Gaviota Tarplant Genetic Analysis at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is soliciting Statements of Interest from Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) members in the Californian/Great Basin Regions to conduct genetic analysis of the Gaviota Tarplant at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The project requires collecting up to 192 tissue samples of Deinandra species, performing field phenotyping, conducting genome resequencing analysis at 4x coverage, and executing population genomic and phylogenomic analyses. Applicants must be CESU members with active NIST SP 800-171 DoD assessments performed within the last three years, and priority will be given to Federal and State agencies responsible for conservation or management of fish or wildlife. Evaluation will consider organization information, Principal Investigator qualifications and experience, relevant past projects, available staff and expertise, and project capabilities including equipment and facilities. Statements of Interest must not exceed two pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, and are due by 2:00 P.M. Central Time on April 10, 2026, submitted via email to Maria Lopez or David Leptien. The opportunity is awarded under the authority of 16 USC 670c-1, the Sikes Act.

The base period award is approximately $168,000 for an 18-month performance period, with potential additional funding for up to two optional 18-month follow-on periods and an established CESU indirect rate of 17.5%. Work will be performed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with deliverables including quarterly progress reports, draft and final technical reports following scientific publication format, GIS data complying with Vandenberg SFB standards, work plans, and annual inventories of federally-owned and acquired property.