B01-RSOI - Package 3669 16Jul24.pdf

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

FORT WORTH DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

P.O. BOX 17300

FORT WORTH, TX 76102-0300

July 16, 2024

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

W9126G-24-2-SOI-3669

Applicants must be a member in one of the following Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Regions:

Gulf Coast / South Florida Carribean CESU Regions

Project Title: New Seagrass Surveys of Post Construction Survey Site to Determine

Recovery and Site Conditions for Environmental Natural Resource Technical Support

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District.

A cooperative agreement is being offerred 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 of 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 $300,000-350,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the Base Period Task 1 and 2. Additional funding may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks.

Period of Performance. The base period of the agreement will extend 150 days from date of award. There may be up to three 12-month optional tasks based on availability of funding.

Budget for optional tasks is dependent upon the progress of Task 1-2 and must be determined at time of award.

Description of Anticipated Work: See attached Statement of Objectives

NOTE: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and capabaility 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):

a. Biographical sketch of the Principal Investigator, to include specific experience and capabilities in areas related to this project’s requirements

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b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects

c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise

d. 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

Statements of Interest are due by 12:00 P.M., Central Time, on 16 Aug 2024.Submit your

Statement of Interest via e-mail attachments or direct questions to:

Sandy Justman Grants Specialist USACE, Fort Worth District Email: Sandra.Justman@usace.army.mil Office: 817-886-1073

Chanley Jenkins Project Manager USACE, Fort Worth District Email: chanley.r.jenkins Office: 918-671-9132

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 www.Grants.gov for 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.

Thank you for your interest in our Cooperative Agreements Program.

PAIGE E. POORMAN

Grants Officer

Attachment: Statement of Objectives http://www.grants.gov/

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

New Seagrass Surveys of Post Construction Survey Site to Determine Recovery and Site Conditions for Environmental Natural Resource Technical Support

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District.

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 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 This work requires an onsite support person located at the La Quinta Channel Post

Construction Survey Site (Figure 1). The work shall involve a seagrass survey which will identify the areal extent of seagrass as well as the seagrass species present in the survey location. After the survey is completed, a report as well as all other data collected will be provided to USACE. An additional optional task may be required based off the results of base task survey. The work shall involve a seagrass survey which will identify the areal extent of seagrass as well as the seagrass species present in the survey location (Figure 2).

Sediment samples and seafloor mapping will also be required to help identify potential prime growing conditions for seagrass beds.

2.0 AUTHORITY

2.1 This cooperative agreement will be awarded using the Water Resources

Development Act of 2000 - Delegation of Authority under Section 213(a) of the Water

Resources Development Act of 2000, dated 10 March 2015. An act to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the

United States, and for other purposes. The collection, analyzation, and application of resource data from this project will be used to finalize the mitigation plan for the La

Quinta Channel Extension.

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

2.3 In agreement with the above states purpose, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, the USACE Galveston District responsibilities pursuant to the section 6305

2.4 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 (DoD) 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 1-4 and Article VI 1-7.

The installation further agrees to provide substantial involvement as directed under the appropriate master agreement to include, but are not limited to, the following:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District technical representatives are involved in development of study methodology, data gathering, analysis, and/or report writing

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District technical representatives actively participates and collaborates in carrying out the project plan of work, reviews and approves activities, helps train or select project staff or trainees

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District technical representatives 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:

o Providing computing services o Providing staff time to work on the project

Figure 1: Task 1 Survey Location

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES

3.1 Task 1:

The post construction survey site will be surveyed (~57 Acres). The areal extent of the seagrass shall be mapped using GPS coordinates. A GIS data layer shall be developed that maps the extent of the seagrass bed, distribution and density of seagrasses by species, and seabed elevation in 0.5-foot contours of the seagrass bed (Braun-Blanquet, J. 1972, The Plant Sociology: the study of plant communities, Hafner Publishing Company). Also refer to the Pulich seagrass survey that uses the Braun-Blanquet rapid visual assessment technique (Pulich, Warren Jr., Hardegree, Beau, Kopecky, Andrea, Schwelling, Steve, Onuf, Christopher, Dunton, Kenneth. 2000. Texas seagrass monitoring program: 2000 strategic plan. TPWD.). GPS coordinates shall be established for each transect, which will be marked with PVC pipe. Sampling quadrats, each measuring 0.25 meters squared, will be established every 5 meters along each transect. Each quadrat will be examined using SCUBA or snorkeling equipment. Each seagrass species will be identified, and a score based on the cover of the species in that quadrat will be assigned according to the analytical techniques developed by Fourqurean et al. (Fourqurean, J.W., A. Willsie, C.D.

Rose, and L.M. Rutten. 2001. Spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass community composition and productivity in south Florida. Marine Biology Journal 138:341-354.).

The resulting analysis will identify density, abundance, and frequency by species for the seagrass bed. Surveys should be conducted between August-October 31st for best results, with 30 days for the survey period

3.2 Task 2:

A draft report of survey shall be submitted 60 days after completion of the survey and will include maps of seagrass distribution and seafloor topographic map. The report will document techniques used, data collected, and overall seagrass coverage of the survey location. When draft report is received USACE will have 15 days to review and comment. The draft report with USACE comments will then be returned and the final report shall be submitted in 30 days.

Figure 2: Optional Task 1 Survey Location

3.3 Task 3 [OPTIONAL]:

BU Site no.6 cells A and B will be surveyed (Figure 2). The areal extent of the seagrass shall be mapped using GPS coordinates. A GIS data layer shall be developed that maps the extent of the seagrass bed, distribution and density of seagrasses by species, and seabed elevation in 0.5-foot contours of the seagrass bed (Braun-Blanquet, J. 1972, The

Plant Sociology: the study of plant communities, Hafner Publishing Company). Also refer to the Pulich seagrass survey that uses the Braun-Blanquet rapid visual assessment technique (Pulich, Warren Jr., Hardegree, Beau, Kopecky, Andrea, Schwelling, Steve, Onuf, Christopher, Dunton, Kenneth. 2000. Texas seagrass monitoring program: 2000 strategic plan. TPWD.). GPS coordinates shall be established for each transect, which will be marked with PVC pipe. Sampling quadrats, each measuring 0.25 meters squared, will be established every 5 meters along each transect. Each quadrat will be examined using SCUBA or snorkeling equipment. Each seagrass species will be identified, and a score based on the cover of the species in that quadrat will be assigned according to the analytical techniques developed by Fourqurean et al. (Fourqurean, J.W., A. Willsie, C.D.

Rose, and L.M. Rutten. 2001. Spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass community composition and productivity in south Florida. Marine Biology Journal 138:341-354.).

The resulting analysis will identify density, abundance, and frequency by species for the seagrass bed. Surveys should be conducted between August-October 31st for best results, with 30 days for the survey period

3.4 Task 4 [OPTIONAL]:

The seafloor of the seagrass bed shall be mapped at 0.5-foot contours, and sediment will be sampled at 4 locations along each transect by grab sample. Sediment characteristics will be recorded including clast and grain-size. Based on seafloor elevation and sediment, prime growing conditions for the existing seagrass bed shall be identified, in order that this information can be used to construct and manage BU Site No. 6 for seagrass establishment.

3.5 Task 5 [OPTIONAL]:

A draft report of survey shall be submitted 60 days after completion of the survey and will include maps of seagrass distribution, seafloor topographic map, and sediment characterization. The report will document techniques used, data collected, and recommendations for management of BU Site No. 6. The report will document a recommendation of areas suitable to plant along with recommendations on sources of suitable transplant material. When the draft report is received USACE will have 15 days to review and comment. The draft report with USACE comments will then be returned and the final report shall be submitted in 30 days.

4.0 QUALIFICATIONS

4.1 The crew leader must have a at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, or similar natural resources fields and have at least five years’ experience in seagrass identification and vegetation community surveying techniques. Other crew members must have the ability to identify seagrass by species and have at least one year experience conducting vegetative surveys. SCUBA diving crew members must be certified.

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS OR PROPERTY

5.1 Physical Data:

The Galveston District shall provide access to any existing data, existing reports, recent studies, and any other information necessary to complete the objectives of this scope.

5.2 Equipment:

Government furnished materials or property is governed by 2 C.F.R. Part 200.312 which states that a) Title to federally owned property remains vested in the Federal government.

The non-Federal entity must submit annually an inventory listing of federally owned property in its custody to the Federal awarding agency. Upon completion of the Federal award or when the property is no longer needed, the non-Federal entity must return the property to the Federal awarding agency for further Federal agency utilization.

6.0 BASE PERIOD and OPTIONS

6.1 The base period will be 150 days from the award of this cooperative agreement. The

Optional task will be 12 months from date of award and shall be exercised prior to the end of the base period. There will not be any option periods.

7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

7.1 Base Period: will be 150 days from the award of this cooperative agreement.

7.2 Optional Tasks: will be 12 months from date of award and shall be exercised prior to the end of the base period.

8.0 COORDINATION

Harmon Brown

Project Manager

USACE, Galveston District

2000 Fort Point Road

Galveston, TX 77550

Phone: (409) 766-3000

Email: harmon.brown@usace.army.mil

Project Technical POC:

Justin Tirpak

Biologist, NEPA & Natural Resource Section

Regional Planning and Environmental Center

2000 Fort Point Road

Galveston TX, 77550

Phone: (501) 276-91884

Email: Justin.M.Tirpak@usace.army.mil

9.0 POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS and DOCUMENTS

9.1 Invoicing and Progress Reports - Submit Payment Request and additional required documents to: swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil. Carbon Copy the assigned USACE

Project Manager as well as your organization’s POCs for the additional required documents as well as the delinquent accounts POC.

mailto:swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil

For successful set up of Electronic Transfer of Funds (EFT) the recipient must assure that the SF270 Recipient Organization reflects the exact name and physical address that appears in the System for Award Management (SAM) Website at www.sam.gov.

9.1.1 Frequency: Quarterly plus 30-day grace period. If the coverage dates are not quarterly or preapproved by the PM (or the first/last submittal), the payment request will be rejected.

Quarters Invoice pkgs due No Later Than (NLT):

Q1: Oct-Dec Q1: 31 Jan

Q2: Jan-Mar Q2: 30 Apr

Q3: Apr-Jun Q3: 30 Jul

Q4: Jul-Sep Q4: 31 Oct

9.1.2 Payment Requests must be submitted on form SF270 with the accompanying SF-PPR progress report. SF270s will be rejected if the SF-PPR progress report has not been received.

Please ensure to include the following on the SF-PPR progress report:

◼ Separate details by CLIN

◼ Achievements

◼ Percent Completion

◼ Project Status

◼ Problems encountered and impact of activities and personnel on schedule

◼ Anticipated work in next reporting period

If the SF-PPR is incomplete, it will be rejected causing the SF270 to also be rejected. SF-PPR Forms with above fields may be requested at: swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil

The SF270 may have multiple pages. May request Excel version @ swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil Must be submitted in PDF or it will be rejected.

SF270 Block 11 (a), (b), (c) are for the description of funds. Preferred description is:

CLIN/POP Type, POP start and end dates, amount awarded. At minimum include the

CLIN.

Example:

CLIN 0001/ Base

22SEP23 – 21SEP24

$100,000.00

Funding must be separated as specified on the Award document. For Sub-

CLINs that specify “for funding only”, may be rolled into the primary CLIN unless otherwise instructed. All others require PM approval. If the description is missing; payment request will be rejected.

mailto:swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil mailto:swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil

9.1.3 The FINAL invoice package must include the following documents. The entire Final invoice package is due no later than 90 days from the period of performance (POP) end date:

◼ Final SF270

◼ SF-PPR

◼ Final SF425

◼ DD882

◼ SF428 plus attachment B (C&S if applicable)

◼ SF298

◼ Final Report

Missing any of the above required documents, the Payment Request will be rejected.

Forms may be requested from the district office or found at:ww.grants.gov

Other than the mandatory requirements above, describe any required documentation or information to meet project objectives and government expectations. Below are some examples

9.2 Meeting minutes for kick-off or any other key meetings.

9.3 Field Data

Data collected should be provided to USACE Galveston

9.4 GIS Files

All GIS files created should be provided to USACE Galveston

9.5 Draft Final Project Report. One (1) paper copy of a draft final report should be submitted no later than one month before end of the base effort. At a minimum, the report shall contain an introduction section, and one section for each Task identified in your proposal. For each Task, the report shall summarize work accomplished for the Task.

Justin Tirpak will review and provide comments, if any, within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt. Must provide an electronic copy to the USACE POC at the time this document is submitted to the Installation POC.

9.6 Final Project Report. One (1) paper copy of the final report, incorporating Justin

Tirpak’s review comments on the draft, if any, shall be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the USACE POC comments. Additionally, one (1) copy of the final report shall be submitted in a MSWord file(s), on digital media. Must provide an electronic copy to the USACE POC at the time this document is submitted to the

Installation POC.

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%).

http://www.grants.gov/

Any resulting cooperative agreement will be subject to and recipient/cooperator shall comply with 2 CFR 200.313 “Equipment”, 200.314 “Supplies”, and 200.315 “Intangible

Property” which includes use of research data.