Q528406CESI
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DRAFTBAA - Q528406CESI
BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR
Research in Support of Department of Interior Science Plan administered by
Everglades National Park, National Park Service
and Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science, U.S. Geological Survey
This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) information is provided as notice of information
submitted for publication on FedBizOpps at
FedGrants at and Grants at
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire BAA before submitting questions or
applications. Many sections have been revised since the publication of the FY04 BAA,
including application requirements.
I) SUMMARY
NOTE: This BAA is a request for proposals for new projects that would start either in FY06 or FY07 depending on available funding in each of those years.be
supported by the funding available in FY06 and/or FY07 funding. TThe next posting is anticipated to occur no earlier than June 2006, and would address FY08 funding opportunities.
Applicants are strongly urged to read this announcement in its entirety before submitting any questions or materials.
The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) provides support for collection of scientific information for use in ecosystem restoration decision-making and to guide its own land management responsibilities for South Florida ecosystem restoration. The primary mechanisms for science support are the Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative (CESI), administered through the National Park Service at Everglades National Park and USGS’s Priority Ecosystems Science (PES).
To support ongoing South Florida restoration efforts, the DOI and its bureaus, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), developed a science plan that identifies the key projects and science needed to support DOI managers in fulfilling their stewardship responsibilities for natural resources in South Florida. The plan is entitled, the DOI Science Plan in Support of Ecosystem Restoration, Preservation, and Protection in South Florida, May 2004 (DOI Science Plan).
For additional information:
The DOI Science Plan is available online and can be downloaded at
. It is recommended that the “What is needed” sections in each chapter are reviewed before submitting to this BAA. Please send all questions and comments to the contact person listed in this BAA, who will forward your inquiries to the CESI Coordinator.
An overview of Everglades restoration issues, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Acceler-8 (8 CERP projects on an accelerated schedule), CERP Interim Goals and RECOVER, may be viewed at . RECOVER and the Monitoring and Assessment Plan can be found at Information about the hydrologic models developed by the South Florida Water Management District can be found at .
Some research projects that have been fully or partially funded by CESI may be viewed at and (Note: The CESI website presents only projects funded prior to FY04.)
II. RESEARCH AREAS
This BAA is a call for projects that directly support needs identified in the DOI Science Plan. Each Research Area contains specific topics that DOI considers a priority science need.
Research topics that couldare considered priority funding opportunities potentially be funded in FY06 are identified with “(FY06)” preceding the description of the research area. All proposals will be considered as new projects that could potentially be funded to start in either FY06 or FY07.
Water Questions - What priority science needs have been identified that will lead to actions to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of clean fresh water needed to restore the South Florida Ecosystem?
(FY06) Identification of areas of recharge, discharge, and points of potential pollution injection for ground water and the subsequent impacts to the surficial aquifer (Biscayne) and the upper Floridan east to the continental break. Projects should focus on quantifying: water quality; changes in water quality; integrity of the respective aquicludes (especially the integrity and potential exchange across surficial aquiclude under Biscayne Bay and the offshore platform). Of particular interest is the investigation of mass exchanged between the surficial aquifer and the overlying waters and what geological elements or structures might promote or discourage exchange.
Identify historic salinity levels, plant and animal communities using paleoecological, isotopic, and/or other appropriate methods.
Studies to identify the current water quality and sources of pollution for Biscayne Bay and other coastal marshes and sounds.
(FY06) Collect the information relevant to Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project, DOI managed lands, and /or Card and Barnes Sound (e.g., biotic, hydrologic, climatological) necessary to contribute to the needs of activities such as:
development and refinement of Minimum Flows and Level's
development and refinement of Initial Reservations
CERP Interim Goals.
An inventory of Emergingl Pollutants of Concern (EPOCS) and other Waste Water Reuse constituents and their biotic tolerances or effects within fresh, estuarine, and marine micro and smaller macro faunal and floral communities.
Modeling of surface water and ground water dynamics to evaluate the impacts of hydrologic restoration projects such as CERP, on water patterns, water quality, and ecology in the following areas:
NE Big Cypress National Preserve, particularly with regards to the Seminole Water Conservation Plan and L-28 Interceptor Modification Project
Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park
the Model Lands
the Card Sound/Barnes Sound Complex
Tamiami Trail
Coastal marshes.
(FY06) Studies to improve the hydrologic monitoring, including water quality components, in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Quantification of flows across and parallel to I-75 (Alligator Alley), addressing the issue of deviations in the natural movement of water within and downstream of Big Cypress National Preserve.
Measurement of drought and flooding stress on tree island productivity and community dynamics in order to contribute to the development and refinement of CERP projects performance measures and targets (e.g., DECOMP).
Fire effects on restoration activities on DOI managed lands with specific regard to the following such as:
water quality
exotic species (especially Old World climbing fern)
coastal marshes.
Natural Habitats and Species Questions – What priority science needs have been identified that will lead to actions that will restore, protect, and maintain natural resources on DOI lands in South Florida?
Process level studies on the causal mechanisms linking hydrologic parameters and biological attributes of natural systems as identified, for example, in the conceptual ecological models used in the RECOVER Monitoring and Assessment Plan.
Research to determine the impact of existing and proposed freshwater inflows from CERP projects on coastal communities (e.g. oligohaline marshes, areas dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and mangroves) with particular focus on trophic interactions, salinity, water quality and nutrient dynamics, in the following areas:
Biscayne Bay and its head waters, Card and Barnes Sounds
western portions of Everglades National Park
northeast Florida Bay.
Research to determine the responses of native species to bio-chemical and physical management activities designed to control invasive exotic organisms within Federally managed lands.
Research to determine the responses of native animals to the introduction and persistence of exotic organisms in both terrestrial and aquatic environments within Federally managed lands.
Ecology and restoration impact on macro-invertebrates in Everglades National Park’s Pine Rocklands, such as:
butterflies
tree snails.
(FY06) Florida panther reintroduction strategy development related to human dimensions in central Florida and other areas outside of their current range.
(FY06) Assess secondary impacts impairing recovery to listed species in the Keys from existing and future development such as:
invasive and nuisance animal species
habitat degradation and management
pesticide impacts and management
prescribed fire suppression and management.
Integrating recent research to develop a system-wide management plan for conserving Everglades snail kites, their prey, and their habitats.
Understanding interacting threats in Cape Sable seaside sparrows and Florida grasshopper sparrows to include a detailed analysis of empirical data in conjunction with population modeling to identify conditions when models may incorrectly represent population conditions that are potentially caused by interacting threats.
(FY06) Determine if sufficient habitat is protected specifically for:
Florida scrub jay
Sand skink
Bluetail mole skink.
Update information relevant to distribution and abundance of Highlands tiger beetle.
Adaptive Management, Monitoring, and Assessment Needs
Research and possible model development or refinement to support decision making where restoration activities pose the potential for multi-species tradeoffs affecting the following:
species covered in the Avian Species Recovery Plan
key estuarine faunal and floral species (i.e. SAV, Crocodiles, crabs, sponges).
(FY06) Research to understand the interactive effects of climate (including inter-annual variability in rainfall), and water management strategies (e.g. Rainfall Plan, Marsh Operations, and Minimum Flows and Levels) on community composition and function in the following areas:
ridge and slough
tree islands
coastal estuaries.
(FY06) Development of methodology to quantify ecological connectivity across the following major potential barriers of flow such as:
across Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) into Everglades National Park
across Alligator Alley within Big Cypress National Preserve
the exchange of water between Florida Bay and Barnes Sound.
Monitoring of ecological and hydrologic effects of ModWaters and Tamiami Trail modifications on WCA3B and Northeast Shark Slough to contribute to the design of CERP projects (e.g., DECOMP) and contribute to the development and refinement of performance measures and targets.
Studies on impacts of sea-level rise on coastal communities and the potential relationship to restoration activities.
Assessment of impact and restoration options for canals in Big Cypress National Preserve, which discharge into Chokoloskee Bay, Everglades National Park.
Assessment and design options for restoration to improve flows between the Okaloacoochee Slough in Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida Panther Wildlife Refuge, across State Road 29 canal.
Identification of effects of restoration on transmission, spread, and chemical control management of West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and other mosquito-born diseases in coordination with modeling efforts associated with evaluating diverse threats as required for the Avian Recovery Plan.
Data and Information Management Needs
(FY06) Development of graphical user interfaces to provide improved accessibility of model code and control over initial calibration values of ATLSS models and other relevant models.
Development of data management systems for DOI Bureaus which allow for management of research reports and analyses, synthesis of information, and monitoring and model associated metadata.
Development of a cost effective mechanism, e.g. decision support tools with graphic user interface, for management input of minor or specific scenarios of hydrologic restoration alternatives.
Science Integration and Synthesis Needs
(FY06) Collection and synthesis of data for the verification and calibration of hydrologic and ecological models used for ecosystem assessment and restoration planning including those developed through the ATLSS program.
Research to understand the ecological effects of water management and water quality on A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR resources with focus on the following:
Synthesis of existing information
Understanding the ecological effects of hardwater
(FY06) Research to understand the impacts of restoration projects on hydrology, habitats, and wildlife on the Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands NWRs with focus on the following:
improvements to hydrologic modeling
synthesis of existing information
(FY06) Synthesis of field data, historical information and modeling results for refinement of long-term restoration goals and targets in the Greater Everglades, covering topics such as the following:
water flow patterns
sediment transport
tree island ecology
natural community dynamics.
Synthesis of groundwater models linking exchange and flow in the lower and upper Floridan and Biscayne aquifers, fully modeling recharge and discharge potentials correlated to upland groundwater elevations, and barriers to flow (or injection points) presented by canals and deep rock mines.
(FY06) Synthesis of regional scale information and model development are needed that integrate and depict key factors of landscape change and their effects on the hydrology, biology, geology, and geography of the landscape, together with the identification of how policy, regulatory, and management strategies of national parks and refuges may influence these effects. Conceptual models and potential management options need to be developed with stakeholders.
Research area or focus not presented in one of the questions above that applicant would like to propose as a critically important Everglades restoration science need.
III) PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The long-term objective of the DOI science initiative is to provide support to initiate and accelerate research for critical science in support of the ecosystem restoration initiative.
The program is designed to complement the research endeavors of other DOI agencies and stakeholder institutions involved in Everglades restoration by filling in the gaps in our the current understanding of restoration science and is coordinated with those entities to avoid duplication of efforts.
IV) PROGRAM AUTHORITY AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY
The Federal 2006 and 2007 Interior and Related Agencies Bills are anticipated to renew the authorization for CESI funding for Fiscal Year (FY06 and FY07, respectively,) under "Everglades Restoration." The NPS Contracting Office will not finalize the rewards associated with the BAA until the aforementioned bills have been signed.
The availability of PES funding is determined annually through USGS administrative procedures.
Funding for all projects is contingent upon availability. Funding levels for new projects depends on the final budget appropriation and the funding awarded to support continuing projects. Funds available for projects vary from year to year and can be committed only on a yearly basis. Awards for continuing projects are evaluated annually in a process separate from this BAA. Approximately forty awards are made each year, including approval of new and continuing projects.
Award size is variable; there are no pre-set limits for overall costs. It is strongly recommended that the total cost of the project be competitive and include in-kind funding opportunities. Program administrators reserve the right to request revisions in the proposal and/or budget for projects recommended for funding before final award.
V) ELIGIBILITY
For CESI funding, applicant eligibility is unrestricted and generally includes institutions of:
Higher education
Other nonprofits
Commercial organizations
Federal, state, local, and Indian tribal governments
International institutions (funds will be disbursed in U.S. currency)
USGS Priority Ecosystems Studies is generally restricted to USGS scientists.
Applicants shall comply with their institution's requirements for initiating new projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to familiarize and inform themselves with their institution's requirements regarding contracts and cooperative research and related fund disbursement before responding to this BAA.
VI) DATES
A) All applications to this BAA are due no later than the due date and time for proposals is August 8July 15, 2005, at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Proposals received after the deadline shall not be considered. Mail submissions to the address provided in section X. No electronic submissions shall be accepted.
B) The estimated project start date included in the proposals should be no earlier than October 1, 2005, for FY06 funded proposals and no earlier than October 1, 2006, for FY07 funded proposals. Actual project start dates shall be dependent on the date the award is approved, and may include changes that result from final authority for the program and/or compliance with any conditions submittal to the scope of work (SOW) and/or budget of the proposal.
VII. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
NOTE:
Applications that deviate from the content, format, and assembly requirements may not be considered.
Submittal of a proposal for a specific inventory is acknowledgement that the offeror has reviewed and understands the permit requirements for all applicable Federal and State agencies, including, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and State of Florida. Offerors shall consult the National Park Service (NPS) on-line research permit system for permit requirements at
Three ( 53) unbound hardcopies shall be sent to the appropriate address provided in Section X. No electronic or digital (CD or other media) submissions will be accepted.In addition, we are requesting one electronic copy of your proposal, appendices and budget. The proposal package must be submitted as a digital original on a CD-ROM as a PDF file or a file format compatible with MS Word 2000; graphics should be imported into the same document. No facsimile transmissions or electronic mail submissions will be accepted.
Project Description: the proposal should include the following elements in no more than five pages (excluding graphics and cover sheet):
Title: keep succinct with limited number of words
Principle Investigator: include contact information
Specific objectives of project
Statement of about how the proposed project meets one of the science needs and management questions identified in the DOI science plan (The DOI Science Plan is available online and can be downloaded at
Study design with references to similar methods when applicable
Expected results and application of project benefits
Geographic focus of project: sampling areas and area of anticipated application of results
Specific deliverables: Brief description and schedule (at a minimum must include semi-annual, annual and final report). Maps, models, data sets, computer programs, handbooks, etc. should also be listed. Offerors must be aware that selected projects will be required to adhere to the research data reporting and data custody requirements of the South Florida Natural Resources Center, Everglades National Park, and those of the USGS.
Timelines with milestones: Project beginning and end dates. Schedule for major tasks (e.g., monitoring dates, model development goals, etc.) and due dates for deliverables and when the information will be available for use in the decision process.