Monitoring, Assessing and Evaluating the Survival of Juvenile Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) on Lake Kissimmee, Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha, Kissimmee River and the Kissimmee River Floodplain

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, has issued a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) for a cooperative agreement under solicitation W9126G-25-2-SOI-4561. This opportunity is offered exclusively to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program in the South Florida-Caribbean and Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast Regions. The grant supports a research project focused on monitoring, assessing, and evaluating the survival of juvenile Everglade snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) across several key freshwater systems in Florida, including Lake Kissimmee, Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha, the Kissimmee River, and its floodplain. The effort aligns with the broader conservation mandates of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), especially concerning habitat impacts due to changes in water management under the Kissimmee Headwaters Revitalization Project. The primary objective of this cooperative agreement is to understand how lake stage operations and hydrologic changes affect snail kite reproductive success, juvenile survival, and demographic trends. The research is expected to yield actionable management recommendations that support species recovery efforts by minimizing mortality and optimizing habitat conditions. Specific tasks include year-round nest monitoring, application of nest cameras and tracking devices, assessments of incidental take, and analysis of population trends. The data generated will also help estimate impacts from the Headwaters Regulation Schedule Increment 1 Temporary Deviation on juvenile survival and nest success. The base award period is twelve months with an anticipated funding level of approximately $171,533. The agreement allows for up to four optional 12-month follow-on periods, contingent upon future funding availability. The CESU-established indirect rate of 17.5% applies to this agreement. Eligible applicants must be members of the CESU Regions specified and must comply with relevant Department of Defense cybersecurity assessment requirements, specifically an active NIST SP 800-171 DOD Assessment completed within the past three years. Interested organizations must submit a Statement of Interest by 2:00 PM Central Time on July 28, 2025. Submissions must include organizational identifiers (CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID), CESU Region affiliation, a biographical sketch of the Principal Investigator, and summaries of relevant past projects and capabilities. No full proposals or budgets are required at this time. Questions regarding the opportunity must be submitted by July 14, 2025. All statements received will be evaluated by a review board based on technical merit, capability, and alignment with USACE objectives. The proposal evaluation process includes three possible ratings—Good/Excellent, Acceptable, and Unacceptable—based on how well the applicant demonstrates project understanding, capability, and likelihood of successful performance. High-rated applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Key contacts for this opportunity are Nicholas Aprea (nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.mil, 817-886-1925) and Brian Hesford (brian.d.hesford@usace.army.mil, 402-200-8268). Additional coordination and project management contacts include Graceann Sparkman and Richard Skinker of the Jacksonville District. Deliverables will include biweekly updates, quarterly status reports, annual assessments, and a final summary report. Reporting requirements are comprehensive and involve both narrative and data components. Reimbursement requests must comply with federal forms and quarterly timelines. This project represents a substantial opportunity for ecosystem-focused institutions to contribute to endangered species recovery through applied research and data-driven habitat management in Florida’s unique freshwater systems.

Strong SOIs will demonstrate experience with snail kites, hydrologic systems, and monitoring technologies. Emphasize alignment with USACE mission and technical merit.