REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST
Number W9126G-21-2-SOI-5043
Project to be initiated in 2021
Project Title: Base-wide Inventory – Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish, Edwards Air Force Base, California
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by the US Air Force which provides professional and technical support for Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in order to facilitate successful
implementation of the 16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. Approximately $311,512 is expected to be available to support this project during the base period. Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee, subject to the availability of funds.
Background:
Edwards AFB encompasses approximately 308,180 acres in the Antelope Valley in southern California and is located in the western Mojave Desert. Fish and wildlife program management focuses on conserving desert habitat on Edwards AFB. Native wildlife includes a wide variety of invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals adapted to various desert habitats on base. Natural resource management is critical to the maintenance of biodiversity which provides critical support to the military mission. Periodic fauna surveys are conducted to determine fauna presence, trends, and viability of various animal species. Long-term monitoring is a fundamental aspect of adaptive management to determine the overall health of the ecosystem and allow a focused and cost-effective monitoring program.
The current Edwards AFB HQA Modified Monitoring Protocol focuses on flora. Five habitat types are identified in general with subsets as necessary. These are Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) woodland, creosote bush (Larrea tridentate) scrub, halophytic phase saltbush (Atriplex spp.) scrub, xerophytic phase saltbush scrub, and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) woodland. There are 70 HQA monitoring plots distributed proportionally across the base within these five habitat types. An additional wetlands/pond habitat subset and urban area habitat subset shall be added to the five HQA subsets for the reptile, amphibian, and fish survey effort.
A recent large mammal survey identified the need for 100 monitoring sites distributed proportionally across the base within these five habitat types to adequately survey for large mammals. The reptile, amphibian, and fish survey effort should be proportional to the acreage of each habitat type across the base and within the wetlands/pond and urban habit subsets to be statistically relevant.
The EAFB environmental programs ensures military mission activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and policies with cooperation and assistance from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s (AFCEC) Installation Support Section
(ISS). Article I B of the master agreement states the objectives of the CESU are to: provide research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies and their potential partners; develop a program of research, technical
assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and place special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions.
In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator (hereafter Cooperator) agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, the Air Force responsibilities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531 et seq.), the Sikes Act Improvement Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 1361 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and applicable implementing regulations, such as Air Force Instruction 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management.
Type of Award:
This project will be awarded under the authority of the Sikes Act (Sec. 103A [16 USC 670c-1]) “the Secretary of a military department may enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, Indian Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and individuals, ….” This project is in support of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, as directed in the Sikes Act, and as a result, it is anticipated that a cooperative agreement through the CESU program will be awarded. Such awards 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 IDC rate (17.5%).
Note: Must be a non-federal partner in one of the CESU Units, referenced above, to be qualified for considered.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
The NFE shall establish procedures and provide services and equipment to implement the following:
1. Determine existing reptiles, amphibians, and fish found or likely to be found on Edwards AFB.
2. Develop effective reptile, amphibian, and fish survey protocols to determine distribution of each species on base and their relative abundance. Survey protocols shall be scientifically agreed upon as accurate and cost-effective. Survey protocols will be designed to include habitat subsets as identified in Edwards AFB Habitat Quality Assessments (HQA) current design and an additional wetlands/pond subset and urban area subset, not include or overlap current HQA plot locations, and be able to be replicated in future surveys to allow for trend analysis.
3. Implement approved survey protocols and complete surveys within period of performance. The NFE shall obtain all necessary state and federal permits required for handling any surveyed animals.
Optional surveys include:
Option 1: Second field season survey of reptiles, amphibians, and fish and incorporate the results from both the first and second field season efforts.
Option 2: Develop, implement, and document a base-wide inventory survey for nesting and migratory non-nesting birds on Edwards AFB using a similar scope established for the reptile, amphibian, and fish survey.
Option 3: Perform a second field survey of nesting and non-nesting birds following the previously established methodology and incorporate the results from both the first and second season efforts.
Option 4: Develop, implement, and document a base-wide inventory survey for small mammals on Edwards AFB similar to the previously established survey methodologies.
Option 5: Perform a second field survey of small mammals following the previously established methodology and incorporate the results from both the first and second season efforts.
Note: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and skills for performing similar or same type of work. You will be evaluated for request for a proposal based on skills, qualifications and certifications demonstrated in your SOI.
Preference will be given to statements of interest that demonstrate the minimum qualifications necessary to perform the tasks as described in the SOO. The principal investigator should have experience directing the efforts of the project team. NFE personnel shall have the technical experience, the field implementation experience, any required state and federal certifications, and any required state or federal handling or application permits likely to be used in this project. The NFE shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, technical expertise, and supervision needed to perform all field efforts.
Period of Performance. The base period of performance is anticipated to be 18 months from date of award plus six optional 18-month periods.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
(Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
1. Name, Organization, Cage Code, Duns number, and Contact Information (Email)
2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
a. Biographical Sketch,
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects,
c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise,
d. 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 full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time. Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives. Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited 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.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
Sandy Justman
Grants Specialist
USACE Ft. Worth District
sandra.justman@usace.army.mil
Office: (817) 886-1073
McCullough Wells
Project Manager
USACE Omaha District
margaret.m.wells@usace.army.mil
Office: (402) 995-2590
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: The RSOI is required to be posted for at least 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 20 AUG 2021.
[End of RSOI]