Cultural And Natural Resources Support At The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California

The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (N62473-25-2-0007) for a Cooperative Agreement to support the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) at Twentynine Palms, California. The MCAGCC is the Marine Corps’ largest combined-arms, live-fire training facility, covering 1,102 square miles of desert terrain in the Mojave Desert. The installation plays a critical role in preparing one-third of the Fleet Marine Force and Reserve Units each year. This funding opportunity aims to assist the Environmental Affairs Division in managing and enhancing both the archaeological collection and Wildlife Rapid-Response program. This Cooperative Agreement aligns with the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670c-1) and focuses on improving the management of significant cultural and natural resources at MCAGCC. Cultural resources management responsibilities include updating the archaeological collection inventory, accessioning new items, maintaining facility standards in line with 36 CFR 79, and improving interpretive and educational materials. A dedicated Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Archaeologist or Museum Professional will be required to oversee these activities, with qualifications aligned to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. On the natural resources front, the agreement will also support the Wildlife Rapid-Response Program. This includes on-call responses for injured or hazardous wildlife like snakes and desert tortoises, clearance surveys for training areas, and the development of educational materials for military personnel. A qualified Wildlife Biologist will be required, particularly one with credentials for handling the Agassiz’s desert tortoise under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations. GIS data maintenance and integration into MCAGCC’s Natural Resources database are also key deliverables. The total anticipated funding for this agreement is $1,346,681.56 over five years, comprising a 12-month base period followed by four optional 12-month extensions. The base period is expected to begin in Spring 2025 with an award amount of $300,000.00. Funding amounts slightly increase each year over the option periods. One award is expected under this opportunity. Matching is not required. Eligible applicants must be Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit partners who qualify under the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS) Part 34 or 2 CFR 200. The application must be submitted by August 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Notification of selection is anticipated by August 29, 2025, and the cooperative agreement is expected to begin on or around September 3, 2025. Applications can be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or directly to the contracting officer. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number, and be registered with Grants.gov if submitting through that platform. Required forms include the SF-424 (R&R), Research & Related Senior/Key Personnel form, Research & Related Budget form, and if applicable, the SF-LLL for lobbying disclosures. Biographical sketches of key personnel, particularly the Principal Investigator/Project Manager, must show at least five years of experience in both genetics research and in a PI role. Review criteria include the credentials of key personnel, technical approach, and reasonableness of cost. All evaluation factors are of equal importance. For more information, applicants can contact Anna Ruth DeLoach, Contract Specialist at NAVFAC SW, via email at annaruth.c.deloach.civ@us.navy.mil or phone at 619-705-5548. Questions should be submitted no later than July 31, 2025, at 2:00 PM PDT.

Emphasize clear resumes, budget accuracy, and conformance to all formatting instructions; all evaluation factors are equally weighted.