Reptile Habitat & Nuisance Wildlife Management

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTERESTNumber W9126G-21-2-SOI-1076Project to be initiated in 2021Applicants must be a member in one of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU):Desert Southwest, W9126G-16-2-0001Great Plains, W9126G-10-2-2010Gulf Coast Region, W9126G-12-2-0019Project Title: Management Habitat of Reptiles at Laughlin AFB, Texas and Management Nuisance Wildlife at Goodfellow AFB, Texas. Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by AFCEC which provides professional and technical support for Laughlin AFB (LAFB) and Goodfellow AFB (GAFB) in order to facilitate successful implementation of the 16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. Approximately $110,000. 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. Background: The Laughlin AFB (LAFB) and Goodfellow AFB (GAFB) environmental programs ensure military mission activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and policies. Article I B of the master agreement states the objectives of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (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 perform Anchor/Mandatory Task 1: Reptile Management Laughlin AFB. Cooperator also agrees to perform one or more of the optional tasks defined in this Statement of Objectives (SOO) to support the Natural Resource program at the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron, Environmental Section, located at Laughlin AFB (LAFB), Texas and the 17th Civil Engineer Squadron, Natural Resource Element, which will be located at Goodfellow AFB (GAFB), Texas. The scope of this agreement will include, but is not limited to, developing, implementing, and evaluating documents and reports; environmental research; regulatory reviews and guidance; document preparation; field surveillance and oversight; training and preparation of briefing materials; database management support; participating and attending meetings at base level and headquarters functions; compiling data for Goodfellow, Laughlin, and other agency data calls, including the annual report to Congress; and, compiling, consolidating and evaluating program data for leadership.The scope of this agreement includes an anchor/mandatory task and optional tasks defined in this SOO to support all of the various requirements identified in the GAFB and LAFB Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMP). The GAFB INRMP was used to define the environmental requirements for the white-tailed deer management activities outlined in this SOO. The Laughlin INRMP identifies five state listed reptiles having potential to reside in Val Verde County. These species include the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus), Texas indigo snake (Drymarchon melanurus erebennus), the Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri), and the trans-pecos black-headed snake (Tantilla cucullata). Additionally, the southern subspecies of the spot-tailed earless lizard (Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis), a rare lizard petitioned for federal listing in 2010 occupies Laughlin AFB.Type of Award:This project is 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 following CESU Units to be qualified for considered: Desert Southwest W9126G-16-2-0001, or Great Plains W9126G-10-2-2010, or Gulf Coast W9126G-12-2-0019. Brief Description of Anticipated Work: In order to perform this work successfully, the cooperator must have capabilities to support on site goals and objectives at both Laughlin AFB, Val Verde, Texas and GAFB, San Angelo, Texas.LAFB Goals and ObjectivesThe specific goals and objectives to be accomplished will continue special status reptiles monitoring, and more fully investigate relative abundance, habitat/vegetation analysis, and distribution within all habitat types of the five state listed species and H. l. subcaudalis. A conservation management plan will be developed for each special status species as indicated by the survey results.GAFB Goals and ObjectivesThe specific goal and objective to be accomplished will entail an operational white-tailed deer trap, transport, and process control program at GAFB located in Tom Green County, San Angelo, Texas. The primary goal of the operational program will be to reduce white-tailed deer populations in order to alleviate the damage caused by vehicle strikes, negative impacts to the local ecosystem, and reduce safety concerns at GAFB.Period of Performance. The base Period of agreement will extend 18 months from award. Four optional periods extending for 18 months are anticipated pending availability of funds.Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications: Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Alisa.Marshall@usace.army.mil and Jason.G.Harrison@usace.army.mil (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font). 1. Name, Organization, Cage Code, Duns number, and Contact Information 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: Alisa MarshallGrants Specialist USACE Ft. Worth District Alisa.marshall@usace.army.mil Office: (817) 886-1068 Grant Harrison Project Manager USACE Ft. Worth District Jason.G.Harrison@usace.army.mil Office: (817) 886-1583 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 5 January 2021. [End of RSOI]

Funding Opportunity Number: W9126G-21-2-SOI-1076. Assistance Listing: 12.300. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ST. Award Amount: Up to $110K per award.