Demographic, Movement, and Habitat Studies of the Endangered Snail Kite in Response to Operational Plans in the Everglades, Florida | W9126G 25 2 SOI 4749

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a Department of Defense-funded cooperative agreement opportunity focused on applied ecological research and monitoring of the endangered Snail Kite in the Florida Everglades. The work emphasizes demographic, movement, and habitat studies, especially how Snail Kites respond to current or proposed water management and operational plans.

2) Is the government requesting a full technical proposal right now?

No. At this stage, the agency is issuing a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI). The purpose is to identify and vet organizations that have the expertise, capacity, and credentials to perform the work described in the Statement of Objectives (SOO).

3) Is a detailed budget required for the initial submission?

No. The agency is not asking for a detailed budget at this stage. The initial submission is a statement of interest.

4) What document should applicants rely on for the detailed scope of work?

The Statement of Objectives (SOO) is referenced as the primary document detailing the anticipated tasks. The synopsis indicates that specifics such as study design, deliverables, and performance expectations are defined in the SOO rather than in the short notice.

5) What types of studies and data collection are anticipated?

The anticipated work centers on applied ecological research and monitoring, typically including collection and analysis of field data on Snail Kite survival, reproduction, population trends, habitat use, and movements across the Everglades landscape.

6) What management questions is the research intended to inform?

The project is framed around evaluating how water operations and operational plans affect Snail Kites. The research is expected to help assess relationships between water management (such as timing, depth, duration, and distribution of inundation) and outcomes like nesting success, prey availability (notably apple snails), foraging behavior, dispersal, and overall population performance.

7) Where will the work take place?

The work is focused on the Florida Everglades, within a highly managed wetland system where water management operations are central to the study context.

8) What is the period of performance?

The period of performance includes a 12-month base period beginning at award, with the government anticipating up to four additional 12-month option periods. That creates a potential total project duration of up to five years, contingent on funding availability.

9) How many awards does the agency expect to make?

Only one award is expected.

10) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is listed as $2,378,758.

11) Does the award ceiling apply to the whole project or a single year?

The notice lists a single award ceiling amount and describes a structure with a base year and potential option years. The synopsis indicates a multi-year effort and a single substantial project intended to cover the full scope over the life of the agreement, subject to how funds are obligated across base and option years.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations participating in Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) within the Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean regions.

13) What does it mean that eligibility is limited to certain CESU regions?

It means the opportunity is only available to organizations that are part of the CESU networks in the specified regions (Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida-Caribbean). Organizations must be participating in those CESU networks to be considered.

14) What types of organizations typically participate in CESU networks?

The synopsis notes that CESU participation commonly includes universities, certain non-profits, and research organizations affiliated with the CESU program.

15) What funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

16) What does a cooperative agreement imply for project oversight and collaboration?

A cooperative agreement generally signals that the government expects substantial involvement during the project. The synopsis gives examples such as coordination on study priorities, data needs, field access, reporting, and integration of results into operational planning.

17) What is the main focus species and conservation status?

The focus species is the Snail Kite, and it is described as endangered.

18) What expertise should an organization highlight in its statement of interest?

The synopsis suggests tailoring the statement of interest to the SOO and demonstrating experience and capacity in areas such as endangered bird research, telemetry or movement ecology, Everglades wetland habitat assessment, demographic modeling, and working within complex interagency water management contexts.

19) Is movement tracking (telemetry or movement ecology) relevant to this effort?

Yes. The anticipated work includes tracking movements across the Everglades landscape, and the synopsis explicitly mentions telemetry or movement ecology as relevant expertise to demonstrate.

20) Is prey availability part of the expected research focus?

Yes. The synopsis specifically notes that the work may evaluate how water operations affect prey availability, notably apple snails.

21) What is the activity category and general research area?

The opportunity is categorized under an activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is administratively categorized under "Other."

22) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 12.005.

23) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is W9126G 25 2 SOI 4749.

24) What are the key dates (posting date and closing date)?

The posting date is July 9, 2025, and the closing date is August 8, 2025.

25) What should an interested organization submit to be considered?

An interested organization should prepare and submit a statement of interest (not a full proposal), using the SOO to tailor the response and show relevant qualifications aligned to the work described.