B01-RSOI W9126G26SOI9343_RD.pdf

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Tree Island Wildlife Habitat Assessment for Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park, Florida

For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District March 2026

1.0 PURPOSE

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) as a framework for modifications and operational changes to the Central and Southern Florida Project needed to restore the South Florida ecosystem. Provisions within WRDA 2000 provide for specific authorization for an adaptive assessment and monitoring program. A Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP) (RECOVER 2004, 2006, 2009) was developed as the primary tool to assess the systemwide performance of the CERP by Restoration, Coordination and Verification (RECOVER). The MAP presents the monitoring and supporting research needed to measure responses of the South Florida ecosystem to CERP implementation.

The tree island‐ridge‐slough patterned landscape is among the most charismatic features of the Everglades landscape. Tree islands occur within the freshwater marshes in areas of slightly higher elevation relative to the surrounding marsh, creating a unique environment of dense vegetation that provides a rare refugium within the vast “River of Grass.” These islands typically form over limestone bedrock or accumulated peat, where subtle changes in elevation allow hardwood trees, shrubs, and tropical plants to take root beyond the reach of prolonged flooding. Often teardrop-shaped and aligned with the historic flow of water, they are home to low-water level tolerant species such as mahogany, gumbo limbo, and live oak, along with high water tolerant species such as cocoplum, pond apple, and wax myrtle; as well as wildlife ranging from wading birds to alligators seeking shelter. Many tree islands also have deep cultural significance: some originated as ancient Native American occupation sites where communities such as the built shell or earth mounds that gradually accumulated soil and organic matter, creating elevated ground that have persisted for centuries. Today, these natural and man-made archaeological layers preserve evidence of long-term human habitation and resource use, underscoring the intertwined natural and cultural history of this unique subtropical landscape.

Tree island vegetation monitoring is one component of the RECOVER MAP. Tree island vegetation monitoring focuses on the structure, composition, hydrology and health of hardwood hammocks and other elevated patches within the marsh, tracking indicators such as canopy cover, species diversity, invasive plant presence, and their response to hydrologic influences. These data help scientists understand how water management, sea-level rise, and restoration efforts affect plant communities over time. In contrast to vegetation monitoring, wildlife monitoring targets animal populations—such as wading birds, alligators, and endangered species—assessing abundance, nesting success, movement patterns, and habitat use. While vegetation monitoring provides insight into habitat condition and long-term landscape change, wildlife monitoring reflects how those habitat conditions translate into ecological function and biodiversity outcomes.

Together, they offer a more complete picture of ecosystem health and response to restoration in the Everglades.

2.0 AUTHORITY

2.1 In agreement with the above stated purpose, the Recipient agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-Jacksonville District objectives pursuant to the authority 10 U.S.C. 4001 (formerly 2358):Research and Development Projects.

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 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.

2.4 The USACE will participate in study site selections, design, and project plan development. USACE will participate in field data collection efforts as appropriate, will review quarterly status reports, and will provide input to data interpretation for final reports, as well as review quarterly, annual, and final reports. USACE will incorporate the data and analysis into a system-wide database that assesses and evaluates ecosystem restoration efforts in central and southern Florida. Scientific and technical information generated from the cooperative agreement will be utilized to evaluate project/restoration performance and system responses to be used in the development of assessment reports describing and interpreting those responses.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to characterize the direct and indirect relationships between hydrology, vegetation structure, and wildlife communities on Everglades tree islands within Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park (13.0 FIGURE 1). The minimum number of tree islands to be characterized and surveyed is thirty (30). All surveyed tree islands selected for this Cooperative Agreement must be Everglades tree islands within RECOVER’s MAP, represent a range of vegetative communities (e.g. hardwood hammocks, bayhead forests, and bayhead swamps), and be subjected to a range of hydrological conditions. The entire island (i.e., head, near tail, far tail, transitional zone) will be surveyed to understand these relationships across the island’s vegetive communities and hydrologic zones.

Specifically, the objectives of this support include:

1. Identify and characterize wildlife usage on an array of Everglades tree islands within Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park.

2. Generate wildlife species richness indices for an array of Everglades tree islands within Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park.

3. Characterize the structure and species composition of the vegetation on each surveyed island within Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park.

4. Integrate hydrological and vegetation drivers of tree island wildlife communities into a Tree Island Wildlife Habitat Index that can be incorporated into the online public USGS platform Etree (https://sofia.usgs.gov/eden/etree).

3.1 PROJECT TASKS

3.1.1 Task 1 – Project Initiation Meeting, Annual Project Plans, and

Permits :

The Recipient and USACE will jointly conduct a Project Initiation Meeting (virtually or in person) within fifteen (15) business days of cooperative agreement (CA) award and any subsequent Follow-on Period (FOP) awards. The Recipient and USACE will coordinate the project tasks as outlined. The Recipient will provide an overview of the project, introduce the project team, and define the project chain of command. The USACE will communicate to the Recipient any methodological requirements to be used when executing and reporting tasks as outlined. These methodologies are briefly described in this CA in the activities above. The MAP Assessment Strategy (RECOVER 2006) provides guidance in assessment methodologies.

Within fifteen (15) business days following the Project Initiation Meeting, the Recipient will provide Project Initiation Meeting minutes and an electronic copy of the Draft Project Plan. The Recipient and the RECOVER Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) will collaboratively develop a Final Project Plan within (30) business days. The Final Project Plan will be updated, as necessary, at the beginning of each new FOP.

The Recipient will also begin preparations to execute field sampling within fifteen (15) business days of CA execution. This includes acquiring and assembling any specialty equipment needed and working with USACE RECOVER staff to become familiar with sampling protocols and equipment.

Submittal of a CA for a project that will take place on Department of Interior (DOI) and State of Florida lands is acknowledgement that the Recipient has reviewed and understands the permit requirements for all applicable federal and state agencies and tribal lands, including the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the State of Florida, and federally recognized Tribes. Any required permits obtained in support of the project shall be delivered to the USACE RECOVER TPOC before work can begin. The USACE RECOVER TPOC will act as liaison between Tribes and Recipient to ensure prior notification is provided to Tribe.

A permit is required to conduct work within Everglades National Park.

A Float Plan is required to conduct work within Water Conservation Area 3.

3.1.2 Task 2 – Wildlife Surveys :

Wildlife Utilization The Recipient will conduct a combination of passive (e.g. acoustic surveys, camera traps) and active (e.g. in-person wildlife surveys, visual observations) monitoring techniques to record wildlife usage and visitation to a suite of Everglades tree islands with diverse physical and environmental characteristics within Water Conservation Area 3 and Everglades National Park. The initiation and conclusion of surveys will be coordinated with the TPOC to ensure that all activity is recorded. The locations of Everglades tree islands surveyed must be communicated and coordinated with the USACE TPOC. The number of samples collected must be sufficient to make statistically robust inferences. Task 2 is linked to Objective 1 and Objective 2. The Recipient will coordinate with the USACE RECOVER TPOC on the richness indices and metrics to be employed (e.g., Species Richness, Margalef’s Index, Menhinick’s Index, Shannon-Weiner, Simpson’s Index, Simpson’s Index of

Diversity, Rarefaction/Rarefied Richness, Wildlife Picture Index, etc.) to characterize wildlife usage and generate wildlife species richness indices.

3.1.3 Task 3 – Data Analyses and Tree Island Wildlife Habitat Index :

The Recipient will summarize, analyze, synthesize, and report relationships between tree island canopy structure and wildlife community composition under various hydrological conditions and produce a Tree Island Wildlife Habitat Index. The Recipient will and the RECOVER Tree Island Team will collaborate to develop the Tree Island Wildlife Habitat Index.

3.1.4 Task 4 –Tree Island System Status Report Assessment :

The Recipient should plan up to ten (10) days to assist the RECOVER Tree Island/Regional Team Coordinator(s) in the development of the System Status Report (SSR) as applicable.

Most information provided will be drawn from the Annual Reports submitted for Task 2 and Task 3. The Recipient will contribute to the RECOVER System Status Report with an assessment of Everglades tree islands in the context of CERP implementation and other factors that influence wading bird restoration metrics. The RECOVER System Status Report will provide an assessment of whether the goals and purposes of CERP are being achieved by comparing monitoring results to established interim goals (incremental restoration benchmarks established for the ecological indicator), when applicable. The USACE RECOVER TPOC will provide clear and concise recommendations to guide development of the SSR.

3.1.5 Task 5 – Participation in RECOVER Regional Team Support :

The Recipient is required to participate in up to six (6) 2-hour virtual RECOVER meetings and up to four (4) 6-hour in-person workshops each year to provide updates on or engage in discussions regarding the project or project-related RECOVER efforts. Prior workshops have taken place in West Palm Beach, Davie, and Homestead, Florida.

The Recipient will attend, and participate in, up to eight (8) RECOVER Tree Island/Regional Team meetings during the course of each Period of Performance. Meetings can be virtual.

The Recipient will present a summary of completed support to a RECOVER Tree Island/Regional Team or other science meeting when scheduled by the RECOVER TPOC after the conclusion of each field monitoring season. This presentation should include an MS PowerPoint presentation that summarizes all support that has been provided, including data analysis and interpretations that highlight all spatial and statistical relationships found. The Recipient will also list recommendations for further data analysis and/or collection. The Recipient will provide the USACE an electronic copy via email of the MS PowerPoint presentation made at the scheduled Regional Team meeting. If electronic files are too large to submit via email, the Recipient may choose to transfer such files through an FTP site or to provide them on a compact disc.

4.0 CONSIDERATION

Services are not required to be performed on the following Federally observed 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 Juneteenth National Independence Day Christmas Day Independence 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.

Successful applicant should hold a PhD in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other relevant related field of study and should have direct experience monitoring wildlife in the Everglades. Applicants should have expert knowledge of Everglades’ ecology, and those with a working knowledge of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan will be treated preferentially.

Submittal of a cooperative agreement (CA) for a project that will take place on Department of Interior (DOI) lands is acknowledgement that the Recipient has reviewed and understands the permit requirements for all applicable federal and state agencies and tribal lands, including, the National Park Service (NPS), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the State of Florida, and federally recognized Tribes.

6.0 FOLLOW-ON PERIODS

6.1 In addition to the 12-month Base Year, two (2) 12-month Follow-on

Periods (FOP) are anticipated subject to availability of funds.

7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

7.1 The period of performance will be for a period of 12 months that will begin from date of award.

8.0 COORDINATION

Niki Baker Project Manager Regional Planning and Environmental Center Fort Worth District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nicole.D.Baker@usace.army.mil

Michael Collis RECOVER Project Manager Planning and Policy Division Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 Michael.J.Collis@usace.army.mil

Gina Paduano Ralph, Ph.D.

Biologist – RECOVER Technical Point of Contact Planning and Policy Division Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 Gina.P.Ralph@usace.army.mil

9.0 DELIVERABLES

Detailed descriptions of any required deliverables required (reports, plans, etc.)

and formats. Provide delivery schedules. At a minimum these deliverables should include:

9.1 Permits

9.1.1 Any and all permits associated with or required to support the Tasks will be submitted to the USACE RECOVER TPOC.

9.2 Four (4) Quarterly Status Reports (QSR) or Progress Reports (PR) will be submitted for every three-month period, or quarter, following the award of the CA and any subsequent Follow-on Periods. These QSRs will summarize progress made on all executed Tasks, provide an update on the budget status of each Task, point out any problems or challenges that may have arisen during the previous three months.

9.2.1 Deliverable 1.1: Electronic copy (email attachment in Microsoft

[MS] Word format) of the QSR every quarter from award of CA and subsequent Follow-on Periods.

9.3 Annual Reports (AR) will be submitted twelve months after the award of the CA and any subsequent Follow-on Periods. Each AR will summarize activities and results from all executed Tasks, including any and all executed Optional Tasks, within each Period as well as analyses of spatial and temporal trends in the parameters of interest. The ARs will summarize results to date, provide the information needed to develop the next System Status Report (SSR), and include an assessment and/or analysis of the data as it relates to CERP hypotheses from the MAP. ARs will be comprised of an introduction placing monitoring into the context of CERP and Everglades restoration, summaries of all executed Tasks within the existing Base or Follow-on Periods, results of any analyses and assessments conducted, discussion of results, and conclusions presented within the context of CERP and Everglades restoration. The Draft Annual Report will be reviewed by the USACE RECOVER Technical POC and RECOVER Greater Everglades Regional Coordinators within fifteen (15) days upon submission. Comments will be provided for the Recipient to address in the Final Annual Report. A data file (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet or CSV file) of all quality assured data will accompany each Annual Report.

9.3.1 Deliverable 2.1: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of a Draft Annual Report will be submitted in September of each year.

9.3.2 Deliverable 2.2: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of a Final Annual Report will be submitted in September of each year.

9.3.3 Deliverable 2.3: Electronic copy of all data collected and quality assured submitted as a Microsoft Excel or CSV file.

9.4 Annual Inventory – Federally owned property – if applicable, an annual inventory listing Federal property (to include description of the property and a serial number or other identification number) that is in the custody of the recipient; Copies to be sent to USACE Fort Worth PM and the USACE customer POC.

9.5 Annual Inventory – Acquired Property purchased with funding from award

- property records must be maintained that includes description of the property, serial number or other identification number, source of funding, who holds title, acquisition date, cost of property, percentage of Federal participation in project costs, location, use and condition of property, and ultimate disposition including date of disposal and sale price. A physical inventory must be taken, and results reconciled every two years.

Electronic copies of the inventory must be sent annually to USACE Forth Worth PM and the USACE customer POC.

9.6 Draft Final Project Report – Electronic copy of a draft final report should be submitted no later than one month before end of the project. At a minimum, the report will summarize activities and results from all executed Tasks, including any and all executed Optional Tasks, within each Period as well as analyses of spatial and temporal trends in the parameters of interest.

The report will summarize results to date, provide the information needed to develop the next System Status Report (SSR), and include an assessment and/or analysis of the data as it relates to CERP hypotheses from the MAP. The report will be comprised of an introduction placing monitoring into the context of CERP and Everglades restoration, summaries of all executed Tasks within the existing Base or Follow-on Periods, results of any analyses and assessments conducted, discussion of results, and conclusions presented within the context of CERP and Everglades restoration. USACE customer POC staff will review and provide comments, if any, within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt.

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

USACE customer POC review comments on the draft, if any, shall be submitted no later than fifteen (15) 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. All data gathered for project Tasks shall be submitted with the Final Project Report as a Microsoft Excel or Comma Separated Value (CSV) file.

10.0 REQUIREMENTS

10.1 The Recipient is responsible for all scientific and technical reporting to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) repository required by 2 CFR 1134.140(b)(3).

11.0 POST AWARD AND INVOICE PROCESS

11.1 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.

11.2 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: Invoice pkgs due No Later Than Q1: Oct-Dec Q1: 31 Jan Q2: Jan-Mar Q2: 30 Apr Q3: Apr-Jun Q3: 30 Jul Q4: Jul-Sep Q4: 31 Oct

11.3 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.

11.4 SF270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement

11.4.1 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/.

11.4.2 Blocks 11, (a), (b), & (c) are for the description of funds.

Preferred description is: CLIN/POP Type, POP start and end dates, amount awarded (see example below); at minimum include the CLIN. If the description or the minimum CLIN information is missing, the SF270 and SF-PPR will be rejected.

Example:

CLIN 0001 / Base

22SEP23 – 21SEP24

$100,000.00

Funding must be separated as specified on the Award document. Sub-CLINs that specify “for funding only” (e.g., numbered 000101, 000102, etc.) may be rolled into the primary CLIN (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.

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

Separate details by CLIN 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

11.6 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

DD882

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.

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 shall comply with 2 CFR 200.313 “Equipment”, 200.314 “Supplies”, and 200.315 “Intangible Property” which includes use of research data.

13.0 FIGURE 1: General Project Area

14.0 REFERENCES

Monitoring and Assessment Plan (Part 2), Assessment Strategy for the Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP), December 2006.

END OF STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES