US Army Fort Polk is offering the Fort Polk Conservation Support Grant to provide professional and technical support for integrated natural resource management.

REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST

Number W9126G-21-2-SOI-4633

Project to be initiated in 2021

 Applicant must be a member in one of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU):

Great Plains, Great Rivers, or Gulf Coast

Project Title: Fort Polk Conservation Support

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by Fort Polk which provides professional and technical support for its Programs within the JRTC and Fort Polk Directorate of Public Works in order to facilitate successful implementation of Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans under the Sikes Act.  Approximately $1,455,695.00 is expected to be available to support this project for the base year. Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee. 

Background:

The project area covered under this statement of objectives is within Fort Polk, Louisiana, United States. The Environmental and Natural Resources Management Division (ENRMD) at Fort Polk, Louisiana is responsible for assisting the Installation in complying with a broad range of environmental laws and regulations. Fort Polk is the home of the JRTC, which trains and prepares a combat ready, globally responsive Total Force in order to build and sustain readiness to meet Combatant Command requirements. The JRTC accomplishes its mission by providing superior training to the home station tenants and deployable combat units, while supporting up to 12 annual JRTC rotations. JRTC-Fort Polk is comprised of Department of Defense and U.S. Forest Service permitted training lands totaling approximately 243,964 acres (98,125 USFS permitted acres), but may also utilize other federal, state, or private land several hundred miles from the Installation.

The Conservation Branch consists of multiple program areas including Cultural Resources Management, Pest Management, Threatened and Endangered Species Management, NEPA compliance, Maneuver Damage, and Natural Resources Management. The programs are managed in accordance with approved management plans, including the INRMP, the Endangered Species Management Component (ESMC), the ICRMP, and the IPMP. Supporting each of these major program plans are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for carrying out the specific management activities. Implementation of the management plans and supporting SOPs help to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations; maintenance of quality training lands on Fort Polk to accomplish JRTC and Fort Polk’s critical military mission on a sustained basis; and, natural resources conservation measures and Army military mission activities are integrated and consistent with federal stewardship requirements.

NEPA compliance is obtained through implementation of the Army’s guiding regulation (32 CFR Part 651), while Natural Resources of the Installation are managed in accordance with the Fort Polk’s INRMP (mandated through the Sikes Act (16 USC 670 et seq.)). Adherence to NEPA and the INRMP provide a platform to analyze effects to the environment prior to initiation of Army activities and maintain quality training lands following implementation.

Type of Award:

In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and

Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), all CESU projects must

carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, instead of acquiring goods or services

for the exclusive direct benefit of the United States Government.

In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and

Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), substantial involvement is

expected between the federal partner and the nonfederal partner when carrying out the

activities specified in the project agreement. The exact nature of the government’s involvement will be defined in the statement of objectives, issued with a request for full proposal. 

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 and belong to one of the following CESU Units to be qualified and considered: Great Plains, Gulf Coast or Great Rivers

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 Fort Polk.

Goals and Objectives

In agreement with goals stated within the JRTC and Fort Polk INRMP, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to conduct professional and technical support for the programs within the JRTC and Fort Polk Directorate of Public Works (DPW), ENRMD, CB located at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The scope of this agreement includes supporting the DPW ENRMD, CB through various program management duties including but, not limited to necessary services required to provide technical support for the JRTC and Fort Polk INRMP, ESMC, NEPA, IPMP, Maneuver Damage, and ICRMP programs.

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate participation in coordination meetings with federal, state, local agencies and installation components as required for each task component.

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate the collection of biological, mitigation monitoring and other field data required to support management plans associated with game and non-game species, botanical species, T&E species, wetlands, and other water features.

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate activities associated with watershed management planning, NEPA planning and documentation.

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate GIS support activities.

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate logistical support, data base management, and the reporting requirements for computer equipment and associated hardware/software, updates, replacement cycle, and devices connected to the network.  

Maintain a flexible work schedule to conform to CB SOP projects and special events and to facilitate all reporting activities associated with each task component.

Period of Performance. This effort includes a base period and 4 optional periods. Each period of performance includes 10 Basic Tasks and 9 Optional Tasks. The 10 basic tasks are required and will be funded each year. The 9 Optional Tasks may be funded any time during each year depending on project conditions and needs. See Period of Performance for each below:

Base period: 12 months from date of award

Optional Tasks: 12 months from date of award

Option periods: Four 12-month option periods

Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:

Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to:

Alisa.Marshall@usace.army.mil and Kathy.S.Mitchell@usace.army.mil 

(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:

Alisa Marshall

Grants Specialist

USACE Ft. Worth District

Alisa.Marshall@usace.army.mil 

Office: 817-886-1068

Kathy Mitchell

Project Manager

USACE Ft. Worth District

Kathy.S.Mitchell@usace.army.mil

Office: 817-886-1709

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 16 July 2021.  

[End of RSOI]