Natural Resources Support - Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) | W9126G 24 2 SOI 3537

Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 24 2 SOI 3537

The Natural Resources Support - Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W9126G 24 2 SOI 3537) is a US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District funding action to provide on-site field support at Edwards AFB in California to help implement the installation's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). The government is not asking for a full technical proposal or a detailed budget at this stage. Instead, applicants are being asked to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) that signals capability, relevant experience, and fit for the work described in the SOI package and Statement of Objectives.

The anticipated work is practical, field-based natural resources support tied directly to INRMP implementation. Core tasks include invasive species removal and monitoring (both active control and tracking outcomes), wetlands-related support activities, conservation support for tri-colored blackbirds (a sensitive species in California that often requires specialized survey timing and habitat considerations), and native plant restoration. The description indicates a large field project, so the government appears to be looking for a partner that can mobilize personnel for sustained on-site work, manage logistics and field coordination, and deliver monitoring results and documentation that feed back into INRMP reporting and compliance needs. For the complete scope and performance expectations, applicants are directed to the official SOI/Statement of Objectives package in the related documents.

The period of performance is planned as a single 18-month base period. The structure is described as 12 months from the award date, plus an additional 6 months for administrative onboarding and preparation, followed by analysis and reporting. In practice, that signals the agency expects both hands-on field execution and a defined wrap-up phase where data are analyzed and deliverables are finalized, rather than ending the award immediately when fieldwork stops.

This is a cooperative agreement (not a standard procurement contract), categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA number 12.005. The award ceiling is $1,915,091 and the government anticipates making one award. Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial involvement from the government in coordinating, guiding, or collaborating on the project during performance, consistent with how federal assistance instruments are typically administered.

Eligibility is narrow and is restricted to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) members within the Californian and Colorado Plateau CESU regions. That limitation is central: non-CESU entities that are not part of those regions would not be eligible to apply directly. The opportunity is issued under Sikes Act authority (16 USC 670c-1), which governs natural resources management on military installations. The notice also highlights a Sikes Act priority: for projects implementing and enforcing INRMPs, preference is to be given to federal and state agencies responsible for conservation and management of fish or wildlife, which can influence how the government evaluates partner fit within the CESU framework.

For communications, the agency is accepting Statements of Interest via email attachments and will answer questions, with a request that questions or clarifications be submitted no later than 31 July 2024. Points of contact are Cheryl Vendemia, Grants Specialist (cheryl.r.vendemia@usace.army.mil), and David Leptien, Project Manager (david.b.leptien@usace.army.mil), both with USACE Fort Worth District. The posting indicates that required responses/Statements of Interest are to be available on Grants.gov for at least 30 days before the government makes a decision and potentially requests full proposals from selected respondents. The Grants.gov listing shows an original closing date of 16 August 2024 and a creation date of 17 July 2024, aligning with that 30-day posting window.

In short, this is an early-stage solicitation for CESU partners to express interest in supporting a significant on-the-ground natural resources effort at Edwards AFB focused on invasive species work, wetlands support, tri-colored blackbird conservation support, and native habitat restoration, with a single anticipated cooperative agreement award of up to about $1.9 million over an 18-month performance window.

• The Fort Worth District in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Natural Resources Support - Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB)" 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 2024-07-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-16. (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 $1,915,091.00 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 3537

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