Fort A.P. Hill’s Environmental & Natural Resources Division Grant for Bald Eagle Nesting Surveys in Virginia

ELIGIBILITY: This funding opportunity is ONLY available for Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units in the W9126G-11-2-0041 Chesapeake Watershed and W9126G-14-2-0015 Southern Appalachian Mountains. Note: Must be a non-federal partner in the CESU Units listed above to be qualified to be considered.

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Number W9126G-21-2-SOI-1136

Project to be initiated in 2021

Project Title: Aerial Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Nesting Location and

Productivity Survey at Fort A.P. Hill for DPW-Environmental & Natural

Resources Division

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential

investigators for a project to be funded by Fort A.P. Hill which provides professional and

technical support for its natural resources in order to facilitate successful implementation of the

16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. Approximately $17,000. is expected to be available to support this

project.

Background:

Due to its size, land use history, and geographic location, Fort A.P. Hill harbors a large and

increasing population of nesting Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In the past two years,

three new nesting locations have been discovered incidentally, and it is believed that many more

exist and have yet to be located. Department of Defense (DOD) guidance directs military

installations to protect nesting locations by following the National Bald Eagle Management

Guidelines published by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in order to maintain compliance with

the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act. A proper inventory

of nesting locations is critical to maintaining these protections without any adverse effects to the

military training mission.

Type of Award:

In accordance with 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 or

considered: W9126G-11-2-0041 Chesapeake Watershed

W9126G-14-2-0015 Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work:

This research focuses on the following objectives:

1) Objective 1: Develop a proposed schedule of survey flights and complete necessary

coordination with Fort A.P. Hill DPW (Environmental & Natural Resources Division) and

Fort A.P. Hill DPTMS (Aviation Division).

2) Objective 2: Conduct a Bald eagle nest location survey flight across Fort A.P. Hill to locate

new nests and identify activity of known nest locations.

3) Objective 3: Conduct a Bald eagle nest productivity survey flight to monitor nesting success.

4) Objective 4: Provide a summary report of nest locations and productivity to include GIS

shape files.

Period of Performance. The Period of agreement will extend 12 months from award.

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:

Sandy Justman

Grants Specialist

USACE Ft. Worth District

Sandra.justman@usace.army.mil

Office: (817) 886-1073

Kathy Mitchell

Project Manager

USACE Ft. Worth District

Kathy.s.mitchell@usace.army.mil

Ofice: (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 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 16 January 2021.