Dry Season Prey Concentrations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is offering funding through a Cooperative Agreement under the authority of the Department of Defense for a project titled “Dry Season Prey Concentrations.” This initiative is conducted in collaboration with the Jacksonville District and aims to advance scientific understanding in support of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The grant is open exclusively to members of designated Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) regions, namely the Gulf Coast, Piedmont–South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean. The cooperative agreement supports adaptive assessment and long-term monitoring critical to the success of ecological restoration in the South Florida ecosystem, particularly as it relates to the health of wading bird populations in the Everglades. The primary goal of the grant is to assess spatial and temporal patterns of aquatic prey concentrations during the Everglades’ dry season. The project addresses critical hypotheses linking aquatic prey densities to the foraging success and nesting behaviors of wading birds—considered key indicators of restoration success. By sampling prey density and biomass during the dry season and analyzing how these values correlate with hydrologic and environmental variables, the project seeks to improve models that inform restoration strategies and management operations. The agreement also supports participation in the RECOVER program, requiring coordination with regional teams, reporting, and contributions to broader ecosystem performance assessments. Approximately $234,142.70 is expected to be awarded for the 12-month base period, with up to four additional 12-month follow-on periods possible, contingent on funding availability. While the base work includes mandatory tasks such as field sampling and data analysis, optional tasks may be activated to expand the spatial scope of surveys or synthesize findings with wading bird breeding data. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science), experience monitoring aquatic fauna in the Everglades, and a working knowledge of CERP. They must also be able to secure permits from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. To apply, interested organizations must submit a two-page Statement of Interest (SOI) by 2:00 PM Central Time on August 28, 2025. The SOI should include organizational and contact information, biographical sketches of the principal investigator and supporting personnel, relevant project experience, and a brief summary of technical capabilities and the research's relationship to USACE missions. Applicants are not required to submit full proposals or budgets at this stage. All inquiries must be submitted by August 12, 2025, via email to Nicholas A. Aprea (nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.mil) or Niki Baker (nicole.d.baker@usace.army.mil). The evaluation of SOIs will be merit-based, focusing on technical qualifications, past experience, alignment with project objectives, and the relevance to USACE goals. Ratings will be classified as Good/Excellent, Acceptable, or Unacceptable. Only the highest-rated SOIs will be invited to submit full proposals. Organizations and subcontractors must also demonstrate compliance with NIST SP 800-171 assessment requirements, performed within the last three years. This grant opportunity will remain open on Grants.gov for 30 days before selections are made. Deliverables throughout the project include work plans, quarterly and annual reports, data files, and optional technical contributions to broader RECOVER program efforts.

Ensure your PI meets the required qualifications, including Everglades-specific experience and relevant federal permits. Highlight technical merit and capability to fulfill the objectives.