Experienced Services Program

Background
In 2018, The National Park Service (NPS) was authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018: Public Law 115-141, Section 115, the Department of the Interior (DOI) to enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to utilize the talents of older Americans in programs authorized by other provisions of law administered by the Secretary and consistent with such provisions of law. The Experienced Services Program is intended to augment the capacity of parks and provide needed subject-matter expertise to address short-term needs, unanticipated workloads, and new initiatives. The program provides a cost-effective recruitment opportunity to obtain the services of non-Federal, experienced workers aged 55 and older.

Grant Details
NPS has an opportunity to partner with one or more qualified nonprofit organization(s) under the Experienced Services Program. The partner organization(s) will have responsibility for recruiting, screening, placing, and paying participants referred to as enrollees based on an approved work description and cost amount. NPS will develop position descriptions in conjunction with the nonprofit organization(s). The organization will also provide payroll, time record maintenance, record keeping, administrative support to enrollees, and screening of applicants. Enrollees may be authorized to use government-owned vehicles to conduct official government business and can work between assisting the NPS on various mission-focused projects.

Eligibility Requirements
This program is limited to qualified non-profit organizations subject to 26 USC 501 c(3) of the tax code and must be designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965. Proof of establishment must be submitted with the application. Non-Federal cost sharing or matching is not required to be eligible for an award under this NOFO. Program participants under this agreement must meet the criteria described in Public Law No: 118-42 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 section 111.

Period of Performance
The anticipated term of the agreement is October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2029. Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and five years.

Grant Value
The awards selected under this announcement are $0 Master Cooperative Agreements. Subsequent funded Task Agreements will be determined once final annual fiscal year appropriations have been made. The NPS anticipates awarding approximately $6M annually in financial assistance across all NPS agency.