Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00786
The Digital Signage Project (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00786) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding action issued under the Department of the Interior. It is structured as a cooperative agreement and is tied to CFDA 15.931. The purpose of the project is to build and deploy a digital signage system across the Ford's Theatre campus that improves how visitors receive timely information and interpretive content while navigating the site.
At the core of the project is the construction of three digital display installations, with a possible fourth display depending on final needs and feasibility. These displays would be placed at key locations around the campus to serve as a flexible, dynamic communications tool. The system is meant to address practical, on-the-ground issues identified on site, such as wayfinding and visitor flow, along with interpretive challenges, such as presenting engaging historical context and updates in formats that can be refreshed easily.
The concept and proposed approach were developed by Bluecadet, a recognized digital agency with relevant experience in cultural and historic settings, including work for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Before proposing the system, Bluecadet conducted a detailed assessment of both logistical conditions and interpretive needs at Ford's Theatre. That front-end evaluation is positioned as the foundation for the signage plan, meaning the displays are not just generic screens but are intended to respond to specific campus constraints and visitor experience gaps.
From an operational standpoint, the deliverable is a digital asset that Ford's Theatre Society (FTS) and NPS can use in multiple ways. Because content on digital signage can be updated quickly, the system can support day-to-day visitor information (hours, ticketing guidance, queue directions, programming changes, closures) while also supporting interpretive storytelling and other mission-related messaging. The announcement frames the signage network as a long-term tool to enhance the visitor experience through adaptable content rather than static, hard-to-update materials.
The funding notice is unusual in that it is explicitly not a request for applications. Instead, it serves as a public notice that NPS intends to fund the described activities without competition. The eligible applicant type listed is nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), which aligns with the expectation of a single partner for the work. The anticipated award count is one, with an award ceiling of $50,000.
Key dates show the notice was created on September 7, 2017, with an original closing date of September 12, 2017, reflecting the short window typical of a non-competitive intent-to-award public notice rather than an open solicitation. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NPS publicly signaling its plan to support a specific, scoped project at Ford's Theatre: installing a small network of digital displays designed through prior assessment to solve visitor communication and interpretation challenges.Apply for P17AS00786
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Digital Signage Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 07, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 12, 2017 This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities without competition. (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 $50,000.00 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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Digital Signage Project (NPS) - FAQs
What is the Digital Signage Project (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00786)?
The Digital Signage Project is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding action under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The project supports building and deploying a digital signage system across the Ford's Theatre campus to improve how visitors receive timely information and interpretive content while navigating the site.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The opportunity is issued by the National Park Service (NPS), within the Department of the Interior.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.
What CFDA program is this opportunity tied to?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.931.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to build and deploy a digital signage system at Ford's Theatre that helps visitors access timely operational information and interpretive content and supports navigation and wayfinding across the campus.
What will be built or installed as part of the project?
The core deliverable is the construction of three digital display installations, with a possible fourth display depending on final needs and feasibility.
Where will the digital displays be placed?
The displays are intended to be placed at key locations around the Ford's Theatre campus to function as a flexible, dynamic communications tool for visitors.
Why does Ford's Theatre need a digital signage system?
The system is intended to address practical on-site issues such as wayfinding and visitor flow, and interpretive challenges such as presenting engaging historical context and updates in a format that can be refreshed easily.
What kinds of content will the digital signage show?
The signage can support day-to-day visitor information (for example: hours, ticketing guidance, queue directions, programming changes, and closures) as well as interpretive storytelling and other mission-related messaging.
What makes this signage approach different from generic digital screens?
The project is described as being based on a detailed assessment of logistical conditions and interpretive needs at Ford's Theatre. The intent is that the displays and plan respond to specific campus constraints and visitor experience gaps rather than being generic installations.
Who developed the concept and proposed approach?
The concept and proposed approach were developed by Bluecadet, described as a recognized digital agency with relevant experience in cultural and historic settings.
What relevant experience is mentioned for Bluecadet?
The notice references Bluecadet's experience in similar contexts, including work for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
Who is expected to use the final digital signage system?
The deliverable is described as a digital asset that Ford's Theatre Society (FTS) and NPS can use in multiple ways to support visitor communications and interpretive messaging.
How does the project support long-term operations at the site?
The announcement frames the signage network as a long-term tool that can improve the visitor experience through adaptable content, since digital signage can be updated quickly compared to static materials.
Is this funding opportunity open for competitive applications?
No. The notice explicitly states it is not a request for applications. It is presented as a public notice that NPS intends to fund the described activities without competition.
If it is not a request for applications, what is the purpose of the notice?
Based on the description provided, the notice functions as a public intent-to-award announcement where NPS signals its plan to support a specific, scoped project at Ford's Theatre without running an open competition.
Who is eligible to receive the award?
The eligible applicant type listed is nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
How many awards does NPS anticipate making under this notice?
The anticipated award count is one.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $50,000.
When was the opportunity created?
The notice was created on September 7, 2017.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was September 12, 2017.
Why is the open period so short?
The description characterizes the short window as typical of a non-competitive intent-to-award public notice rather than an open solicitation meant to gather proposals from multiple applicants.
What is the project site or campus referenced in the notice?
The project is intended for the Ford's Theatre campus.
What are the main visitor experience problems this project is trying to solve?
The notice highlights practical issues (wayfinding and visitor flow) and interpretive needs (delivering engaging historical context and updates in an easily refreshed format).
What does "possible fourth display" mean in this context?
In addition to three planned installations, the notice indicates a fourth display may be added depending on final needs and feasibility.
What is the overall takeaway about this opportunity?
Overall, it is best understood as NPS publicly signaling its plan to fund a specific, pre-scoped digital signage project at Ford's Theatre, centered on installing a small network of digital displays designed from prior assessment to improve visitor communications and interpretation.
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