Bat Diet Characterization Focusing on Tricolored Bats and Little Brown Bats for Arnold Air Base, Tennessee

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in collaboration with Arnold Air Force Base (AFB) in Tennessee, is offering a cooperative agreement under the Sikes Act to support a research project titled “Bat Diet Characterization Focusing on Tricolored Bats and Little Brown Bats for Arnold Air Base, Tennessee.” This opportunity is available exclusively to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) in the Great Rivers, Southern Appalachian Mountains, and Gulf Coast regions. The Sikes Act authorizes the Department of Defense to engage with institutions for projects aligned with integrated natural resource management plans. The goal is to support research that informs effective conservation strategies on military lands while ensuring mission readiness. The primary focus of the project is to characterize the dietary composition of two vulnerable bat species—tricolored bats (*Perimyotis subflavus*) and little brown bats (*Myotis lucifugus*)—both of which are at risk from white-nose syndrome (WNS) and habitat threats. Arnold AFB hosts ten bat species, including several endangered ones. While prior studies have provided insights into some of these species, including gray bats and evening bats, there remains a significant data gap in understanding the diets of tricolored and little brown bats due to limited sample sizes. Addressing this gap is crucial for the protection and restoration of bat populations on the base and across the Southern Appalachian region. The agreement will support a two-year research effort involving seasonal fieldwork, acoustic monitoring, insect trapping, guano collection, and genetic analysis of prey content. Data will be collected from multiple riparian and terrestrial sites on the base, with mist netting focused during peak activity months—April, July, and August. The recipient will also conduct species-level dietary analyses using genetic databases such as BOLD and GenBank, and will produce statistical comparisons across species and seasons. Findings will be incorporated into actionable reports and GIS datasets compatible with Arnold AFB’s systems, providing long-term value for ecological stewardship and military environmental compliance. The project budget is capped at $227,181.92 for the base period, with no matching or cost-sharing requirement, and indirect costs capped at the CESU rate of 17.5%. While additional funding may become available for optional tasks, no follow-on periods are planned. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with a CESU within the specified regions and possess necessary federal and state permits to conduct bat research. The Principal Investigator and team must demonstrate relevant field, analytical, and technical expertise. Statements of Interest (SOIs) are due by 2:00 PM Central Time on March 5, 2026. Full proposals and budgets are not required at this stage. Submissions must include institutional qualifications, biographical information on the Principal Investigator, relevant past projects, and logistical capabilities. Following evaluation, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Proposals will be reviewed based on qualifications, relevance of experience, and capacity to meet the research goals. Interested parties should submit their SOIs and direct any questions to Maria Lopez (Grants Specialist, [email protected], 817-886-1881) or Joshua Wurtz (Project Manager, [email protected], 334-790-2568). Review of SOIs will commence after the 30-day Grants.gov posting period, and award selection will follow upon mutual agreement. The project period is expected to begin shortly after selection and will run for 24 months.