Is de-accessioning part of the scope?

Yes. The announcement explicitly mentions de-accessioning for items that may be identified through the process as appropriate for removal from the collection under established museum standards and policies.

Is this funding only for physically moving objects?

No. While physical relocation is a major component, the project also emphasizes improving organization, storage quality, and the accuracy of collection records during the storage infrastructure upgrade.

What storage upgrade is driving this work?

The work is triggered by the installation of a new compact shelving storage system for a park museum collection, which requires multi-step collections relocation and rehousing activities during the reconfiguration.

Is this an open call for applications?

No. This posting is a notice of intent to award, not a competitive or open call for applications.

What does "notice of intent to award" mean in this context?

It means the NPS is providing public transparency about an award it plans to make, rather than soliciting applications from the public as part of a competitive funding process.

How will the funding be issued?

The funding is planned to be issued under an existing cooperative agreement with SFMNPA, described as a long-time nonprofit partner that has supported preservation of the park's collections for decades.

Who is the intended recipient mentioned in the notice?

The notice indicates the award will be made under an existing cooperative agreement with SFMNPA.

What type of award instrument is used?

The opportunity is described as a cooperative agreement action, which indicates direct collaboration between NPS personnel and the nonprofit partner.

What does the cooperative agreement structure imply about how the project will be carried out?

It implies NPS and SFMNPA personnel will collaborate directly. The nonprofit is funded to provide staff time and supplies while coordinating closely with park museum management staff and professional museum curators.

Is this part of a larger or ongoing effort?

Yes. The notice frames this task agreement as a continuation and extension of an ongoing multi-year effort, noting that the park received initial funding in 2016 for a five-year project.

What is the anticipated number of awards?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the expected award amount and ceiling?

The expected award amount is up to an award ceiling of $100,000.

How is this opportunity categorized from an administrative standpoint?

Administratively, it is categorized as discretionary and structured as a cooperative agreement action.

Who is eligible for this opportunity?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

If eligibility is limited to certain nonprofits, can other organizations apply?

Based on the notice, this is not an open application opportunity. Even though eligibility is described, the posting functions primarily as a notice of intent to award under an existing agreement rather than a solicitation for new applicants.

Why does the posting show an open and close date if no applications are being solicited?

The notice was created on August 31, 2017, with an original closing date listed as September 14, 2017. This is described as consistent with federal posting practices even when no applications are being solicited.

When was the notice created and what closing date is listed?

The notice was created on August 31, 2017, and the original closing date listed is September 14, 2017.

What is the overall goal of the work during the storage conversion?

The overall goal is careful stewardship during a disruptive infrastructure project: ensuring objects are protected, properly housed, accurately documented, and fully accounted for before, during, and after the compact shelving installation and related storage reconfiguration.