Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Monitoring & Wildlife Habitat Management | W9126G 22 2 SOI 3641

Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 22 2 SOI 3641

The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Monitoring and Wildlife Habitat Management opportunity is a Department of Defense funding announcement administered through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District. It is set up as a cooperative agreement focused on providing hands-on natural resources support at Naval Air Station Key West (NASKW). The government is first collecting Statements of Interest (SOIs) to identify qualified potential investigators before inviting full proposals. For the initial base year, the agency anticipates about $241,696 in available funding, with the possibility of additional funds in later fiscal years for follow-on tasks or continued work if the selected recipient performs well. While the total award ceiling listed is higher ($1,208,600), the immediate expectation is one award and base-year funding at the lower figure, with growth dependent on future needs and funding.

The work itself centers on monitoring and improving habitat for the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit (LKMR), a sensitive species in the Florida Keys, specifically on lands managed at NASKW. A key requirement is having an experienced on-site support person located at the installation, indicating the project is operational and field-based rather than purely academic. The anticipated scope is organized around three main task areas: (1) LKMR population monitoring, (2) habitat management, and (3) invasive exotic vegetation control. In practice, that means the cooperator will help track rabbit population status and trends over time, apply habitat enhancement and restoration practices in areas used by the species, and reduce or manage invasive plants that degrade or fragment the rabbit's habitat.

A major deliverable implied in the description is credible, consistent population data that can be used for annual trend reporting to regional stakeholders and regulatory agencies. The opportunity emphasizes use of established protocols from existing species management plans, which signals the government is looking for a partner who can follow standardized monitoring methods, produce defensible data, and integrate findings into ongoing compliance and conservation reporting. Habitat work is expected to be targeted to selected sensitive areas where LKMR occurs, combining restoration-type actions (forest or habitat enhancement) with practical invasive vegetation control.

At the time of the posting, the government was not requesting full technical proposals. Instead, applicants were asked to submit an SOI that demonstrates qualifications, relevant skills, and experience performing the same or similar work. Selection for invitation to submit a proposal would be based on the capabilities and past performance evidence presented in the SOI, with evaluation criteria and full project details referenced in a draft Statement of Objectives (SOO). The final SOO would be provided later to those invited to compete with full proposals.

Administratively, the opportunity appeared on Grants.gov for the required 30-day period, with SOIs due by end of day Central Time on July 20, 2022. The listing identifies the opportunity number as W9126G 22 2 SOI 3641, categorizes it under science and technology and other research and development, and references CFDA 12.005. Points of contact were provided for questions and submissions, including a USACE grants specialist and the USACE environmental agreements project manager/biologist.

• 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 "Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Monitoring & Wildlife Habitat Management" 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 Jun 20, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2022. (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 $1,208,600.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for W9126G 22 2 SOI 3641

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