Natural Resources Support, Holloman AFB, NM | W9126G 21 2 SOI 4916

Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 21 2 SOI 4916

Natural Resources Support, Holloman AFB, NM is a Department of Defense grant opportunity run through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Fort Worth District) to identify a partner that can provide professional and technical natural resources support at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. The work is meant to help the base carry out its Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) and meet the requirements of the Sikes Act (16 USC 670c-1), along with relevant Air Force guidance (including AFMAN 32-7003). In practical terms, the project is about ensuring that military training and mission activities can continue while staying compliant with environmental laws and policies, using science-based management and monitoring.

The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement (CFDA 12.005) and the solicitation is a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI), meaning the government is first gathering qualifications and capability statements to identify the most suitable investigators or teams before moving forward. The total potential value listed is up to 1,247,800, with an expected single award. For the base year, about 311,946 is expected to be available specifically to support Tasks 1, 2, 5, and 6. The agreement is structured as a one-year base period with up to four additional one-year option periods, with follow-on work dependent on future funding.

Eligibility is not simply open-ended despite the listing showing "unrestricted" in the general field. The text clarifies that to be considered, applicants must be a non-federal partner in the CESU Network (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units) or a not-for-profit, non-federal entity. The CESU emphasis also signals that the government is looking for collaborative, interdisciplinary capability across biological, physical, and social sciences, and an ability to deliver applied research and technical assistance that supports land management decisions at multiple scales.

The anticipated work covers a mix of on-the-ground management, long-term monitoring, and targeted species and habitat studies. Task 1 focuses on vegetation management and maintenance in the Holloman Wetland Complex Area, which likely includes maintaining wetland plant communities, addressing problem vegetation, and supporting wetland function. Task 2 continues long-term monitoring of wetland birds at established monitoring locations, specifically at the Holloman Wastewater Evaporation Pond and Lagoon G, with surveys timed around migratory and breeding seasons to capture seasonal use and trends. Task 3 is broader program support for implementing the INRMP in line with the Sikes Act and Air Force requirements, which can include planning support, coordination, documentation, and technical input needed to keep the INRMP actionable and compliant.

Task 4 is a wide-ranging species management component that may include field studies and surveys for bats, the White Sands pupfish, burrowing owls, various threatened and endangered species, neotropical migrant birds, mammals such as coyotes and potentially wolves and foxes, raptors, and herpetofauna (lizards and amphibians). Task 5 shifts to habitat management, calling for studies and surveys tied to burrowing owl habitat and Chihuahuan Desert habitat, reflecting a need to understand habitat condition, pressures, and management options in both species-specific and ecosystem contexts. Task 6 addresses invasive species management, explicitly including noxious weeds and salt cedar, which often requires a combination of mapping, treatment planning, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and ongoing maintenance to prevent reinfestation.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number (W9126G 21 2 SOI 4916) and the timeline: statements of interest were required to be posted for at least 10 working days, and review of submissions was scheduled to begin on August 11, 2021 (with the original closing date also listed as August 11, 2021). Questions and submissions were directed to the USACE points of contact: Sandra Justman (Contract Specialist, sandra.justman@usace.army.mil, 817-886-1073) and J. Grant Harrison (CESU Project Manager, jason.g.harrison@usace.army.mil, 817-266-3001).

• The Department of Defense, Fort Worth District in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Natural Resources Support, Holloman AFB, NM" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.005.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 09, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 11, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,247,800.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W9126G 21 2 SOI 4916

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