W81EWF-24-SOI-0040_FOA.pdf

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Title: Research for Developing Strategies to Manage Invasive Aquatic Plants and Harmful

Algal Blooms in Public Waters of the US

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: W81EWF-24-SOI-0040

Assistance Listing Number: 12.630

Date Issued: 18 July 2024

Key Dates: Phase I announcement will be open to receive statements of interest continuously, until 12 noon Central Time (CT), 16 August 2024, at which point all statements of interest must be received.

If invited to Phase II, full proposal applications will be due at 12 noon Central

Time (CT), 16 September 2024.

Estimated Award Ceiling: $500,000.00

Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,500,000 total over 5 years; $500,000 for base and

$500,000 for each option year (4 years).

Agency Contact: Kisha M. Craig, Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil

I. Program Description

A. Short Description of Funding Opportunity ERDC seeks applications for: research and development for the species-selective management of aquatic invasive plants and harmful algal blooms in the Eastern US, Gulf Coast, and Pacific

Northwest regions.

B. Background Freshwater ecosystems provide direct and indirect contributions to human well-being, impacting our survival, quality of life, and National security. These systems are jeopardized by the continued establishment and spread of aquatic invasive plants (AIP), including harmful algal blooms (HAB), throughout the Nation. These nuisance species pose an existential threat to ecosystem services, impacting drinking water supplies, irrigated food and fiber production, fish and wildlife habitat, flood control, navigation, industrial water use, economic and social benefits.

The future sustainability of key freshwater resources in the U.S. mandates innovative and holistic strategies to manage infestations of AIP in an accelerated timeline for their restoration and conservation. To expedite and ensure a scientifically sound process, ERDC is developing and evaluating AIP management with on a national scale. The recent establishment and spread of hydrilla biotypes in the Eastern US, giant salvinia populations along the Gulf Coast, and flowering rush stands in the Pacific Northwest require expansion of capabilities, geographical footprint, and technical partnerships to address these plant infestations, and provide science-based solutions for species-selective and large-scale management activities to protect major waterways.

The USACE ERDC is seeking a partner institution to identify opportunities for the development and evaluation of multi-scale AIP management techniques and strategies in major regional watersheds that are infested with plants such as hydrilla, giant salvinia, and flowering rush, among others.

C. Program Description/Objective:

Year one (1) will establish the initial structure of the project and includes tasks that support the following objectives. If funded, years two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) would continue to expand major elements of the research project and build a diverse portfolio of collaborative projects and work efforts.

Objective 1: Project Locations and Initiation of Data-based Evaluations for Management

Strategies. This objective prioritizes initial research activities that are focused on identifying, ground-truthing, and documenting project locations and specific sites for the collection of new data to evaluate site-specific management techniques including: (1) biotic and abiotic characterization of evaluation sites (quantitative vegetation assessments - AIP and non-target plants); 2) presence of listed species; 3) acreage of site, average water depth, water exchange processes); and 4) key water quality parameters (temp, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity). At least one site should be selected primarily from the Eastern US region. Secondary sites would be from the Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Objective 2: Experimentation to Close Data Gaps. This objective focuses on empirical research to close data gaps and transfer results through technology transfer mechanisms. Part of this objective is to organize interdisciplinary technical teams to plan and conduct studies during year one of the project. Joint teams will comprise scientists to partner with ERDC in the development and evaluation of environmentally compatible strategies to selectively manage AIP. These strategies include: 1) the use of chemical herbicides; 2) bio-suppression techniques; 3) mechanical/physical methods, and 4) integration of selected approaches 1 through 3.

Additionally, education and outreach activities on the need, methods, and benefits for managing

AIP in public waters will be conducted at the conclusion of each study. These activities will be undertaken as technical webinars, workshops, training sessions, field tours, reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, sponsor briefings, and presentations at professional meetings.

Education/outreach and technology transfer audiences will include the public, agencies, legislators, industry, media outlets, and all other stakeholders and practitioners.

Deliverables: Upon completion of Objectives 1-2, the selected academic institution will develop a report that documents the project locations and includes a summary of the management strategies that were identified, considered and/or ultimately recommended during the research effort. The report will also include information explaining the management strategies and their limits, and the potential effects of implementing such strategies to restore, manage, and/or preserve selected project locations in major watersheds, focused on the Eastern US, Gulf Coast, and Pacific Northwest regions initially, and may expand to other regions as opportunities become available.

D. Public Benefit Human and environmental benefits are associated with managing AIP. When AIP are selectively removed utilizing active management techniques, a plethora of benefits occur. Some examples include: 1) improved quality of drinking, irrigation, and industrial water; 2) reduction in habitat conducive as refugia for disease vectors (mosquitoes, other insects); 3) improved fish and wildlife (including listed species) habitat; 4) enhancement of species diversity; 5) restoration of recreational opportunities and property values.

E. Authorization: 10 USC 4001

F. Legal Requirements

Each Cooperative Agreement awarded under this announcement will be governed by 2 CFR 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal

Awards”, 2 CFR 1100 Subchapter D—Administrative Requirements Terms and Conditions for

Cost-Type Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Nonprofit and Governmental Entities and the

DoD research general terms and conditions located at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions.

G. Program-Specific Requirements The partner institution will be required to attend annual Program Reviews held in Vicksburg. A detailed PowerPoint presentation, which illustrates selected strategies, will also be produced, and https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=17bffa4cc8aa56c9680587c537476bf9&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2CXIsubchapD.tpl https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=17bffa4cc8aa56c9680587c537476bf9&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2CXIsubchapD.tpl https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions shared with the ERDC team at the conclusion of the study to share with stakeholders. Partner institution should have experience in the disciplines of, aquatic plant management (with an emphasis on weed science), aquatic plant biology, phenology, and applied ecology and a proven track record of empirical research in species-selective management of AIP.

II. Federal Award Information

The following information applies to awards issued under this announcement:

• This is a one-time initiative.

• The Government anticipates _1_ Federal awards from this announcement but reserves the right to award more or less.

• The total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this announcement is

$2,500,000.00.

• The expected amount of funding for each award is $500,000.00 for Year 1, $500,000.00 for Year 2, $500,000 for Year 3, $500,000 for Year 4, and $500,000 for Year 5 for a total of $2,500,000 over 5 years to the successful Recipient/Awardee.

• Award(s) from this announcement will be Cooperative Agreement(s)

• The anticipated period of performance is 60 months.

• Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards.

• The government reserves the right to accept only portions of an application and to negotiate with potential awardees.

• Government’s substantial involvement includes protocol development, data collection and analysis, and cooperatively analyzing strategy strengths/weaknesses from field work/measurements, modeling, small-scale work (laboratory, growth chamber, greenhouse and mesocosms). ERDC will be able to co-teach courses, workshops, seminars; hosting students and faculty at ERDC labs and field projects for sabbaticals and/or training opportunities; and co-authoring media elements such as articles, videos, documentaries, graphics, technical notes, journal articles.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast_ Cooperative Ecosystems

Studies Unit (CESU).

Disclosures of current and pending support made in this application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, ERDC may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding.

Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for

Federal financial assistance as described in E.O. 13798, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious

Liberty.”

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

This action will be 100% funded by USACE.

C. Conflict of Interest

a) General Requirement for Disclosure

You and your organization must disclose any potential or actual scientific or nonscientific conflict of interest(s) to us. You must also disclose any potential or actual conflict(s) of interest for any identified sub recipient you include in your application. We may have to ask you more questions if we need more information.

At our discretion, we may ask you for a conflict-of-interest mitigation plan after you submit your application. Your plan is subject to our approval.

b) Scientific Conflict of Interest

Scientific collaborations on research and development projects are generally the result of close collaboration prior to the submission of applications for support.

Accordingly, these collaborations should be considered when considering potential conflicts of interest. The potential conflict is mitigated by the disclosure of these collaborations, and the list of current and pending support you provide for senior and key researchers. Therefore, you must include in your list of current and pending support all collaborators, even if they did not formally provide support.

D. Other

a) Licensure or Certification

You must include the Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer on all materials created or produced under our awards. This language may be found in the Terms and

Conditions included in the award documents.

E. Certifications, representations, and assurances

1. To apply for grants and other funding opportunities the applicant entity must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

Applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov or other methods unless the entity is registered in SAM. Registration in SAM now includes the acceptance of Certifications and Assurances. See https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html for details on how to register in SAM, and Grants.gov

2. The Federal Assistance Certifications Report is an attestation that the entity will abide by the requirements of the various laws and regulations; therefore, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html as applicable, you are still required to submit any documentation, including the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if award value exceeds

$100,000.00), and, if applicable, informing DoD of unpaid delinquent tax liability or a felony conviction under any Federal law.

3. Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources. By checking "I

Agree" on the SF 424 (R&R) block 17 you agree to abide by the following statement: "By signing this application, I certify the proposing entity is in compliance with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which requires that: (a) the PI and other key personnel certify that the current and pending support provided on the proposal is current, accurate and complete; (B) agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and (c) the PI and other key personnel have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. code, Title 218, Section 1001)."

IV. Application and Submission Information (2 Phase Process)

A. Phase I: Submission of Statement of Interest (SOI)

1. Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:

a. Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Kisha M. Craig, Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).

i. Name, Organization and Contact Information

ii. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):

• Biographical Sketch,

• Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects,

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

• Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).

Note: A proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.

The administrative point of contact is Kisha M. Craig, Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil

2. ERDC will only accept SOIs submitted on or before 16 August 2024, 12 noon Central

Time (CT).

mailto:Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil

Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to move to Phase II which is to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements.

B. Phase II (if invited): Submission of Full Application Package

1. Address to Request Application Package

The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov.

The administrative point of contact is Kisha M. Craig, Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

All mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms must be completed in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below.

a. SF 424 R&R - Application for Federal Assistance

b. Full Technical Proposal – Discussion of the nature and scope of the research and technical approach. Additional information on prior work in this area, descriptions of available equipment, data and facilities, and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included. In addition, a data management plan is required to be included.

A data management plan is a document that describes which data generated through the course of the proposed research will be shared and preserved, how it will be done, or explains why data sharing or preservation is not possible or scientifically appropriate, or why the costs of sharing or preservation are incommensurate with the value of doing so. See also: DoD

Instruction 3200.12. https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/dodi/

Data management plans are generally 2 pages in length, and must include the following considerations:

(1) The types of data, software, and other materials to be produced.

(2) How the data will be acquired.

(3) Time and location of data acquisition, if scientifically pertinent.

(4) How the data will be processed.

(5) The file formats and the naming conventions that will be used.

(6) A description of the quality assurance and quality control measures during collection, analysis, and processing.

(7) A description of dataset origin when existing data resources are used.

(8) A description of the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content.

(9) Appropriate timeframe for preservation.

(10) The plan may consider the balance between the relative value of data preservation and other factors such as the associated cost and https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/dodi/ administrative burden. The plan will provide a justification for such decisions.

(11) A statement that the data cannot be made available to the public when there are national security or controlled unclassified information concerns (e.g., “This data cannot be cleared for public release in accordance with the requirements in DoD Directive 5230.09.”)

c. Cost Proposal/Budget – Clear, concise, and accurate cost proposals reflect the offeror’s financial plan for accomplishing the effort contained in the technical proposal. As part of its cost proposal, the offeror shall submit a full budget in sufficient detail so that a reasonableness determination can be made. A recommended template will be included in the invitation to Phase II. The SF

424 Research & Related Budget Form can be used as a guide but is required if the sub-recipient uses it. The cost breakdown should include the following, if applicable:

1. Direct Labor: Direct labor should be detailed by level of effort (i.e.

numbers of hours, etc.) of each labor category and the applicable labor rate. The source of labor rates shall be identified and verified. If rates are estimated, please provide the historical based used and clearly identify all escalation applied to derive the proposed rates.

2. Fringe Benefit Rates: The source of fringe benefit rate shall be identified and verified.

3. Travel: Travel costs must include a purpose and breakdown per trip to include destination, number of travelers, and duration.

4. Materials/Equipment: List all material/equipment items by type and kind with associated costs and advise if the costs are based on vendor quotes and/or engineering estimates; provide copies of vendor quotes and/or catalog pricing data.

5. Subrecipient costs: Submit all subrecipient proposals and analyses.

Provide the method of selection used to determine the subrecipient.

6. Tuition: Provide details and verification for any tuition amounts proposed.

7. Indirect Costs: Currently the negotiated indirect rate for awards through the CESU is 17.5%.

8. Any other proposed costs: The source should be identified and verified.

d. R&R Senior/Key Person Profile

1. Biographical Sketch

2. Disclosure of Current and Pending Support:

i. A list of all current projects the individual is working on, in addition to any future support the individual has applied to receive, regardless of the source.

ii. Title and objectives of the other research projects.

iii. The percentage per year to be devoted to the other projects.

iv. The total amount of support the individual is receiving in connection to each of the other research projects or will receive if other applications are awarded.

v. Name and address of the agencies and/or other parties supporting the other research projects.

vi. Period of performance for the other research projects.

e. SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if award value exceeds

$100,000.00)

3. ERDC will only accept full application packages submitted on or before 16

September 2024, 12 noon Central Time (CT).

4. Submission Instructions

Choose ONE of the following submission methods:

a. E-mail:

Format all documents to print on Letter (8 ½ x 11”) paper. E-mail proposal to Kisha M.

Craig, Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil.

b. Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/:

Applicants are not required to submit proposals through Grants.gov. However, if applications are submitted via the internet, applicants are responsible for ensuring that their

Grants.gov proposal submission is received in its entirety.

All applicants choosing to use Grants.gov to submit proposals must be registered and have and account with Grants.gov. It may take up to three weeks to complete Grants.gov registration. For more information on registration, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html.

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active System for Award

Management (SAM) registration to apply for Federal financial assistance.

C. Application Withdrawal:

An applicant may withdraw an application at any time before award by written notice via email. Notice of withdrawal shall be sent to the agency point of contact identified in this announcement and are effective upon receipt.

D. Funding Restrictions

Per 2 CFR § 200.216, funds may not be used to procure telecommunications equipment or video surveillance services or equipment produced by

• Huawei Technologies Company,

• ZTE Corporation Hytera Communications Corporation,

• Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company,

• Dahua Technology Company

• any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html

Funds from an award may not be used to attain fee or profit.

V. Application Review Information

A. Selection Criteria Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria, listed in descending order of importance:

● Technical merits of the proposed research and development; and

● Potential relationship of the proposed research and development to Department of

Defense missions

● Expertise in the biology, ecology, and management of invasive and native aquatic plants.

● Expertise in phycology and management of algae.

B. Review and Selection Process:

Each application will be reviewed based on the selection criteria above rather than against other applications submitted under this Announcement.

Based on the Peer or Scientific Review, proposals will be categorized as Selectable or Not

Selectable (see definitions below). The selection of the source for award will be based on the

Peer or Scientific Review, as well as importance to agency programs and funding availability.

i. Selectable: Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available.

ii. Not Selectable: Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal should not be funded.

Note: The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of proposals. When the

Government elects to award only a part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as

Selectable, though the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

In addition to the technical/program review, the DoD performs a budget review and a risk review as directed by 2 CFR 200.206, including a review of the Federal Awardee

Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). Applicants may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information entered into that system. Comments made by applicants will be taken into account in addition to other information in considering applicants’ integrity, business ethics, and record of performance.

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

The notification e-mail regarding a selection is not authorization to commit or expend DoD funds. A DoD grants officer is the only person authorized to obligate and approve the use of federal funds. This authorization is in the form of a signed Notice of Award. Applicants whose applications are recommended will be contacted by a DoD grants officer to discuss any additional information required for award. This may include representations and certifications, revised budgets or budget explanations, or other information as applicable to the proposed award.

The award start date will be determined at this time.

VII. Reporting Requirements

The terms and conditions of the award will provide the specifics on how to submit the reports and any required sections for those reports.

In accordance with 2 CFR 200.328 (Financial Reporting) and 2 CFR 200.329 (Program

Performance)

Report Requirements/Form Frequency Means of Submission

ERDC Progress Report Progress during the period covered by the corresponding SF 270 via email submission

Upon submission of the

SF 270

E-mail

Research Performance

Progress Reports

(Interim and Final)

OMB Control Number:

0704-0527

Annual Draft Report

Quarterly interim reports

Monthly status teleconference

E-mail

Financial Report SF 425 Bi-annually E-mail

Payment Report SF 270 Monthly E-mail

Closeout Report See OAR Article VI of

DoD R&D General

Terms and Conditions

Once E-mail

Awardees will need to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR 170: Reporting

Subaward and Executive Compensation Information.

The terms and conditions of the award will provide the specifics on how to submit the reports and any required sections for those reports.

VIII. Federal Contacts

Questions should be directed to:

Kisha M. Craig

Grants Specialist

Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil

Timothy D. Black

Grants Officer

Timothy.D.Black@usace.army.mil

Questions regarding Grants.gov should be directed to: the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov.

mailto:Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil mailto:Timothy.D.Black@usace.army.mil mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:support@grants.gov

IX. Other Information

The Federal government is not obligated to make any Federal award as a result of the announcement. Only grants officers can bind the Federal government to the expenditure of fund.

Applicants are advised to monitor Grants.gov for potential amendments to this Notice of Funding

Opportunity. You can also elect to be automatically notified by Grants.gov whenever there is a change to the opportunity.

Applications must not include any information that has been identified as classified national security information under authorities established in Executive Order 12958, Classified National

Security Information.