Marine Mammal and Habitat Monitoring-Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Prey at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

The Marine Mammal and Habitat Monitoring – Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Prey project is a cooperative agreement opportunity issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, under authority of the Sikes Act (16 USC 670c-1). This funding is available exclusively to institutions within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) in the Alaska or Pacific Northwest Regions. The overarching purpose of this project is to conduct a detailed, multi-year study of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (CIBW) population and their habitat use around Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska. The information gathered will assist JBER in environmental management and ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. The primary goals of this initiative are rooted in JBER’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), specifically Goal 4, which targets recovery of the CIBW. To support this, the project includes monitoring ice conditions, underwater acoustic environments, and beluga behavior and distribution. Further objectives involve collecting eDNA samples to understand beluga prey availability. A key driver for this research is the limited knowledge about CIBW winter habitat usage, making it essential to fill existing data gaps and inform the military’s operational planning in sensitive ecological areas like Eagle River Flats and Knik Arm. To carry out this work, the recipient organization must provide personnel, equipment, and logistical resources necessary to complete a comprehensive suite of tasks. These include continuous passive acoustic monitoring, visual surveillance, eDNA sample collection, and ice condition tracking. The government will furnish access to study sites, electronic data, and specified specialized monitoring tools. Coordination with the JBER Natural Resources Manager, USACE project manager, and other involved parties is mandatory, and monthly project management meetings, kick-off coordination, and adherence to a jointly approved work schedule are required. The performance period for the base agreement is 18 months, with the option for up to six additional 18-month follow-on periods, dependent on funding. The anticipated funding for the base period is approximately $522,500, with potential for further financial support for expanded efforts in later years. The project also carries substantial government involvement, particularly in the planning and technical execution of activities, consistent with CESU requirements. To be eligible, applicants must be members of CESU programs in specified regions and must demonstrate qualifications such as past experience with beluga whales or similar marine mammal studies in Alaska, experience working in high tidal exchange areas, and preferably within military impact zones. Submissions must include a two-page statement of interest outlining qualifications, past performance, and staff expertise. At this stage, a full proposal or budget is not requested. Statements of Interest must be submitted via email by 12:00 PM CDT on May 4, 2026. Questions should be directed no later than April 13, 2026, to the USACE contacts listed. Only those applicants deemed most qualified will be invited to submit a full proposal. All applicants and subcontractors must also hold an active NIST SP 800-171 DOD Assessment completed within the last three years. Required deliverables during the project include work plans, quarterly progress reports, technical reports, and raw data packages, with the U.S. Government retaining ownership of all project-generated data and equipment.