B01-RSOI_W9126G252SOI4749_package.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

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

P.O. BOX 17300

FORT WORTH, TX 76102-0300

09 July 2025

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

W9126G-25-2-SOl-47 49

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: Demographic, Movement, and Habitat Studies of the Endangered Snail Kite in Response to Operational Plans 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 Joint and Cooperative Agreement (also known as the 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 USAGE (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 USAGE (DoD) missions.

Approximately $448,050 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 (Pl), to include specific experience and capabilities in areas related to this project's requirements, meeting the qualifications of a master's degree or higher and shall have published scientific research and/or have experience with Sough Florida ecosystems, AND experience with Wood Stork and other wading bird monitoring, reproductions, and productivity analyses.

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 08 August 2025 via email to the parties listed below.

• Direct questions no later than 24 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

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 SOis 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: RSOls 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.

Attachment: Statement of Objectives

Digitally signed by

VEN DEM IA. CH ER VENDEMIA.CHERYL.R.136207

YL. R.1362077997 6~~;, 202s.or.03 oe:45:54 -04'00'

CHERYL R. VENDEMIA

Grants Officer

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Demographic, Movement, and Habitat Studies of the

Endangered Snail Kite in Response to Operational Plans in the Everglades, Florida

For US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Article Ill, (D) of the following Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (CESU): Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South

Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean

1.0 PURPOSE

The Everglade snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is an endangered raptor whose distribution in the United States is restricted to the South Florida Ecosystem including watersheds of the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee River, and Upper St. Johns River. Because snail kites feed almost exclusively on aquatic apple snails, their reproduction, survival and recruitment depend directly on the hydrologic functioning of the wetland systems within this region. Management induced hydrologic alterations in these wetland habitats could potentially have a substantial effect on snail availability and thus the snail kite population. Over half of the wetlands within central and southern Florida have been lost during the past century, and those that remain have been highly fragmented and severely degraded. The high level of fragmentation and loss of connectivity of the kite habitat and its potential negative effect on dispersal abilities raise new concerns regarding the resilience of the snail kite population to disturbance events, including changes in water management that may influence the snail kite's prey base.

Degradation of the wetland habitats in central and southern Florida have prompted planning for large-scale restoration efforts. Improvements in snail kite reproduction may signal the successful restoration of key hydrological and biological functions of the south Florida ecosystem. The regular, successful reproduction of Everglade snail kites 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 Everglade snail kite 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 for the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs ), Everglades National Park (ENP), and South Dade Conveyance System (SOCS) as well as the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) that guides operations in Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.

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 authority10 U.S.C. § 4001 - 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 footprinUstudy 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 USAGE 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 USAGE will participate in field site visits as appropriate. The USAGE will be available as necessary for collaborative discussions on corrective actions and go/no-go decision points to meet study objectives. The USAGE will provide technical review of data and reports for presentations and publications that disseminate the results of the anticipated work. The USAGE 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 Everglade snail kite and reproductive responses in the Everglades. Specific project objectives include the following:

Objective 1: Estimation of survival and assessment of the effect of hydrology on Everglade snail kite survival.

Objective 2: Estimation of reproductive parameters and assessment of the effect of hydrology on reproduction of Everglade snail kites.

Objective 3: Estimation of population size and population growth rate of Everglade snail kites.

Objective 4: Identification of causes of decline and stalled recovery of Everglade snail kites.

Objective 5: Estimation of stochastic population growth rate for the Everglade snail kite.

Objective 6: Estimation of probability of quasi-extinction for the Everglade snail kite

Objective 7: Estimation of movement rates and landscape connectivity and assessment of the effect of hydrology on movement of the Everglade snail kite.

Objective 8: Evaluation of alternative management scenarios of snail kite viability.

PROJECT TASKS

3.1 Task 1 - Kick-Off Meeting:

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

■ Within fifteen (15) business days following the kick-off meeting, the Pl shall submit an electronic summary (draft work plan) of the meeting. The USAGE will respond with comments to the Pl within fifteen (15) business days after the receipt by the USAGE of the draft work plan. The Pl shall address comments and submit a final work plan.

Upon its approval in writing by the USAGE, the final work plan shall become the working document for this work order. The Pl 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 Pl 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 USAGE to become familiar with sampling protocols provided to the Pl by the USAGE.

3.2 Task 2 - Everglade Snail Kite Surveys:

■ The Pl will perform systematic surveys to document nesting by Everglade snail kites in WCA 3 and Lake Okeechobee within the Everglades in order to meet the project purpose and objectives described in Section 1 and 3 above. The Pl will perform ground surveys at minimum from March 1st to June 30th of each year during the peak of the nesting season during the cooperative agreement to document the presence of nesting and to determine success (probability of any nest producing one or more young). Banding of Everglade snail kites should occur for the purpose of gaining capture-mark-resight data to estimate survival, movement, and detection of birds within and between breeding seasons. The systematic surveys shall provide complete coverage of the region.

3.3 Task 3 - Data Analyses:

■ The Pl 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 USAGE 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 Pl will provide a presentation to the USAGE 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 Everglade snail kite reproduction. The presentation may also include a list of recommendations for further data analysis and/or collection.

4.0 CONSIDERATION

Services are not required on federally observed holidays:

New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Washington's Birthday Memorial Day Independence Day

5.0 QUALIFICATIONS

Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Biographical sketches are required for each of the personnel supporting this project. The NFE will coordinate with USAGE 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 USAGE and the DOD. No release of information or data is allowed without a written approval from

USAGE.

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 FOLLOW-ON PERIODS

Base period will be 12 months from date of award. Four (4), 12-month follow-on 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 Each Follow-On Period (1-4) will be for a 12-month period from the date of award and shall be exercised prior to the expiration of the prior performance period.

9.0 COORDINATION

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

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 Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

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

Michael Bumgarner Project Manager Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 michael.w.bumgarner@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

10.0 DELIVERABLES

At a minimum these deliverables should include:

10.1 Weekly/Bi-Weekly Email Updates: During the Everglade snail kite nesting season, briefly include any relevant updates on snail kites in the region.

10.1.1 Deliverable 1: Email updates should include at minimum, the number of observed Everglades snail kite nests, the location of the colonies currently being monitored, and an estimate of the general status of the nests (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 Everglade snail kite reproduction. A draft annual report will be reviewed by the USAGE within fifteen (15) business days upon submission. Comments will be provided for the Pl 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 Everglade snail kite 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 USAGE within fifteen (15) business days upon submission. Comments will be provided for the Pl 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 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.

12.0 POST AWARD & INVOICE PROCESSES

12.1. Payment Requests and Progress Reports (Invoice Package) - 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 point of contacts (POCs) for the additional required documents and for delinquent accounts.

12.1.1. Frequency: Quarterly plus 30-day grace period ( except for the final invoice package noted below). If the coverage dates are not quarterly or preapproved by the PM (or the first/last submittal), the invoice package will be rejected.

Quarters Q1: Oct-Dec Q2: Jan-Mar Q3: Apr-Jun Q4: Jul-Sep

Invoice pkgs due No Later Than (NL T):

Q1: 31 Jan Q2: 30 Apr Q3: 30 Jul Q4: 31 Oct

12.1.2. Payment Requests must be submitted on form SF270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement with the accompanying Standard Form-Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR), otherwise the SF270 will be rejected.

12.1.3. SF270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement

12.1.3.1 Block 9, Recipient Organization. For successful set up of Electronic Transfer of Funds (EFT), the Recipient's name and address shall reflect the exact name and physical address that appears in the System for Award Management (SAM), https://sam.gov/.

12.1.3.2. Blocks 11, (a), (b), & (c) are for the description of funds. Preferred description is: CUN/POP Type, POP start and end dates, amount awarded (see example below); at minimum include the CUN. If the description or the minimum CUN information is missing, the SF270 and SF-PPR will be rejected.

Example:

CLIN 0001 I Base

22SEP23 - 21SEP24

$100,000.00

Funding must be separated as specified on the Award document. Sub-CUNs that specify "for funding only" (e.g., numbered 000101, 000102, etc.) may be rolled into the primary CUN (e.g., 0001) unless otherwise instructed. All others required PM approval.

The SF270 may have multiple pages. An SF270 in Excel format may be requested at: swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil , however, must be submitted in pdf format otherwise will be rejected.

12.1.4. SF-PPR Standard Form-Performance Progress Report: The Recipient shall tailor the SF-PPR to include, at minimum, the following information:

• Separate details by CUN as applicable

• Achievements (must detail work during quarter associated with the invoice)

• 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, the SF-PPR and SF270 will be rejected.

A tailored SF-PPR form may be requested at: swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil.

12.2. The Final invoice package is due no later than 90 days from final (funded/exercised) POP end date and must include the following documents: If any of the required information below is missing, the final invoice package will be rejected.

Final SF270

SF-PPR

Final SF425 D0882 SF428 plus attachment B (C&S if applicable)

SF298

Final Report

Forms may be requested from the district office at swf-cesu-invoice@usace.army.mil or found at: https://www.grants.gov/forms.

[End of SOO]