Environmental Contaminants Exposure from Streams to Terrestrial Foodwebs and T&E Bat Vulnerability at Arnold Air Base, Tennessee | W9126G 24 2 SOI 2403

Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 24 2 SOI 2403

This funding opportunity is a Department of Defense cooperative agreement managed through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, focused on understanding how environmental contaminants move from stream systems into terrestrial food webs and what that means for the vulnerability of threatened and endangered (T&E) bat species at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee. The government is not asking for a full technical proposal or a detailed budget at this stage. Instead, it is soliciting short Statements of Interest (SOIs) to identify qualified organizations that could carry out the work described in an attached Statement of Objectives. After SOIs are reviewed, the government may invite selected respondents to submit a full proposal later.

The project centers on two linked scientific and management concerns: first, determining how contaminants present in aquatic environments (such as streams on or near the installation) can be transferred into land-based ecosystems through ecological pathways like emergent aquatic insects; and second, evaluating how that exposure may affect bats, including species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Bats can be especially relevant to this kind of study because many species feed heavily on insects that originate in aquatic systems, which creates a direct route for pollutants to move from water to insects to bats. The results are intended to support installation natural resource decision-making and conservation responsibilities, aligning with the goals of integrated natural resources management planning.

Funding is expected to be approximately $227,000 total for the base period, with an anticipated single award. The period of performance is 24 months from the date of award. The notice emphasizes that no additional funding will be available for optional tasks or follow-on work in later years, so the work is expected to be completed within the two-year base period and within the stated funding level.

Eligibility is limited and specific. This opportunity is only available to organizations participating under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, specifically within the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Great Rivers CESU Units. In addition, it is released under Sikes Act authority (16 USC 670c-1), which governs natural resources projects on military installations. Under that authority, priority is generally given to federal and state agencies that have responsibilities for conservation or management of fish and wildlife, reflecting the project’s applied conservation and compliance purpose.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed on Grants.gov as a Request for Statements of Interest and must remain posted for 30 days before the government can make a decision and request full proposals. The original closing date shown is 2024-05-12. The opportunity is identified as W9126G 24 2 SOI 2403, categorized under “Other” with a funding instrument type of “Cooperative Agreement,” and it falls under the science and technology / research and development activity area (CFDA 12.005). Questions and SOI-related communications are directed to Maria Lopez, Grants Specialist (Maria.E.Lopez@usace.army.mil, 817-886-1881) and Kelsee Crawley, Project Manager (Kelsee.F.Crawley@usace.army.mil), both with USACE Fort Worth District.

In practical terms, organizations considering a response should treat this as an initial qualification and fit check rather than a full application. The SOI should demonstrate relevant expertise in contaminant fate and transport, aquatic-to-terrestrial food web linkages, insect-mediated exposure pathways, bat ecology and risk/vulnerability assessment (especially for protected species), and field study execution on a military installation. It should also show that the applicant is eligible through the specified CESU units and can work within the two-year schedule and the approximate $227,000 funding level, since the notice makes clear there is no expectation of additional money beyond the base period.

• The Department of Defense in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Environmental Contaminants Exposure from Streams to Terrestrial Foodwebs and T&E Bat Vulnerability at Arnold Air Base, Tennessee" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.005.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $227,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for W9126G 24 2 SOI 2403

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