REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST Number W9126G-21-2-SOI-2252 Project to be initiated in 2021 Applicants must be a member in one of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU): Preferred Regional Units Include: Californian, Great Basin & Pacific Northwest Project Title: Environmental Monitoring, NIWC Pacific. Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific which provides professional and technical support to its Energy and Environmental Science Branches which Navy Region Southwest in order to facilitate successful implementation of a comprehensive assessment of environmental sensing and in vitro assay methods used for determining presence of environmental hazards. Methodologies are used to protect natural resources on military based as well as protect military forces and or any forwardly deployed organization in need of safe water resources. This cooperative agreement will be awarded using 16 U.S.C. § 670(c) (1) – (SIKES ACT) that is one of five authorities that have been delegated to the Fort Worth USACE to execute cooperative agreements. Approximately $80,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding ($80,000 for each optional period) may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee, subject to availability of funding. Background: The intent of this agreement is to provide environmental program support for Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific in complying with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Executive Order 12114 (EO 12114), Invasive Species Management (EO 13112) and the Sikes Act (16 USC 670). NIWC Pacific requires environmental monitoring research support to work closely with the NIWC Pacific Environmental Science project manager in assessing emergent environmental monitoring capabilities. Type of Award: In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), all CESU projects must carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, instead of acquiring goods or services for the exclusive direct benefit of the United States Government. In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), substantial involvement is expected between the federal partner and the nonfederal partner when carrying out the activities specified in the project agreement. The exact nature of the government’s involvement will be defined in the statement of objectives, issued with a request for full proposal. As a result, it is anticipated that a cooperative agreement through the CESU program will be awarded. Such awards may be administered through a CESU only upon mutual agreement and official authorization by both parties of the acceptance of the application of the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%). Note: Must be a non-federal partner and belong to one of the following CESU Units to be qualified and considered: Californian, Great Basin, or Pacific Northwest. Brief Description of Anticipated Work: This collaborative effort is focusing on environmental sample characterization analysis of environmental relevant microbes of interest and relative bioavailability of contaminants of interest using physiologically based assay for on-going environmental monitoring efforts at the Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific. Objectives: To meet unique project goals associated with project conditions within the NIWC the following are the required specific tasks that are essential to satisfying project goals and objects that will provide the installation with valid information. 1) Task 1: Conduct studies using NIWC Pacific laboratory space and materials to determine sensor capacity to detect targeted pathogens and characterize pathogenicity and protein expression. Scope of tasking anticipated includes sample characterization analysis on environmental relevant microbes. 2) Task 2: Comparison to standard methods: A comparative analysis of sensor to standard analytical methods to detect environmental microbes will be conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative means of detections will be compared and contrasted and comparison relevant to standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended Standard Test Organisms (STO) methods for detection of virus, bacteria, and protozoa. 3) Task 3: Conducting studies using NIWC Pacific laboratory space and materials to evaluate relative bioavailability utilizing physiologically based assays. Scope of tasking anticipated includes sample characterization and analysis. 4) Task 4: Statistical analysis of characterization analysis Interim Report: Perform appropriate statistical analysis of characterization analysis from experiments conducted in task 1 and 2 for support toward interim report generation. Period of Performance. The base period of this agreement will extend 12 months from date of award. Four option periods extending for 12 months each are anticipated for this effort. The first optional period would start at the end of the base period. Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications: Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to:
[email protected] and
[email protected] (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font). 1. Name, Organization, Cage Code, Duns number, and Contact Information 2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including): a. Biographical Sketch, b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects, c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise, d. Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.). Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time. Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives. Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements. Please send responses or direct questions to: Alisa Marshall Grants Specialist USACE Ft. Worth District
[email protected] Office: 817-886-1068 Kathy Mitchell Project Manager USACE Ft. Worth District
[email protected] Office: 817-886-1709 Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: The RSOI is required to be posted for at least 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 1 March 2021. [End of RSOI]