RSOI W9126G262SOI0520.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

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

P.O. BOX 17300

FORT WORTH, TX 76102-0300

REV 18 Jun 2025

4 September 2026

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

W9126G262SOI0520

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

Project Title: Groundwater and Surficial Water Salinity Changes in Everglades National Park using Aerial Electromagnetic Surveys

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 indirect rate is 17.5%. For any Cooperative Agreement entered into in response to this RSOI, a maximum 17.5% indirect cost rate will be paid on work covered by such agreement or any modifications thereto. Unless the agreement specifies otherwise, the basis of direct costs against which the agreement’s indirect cost rate is applied must be either the same base identified in the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, if the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base.

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest 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 $300,000 is expected to be available to support the mandatory tasks of 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. Four 12-month Follow-on Periods are anticipated based on availability of funding. AWARD IS ANTICIPATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2027.

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 holding a PhD in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other relevant related field of study, AND experience with large-scale airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey methods, groundwater AND expert knowledge and research experience of the Everglades ecosystem and groundwater-surface water salinity dynamics within the Everglades, those with a working knowledge of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan will be treated preferentially AND prior experience with using AEM to track groundwater and surface water resistivity.

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 Statement of Interest:

• Statements of Interest (SOI) are due by Noon Central Time, 06 October 2026 via email to the parties listed below.

• Direct questions no later than Noon Central Time, 14 September 2026 via email to the parties listed below.

Cheryl R. Vendemia Grants Specialist USACE Fort Worth District Email: Cheryl.R.Vendemia@usace.army.mil and

Nicole Baker Project Manager USACE Fort Worth District Email: Nicole.D.Baker@usace.army.mil

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: 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 http://www.grants.gov/

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Groundwater and Surficial Water Salinity Changes in Everglades National Park using Aerial Electromagnetic Surveys

For US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

September 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) has been developed as the primary tool to assess the systemwide performance of the CERP by the REstoration, Coordination, VERification (RECOVER) program. The MAP presents the monitoring and supporting research needed to measure responses of the South Florida ecosystem to CERP implementation. The proposed research for this Cooperative Agreement will collect new data to fulfill the long-term restoration efforts in the Florida Everglades and support regulations dictated by the CERP.

Throughout the current managed system, freshwater flow has been diverted away from Florida Bay and the mangrove estuaries of the Lower Southwest Coast of south Florida. The highly productive seagrass beds and fisheries of Florida Bay are now in decline as a result of dramatic fluctuations of freshwater input into estuarine and marine waters. The increase in the spatial extent of groundwater and surficial water salinity can have significant impacts on seagrass beds of Florida Bay, the transition of sawgrass into mangroves, and exacerbate the peat collapse of freshwater habitats along the entire southern coast of Florida, especially regions critical for Everglades restoration. The general goals of CERP restoration are to improve water distribution and increase water quantity to preserve and restore the ecological structure and function of south Florida’s coastal and marine ecosystems. This project will significantly reduce the uncertainties associated with predicted freshwater restoration of transition zone habitats in Everglades National Park. These uncertainties are associated with processes of peat collapse, saltwater intrusion, adaptive foundational resilience, and mangrove transgression. The data will have relevance at both the Project level and the Programmatic level for adaptive management and updates to modeling tools used to simulate conditions throughout the region.

Information gained from this project will be used to quantify the benefits of CERP.

The public will benefit from the knowledge gathered by the project because it will provide a source to track restoration progress and CERP benefits. The data generated from this monitoring will be leveraged in future RECOVER System Status Reports, which are published at 4-year intervals from 2024 and made publicly available. The RECOVER System Status Report is intended to inform interested parties of the progress made toward meeting CERP goals and objectives by providing information on the current status of key ecological indicators.

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 DoW 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 project is to understand the surface and groundwater connectivity in the Everglades National Park (ENP) to inform CERP implementation. Geophysical methods, such as Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Surveys provide a non-invasive and cost-effective means of estimating groundwater salinity profiles by measuring the electrical conductivity of aquifer systems. These AEM measurements can be modeled and compared to the AEM surveys that were last flown in 1994. Specifically, the objectives of this support include:

1. Characterize the rate and spatial extent of groundwater and surficial water movement of salinity across the southern Everglades over the last 30 years.

2. Estimate where the groundwater-saltwater interface will be in the next 30 years.

3. Understand surface and groundwater connectivity associated with Everglades restoration.

3.1 PROJECT TASKS

3.1.1 Task 1 – Project Initiation Meeting and Annual Project Plans (Mandatory):

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 following award execution. This includes acquiring and assembling any specialty equipment needed and working with USACE staff to become familiar with sampling protocols and equipment.

This task is mandatory for the Base Year and each Follow-on Period.

3.1.2 Task 2 – Data Collection and Processing (Mandatory):

Collect approximately 300-700 square miles of Airborne Electromagnetic coverage (Figure 1) and provide basic processing of the data and simple 1-D inversion products.

Data acquisition: Airborne Time Domain Electromagnetic (TEM) data capable of resolving bulk resistivity/conductivity in the specified coverage areas (Figure 2).

The system and data must meet the following minimum specifications:

a. Wide bandwidth and large frequency range capable of resolving a wide range of ground conductivities (1-1000 mS/m).

b. Fast waveform shutoff times capable of resolving meter-scale features in the upper 10m of the subsurface while also resolving features down to depths of investigations (DOI) of 50 m. Vendor shall provide sample data, cross-sections or images that demonstrate these capabilities.

c. Transmitter and receiver antenna, GPS, laser altimeter, and inclinometer instrumentation fixed to a rigid frame to minimize uncertainty during data processing and modeling.

d. System stability and repeatability to eliminate temporal drift and allow for seamless stitching of data

e. Built-in system calibration to eliminate the need for field calibration. Once in the field, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) verification flights will be flown at heights of 400m or higher.

AEM Data Processing:

a) Airborne sensor locations shall be determined using appropriate DGPS methods.

b) Raw TEM data shall be processed and corrected as needed.

c) Data shall be inverted to 1-D multilayer resistivity models using appropriate regularized inversion methods. Inversion results shall include a maximum DOI for each sounding.

3.1.3 Task 3 – Analyses and Reporting (Mandatory):

The Recipient will use contemporary modeling approaches to:

1) Characterize saltwater intrusion and potential effects on Southern Coastal

Systems indicators (e.g., peat collapse, seagrass habitat improvements, and mangrove transgression or regression) given changes in groundwater and surface water distributions associated with water management from historical data collected over the past 30 years.

2) Characterize saltwater intrusion and potential effects on Southern Coastal Systems indicators (e.g., peat collapse, seagrass habitat improvements, and mangrove transgression or regression) given changes in groundwater and surface water distributions associated with water management and CERP implementation over the next 30 years.

3) Document change detection of surface water and groundwater connectivity and interactions associated with water management and CERP distribution of flows to the southern Everglades.

The Final Report will document the AEM methodology, and the statistical approaches used to analyze AEM survey data. The Final Report will include all QA/QC measures and identify areas of uncertainty. All the data used and all the spatial comparisons will be transferred to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the USACE RECOVER TPOC in a format that is compatible with the SFWMD GIS protocols and the RECOVER archival process.

The Final Report will be a public, in depth, review of the results of this work. This will include a Microsoft (MS) PowerPoint presentation that summarizes all support that has been provided, including data analyses and interpretations that highlight all spatial and statistical relationships found. The Recipient will include recommendations for further data analyses and/or collections. The Recipient will provide the USACE RECOVER TPOC 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 a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site or to provide them on a compact disc.

3.1.4 Task 4 – Participation in RECOVER Regional Team Support (Mandatory):

The Recipient will participate in up to three (3) 2-hour virtual RECOVER meetings and up to one (1) 6-hour in-person meetings/workshops each year to provide updates on or engage in discussions regarding the sampling.

The Recipient will participate in up to four (4) RECOVER Southern Coastal Systems (SCS) team meetings (no more than 1.5 hours each meeting) to discuss topics related to monitoring, findings, and/or analyses as determined by the RECOVER SCS team. Presentations to the RECOVER SCS team may be requested by the USACE RECOVER TPOC or the Recipient. The Recipient will provide the USACE with an electronic copy via email of the MS PowerPoint presentation made at the scheduled RECOVER SCS team meeting.

The Recipient will be required to provide no more than two (2) site visits (field days) with the SCS Regional Coordinators during the 5-year agreement period.

3.1.5 Task 5 – Submittal to a Scientific Journal (Mandatory):

Publication of 1) the techniques used to estimate groundwater salinity changes as a function of climate and water management, and 2) implications for how coastal Florida natural resources will mitigate for sea level change will require peer-review.

The draft publication will be reviewed by the USACE RECOVER TPOC and members of RECOVER Southern Coastal Systems Regional Team.

This task is mandatory for the Base Year and each Follow-on Period.

3.1.6 Task 6 – Expansion of Spatial Scope of Surveys (Optional):

The spatial coverage of surveys conducted under Task 2 may be expanded with this Optional Task to include all three zones (A, B, and C) of interest (Figure 1).

The support of this task would be directed by the USACE RECOVER TPOC in collaboration with the Recipient. The results of any expansion in effort will be incorporated into the Annual Report.

This Optional Task may be exercised, based on the availability of funding, concurrently with, and in addition to, the work described in the Mandatory Tasks for the Follow on Periods 1 – 4.

3.1.7 Task 7 – Groundwater and Surface Water Salinity Assessment (Optional):

The Recipient will provide up to ten (10) days to work with the RECOVER SCS Regional Coordinator(s) to assist in the development of the System Status Report (SSR) as applicable. Most information provided will be drawn from the Annual Reports submitted for Task 4. The Recipient will contribute to the RECOVER System Status Report with an assessment of spatial salinity patterns in the context of CERP implementation in the Everglades. 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.

This Optional Task may be exercised, based on the availability of funding, concurrently with, and in addition to, the work described in the Mandatory Tasks for the Follow-on Periods 1 – 4. When exercised, this Optional Task may have a period of performance up to 24 months from the date of award.

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 Recipient will coordinate with USACE before any key personnel (e.g., the primary Private Investigator) changes or hiring.

Successful applicants should hold a PhD in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other relevant related field of study with experience supporting large-scale airborne electromagnetic survey methods, groundwater and surface water salinity/resistivity and have expert knowledge and research experience of the Everglades ecosystem and groundwater-surface water salinity dynamics within the Everglades. Candidates should have prior experience with using AEM to track groundwater and surface water resistivity. Those with a working knowledge of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) will be treated preferentially.

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS OR PROPERTY

6.1 Government furnished materials or property is governed by 2 C.F.R. Part 200.312(a) which states: Title to Federally owned property remains vested in the Federal Government. The Recipient or Subrecipient must submit an inventory listing of Federally owned property in its custody to the Federal agency or pass-through entity on an annual basis. The recipient or subrecipient must request disposition instructions from the Federal agency or pass-through entity upon completion of the Federal award or when the property is no longer needed.

7.0 REQUIREMENTS

7.1 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).

7.2 This project will take place within Department of Interior (DOI) and State of

Florida land and waters. The Recipient will acquire and/or obtain all necessary permits associated with the applicable federal and state agencies along with tribal lands, including the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the State of Florida, and federally recognized Tribes. Permits are required to be submitted to the USACE RECOVER TPOC.

8.0 FOLLOW-ON PERIODS

8.1 In addition to the 12-month Base Year, four (4), 12-month Follow-on Periods (FOP) are anticipated subject to availability of funds.

8.2 Due to the project’s regional sensitive flora and fauna that are influenced by seasonal cycles that must align with the monitoring and assessment plans for successfully executing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) it is likely that the Follow-on period of performance (POP) dates may need to be adjusted. In the event such adjustments become necessary, the overall POP for each of the Follow-on efforts will remain 12 months.

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

9.1 The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of award.

10.0 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

Kiah Williams, 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 Kiah.M.Williams@usace.army.mil

Stephanie Verhulst, Ph.D.

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

Jacksonville, FL 32207 Stephanie.A.Verhulst@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

Javier Cortes Customer Financial Point of Contact Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 701 San Marco Blvd.

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

10.0 DELIVERABLES

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

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

10.1 Permits

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

10.2 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 cooperative agreement (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.

10.2.1 Electronic copy (email attachment in Microsoft [MS] Word format) of the QSR every quarter from award of CA and subsequent Follow-on Periods.

10.3 Annual Reports (AR) will be submitted 30 days from the end of the 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 executed Optional Tasks, within each Period.

The ARs will summarize status of the raw data acquisitions, estimates of current salinity patterns, models developed for change detection, and examine the consistency of observations with CERP hypotheses from the MAP. The Draft Annual Report will be reviewed by the USACE RECOVER TPOC and the

RECOVER Southern Coastal Systems 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 AR.

10.3.1 Raw and processed TEM and flight data in digital or ASCII (xyz) format. TEM inversion results delivered as: 1) Resistivity depth profiles for individual soundings,

2) Resistivity sections for each flown survey line including DOI along each line, data residuals and forward model responses, and 3) Horizontal resistivity depth slices at selected depths.

10.3.2 Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of a Draft Annual Report will be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the end of the period of performance each year.

10.3.3 Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of a Final Annual Report will be submitted by the end of the period of performance of each year.

10.4 Final Project Report will be submitted no later than one month before end of the project. At a minimum, the report will contain an introduction section and one section for each executed Task. For each Task, the report will summarize work accomplished and cumulative summaries of results and analyses, to date.

Results will be described as relating to CERP hypotheses from the MAP, and the conclusions presented within the context of CERP and Everglades restoration.

The Final Project report should also describe the information needed to develop the next System Status Report.

Electronic copy of a draft final report should be submitted no later than one month before end of the project. USACE TPOC staff will review and provide comments, if any, within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt. Final Project Report, incorporating USACE TPOC review comments on the draft, if any, shall be provided to the USACE TPOC no later than 15 days after the receipt of the USACE TPOC comments.

10.4.1 Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of Draft Final Project Report will be submitted in May of the final year of the CA.

10.4.2 Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of Final Project Report will be submitted before the end of the project period of performance.

10.4.3 All data gathered for project Tasks will be submitted with the Final Project Report as a Microsoft Excel or Comma Separated Value (CSV) file.

10.5 Task 5 Deliverable: Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of

Draft publication to be published in a peer-reviewed journal

The draft publication will be reviewed by the USACE RECOVER TPOC and the RECOVER Southern Coastal Systems Regional Coordinators within fifteen (15) days upon submission.

10.5.1 Electronic copy (email attachment in MS Word format) of Final submitted peer-reviewed publication

10.5.2 Electronic copy (PDF format email attachment) of final publication published in peer-reviewed journal

10.6 Task 6 Deliverable: Expansion of Spatial Scope of Surveys – Upon execution of

Tasks 6 (Optional), results of the surveys in the expanded spatial area will be incorporated into the analysis and reports associated with Task 3 and Optional Task 7.

10.7 Task 7 Deliverable: Recipient Contribution to the System Status Report (SSR) – Upon the execution of Task 7 (Optional), results of the work performed under this CA will be used to develop the cumulative annual findings outlined in the System Status Report (SSR). The SSR provides 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 Recipient of this CA will collaborate with the Southern Coastal Systems Regional Coordinator(s) in developing the SSR and their participation will be included as a Task (Task 7).

10.8 Annual Inventory – Federally owned property - 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 the USACE Fort Worth PM and customer RECOVER TPOC.

10.9 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 the USACE Fort Worth PM and customer RECOVER TPOC.

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

11.3 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 will 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 will tailor the SF-PPR to include, at minimum, the following information:

https://sam.gov/

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

https://www.grants.gov/forms

13.0 Figure 1: 1994 Survey Results, Survey Zones, and Flight Line Spacing

Figure 1. The location and dimensions of Zones A, B, and C with a flight line spacing of 800 m overlain on top of the 9 m salinity/resistivity interface map from the 1995 AEM survey.

14.0 Figure 2: Survey Area within South Florida

Figure 2. The 1994 airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey conducted by USGS (Fitterman and Deszcz-Pan, 1998, 2002; magenta boundary) This area will be re-mapped and expanded to the north to capture the potential new location of the freshwater-saltwater interface (blue boundary). The blue vertical lines represent the proposed 800m spaced AEM flight lines.

15.0 REFERENCES

Fitterman, D.V., and Deszcz-Pan, M. (1998) Helicopter EM mapping of saltwater intrusion in Everglades National Park. Exploration Geophysics, 29: 240- 243.

Fitterman D. V. and Deszcz-Pan, M, 2002, Helicopter Electromagnetic Data from Everglades National Park and Surrounding Areas, Florida: Collected 9-14 December 1994, U.S. Geological Survey; Open-File Report 02-101, U.S.

Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior: Reston, VA, USA; 38 pages.

CERP Monitoring and Assessment Plan (Part 1), Monitoring and Supporting

Research, REstoration, Coordination, VERification (RECOVER), January 2004.

Monitoring and Assessment Plan (Part 2), Assessment Strategy for the

Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP), REstoration, Coordination, VERification (RECOVER), December 2006.

CERP Monitoring and Assessment Plan, REstoration, Coordination, VERification

(RECOVER), December 2009.

END OF STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES