Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Analysis, Reporting & Tracking System (CMS ARTS) Limited-Sources Justification

Background
The National Park Service (NPS), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is responsible for the management and protection of national parks and scenic trails, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

This justification outlines the intention to fund a project aimed at collaborative management and stewardship of the Appalachian Trail through a cooperative agreement with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). The goal is to ensure effective monitoring, maintenance, and protection of the trail corridor.

Work Details
The Task Agreement under this cooperative agreement includes several key activities:
1. Collaborate with NPS to identify and prioritize boundary maintenance projects.
2. Administer a boundary monitoring program, including project planning and volunteer recruitment.
3. Conduct boundary maintenance activities using volunteers and staff, including clearing and marking boundaries.
4. Coordinate volunteer monitoring activities to document boundary conditions.
5. Report encroachments and violations promptly.
6. Identify inadequate boundary markers and coordinate necessary survey work with NPS.
7. Lead volunteers in resolving encroachments.
8. Develop a comprehensive data management system for boundary monitoring using NPS digital survey data as a baseline.
9. Improve External Corridor Boundary Survey information by identifying inadequate surveys and collecting necessary field data.
10. Purchase materials needed for project completion.
11. Ensure adequate technology for GPS, GIS, and database functions to meet NPS specifications.
12. Provide standardized monthly status reports detailing work accomplished, anticipated tasks, and any issues needing resolution.

Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance for this cooperative agreement extends through December 31, 2015.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor.