The US Army Corps of Engineers is offering a grant for Environmental DNA Sampling in the Lower Roanoke River.

Project Title: Environmental DNA Sampling in the Lower Roanoke River

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

investigators for a project to be funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Wilmington

District)-Sustainable Rivers Program. The work involves comprehensive support of researchers

in studying the relationship between river flows and rare fish using Environmental DNA (eDNA)

while all in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2358 – Research and Development.

Approximately $65,000.00 is expected to be available to support this project, for the base period.

Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the

successful recipient/awardee.

Background:

The Roanoke River is considered one of the most important riverine systems for diadromous fish

reproduction on the Atlantic seaboard. Beginning in 2016, the Corps revised flood operations at

John H. Kerr Hydropower project to implement a more naturally variable flow regime, referred

to as Quasi-Run-of-River (QRR). Under QRR, flood control releases mimic the natural inflows

to the project to the extent possible while maintaining other project purposes. Intensive

monitoring of diadromous fish recruitment has occurred on the Roanoke both pre and post QRR,

yet limited work to date has connected observed population data for juvenile alosines (blueback

herring, alewife, hickory shad) with river flow events.

The Roanoke River is in the nationwide Sustainable Rivers Program as one of the original eight

rivers from 2002. It is an ideal river to test new technologies to understand effects of water

management decisions, and to relate this work to how it can be used nationwide. In this instance,

the Corps is interested in using environmental DNA (eDNA) to understand the relationship

between flows and the response from rare fish. This includes spatial and temporal variability to

gather more information about where the juveniles are congregating, the condition of that

habitat, and the flow regimes associated with the presence of the fish. The e-DNA technology

will be assessed to understand if it is an appropriate tool to inform release decisions at Corps

reservoirs.

Note: Must be a non-federal partner in the Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake

Watershed, or Southern Appalachian Mountains CESU Unit Region.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work (please refer to Statement of Objectives for complete detailed objectives and tasks):

This project focuses on the following objectives:

I. Gather data about how river flows affect juvenile fish in the Roanoke River;

II. Examine the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool to study the presence or absence

of fish in varying flow;

III. Refine eDNA as a tool to correlate to fish abundance specific to the Roanoke River;

IV. Provide USACE – Wilmington District with insight about how their water releases from

Kerr Reservoir influence fish, especially juvenile diadromous blueback herring and alewife;

V. Put the subject work in a broader context of considering ways the Corps can use eDNA

technology to inform reservoir releases in other rivers.

Note: At this time, we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and

skills for performing similar or same type of work. You will be evaluated for request for a

proposal based on skills, qualifications and certifications demonstrated in your SOI.

Period of Performance

The base period of performance is anticipated to be twelve (12) months from date of award. Four

option periods, extending for 12 months each, are anticipated subject to availability of funds.

Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.

Please send responses or direct questions to:

Grants Specialist

USACE Fort. Worth District

Sandra.justman@usace.army.mil

817-886-1073

Greg Bonnell

Project Manager

Regional Planning and Environmental Center

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Cell: (918) 951-0591

Email: Gregory.W.Bonnell@usace.army.mil

Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI required to be posted on www.Grants.gov for 30 days, prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 27 July 2021.

Please review the full documents attached to this posting.

FINAL SOO will be submitted at time of Request for Proposals