Base-wide Inventory – Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish, Edwards Air Force Base, California | W9126G 21 2 SOI 5043

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a Department of Defense cooperative agreement opportunity requesting Statements of Interest (SOIs). It is tied to a U.S. Air Force-funded natural resources project at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in southern California.

2) What is the project title?

The project is titled "Base-wide Inventory - Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish, Edwards Air Force Base, California."

3) What is the purpose of the project?

The purpose is to provide professional and technical natural resources support to help Edwards AFB meet requirements under the Sikes Act (16 USC 670c-1), which guides conservation and management of natural resources on military installations.

4) Is the government requesting a full proposal or budget right now?

No. At this stage the government is requesting Statements of Interest (SOIs) only. The notice states the government is not asking for a full technical proposal or a budget at this time.

5) Why is the government using Statements of Interest (SOIs)?

The SOI process is being used to identify qualified investigators and teams that can perform the work. The government indicates it will decide who to invite for a later request for full proposals primarily based on demonstrated qualifications, skills, and relevant certifications.

6) Where will the work take place?

The work is located at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert in southern California.

7) How large is Edwards Air Force Base and what is the environment like?

EAFB is described as a very large and ecologically diverse desert installation covering roughly 308,180 acres. The base includes multiple habitat types and supports a broad range of native wildlife.

8) What is the natural resources management context at EAFB?

The base natural resources program emphasizes conserving desert habitat while still supporting the military mission. The project is framed as part of structured wildlife survey and monitoring efforts that support adaptive management.

9) Why are periodic wildlife surveys important for this project?

The solicitation explains that periodic, structured surveys are needed to understand which species are present, how populations are trending, and whether species remain viable over time. The collected data are intended to feed back into future decisions so monitoring and management actions can be targeted in a focused and cost-effective way.

10) What does "adaptive management" mean in this notice?

In this notice, adaptive management is described as using monitoring data to inform and refine future decisions, so the installation can focus monitoring and management actions effectively over time.

11) What type of funding instrument is this?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement.

12) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (instead of a standard grant)?

The notice indicates applicants should expect closer government involvement than in a standard grant, often including coordination on methods, deliverables, access, and scheduling to meet installation needs and compliance requirements.

13) Who is administering the opportunity?

The opportunity is administered through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, on behalf of the U.S. Air Force.

14) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.005.

15) What category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

16) What is the expected initial funding amount?

Funding is expected to start with an initial base period supported at approximately $311,512.

17) What is the anticipated period of performance for the base period?

The base period of performance is anticipated to be 18 months from the date of award.

18) Are there optional follow-on periods?

Yes. The structure includes up to five optional follow-on periods, each also anticipated to be 18 months.

19) What determines whether follow-on periods are exercised?

The notice indicates follow-on work and additional funding in later fiscal years are subject to the availability of funds, and the optional periods align with continuing the effort if funds remain available and the awardee performs well.

20) What is the overall ceiling amount shown in the posting metadata?

The posting metadata lists an overall ceiling of $1,869,072.

21) How many awards does the government expect to make?

The posting indicates an expectation of one award.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Applicant eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the full notice and attachments.

23) What will the government prioritize when evaluating SOIs?

At the SOI stage, the notice emphasizes personnel experience and the ability to deliver credible field data and professional reporting. Selections for later full proposals are described as being based primarily on demonstrated qualifications, skills, and relevant certifications.

24) Is there any stated preference for specific field experience?

Yes. Preference is explicitly stated for SOIs that show field technicians with at least five years of experience conducting point count surveys, including the ability to accurately identify riparian birds visually and by sound, and to estimate distance and direction using common field instruments.

25) What qualifications are highlighted for the principal investigator (PI)?

The notice highlights the importance of a PI who can synthesize collected field data into a cohesive final product, including clear methods, results, statistical analysis, and practical management recommendations.

26) Why does the notice mention bird point counts if the project title focuses on reptiles, amphibians, and fish?

Based on the language in the notice, the stated preference suggests the broader program may include integrated monitoring across taxa and habitats, and that the government values teams that can handle multiple standard wildlife survey approaches and translate findings into management-relevant conclusions.

27) What does the notice say about the SOI posting period before decisions are made?

The administrative timeline indicates the SOI posting must remain open for at least 30 days before the government decides whether to request full proposals.

28) What were the key dates listed for this specific posting?

The notice states the opportunity was originally posted July 21, 2021, and SOIs were due by 5:00 PM Central Time on August 20, 2021.

29) Where should applicants look for full project details?

The announcement directs interested parties to consult the attached documents for full project details.

30) Who are the points of contact for questions and submissions?

The notice provides points of contact as Sandy Justman (Grants Specialist, USACE Fort Worth District) and Margaret M. Wells (Project Manager, USACE Omaha District). Phone numbers and email addresses are included in the notice.