2520006 NOFO 2JUL25.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Funding Agency: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW)

Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number: N62473-25-2-0006

Assistance Listing Number: 12.300

Program Authority: 16 U.S.C. 670c-1 Sikes Act

Issue Date: 02 July 2025 Application Due Date: 04 August 2025

Contents of Full Text Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description Since 2017, the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC), Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) has translocated desert tortoises from training areas to adjacent protected areas on the installation and adjacent Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) lands. A successful translocation presumes that desert tortoise integrate into the resident population by dispersing across the recipient area and reproducing with the resident population.

Genetic samples of adults and offspring, and animal health and survival rates for the translocation project must be analyzed to quantify the effectiveness of this translocation per Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements. These findings will help refine future recovery efforts via population augmentation methods such as translocation and headstarting.

Genetic banking for endangered tortoise populations is also extremely useful in mission support.

The data can demonstrate reproduction of released males in wild populations (N62473-18-2- 0011), and can combat poaching by demonstrating tortoise origin for law enforcement actions and returning tortoises to the wild. Genetic data also complements other data (e.g., health and survival), helping quantify the value of population augmentation to species recovery. These actions ensure and demonstrate viability of the MAGTFTC MCAGCC program, enabling the Marine Corps to sustain and enhance their mission-essential training with little downtime and few stoppages.

This Cooperative Agreement outlines terms and the cooperative effort of the Department of the Navy, Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Southwest (NAVFAC SW), on behalf of MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, for implementing a cooperative program to analyze genetic assimilation of translocated Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the resident population. The genetic results can augment understanding translocation success for recovering this Threatened species.

Objectives:

1. Analyze and catalog genetic samples of Aggasiz’s Desert Tortoise collected from Department of Defense and DoD-affiliated projects.

2. Demonstrate dispersal of genetic heritage from translocated and headstarted tortoises through analysis of collected genetic sequences.

3. Store specimens or their genetic information for future scientific and Government needs.

Brief Description of the Anticipated Work:

Genetic data on female, male, and juvenile tortoise samples, collected by all parties, which may include but is not limited to: MCAGCC environmental staff, MCAGCC conservation law enforcement, USFWS, BLM, NPS, Vernadero contractors, UCLA cooperators, Marine Corps personnel, animal rehabilitators, veterinarians, CDFW, and several Sentinel Landscape partners, even potentially some members of the public, on MCAGCC training ranges and adjacent translocation and control sites, will be used for the analyses. Samples taken from elsewhere in the region may also be included if useful for comparative, demonstration, or other scientific purposes that further USMC objectives.

Due to the complexity of work, the Recipient shall provide a Senior Scientist/Principal Investigator (PI), a Research Scientist/Project Manager (PM) and as many trained technicians as necessary to complete the work.

a. Senior Scientist/PI: The Recipient shall designate one person as responsible for ensuring that provisions are in place for project and personnel supervision, quality control and meeting of reporting requirements are met on a daily basis. This position shall be responsible for liaison between Recipient and the Grants Officer or CATR and shall serve as the main point of contact for all required results and/or progress reports on the study.

i. At least five (5) years of professional research experience conducting and publishing genetic analyses, including having developed genetic markers for and analyzing genetic patterns.

ii. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a PI capacity.

b. Research Scientist/PM: The PM shall serve as the main point of contact for status/progress and deliverables.

i. A minimum of three (3) years in project management.

ii. A graduate science degree with a thesis, dissertation, or capstone that demonstrates ability to communicate through written reports (Masters of Science, Doctorate, or similar).

c. Technician(s): The Recipient shall assign and delegate work to technicians as necessary to provide deliverables in an efficient and timely manner.

This agreement requires the Recipient to continue building on the genetic data accumulated through contract N62473-18-2-0011 (and related project task orders and cooperative agreements for field collection), and to address specific questions regarding genetic assimilation of translocated Agassiz’s desert tortoises into the recipient populations. The Recipient shall conduct their analysis on approximately 1000-2000 tissue samples collected from translocated and resident males and females to determine hatchling parentage and the assimilation of translocated tortoise genotypes to the resident population. Note sample collection, processing, and shipping are being conducted as part of efforts on other contracts. All costs associated with these tasks, and any other per-sample costs, are not to be attributed to the work herein.

5. Deliverables:

Recipient agrees to submit the following deliverables:

Meeting Notes Submitted within 5 business days of the date of the meeting, final version submitted within 5 business days of receipt of Government comments/edits.

Work Plan Submitted within 15 business days of the kickoff meeting.

Interim Annual Report (3) Submitted by 30 June each year.

Draft Final Report Submitted by 30 June 2029.

Final Report/Manuscript Submitted 30 days after US Government has provided comments on the Draft.

Work Plan shall provide a detailed description of the methods to be employed as well as the timeline for the sample sequencing, analysis and report delivery.

Interim Annual Reports shall include a summary of work completed to date, work expected during the next reporting period, and any issues encountered. The Interim Annual Report shall provide interim assessments of genetic assimilation of translocated tortoises into the recipient population.

Draft Report/Manuscript: Upon completion of two years’ worth of sample analysis, four years if the option is executed, the Recipient shall prepare a report or manuscript(s) presented in a style suitable for publication and following Environmental Work Instruction EVR.4 (Revision 5, 22 September 2021, sometimes abbreviated as “EWI 4”).

Please see enclosure 1 for full statement of objectives and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.

Estimated Total Funding: $332,584.00 Estimated Number of Awards: (1)

Item Anticipated Period of Performance Anticipated Award Date

Anticipated Amount

Base Period 48 Months from Date of Award 2025 $332,584.00 Total Anticipated Funding $332,584.00

Contact Information: Questions relating to Grants.gov including the registration process and system requirements should be directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. For assistance with the requirements of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, please contact Contract Specialist, Anna Ruth DeLoach at annaruth.c.deloach.civ@us.navy.mil.

Instructions to Applicants:

The complete Funding Opportunity Announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov.

Applications in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement shall be submitted by the application due date. Applications may be submitted electronically via email and through Grants.gov.

Applicants shall have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number, registration with the System of Award Management (SAM), and registration with Grants.gov, if submitting application through Grants.gov.

See Section IV of the Funding Opportunity Announcement for complete application submission information.

II. Award Information This Funding Opportunity Announcement is for a competed, multiyear cooperative agreement.

The period of performance is 48 months from the date of award.

Item Period of Performance

Base Period 48 months from date of award

Significant Dates and Times

Event Date Time *

Full Applications Due August 4, 2025 2:00 PM

Notification of Selection for Award August 25, 2025** 4:00 PM

Start Date of Cooperative Agreement August 31, 2025** 8:00 AM

**Dates subject to change

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Californian cooperative partner who qualifies under the DoDGARS Part 34 or 2 CFR 200 is eligible to apply. Please see applicable terms and conditions, provided as a separate attachment.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing [ ] is or [ x ] is not required.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application packages can be obtained electronically at Grants.gov as detailed below or by contacting the individual listed in Section VII Agency Contact(s).

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select "Apply for Grants", and then select "Download Grant Application Package”. Enter the funding opportunity number ().

NOTE: You will not be able to download the Application Package unless you have installed Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Reader is available for free to download from the Download Software page http://grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Applicants shall submit applications electronically. The applicant shall complete the mandatory and applicable forms by accessing the forms as noted in noted in IV, 1 “Address to Request Application Package”.

Content and Form of Application

FORM: SF 424 (R&R)

Completion of SF-424 Fields First. The Adobe Reader forms are designed to fill in common required fields such as the applicant name and address, UEI number, etc., on all Adobe Reader forms. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first.

Once it is completed the information will transfer to the other forms. You must complete the mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms (e.g., SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below.

Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) unless otherwise specified in this announcement.

FORM: RESEARCH & RELATED SENIOR/KEY PERSONNEL (EXPANDED)

Complete all the required fields in accordance with the pop-up instructions on the form.

Biographical Sketch: Attach resume(s) of key personnel. The Applicant shall provide type written resumes, not to exceed 3 pages, single spaced with 12pt font for the project manager(s) and field assistants proposed for this project. Resumes must state qualifications, experience with this type of project, professional registration and certificates. See Section V. Application Review Information for detailed information required per resume and minimum qualifications required.

FORM: RESEARCH AND RELATED BUDGET

Complete the Research and Related Budget form in accordance with the instructions on the form.

You must provide a detailed cost breakdown of all costs, by cost category, by the funding periods described below, and by task/sub-task corresponding to the task number in the proposed Statement of Objectives. Options (if applicable) must be separately priced. The form will generate a cumulative budget for the total project period. You must complete all the mandatory information on the form before the NEXT PERIOD button is activated. You may request funds under any of the categories listed as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work and meet all the criteria for allowability under the applicable Federal cost principles. The budget should adhere to the following guidelines:

The budget should be driven by program requirements. Elements of the budget should include:

Direct Labor - Individual labor category or person, with associated labor hours and unburdened direct labor rates.

Indirect Costs - Fringe benefits, overhead, G&A, COM, etc. (must show base amount and rate).

Travel - Number of trips, destination, duration, etc., all travel must be substantiated and explained.

Subcontract/subaward - A cost proposal as detailed as the applicant's cost proposal will be required to be submitted by the subcontractor. If applicable, include in Research & Related Subaward Budget Attachment Form.

Consultant - Provide consultant agreement or other document that verifies the proposed loaded daily/hourly rate. Include a description of the nature of and the need for any consultant's participation. Strong justification must be provided, and consultants are to be used only under exceptional circumstances where no equivalent expertise can be found at a participating university. Provide budget justification.

Materials - Specifically itemized with costs or estimated costs. An explanation of any estimating factors, including their derivation and application, shall be provided. Include a brief description of the applicant's procurement method to be used (competition, engineering estimate, market survey, etc.).

Other Direct Costs - Particularly any proposed items of equipment or facilities.

Equipment and facilities generally must be furnished by the contractor/Applicant (justifications must be provided when Government funding for such items is sought).

Include a brief description of the applicant's procurement method to be used (competition, engineering estimate, market survey, etc.).

Budget Justification: Provide the required supporting information for the cost elements as shown above (see Research & Related Budget instructions) and listed as follows: indirect cost, travel, consultant, materials, and other direct costs. Provide any other information you wish to submit to justify your budget request.

FORM: SF-LLL DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

If applicable, complete SF- LLL. Applicability: If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the grant/cooperative agreement, you must complete and submit Standard Form - LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying.”

3. Submission Dates and Times

Timeline for Review:

We request that submissions be submitted by August 4, 2025, 2:00 PM PDT. This opportunity will remain until an investigator team is selected. Submissions received after August 4, 2025, 2:00 PM PDT will be deemed “late” and may or may not be considered. Please submit requests for information/questions no later than July 22, 2025, 2:00 PM PDT.

For applications submitted through Grants.gov and handling of late applications:

After an application is submitted through Grants.gov, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will receive a series of three e-mails. It is extremely important that the AOR watch for and save each of the e-mails. You will know that your application has reached NAVFAC SW when the AOR receives e-mail Number 3. You will need the Submission Receipt Number (e-mail Number 1) to track a submission. The three e-mails are:

Number 1 – The applicant will receive a confirmation page upon completing the submission to Grants.gov. This confirmation page is a record of the time and date stamp for the submission.

Number 2 – The applicant will receive an e-mail indicating that the application has been validated by Grants.gov within a few hours of submission. (This means that all of the required fields have been completed.)

Number 3 – The third notice is an acknowledgment of receipt in e-mail form from the designated agency within ten days from the application due date. For applications the e-mail is sent to the authorized representative for the institution. The e-mail for applications notes that the application has been received and provides the assigned tracking number. Hard copy submissions will receive only e-mail number 3.

Late Applications may be accepted.

4. Funding Restrictions Reimbursement of pre-award cost will [ ] or will not [ x ] be allowed.

5. Other Submission Requirements Applications may be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (see note 1 below) and direct email to: Christen Gonzales, christen.m.gonzales.civ@us.navy.mil, and Anna Ruth DeLoach, annaruth.c.deloach.civ@us.navy.mil.

NOTE 1 - Registration Requirements for Grants.gov: There are several one-time actions an organization must complete in order to submit an application through Grants.gov (e.g., obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number, register with the credential provider, and register with Grants.gov). See http://grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp to begin this process. Applicants, who are not registered with Grants.gov, should allow at least 21 days to complete these requirements. It is suggested that the process be started as soon as possible.

Customer Support: Questions relating to the registration process, system requirements, how an application form works, or the submittal process must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518- 4726 or support@grants.gov. The Contact Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, to address Grants.gov technology issues.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission it is best to call the customer support desk and get a case number. The case number will assist the NAVFAC SW with tracking your issue and provide background information on the issue.

VERY IMPORTANT – Download Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe Reader is available for free to download from the Download Software page http://grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp .

V. Application Review Information All requirements listed are minimum requirements. Information provided must be recent (within last seven (7) years) and relevant. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to adhere to the listed requirements, follow directions, comply with restrictions and provide quality control on their submittals. All page limits refer to 12 point font and single spaced one-sided pages.

Factor 1 - Credentials of Key Personnel

For each person listed, the Recipient will provide a CV or resume up to five (5) pages in length.

Material provided must clearly demonstrate the minimum experience levels described for each key personnel. Failure to clearly identify which projects or positions listed demonstrate each of the sub-bullets below and directly state time spent are likely to be found unacceptable.

A. Senior Scientist/Principal Investigator: The Recipient shall designate one person as responsible for ensuring that provisions are in place for project and personnel supervision, quality control and meeting of reporting requirements are met on a daily basis. This position shall be responsible for liaison between Recipient and the Grants Officer or CATR and shall serve as the main point of contact for all required results and/or progress reports on the study.

i. At least five (5) years of professional research experience conducting and publishing genetic analyses, including having developed genetic markers for and analyzing genetic patterns.

ii. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a PI capacity.

B. Research Scientist/Project Manager: The PM shall serve as the main point of contact for status/progress and deliverables.

i. A minimum of three (3) years in project management.

ii. A graduate science degree with a thesis, dissertation, or capstone that demonstrates ability to communicate through written reports (Masters of Science, Doctorate, or similar).

The Recipient shall assign and delegate work to technicians as necessary to provide deliverables in an efficient and timely manner. These are not considered key personnel, but the number and hours should be described in the budget and the scientific approach.

Factor 2 – Scientific Approach

Not to exceed 3 pages, the Offeror shall develop an outline for their approach to addressing the anticipated work stated above. The Offeror shall be evaluated as to the soundness of the overall approach and use of any innovative techniques to accomplish project objectives.

Factor 3 - Reasonableness of Cost

After technical evaluation of the proposal, the offers will be analyzed for fair and reasonable pricing. The proposal will be analyzed to determine whether its pricing is materially/mathematically balanced, and is fair and reasonable. The Offeror shall use OMB Circular A-21 “Cost Principles for Institutions of Higher Education,”, 48 CFR part 31 “Contract Cost Principles and Procedures,” or 2 CFR 200 Subpart F “Audit Requirements” as applicable.

Evaluations will include an analysis to determine the Offeror’s comprehension of the requirements of the solicitation as well as to assess the validity of the Offeror’s approach. A clear cost breakdown of work elements to be accomplished detailing quantities for the various work items, unit, unit prices and extended prices will be required and will be evaluated. Evaluation will include an analysis to determine the Offeror’s comprehension of the requirements of the proposed agreement as well as to assess the validity of the Offeror’s approach. Please be sure to provide a proposal for the optional years as listed within the statement of work. Please submit proposed budget form for each of the option years on separate research and related budget forms.

Please provide your proposed budget on the provided pdf titled, “Research and Related Budget” form*(Enclosure 5).

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATION FACTORS – All factors are of equal importance.

2. Review and Selection Process

Every deviation from the statement of objectives requirement must be identified. Proposer must identify the paragraph in the statement of objectives that is applicable and provide sufficient information to justify why the deviation is in the best interest of the government.

All requirements listed are minimum requirements. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to adhere to the listed requirements, completeness of responses, follow directions, comply with restrictions and provide quality control on their submittals. All page limits refer to 12 point font and single spaced one-sided pages.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices The notice of award addressed to the successful applicant and signed by the Grants Officer (or equivalent) will be forwarded via electronic transmission. Original copies of the Agreement will be enclosed for the successful applicant’s signature and return for the Grants Officer’s counter signature.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The Terms and Conditions are posted as a separate document.

3. Reporting Reports/submittal information including frequency and means of submission are contained in the Statement of Objectives, posted as a separate document

VII. Agency Contact(s) All questions relating to this announcement shall be referred to:

Christen Gonzales, Grants Officer Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest Environmental Conservation and Compliance Acquisition 750 Pacific Highway San Diego, CA 92132 Email: christen.m.gonzales.civ@us.navy.mil Phone Office: (619) 705-5529

Anna Ruth DeLoach, Contract Specialist Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest Environmental Planning and Conservation Acquisition 750 Pacific Highway San Diego, CA 92132 Email: annaruth.c.deloach.civ@us.navy.mil Phone Office: (619) 705-5548

VIII. Other Information The cost of preparing applications and/or proposals in response to this announcement is not considered an allowable direct charge to any award made under this funding opportunity. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this announcement. Only the Grants Officer can bind the Government to the expenditure of funds.