Universally Accessible Cast Concrete Topographic Maps of the Marin Headlands | P17AS00689

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00689

The grant opportunity titled "Universally Accessible Cast Concrete Topographic Maps of the Marin Headlands" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00689) is a National Park Service project focused on creating durable, sculptural, tactile topographic maps for the Marin Headlands. The central idea is to replace or supplement the typical flat, printed map panels found on trailhead kiosks with cast concrete relief maps that people can both see and feel. These maps are intended to function as a universally accessible wayfinding and orientation tool, helping visitors understand the surrounding terrain, key destinations, and trail connections in a more intuitive and inclusive format.

A core goal of the project is to improve access and usability for a wide range of visitors, particularly people who can be underserved by conventional graphic-only signage. The National Park Service highlights that prior evaluations of tactile topographic maps have shown higher visitor engagement across many groups, including people with vision, mobility, and cognitive disabilities, as well as non-native English speakers, children, older adults, and both first-time and repeat visitors. In practice, a raised-relief map can communicate slopes, ridges, valleys, and relative distances in ways that do not rely entirely on reading text or interpreting complex symbology, which can make orientation easier and more welcoming for many users.

The project also ties directly to access improvements on the ground. The maps are meant to support orientation to new or restored Outdoor Accessible Trails, which suggests a broader accessibility initiative in the Marin Headlands where trail improvements are being paired with improved information and navigation tools. In addition, the opportunity notes that the maps will strengthen National Park Service identity, implying that the final installations are expected to align with NPS interpretive and design standards and serve as prominent, consistent site features at trailheads or key visitor nodes.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding action from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, categorized under an education activity area and listed under CFDA number 15.954. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency during project implementation rather than a hands-off grant. The eligible applicant type listed is 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education, and the announcement specifically references an existing cooperative agreement with GGNPC, signaling that the work is being carried out with a particular partner organization already in place.

Importantly, the notice is labeled as a "NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD" and explicitly states that it is not a request for applications. Although an original closing date of September 1, 2017 is shown, the purpose of the posting is public transparency about the National Park Service funding decision rather than an open competition. The anticipated award is a single award with an award ceiling of $61,000, meaning the NPS expected to fund one project up to that amount under the existing agreement framework. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted investment to fabricate and install tactile, cast concrete topographic maps that improve visitor orientation, expand accessibility, and support the experience of accessible trails in the Marin Headlands.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Universally Accessible Cast Concrete Topographic Maps of the Marin Headlands" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 2017 NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD. This is not a request for applications. This funding announcement is to provide public notice that the National Park Service will fund the following project under an existing Cooperative Agreement with GGNPC.. (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 $61,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

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