The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Alaska District, has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a cooperative agreement supporting critical environmental monitoring and conservation initiatives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska. Titled “Mgt, Species, CIBW Prey - Salmon Monitoring (Weirs)” and “Mgt, Invasive Species, eDNA Multi Species,” this opportunity supports compliance with the Sikes Act, Endangered Species Act, and other federal mandates by ensuring the long-term ecological health of installations. The grant aims to assist JBER's Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) implementation through continued monitoring of salmon productivity, which is essential for the recovery of the endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW). This opportunity also includes a component for monitoring and potentially mitigating invasive species using environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques.
The primary objectives include long-term monitoring of salmon escapement and lake productivity in waterways such as Eagle River, Sixmile Lake System, and Otter Lake on JBER. The project specifically contributes to the recovery of CIBW by tracking the presence and migration of Pacific salmon species, which are a primary food source for these federally protected marine mammals. The cooperative agreement supports conservation actions such as monitoring adult and juvenile salmon through sonar and weir systems, developing scale sampling protocols for population forecasting, and improving habitat quality and fish passage.
Funding for this initiative is capped at $350,000 for core tasks, with an optional additional task related to invasive species surveillance potentially bringing the total to $374,775.35. The cooperative agreement has an 18-month performance period. Applications are due by July 8, 2025, and the anticipated award date is on or around July 30, 2025. Applicants must be state or local governments, Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, or individuals under 16 U.S.C. 670c-1(a). There is no matching fund requirement.
The submission process requires completed forms including the SF-424 series and a detailed program narrative. Applications may be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or via email. Key deliverables include an equipment inventory and maintenance plan for all monitoring systems, quarterly progress reports, and optional development of a scale investigation protocol and invasive species monitoring plan. All tasks must adhere to detailed spatial data standards and reporting formats, and equipment procured under the award will remain the property of the U.S. Air Force at JBER.
Evaluation criteria are based on experience, technical approach, and cost, with experience being the most heavily weighted. Past performance in working with Department of Defense natural resource management programs, salmon monitoring, invasive species detection using eDNA, and familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act are emphasized. Key agency contacts include Michelle Mandel at USACE (michelle.r.mandel@usace.army.mil, 907-753-2502) for agreement matters and Pamela Iverson (pamela.iverson@usace.army.mil, 907-753-2555) for administrative questions. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions by June 28, 2025, ten days before the application due date.
Emphasize experience in federal or DoD ecological monitoring; strongest weight given to past performance.
