2620002 NOFO 8JAN26a.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUITY

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

Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity: N62473-26-2-0002

Assistance Listing Number: 12.005

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

Issue Date: 8 January 2026 Application Due Date: 22 January 2026

Content of Full Text Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information

VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description Overview: Per the Riparian and Estuarian/Beach Biological Opinion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP) is required to monitor nesting activity of the California least tern (LETE) and western snowy plover (SNPL) which are two federally listed endangered species. This research involves field investigations including observations and documentation of LETE and SNPL behavior, nesting chronology and chick banding. These studies are used to evaluate ongoing LETE and SNPL management practices, specifically military training, predation and vegetation management practices. Specific objectives of this research opportunity include:

1. Conducting surveys and monitor the nesting success of California least tern and western snowy plover at all existing potential breeding sites.

a. Surveys shall be conducted by foot and/or vehicle or visual surveys to monitor the nesting activity and success and to document foraging and roosting areas on MCBCP.

b. Surveys are to be conducted at least two (2) times per week from the start of the tern and plover breeding season (1 March) and continue through 15 September, or until breeding season is determined to be complete whichever is later.

c. Monitors will document courtship behavior and nesting activity sufficiently to be able to describe the breeding season chronology, roosting locations of adults and fledglings, general use of nesting sites by LETE and SNPL and to document the presence and activity of potential mammalian and avian predators.

d. Work may be conducted during early morning (0530-0900) and evening (1700-2100) hours.

2. Data shall be collected on LETE/SNPL site arrival/departure times, presence/absence of LETE/SNPL (number of adults, chicks/fledglings and nests if present), breeding status of each breeding individual/nest, unusual behavior patterns, inter-specific encounters, bands observes (when possible), and any other parameters that the Cooperator or Government agree will contribute to the management of the species.

a. Banding will occur on as many tern and plover chicks as necessary to accomplish project objectives.

b. Fledgling counts will be conducted to develop an accurate fledgling survey methodology, utilizing if necessary alternate methodologies such as telemetry or mark recapture to estimate reproductive success.

c. Methods to estimate breeding population size, daily fledgling survival rate, effects of vegetation density on site selection, nest success and documented causes of nest failure will be provided

3. The Cooperator shall produce a report that summarizes and analyzes the data collected to assess population trends and breeding success rates.

a. Report shall contain documenting photographs, including all sites, techniques, methodologies and any significant events.

4. The Cooperator shall maintain/reestablish the census grid for all tern colonies using a grid scale of 15m, 25m, or 30m per unit, depending on the colony size, and conduct minor fence maintenance.

The overall purpose of this cooperative agreement is to monitor and document the nesting and behavior activity of California least terns and western snowy plovers. All work supports fulfillment of the requirements of the Riparian and Estuarian/Beach Biological Opinion on

MCBCP.

Estimated total funding: $1,645,849.00 (if all option years and items are awarded) Estimates Number of Awards: (1)

Item Anticipated Funding

Base Period LETE (14 months) $265,769.00 Option Year 1 LETE (Additional Field Year 2027) $271,178.00 Option Year 2 LETE (Additional Field Year 2028) $276,685.00

Option Year 3 LETE (Additional Field Year 2029) $282,285.00 Option Year 4 LETE (Additional Field Year 2030) $288,019.00 Base Period Option Item (SNPL Monitoring for One Field Season) $50,319.00

Option Year 1 Option Item (SNPL Monitoring for One Field Season) $51,304.00 Option Year 2 Option Item (SNPL Monitoring for One Field Season) $52,331.00 Option Year 3 Option Item (SNPL Monitoring for One Field Season) $53,381.00 Option Year 4 Option Item (SNPL Monitoring for One Field Season) $54,578.00 Total Potential Value: $1,645,849.00

II. Award Information This Funding Opportunity is for a competed, multi-year cooperative agreement. There is one (1) 14-month Base Period, commencing from the date of award, four (4) possible Option Years for Additional Field Year Monitoring and, five (5) possible Option Items for SNPL Monitoring for One (1) Field Season each. The exercise of any Option Year or Option Item is subject to the availability of funds. The Government may unilaterally award any Option Year and/or Option Item. The Government reserves the right to not award any Option Year and/or Option Item.

Option Items have a period of performance as indicated in the chart below.

ITEM Anticipated Period of Performance Anticipated Award Date Base Period 14 months from Date of Award 29 January 2026 Option Year 1 12 months from Date of Award Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Option Year 2 12 months from Date of Award FY 2028 Option Year 3 12 months from Date of Award FY 2029 Option Year 4 12 months from Date of Award FY 2030 Base Period Option Item

Contemporaneous with the Base Period FY 2026

Option Year 1 Option Item

Contemporaneous with Option Year 1 FY 2027

Option Year 2 Option Item

Contemporaneous with Option Year 2 FY 2028

Option Year 3 Option Item

Contemporaneous with Option Year 3 FY 2029

Option Year 4 Option Item

Contemporaneous with Option Year 4 FY 2030

Significant Dates and Times

Event Date Time Full Applications Due January 22, 2026** 2:00 PM Notification of Selection for Award

January 29, 2026** 4:00 PM

Start Date of Cooperative Agreement

January 30, 2026** 8:00 AM

** Dates subject to change

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Application

Any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Californian cooperative partner who qualifies under the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (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 package 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 (N62473-26-2-0002)

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 the application electronically. The applicant shall complete the mandatory and applicable form by accessing the forms as noted in IV, (a) “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’s 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: RESARCH & 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 typewritten resumes, not to exceed 3 pages, single spaced with 12pt font for the principal investigator, researchers, 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 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 – Must be specifically itemized with costs or estimated costs. An explanation of any estimating factors, including their derivation and application, must be provided. Include a brief description of the applicant's procurement method to be used (competition, engineering estimate, market survey, etc.).

Other Direct Costs - Any proposed items of equipment or facilities, or treated as . 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 Time Timeline for Review:

Applications are to be submitted by January 22, 2026 2:00 PM PST. This opportunity will remain until an investigator team is selected. Submissions received after January 22, 2026 2:00 PM PST will be deemed “late” and may not be considered. Please submit requests for information/ questions no later than January 15, 2026 2:00 PM PST.

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.

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) or direct email to Kevin Magennis, kevin.e.magennis.civ@us.navy.mil

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 NAVFAC SW with tracking your issue and provide background information on the issue.

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.

1. Factor 1- Credential of Key personnel

a. Principal Investigator The Principal Investigator must have completed a graduate-level degree (MSc required, PhD Strongly preferred) in ecology, biology, wildlife biology, zoology or a field related to wildlife sciences from an accredited college or university and three (3) completed field seasons to comply with the requirements of this agreement.

b. Project Manager/ Lead Field Technician Must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, wildlife biology, zoology or field related to wildlife sciences from an accredited college or university. The lead technician shall also have project management experience, have a minimum of 2400 hours of experience (collected over at least three (3) years) in surveying shorebirds, specifically monitoring least terns and snowy plovers, and possess specific knowledge of the general biology, ecology, and survey methodology of all species of shorebirds that have the potential to occur within San Diego County.

c. Technical Staff Field assistants shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, wildlife biology, zoology or a field related to wildlife sciences from an accredited college or university or at least two (2) field seasons of relevant experience.

d. The Principal Investigator or lead field technical must have a banding permit from the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), a federal endangered species permit for the banding of LETE and SNPL, and provide evidence of experience in the handling, measuring, and banding of Charadriiform birds. The BBL banding permit must allow for the banding and handling of LETE and SNPL and must be submitted with the project proposal.

Factor 2- Scientific Approach Not to exceed three (3) pages, the proposal shall address the proposed monitoring of LETE and SNPL on MCBCP. The proposals shall be evaluated as to the soundness of the overall approach and the use of any innovative and/or efficient techniques to accomplish the objectives of the stated approach.

Factor 3- Reasonableness of Cost* The proposal shall be analyzed to determine whether it is materially/mathematically balanced with respect to prices or separately priced items, and for fair and reasonable pricing. The Cooperator shall use 2 CFR Part 200 “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards” as applicable.

Evaluation will include an analysis to determine the Cooperators comprehension of the requirements of the solicitation as well as to assess the validity of the Offeror’s approach.

*Please provide your proposed budget on the provided PDF titles, “Research and Related Budget” form.

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

2. Review and Selection Process Every deviation from the statement of objectives and its requirements 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, adherence to directions, compliance with restrictions, and plan for 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 returned for the Grants Officer’s counter signature.

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

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:

Kevin Magennis, Grants Officer Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest Environmental Conservation and Compliance Acquisition 750 Pacific Highway San Diego, CA 92132 Email: kevin.e.magennis.civ@us.navy.mil Phone Office: 619-705-5566

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.