B01-RSOI Package W9126G252SOI4748.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FORT WORTH DISTRICT

P.O. BOX 17300

FORT WORTH, TX 76102-0300

27 June 2025

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

W9126G-25-2-SOI-4748

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

Gulf Coast, Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean CESU Regions

Project Title: Monitoring of Wood Stork Reproduction in the Everglades, Florida

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 (RSOI) will be used to identify potential organizations for this project.

This RSOI seeks merit-based competitive procedures to encourage participation in USACE (DoD) programs by a broad base of the most highly qualified performers and will be evaluated on Technical Merits of the proposed research and development (R&D) and the potential relationship of the proposed R&D to USACE (DoD) missions.

Approximately $267,270 is expected to be available to support this project for the Base Period. Additional funding may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years.

Period of Performance. The base period of the 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: See attached Statement of Objectives

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: 3 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt. font):

1. Name, Organization, CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID, CESU Region, and Contact Information (Email)

2. Statement of Technical Ability & Qualifications (including):

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

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

c. Biographical sketches of personnel available to support this project, meeting qualifications in the SOO, and their areas of expertise relevant to this project’s requirements.

d. Innovative techniques and description of other capabilities to successfully complete the project: (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, subject matter experts, etc.)

3. Summary of the potential relationship of the proposed research and development to the USACE (DoD) missions.

Submission of Your Statement of Interest

Statements of Interest (SOI) are due by 2:00 PM, Central Time, on 28 July 2025, submit via email to the parties listed below.

Direct questions no later than 14 July 2025, via email to the parties listed below.

Yvonne Howard Grants Specialist USACE, Fort Worth District Email: yvonne.howard@usace.army.mil Office: (817) 751-9737

AND

Emily Woodruff Project Manager USACE, Fort Worth District Email: emily.t.woodruff@usace.army.mil Office: (918) 803-2356

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 to determine the which statements have the highest rated technical merit, highest capability to successfully meet the program objectives as outlined in the Statement of Objectives, and closest alignment between the proposed research and the USACE mission.

Overall Evaluation Ratings.

Good/Excellent: The SOI demonstrates a thorough understanding of the project’s goals and objectives, and has demonstrated the ability, qualifications, resources to exceed performance and capability standards and includes at least one strength. Strength is an aspect of a proposal that, when judged against the overall evaluation criterion, enhances the merit of the proposal or increases the probability of successful performance of the Assistance Award.

Acceptable: The SOI demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the project’s goals and objectives, and has demonstrated the ability, qualifications, and resources to meet performance and capability standards. The SOI meets the overall evaluation criterion.

Unacceptable: The SOI does not demonstrate an understanding of the project’s goals and objectives, and has not demonstrated the ability, qualifications, and resources that meet the performance and capability standards. The SOI includes at least one weakness. Weakness is an aspect that increases the risk of unsuccessful performance.

Respondent’s SOI receiving the highest ratings, Good/Excellent being the highest, and Acceptable the lowest, will be requested to submit a full proposal for further evaluation.

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

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD, THE RECIPIENT AND ANY PROPOSED

SUBRECIPIENTS AND CONTRACT VENDORS MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE NIST

SP 800-171 DOD ASSESSEMENT (PERFORMED WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS).

Additional details are provided as a separate attachment to this document.

Thank you for your interest in our Cooperative Agreements Program.

CHERYL R. VENDEMIA

Grants Officer

Attachment: Statement of Objectives

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Monitoring of Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Reproduction in the Everglades, Florida For US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Article III, (D) of the following Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (CESU): Gulf Coast, Piedmont–South Atlantic Coast, and

South Florida-Caribbean

1.0 PURPOSE

The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is the only stork breeding in the United States and is federally-listed as threatened. Wood storks have special relevance for the restoration of the south Florida ecosystem. Historically, south Florida was the core reproductive habitat for the species. However, since the 1930s, the breeding population has been in decline. In addition, wood storks have shown marked shifts in the location and timing of nesting. These dramatic changes in the characteristics of birds nesting in south Florida is likely related to both the loss of wetlands and to the altered distribution and timing of surface water in the Everglades. Therefore, the restoration of south Florida wetlands is important to the reestablishment of breeding wood storks to the area.

In addition to the importance of wetland restoration to wood stork populations, improvements in wood stork reproduction may signal the successful restoration of key hydrological and biological functions of the south Florida ecosystem. By virtue of their unique grope-foraging technique, wood storks require very dense sources of prey in order to cue nesting and to nest successfully. Wood storks also appear to rely on some degree of surface water recession in order to concentrate prey.

Successful foraging depends on the right mix of water depth and water level recession. The regular, successful reproduction of storks may indicate that the combination of several hydrological and biological functions in the Everglades has been correctly restored.

This agreement represents an opportunity to enter into a cooperative agreement for monitoring wood stork reproduction in the Everglades in response to hydrologic changes associated with the current water control plan (e.g. 2020 Combined Operational Plan (COP) Water Control Plan) that guides operations in south Florida.

2.0 AUTHORITY

In agreement with the above stated purpose, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-Jacksonville District objectives pursuant to the authority 10 U.S.C. § - Research and Development.

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 1-4 and Article VI 1-7.

The USACE will participate in the design and scoping of the study to include site selection variables for the study, proposed methods for data collection and analysis, and products. The USACE will participate in field site visits as appropriate. The USACE will be available as necessary for collaborative discussions on corrective actions and go/no-go decision points to meet study objectives. The USACE will provide technical review of data and reports for presentations and publications that disseminate the results of the anticipated work. The USACE will assist in the dissemination of study results through public forums and public-facing mechanisms.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research is to continue field data collection of wood stork and reproductive responses in the Everglades.

Specific project objectives include the following:

Objective 1: Collection of field data required to evaluate wood stork reproductive responses in the Everglades using standardized techniques with modifications to allow more accurate assessment as appropriate.

Objective 2: Collection of additional field data to evaluate the response of other wading bird species to hydrologic modifications using similar protocols - as the opportunity presents itself.

Objective 3: Evaluate collected data to determine impacts of hydrologic changes on wood stork reproductive success. Provide recommendations for ecosystem alternations that would favor preservation and protection of existing wood stork populations.

PROJECT TASKS

3.1 Task 1 – Kick-Off Meeting:

The PI shall conduct a kick-off meeting with the USACE within fifteen

(15) business days of contract execution. This meeting shall be an informal discussion between the PI and the USACE. At this meeting the PI shall introduce the project team and define the project chain of command. The USACE will communicate to the PI any methodological requirements to be used when sampling and reporting tasks as outlined. The kick-off meeting shall provide the opportunity for the PI and USACE to coordinate on the project’s tasks and deliverables outlined below.

Within fifteen (15) business days following the kick-off meeting, the PI shall submit an electronic summary (draft work plan) of the meeting. The USACE will respond with comments to the PI within fifteen (15) business days after the receipt by the USACE of the draft work plan. The PI shall address comments and submit a final work plan. Upon its approval in writing by the USACE, the final work plan shall become the working document for this work order. The PI shall proceed with the performance of the work order in accordance with the approved final work plan and the requirements of this cooperative agreement. In the event of any conflict between this cooperative agreement and the final work plan, the final work plan shall take precedence. The final work plan will be updated as necessary at the beginning of each new Option Year.

The PI shall also begin preparations to execute field sampling within fifteen (15) business days of work order execution. This includes acquiring and assembling any specialty equipment needed and working with the USACE to become familiar with sampling protocols provided to the PI by the USACE.

3.2 Task 2 – Wood Stork Surveys:

The PI will perform systematic surveys to document nesting by wood storks in Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA 3) within the Everglades in order to meet the project purpose and objectives described in Section 1 and 3 above. The PI will perform aerial and/or ground surveys from January to June of each year of the cooperative agreement to document the presence of nesting colonies and to determine nesting success (probability of any nest producing one or more young). The systematic surveys shall provide complete coverage of the region via a set of standardized transects.

3.3 Task 3 – Data Analyses:

The PI will evaluate data collected during the reporting period for the purpose of completion of the reports described below in Section 10.4 and Section 10.5.

3.4 Task 4 – Project Team Support

A yearly meeting may be scheduled with the USACE as needed following completion of the final annual report and final report described below in Section 10.4 and 10.5 to discuss work accomplished. The PI will provide a presentation to the USACE as necessary. This presentation may include a Microsoft (MS) PowerPoint presentation that summarizes all work that has been done including data analysis and interpretations that highlight the relationship between hydrologic changes and wood stork reproduction. The presentation may also include a list of recommendations for further data analysis and/or collection.

4.0 CONSIDERATION

The PI is not required to perform services on federal holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day Washington’s Birthday Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day

5.0 QUALIFICATIONS

Biographical sketches are required for each of the personnel supporting this project.

The NFE will coordinate with USACE before any key personnel changes or hiring.

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS OR PROPERTY

6.1 Physical Data: Data sets and information associated with this project are the property of USACE and the DOD. No release of information or data is allowed without a written approval from USACE.

6.2 Equipment, Supplies, and Materials:

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.

7.0 BASE PERIOD AND OPTIONS

Base period will be 12 months from date of award. Four (4), 12-month option periods are anticipated subject to availability of funds.

8.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

8.1 Base Period will be for a 12-month period from the date of award.

8.2 Follow-On Period 1 will be for a 12-month period from the date of award and shall be exercised prior to the expiration of the Base Period.

8.3 Follow-On Period 2 will be for a 12-month period from the date of award and shall be exercised prior to the expiration of Follow-On Period 1.

8.4 Follow-On Period 3 will be for a 12-month period from the date of award and shall be exercised prior to the expiration of Follow-On Period 2.

8.5 Follow-On Period 4 will be for a 12-month period from the date of award and shall be exercised prior to the expiration of Follow-On Period 3.

9.0 COORDINATION

Javier Cortez Contracting Officer Representative Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 Javier.Cortes@usace.army.mil

Jonathan Jenkins Project Manager Planning and Policy Division Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 jonathan.l.jenkins@usace.army.mil

Melissa Nasuti Biologist Planning and Policy Division Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 melissa.a.nasuti@usace.army.mil

Emily Woodruff Project Manager Fort Worth District (RPEC, CESU) US Army Corps of Engineers 819 Taylor St.

Fort Worth, TX 76102 emily.t.woodruff@usace.army.mil

10.0 DELIVERABLES

At a minimum these deliverables should include:

10.1 Weekly/Bi-Weekly Email Updates: During the wood stork nesting season, briefly include any relevant updates on wood storks in the state and/or

WCA 3.

10.1.1 Deliverable 1: Email updates should include at minimum, the number of active colonies, the location of the colonies currently being monitored, and an estimate of the number of nests with general status (i.e., eggs, chicks, fledglings, abandoned etc.).

10.2 Work Plans

10.2.1 Deliverable 2: One (1) electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of a draft work plan shall be submitted within fifteen (15) business days following the kick-off meeting described in Section 3.1.

10.2.2 Deliverable 3: One (1) electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of the final work plan shall be submitted within forty-five (45) business days following the kick-off meeting described in Section 3.1.

10.3 Quarterly Status Reports (QSR): QSRs will be delivered every 90 calendar days of the base period and every subsequent performance period of the cooperative agreement. These QSRs will summarize progress made on data acquisition and analysis, update budget status, and point out any problems that may have arisen during the previous three months, suggesting how the cooperative agreement might be modified to address the problems. The last QSR of the base period and every subsequent performance period of the cooperative agreement may be incorporated into the reports described in Section 10.4 and 10.5 below.

10.3.1 Deliverable 4: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of the QSR.

10.4 Annual Reports: Annual reports will be submitted at the completion of the base period and every subsequent performance period of the cooperative agreement. These annual reports will contain at minimum, an introduction section, a description of the methods used, an evaluation of the data collected during the reporting period, and a conclusion section. Each annual report should provide updated information and results on each of the project objectives above to include metrics that evaluate the relationship between hydrologic changes and wood stork reproduction. A draft annual report will be reviewed by the USACE within fifteen (15) business days upon submission. Comments will be provided for the PI to address in the final annual report. A data file (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet or CSV file) of all quality assured raw data will accompany the final annual report.

10.4.1 Deliverable 5: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of a draft annual report will be submitted each year.

10.4.2 Deliverable 6: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of a final annual report will be submitted each year.

10.4.3 Deliverable 7: Electronic copy of all data collected, and quality assured submitted as a Microsoft Excel or CSV file.

10.5 Final Reports: A final report will be submitted prior to completion of the cooperative agreement. The final report will be a substitute for the draft and final annual reports described in Section 10.4. The final report will contain at minimum an introduction section, a description of the methods used, an evaluation of the data collected during each year of the cooperative agreement, and a conclusion section. The final report should provide updated information and results, and summarize findings, for each of the project objectives above to include metrics that evaluate the relationship between hydrologic changes and wood stork reproduction.

The purpose of the final report will be to provide a summary of all years of work conducted under the cooperative agreement. A draft final report will be reviewed by the USACE within fifteen (15) business days upon submission. Comments will be provided for the PI to address in the final report. A data file (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet or CSV file) of all quality assured raw data will accompany the final report.

10.5.1 Deliverable 8: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of a draft final report will be submitted prior to completion of the cooperative agreement.

10.5.2 Deliverable 9: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format) of a final annual report will be submitted prior to completion of the cooperative agreement.

10.5.3 Deliverable 10: Electronic copy of all data collected, and quality assured submitted as a Microsoft Excel or CSV file.

11.0 POST AWARD AND INVOICE PROCESS

11.1 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.

11.1.1 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

11.1.2 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.

11.1.3 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.

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

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

12.0 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 Indirect Cost Rate (17.5%).

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.

[End of SOO]