Natural Resource Management Support for Natural Resource Branch, Fort Drum, New York

August 4, 2023

Overview

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST W9126G-2 -2-SOI-4289

Applicants must be a member in one of the following Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Great Lakes Northern Forest, Chesapeake Watershed, North Atlantic Coast CESU Regions.

Project Title: Natural Resource Management Support for Natural Resource Branch, Fort Drum, New York

A cooperative agreement is being offered ONLY to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program Region(s) identified above. Award will be made upon mutual agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in the request for proposal and the recipient's CESU Master Agreement. Note the established CESU Program indirect rate is 17.5%.

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential organizations for this project. Approximately $412,425 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding of $2,189,620.00 may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years.

NOTE: This project will be awarded under the authority of 10 USC 670c-1, Sikes Act: For projects for the implementation and enforcement of integrated natural resources management plans, priority shall be given to award to Federal and State agencies having responsibility for the conservation or management of fish or wildlife.

Period of Performance: The base period of agreement will extend 12 months from date of award. There may be up to four 12-month follow-on periods based on availability of funding. 

Description of Anticipated Work: Refer to Statement of Objectives section. 

NOTE: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and capability for performing similar or same type of work by submitting a Statement of Interest. A full proposal and budget are NOT requested at this time. 

Preparation of your Statement of Interest: Provide the following (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt. font):

  1. Name, Organization, Cage Code, Unique Entity ID, and Contact Information (Email)
  2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
    1. Biographical sketch of the Principal Investigator, to include specific experience and capabilities in areas related to this project's requirements.
    2. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects.
    3. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise.
    4. Brief description of other capabilities to successfully complete the project (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).


Submission of Your Statement of Interest

  1. Statements of Interest are due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 1 SEP 2023.
  2. Submit your Statement of Interest via e-mail attachments or direct questions to: 
    1. Sandra Justman 
      Grants Specialist 
      USACE, Fort Worth District 
      Email: [email protected] 
      Phone: 817-913-8685
    2. Chanley Jenkins 
      Project Manager 
      USACE, Fort Worth District 
      Email: [email protected] 
      Phone: 918-798-9628

Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received from a member of the CESU Region(s) identified above will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives: offer the most highly qualified Principal Investigator, have the most relevant experience and the highest capability to successfully meet the program objectives. Submitters whose statements are determined to best meet the program objectives will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI's are required to be posted on Grants.gov for 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

1.0 PURPOSE

  • 1.1 The Fort Drum environmental program ensures military mission activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Article I B of the master agreement states the objectives of the CESU are to: provide research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies, and their potential partners; develop a program of research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and place special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions.
  • 1.2 In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, vehicles, equipment, and materials required to conduct rare, invasive and noxious plant management for the Fort Drum Natural Resources Branch/Environmental Division located at Fort Drum, NY. The scope of this agreement includes supporting the program manager (PM) through various program management duties such as floral and faunal identification; developing and implementing survey and monitoring protocols for species and communities; vegetation and insect classification; compiling installation and regional occurrences of species of management concern; analysis and reporting of findings through technical documentation partnered with GIS interpretation; and developing, testing and analyzing management treatments.
  • 1.3 This work requires onsite support personnel located at Fort Drum, NY.

2.0 AUTHORITY

  • 2.1 In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, Fort Drum's responsibilities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531 et seq.), the Sikes Act Improvement Act (16 USC 670 et seq.), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 1361 et seq.).
  • 2.2 In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), all CESU projects must carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, instead of acquiring goods or services for the exclusive direct benefit of the United States Government. Examples of carrying out a public purpose may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Project results are made available to a wide audience (including nonfederal entities). 
    • Project results/outputs add to the scientific literature/knowledge base, with applicability and utility beyond the scope of the project footprint/study area. 
    • Academic and other nonfederal partner institutions (and their personnel) gain professional experience, increase knowledge, and develop skills and abilities. 
    • Students benefit from direct interaction with federal scientists, program and technical staff, and field unit managers.
  • In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), substantial involvement is expected between the Department of Defense and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement. The DoD agrees to participate at a national level in support of the CESU program as accepted in the Master MOU for the establishment and continuation of the CESU program Article II and Article VI.

    The installation further (hence DoD) agrees to provide substantial involvement as directed under Article II (A) Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Master Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement 2022-2027 to include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Fort Drum is involved in development of study methodology, data gathering, analysis, and/or report writing. 
    • Fort Drum actively participates and collaborates in carrying out the project plan of work, reviews and approves activities, helps train or select project staff or trainees. 
    • Fort Drum incurs in-kind or direct expenditures in carrying out the activities specified in the project agreement. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
      • Providing vehicles, airplane/helicopter time. 
      • Providing computing services. 
      • Providing staff time to work on the project.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES

3.1 Task 1: Survey/Monitor Focal Birds

  • 3.1.1 Study the efficacy of Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) in detecting bird species of interest by deploying up to 50 ARUs in suitable habitat for Cerulean Warbler and other species of interest during the migratory and breeding seasons. In order to compare results of the ARUs, point counts would also be conducted in the same locations using a method that accounts for detectability.
  • 3.1.2 Update the status of the Red-headed Woodpecker population on Fort Drum to include enumerating territories, locate nests, monitor nest survival, measure habitat variables from earlier research at occupied and unoccupied nest cavities; and determine changes at formerly occupied cavities and assess the relationship to occupancy and nest survival if possible.
  • 3.1.3 Conduct general surveys of other birds of concern including the Upland Sandpiper and Cerulean Warbler.
  • 3.1.4 Refer to Task 5 for geospatial information, photos, and reports.

3.2 Task 2: Survey/Monitor Focal Herptiles

  • 3.2.1 Survey the presence of wood turtles, spotted turtles, and/or Blanding's turtles. 
  • 3.2.2 Tag and track wood turtles, spotted turtles, and/or Blanding's turtles using radio telemetry.
  • 3.2.3 Refer to Task 5 for geospatial information, photos, and reports.

3.3 Task 3: Survey/Ecological Monitoring Focal Invertebrates

  • 3.3.1 Survey the presence of Monarch Butterflies at all life stages through the season. 
  • 3.3.2 Survey and record the locations of all species of milkweed. 
  • 3.3.3 Determine potential vehicle impacts to butterflies (and other species of interest), trail cameras (or other vehicle counting methods) will be deployed throughout the installation to determine vehicle use (date, time, type of vehicle, etc.) from 01 April – 31 October.
  • 3.3.4 Determine potential dust impacts to butterflies from passing vehicles on milkweed patches near roads, appropriate monitoring methods will be researched, developed, and assessed in the field. 
  • 3.3.5 Refer to Task 5 for geospatial information, photos, and reports.

3.4 Task 4: Identify Invertebrates

  • 3.4.1 Invertebrates collected in past survey efforts are currently in storage and need to be processed, pinned (or otherwise prepared), and identified to be included in a master list of invertebrate species.

3.5 Task 5: Documentation & Reporting

  • 3.6.1 For capturing new geospatial data or updating existing geospatial data utilize field survey GPS data collected, by means of non-recreational GPS equipment, such as Trimble or Magellan. To ensure high quality/precision GPS data, conduct data collection when positional dilution of precision (PDOP) is 4 or less. In addition, the raw GPS data must undergo differential post-processing utilizing a permanent GPS base station with a high integrity index (e.g. 70-100). The target accuracy for the resulting differentially corrected GPS field survey data is 1-meter or better (sub-meter). Metadata must be populated for each geospatial data layer to meet minimum requirements for Army Installation Geospatial Data. Metadata shall conform to Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) as defined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Complete all specified fields according to the minimum metadata requirements, specify the coordinate accuracy of each source, and identify key process steps (GPS error, post processing of GPS data, and the name of the collector and dates collected). All raw GPS survey data, post-processed files, and associated post-processing reports shall be made available upon request and provided as part of the final deliverable package. The final geospatial data layer(s) deliverable shall be provided in either Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) shapefile or file geodatabase format.
  • 3.6.2 All photographs taken on Fort Drum will be appropriately labeled with date, location, and what the photo is representing 
  • 3.6.3 When work is conducted in the field, The project coordinator will provide weekly progress reports in an email. While not in the field or in a lab, monthly reports will be provided in an email.

4.0 QUALIFICATIONS 

  • 4.1 A minimum of a 4 year degree in the natural sciences (forestry, fish and wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources management, etc.) is preferred.

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS 

  • 5.1 Staff to assist in facilitating access and providing historical information. 
  • 5.2 Maps, aerial photographs, and GIS (Geographic Information System) data to carry out tasks described in the description of objectives.
  •  5.3 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other required environmental documentation. 
  • 5.4 Sufficient funding to accomplish tasks mentioned in the description of objectives.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 

  • 6.1 Base Period: 12 Months from time of award. Four 12-month option periods.

7.0 FOLLOW-ON PERIODS

  • 7.1
    • Follow-on Period 1: 12 Months from time of award.
    • Follow-on Period 2: Etc.
    • Follow-on Period 3: Etc.
    • Follow-on Period 4: Etc.

8.0 COORDINATION 

  • 8.1 Primary Contact: 

    Raymond Rainbolt, Natural Resources Branch 
    4205 Po Valley Rd 
    Fort Drum, NY 13602 
    Office: 315-772-9636 
    E-mail: [email protected]

9.0 DELIVERABLES

  • 9.1. Reports (refer to Task 5). 
  • 9.2 All data (refer to Task 5). 
  • 9.5 Photos taken on Fort Drum (refer to Task 5). 

10.0 

This cooperative agreement may be administered through a CESU only upon mutual agreement and official authorization by both parties of the acceptance of the application of the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%).

This cooperative agreement is subject to and recipient/cooperator shall comply with 32 CFR subpart 32.34 "Equipment," 32.35 "Supplies," and 32.36 "Intangible Property," which includes use of research data.

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