Natural Resources Support for Edwards AFB, CA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is soliciting Statements of Interest (SOI) from eligible applicants within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, specifically the Colorado Plateau and Californian Regions, for a cooperative agreement supporting natural resources management at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California. The initiative, titled “Natural Resources Support for Edwards AFB, CA,” aims to ensure compliance with federal environmental laws, support conservation efforts, and uphold the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for the base. The funding opportunity number is W9126G-25-2-SOI-6026, and it falls under the authority of 16 USC 670c-1, the Sikes Act, which prioritizes awards to federal and state agencies responsible for fish and wildlife conservation. The project will be supported through a cooperative agreement exclusively with CESU Program members, with an initial base funding of approximately $562,725 available for an 18-month period. Additional optional funding may be provided for follow-on tasks for up to five additional 18-month periods. Applicants are expected to provide personnel, materials, and equipment to execute various conservation tasks including invasive species control, wetland management, habitat restoration, and access maintenance within specified Priority Management Areas (PMAs) across Edwards AFB. Some tasks are identified as unfunded options and must be costed separately in the full proposal for potential future funding. Funded tasks include invasive species control in disturbed roadside areas and wetlands, as well as improvements in Piute Ponds PMA. To be eligible, applicants must be CESU Program members in the specified regions and must also possess an active NIST SP 800-171 DOD Assessment conducted within the past three years. The scope of work includes close coordination with base environmental personnel and compliance with relevant environmental laws and internal procedures such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Air Force-specific regulations. Activities will require access to restricted areas of EAFB and adherence to safety, environmental awareness, and herbicide application protocols. Tasks include fieldwork, GIS data submission, technical reporting, and compliance with biological security and environmental impact analysis procedures. Interested parties must submit a Statement of Interest by 2:00 PM Central Time on 28 July 2025. This SOI should include organizational and contact information, qualifications of the principal investigator, past project experience, and available resources. A full proposal is not required at this stage. Selected candidates whose qualifications align with the project’s objectives will be invited to submit a detailed proposal. All proposals and SOIs must be submitted via email to the designated USACE Grants Specialist and Project Manager. Questions related to the opportunity must be submitted by 14 July 2025. The application timeline includes a 30-day public posting requirement on Grants.gov. Once selected, the recipient must schedule a kickoff meeting within 30 days of award to finalize the work schedule. Deliverables include work plans, weekly and monthly status reports, GIS data, and technical reports, all to be submitted in specific formats and timelines outlined in the statement of objectives. Deliverable compliance and project quality will be monitored by the USACE and EAFB representatives throughout the performance period. For questions or submissions, applicants may contact Nicholas Aprea (Grants Specialist) at Nicholas.A.Aprea@usace.army.mil or (817) 886-1925, and David Leptien (Project Manager) at David.B.Leptien@usace.army.mil or (402) 889-5570. Additional technical coordination may be directed to Daniel Garcia at AFCEC, reachable at daniel.garcia.23@us.af.mil or (805) 606-9834. This opportunity provides an important platform for ecosystem research and conservation implementation in partnership with federal agencies and academic institutions, enhancing environmental stewardship while supporting military mission readiness.

Statements should emphasize qualifications aligned with project tasks and CESU experience.