Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0013
The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to provide technical and research support for species-at-risk surveys and related analyses that help the US Army manage and conserve sensitive wildlife on its installations. The opportunity is grounded in the fact that many Army lands function as important refuges for biodiversity, including species that are already threatened or endangered as well as species that may be headed toward federal listing. By conducting proactive, planning-level surveys before species are formally listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Army can generate the kind of distribution and population information that supports better management decisions, reduces uncertainty for land use planning, and can potentially reduce the likelihood or consequences of future listings. The focus here is on two highly vulnerable groups that have seen major declines: freshwater mussels and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians). The work will occur at two Army installations in the southeastern US region: Fort Johnson, Louisiana, and Fort Cavazos, Texas, with the broader intent that the findings will inform conservation actions beyond the installations and across the species' wider ranges.
The project is organized around two main technical tasks. The first task centers on freshwater mussel community surveys and analyses at Fort Johnson. Freshwater mussels are widely recognized as one of the most imperiled animal groups, and many species are either already listed under the ESA or being evaluated for listing. ERDC highlights two species of particular concern near Fort Johnson: the Louisiana Pigtoe (Pleurobema riddelli) and the Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus). Both are under review for potential federal listing, and proposed critical habitat has been identified within roughly 20 miles of the installation. Because any confirmed presence on the installation could influence future ESA coordination or consultation (including Section 6-related interactions with the US Fish and Wildlife Service), the Army is seeking stronger information on whether and where these species occur on Fort Johnson lands. The work involves conducting mussel surveys during summer and fall 2024, with at least two survey events (one in each season) across at least eight streams on the installation. Survey timing and site selection are expected to be refined using the focal species' life history needs, existing survey history, and coordination with ERDC-CERL and Fort Johnson's Conservation Branch. Deliverables include a compiled dataset and report documenting survey locations and the number of individuals detected for each mussel species encountered. Because mussels can be difficult to detect and identify due to cryptic behavior and taxonomic challenges, the effort also includes collecting photos and/or voucher specimens to confirm species identifications.
The second task focuses on herpetofaunal community surveys and analyses at Fort Cavazos. Reptiles and amphibians face significant global conservation pressure, with major proportions considered at risk of extinction due to drivers such as habitat loss, disease, invasive species, and contamination. On Fort Cavazos, earlier survey work documented a notably diverse reptile and amphibian assemblage (48 species), including species that are declining and at least one species listed at the state level. ERDC is seeking an updated, installation-wide view of current herpetofaunal distribution and status so managers can identify changes over time, understand where key species persist, and better target conservation or habitat management actions. Field work is planned for spring and summer 2024, with monthly surveys during the main activity season from April through July. The survey design is intended to combine multiple standard detection approaches to increase coverage across species with different behaviors and habitats. Methods listed include timed visual encounter surveys, trapping, artificial cover objects, road-cruising surveys, and aural surveys (especially frog call surveys). As with the mussel task, survey locations will be selected in coordination with ERDC-CERL and Fort Cavazos natural resources staff based on species natural history and the availability of suitable habitat. The expected product is a final report that compiles detections (including locations, counts, and the method used) and interprets the findings in a way that can directly support on-installation management. A stated use of the results is to help guide species management decisions and support incorporation of updated information into the Fort Cavazos Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, this opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 12.630, with ERDC as the issuing agency. The funding opportunity number is W81EWF 24 SOI 0013. The anticipated award ceiling is $50,000, and ERDC expects to make one award. The original closing date listed is April 8, 2024, with a creation date of February 6, 2024. Eligibility is restricted to non-federal partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU), meaning applicants generally must be part of that CESU network and meet its partnership requirements. The notice also emphasizes compliance and disclosure expectations: applicants must disclose current and pending support, and those disclosures can affect eligibility for funding. ERDC may request updated support information before an award and throughout the project period, and reviews of that information may lead to discontinuation of funding if issues arise. Finally, the announcement reiterates that religious organizations may compete on equal footing with secular organizations for federal financial assistance, consistent with Executive Order 13798.Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0013
- The Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technical Support for Species-at-Risk Surveys and Analyses in Support of Army Environmental Conservation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-08. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity about?
This opportunity supports technical and research work to conduct species-at-risk surveys and related analyses that help the US Army manage and conserve sensitive wildlife on its installations. The emphasis is on proactive, planning-level surveys that can inform management before species are formally listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Who is offering the award?
The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is the issuing agency.
What type of award is it?
The announcement describes a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.630.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is W81EWF 24 SOI 0013.
How much funding is available?
The anticipated award ceiling is $50,000.
How many awards does ERDC expect to make?
ERDC expects to make one award.
When was the opportunity created and when was it originally due?
The creation date listed is February 6, 2024. The original closing date listed is April 8, 2024.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to non-federal partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Applicants generally must be part of that CESU network and meet its partnership requirements.
Are federal entities eligible?
The eligibility language provided specifies non-federal partners of the Great Rivers CESU, indicating the eligible applicant pool is limited to those non-federal CESU partners.
Can religious organizations apply?
Yes. The notice states that religious organizations may compete on equal footing with secular organizations for federal financial assistance, consistent with Executive Order 13798.
What is the overall purpose of conducting these surveys before ESA listing?
The goal is to generate distribution and population information that supports better management decisions, reduces uncertainty for land use planning, and can potentially reduce the likelihood or consequences of future ESA listings.
Which species groups are the focus of the project?
The effort focuses on two vulnerable groups that have seen major declines: freshwater mussels and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians).
Where will the work take place?
Work is planned at two Army installations in the southeastern US region: Fort Johnson, Louisiana, and Fort Cavazos, Texas.
Is the intent limited to those installations?
No. While field work occurs on those two installations, the broader intent is that findings will inform conservation actions beyond the installations and across the species wider ranges.
How is the project organized?
The project is organized around two main technical tasks: (1) freshwater mussel community surveys and analyses at Fort Johnson, and (2) herpetofaunal community surveys and analyses at Fort Cavazos.
What does Task 1 involve?
Task 1 involves freshwater mussel community surveys and analyses at Fort Johnson. The Army is seeking stronger information on whether and where certain mussel species occur on Fort Johnson lands.
Which freshwater mussel species are highlighted as being of particular concern near Fort Johnson?
Two species are specifically highlighted: the Louisiana Pigtoe (Pleurobema riddelli) and the Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus).
Why is confirming presence of these mussel species important for the Army?
Both highlighted species are under review for potential federal listing, and proposed critical habitat has been identified within roughly 20 miles of Fort Johnson. Any confirmed presence on the installation could influence future ESA coordination or consultation, including Section 6-related interactions with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
When are the Fort Johnson mussel surveys planned?
Mussel surveys are planned during summer and fall 2024.
How many mussel survey events are expected?
At least two survey events are expected: one in summer and one in fall.
How many streams will be surveyed for mussels at Fort Johnson?
The plan calls for surveys across at least eight streams on the installation.
How will survey timing and locations for mussels be chosen?
Survey timing and site selection are expected to be refined using focal species life history needs, existing survey history, and coordination with ERDC-CERL and Fort Johnsons Conservation Branch.
What deliverables are expected for the mussel task?
Deliverables include a compiled dataset and a report documenting survey locations and the number of individuals detected for each mussel species encountered.
Does the work include steps to confirm mussel identifications?
Yes. Because mussels can be difficult to detect and identify, the effort includes collecting photos and/or voucher specimens to confirm species identifications.
What does Task 2 involve?
Task 2 involves herpetofaunal (reptile and amphibian) community surveys and analyses at Fort Cavazos to provide an updated, installation-wide view of current distribution and status.
Why is ERDC seeking updated herpetofaunal information at Fort Cavazos?
Earlier work documented a diverse assemblage (48 species), including declining species and at least one state-listed species. Updated information can help managers identify changes over time, understand where key species persist, and better target conservation or habitat management actions.
When are the Fort Cavazos herpetofaunal surveys planned?
Field work is planned for spring and summer 2024.
How often will herpetofaunal surveys be conducted?
Monthly surveys are planned during the main activity season from April through July.
What survey methods are expected for herpetofauna?
The design is intended to combine multiple standard detection approaches, including timed visual encounter surveys, trapping, artificial cover objects, road-cruising surveys, and aural surveys (especially frog call surveys).
How will herpetofaunal survey locations be selected?
Survey locations will be selected in coordination with ERDC-CERL and Fort Cavazos natural resources staff based on species natural history and the availability of suitable habitat.
What deliverable is expected for the herpetofaunal task?
The expected product is a final report that compiles detections (including locations, counts, and the method used) and interprets the findings to directly support on-installation management.
How will the Fort Cavazos results be used by the installation?
A stated use is to guide species management decisions and support incorporation of updated information into the Fort Cavazos Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.
What compliance or disclosure requirements are highlighted?
The notice emphasizes that applicants must disclose current and pending support, and that these disclosures can affect eligibility for funding.
Can ERDC request updated support information after an application is submitted?
Yes. ERDC may request updated current and pending support information before an award and throughout the project period.
Can issues with current and pending support disclosures affect funding after award?
Yes. The notice states that reviews of this information may lead to discontinuation of funding if issues arise.
Which Army stakeholders are expected to be involved in coordination for field work?
For site selection and planning, the notice references coordination with ERDC-CERL and installation staff (Fort Johnsons Conservation Branch and Fort Cavazos natural resources staff).
What kinds of data are expected to be captured during surveys?
Based on the described deliverables, surveys are expected to capture locations and counts of detected individuals, along with species identifications. For Fort Cavazos, the method used for detections is also expected to be recorded.
What is meant by "species-at-risk" in this announcement?
In this context, it refers to sensitive wildlife that may already be threatened or endangered, as well as species that may be headed toward federal listing under the ESA.
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