Landscape Pattern Ridge and Slough in the Florida Everglades

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is soliciting Statements of Interest (SOIs) for a cooperative agreement under the CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units) Program. This opportunity is specifically targeted at CESU members located in the Gulf Coast, Piedmont–South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean regions. The proposed research project, titled "Landscape Pattern – Ridge and Slough Mosaics in the Florida Everglades," will contribute to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which was authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. The intent of the CERP is to reverse decades of ecological degradation in the Everglades by restoring historical flow volumes and distribution, and this research is critical to tracking and supporting those efforts through robust monitoring and adaptive management. The project aims to collect ecological data on the patterned mosaic of sawgrass ridges, sloughs, and tree islands, focusing on metrics that inform the status, trends, and potential responses of these systems to restoration efforts. Primary activities will include reference condition establishment, monitoring vegetation and hydrology, and contributing to system-wide data analysis. Optional tasks may extend research into additional areas or support broader programmatic updates like the Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP) and the RECOVER System Status Report. Approximately $139,339 is expected for the base period, with the potential for four additional 12-month follow-on periods, depending on available funding. Optional tasks may also be funded over time. The indirect rate under CESU agreements is capped at 17.5%. Eligible applicants must demonstrate expertise in the Everglades ecosystem, landscape and vegetation ecology, and specific statistical sampling techniques such as the Generalized Random-Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) method. A PhD or equivalent experience in related fields is required for the Principal Investigator. Applicants must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) by 2:00 PM CT on August 27, 2025. The SOI must not exceed three pages and should include contact information, a description of technical ability, past project experience, and potential alignment with USACE’s mission. Applicants will be evaluated on the technical merit of their submission, alignment with DoD objectives, and organizational capacity. High-ranking respondents will be invited to submit a full proposal. Questions regarding the SOI are due no later than August 11, 2025. Key contacts include Nicholas A. Aprea (Grants Specialist) at nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.mil and Nicole D. Baker (Project Manager) at nicole.d.baker@usace.army.mil. Additional coordination will involve Jennifer John and Tasso Cocoves from the Jacksonville District. All data and reports generated under this agreement will support the RECOVER Annual and System Status Reports and may be incorporated into national databases assessing restoration progress. Required deliverables include meeting summaries, work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and data files. All funded work must comply with DoD cybersecurity standards, including a NIST SP 800-171 assessment performed within the past three years.

Ensure personnel qualifications align with SOO; highlight GRTS and Everglades-specific expertise