Request for Proposals

Ecological Parameters in the Forested Wetlands of Southern Florida 

The US Army Corps of Engineers seeks statements of interest for a project to monitor how the abundance, diversity, and distribution of mangrove forested wetland prey fishes and submerged aquatic vegetation respond spatially and temporally to changes in hydrology as a result of restoration (e.g., increased pooling of freshwater at the ecotone and a wider and seasonally extended oligohaline zone) and to continue a long-term dataset.

Funding Agency
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Due Date
Statements of Interest (SOI) are due by 12:00 P.M. Central Time, 5 June 2026

NOTE: To be considered for award, the intended Recipient AND intended Subrecipients and Recipient- Contracted vendors must have an active NIST SP 800-171 Assessment.  See NIST Attachment to RSOI for details.

Agency Contacts

Yvonne Howard
Grants Specialist
USACE, Fort Worth District
Email:

Nicole (Niki) Baker
Project Manager
USACE, Fort Worth District
Email:

Link to RSOI

Link to NIST Attachment

Additional Documents and Information
Lorenz et al. 1997
MAP_AnnualReport_2023-24

Question 1:  From reviewing previous reports on this project, it appears that 11 locations were sampled, however this request for statement of interest says a minimum of 9 locations are required. Can you confirm/identify the 9 required sampling locations for us?

Response 1:  Per the Statement of Objectives (Mandatory Task 2, 3.1.2), the Recipient will conduct field sampling at a minimum of nine locations. Annual Reports are publicly accessible with the most recent Annual Report attached to this email. This report indicates previous 11 sampling locations. Although, 2 locations are reference sites (page 3) that has not historically funded with the previous agreement. Customer confirmed that nine sampling locations are required and are currently planned with exact locations coordinated with the Recipient post-award.

Question 2:  It appears that previous work used rotenone in the field for fish collection, is this still the preferred method and allowable by the Everglades National Park?

Response 2:  The most acceptable and appropriate methods will be discussed with the Recipient post-award. Please note, methods must be acceptable as an industry standard and/or permitted. The customer is not aware of any changes pertaining to monitoring restrictions with rotenone.

Question 3:  Spatial expansion is listed as an optional task, would there be additional funding involved? How would spatial expansion be addressed?

Response 3:  All Optional Task funding is separate from the Mandatory Tasks. Optional tasks that are not listed in the Request of Statements of Interest (RSOI) are not currently funded for execution, although these Optional Tasks may be exercised at a later date if funding becomes available and after discussion and collaboration with the customer.

Question 4:  Is the previously used gear available for use in this new award? Or is it available to confirm specs? This would be extremely helpful for consistency.

Response 4:  If the gear in question is related to the drop net design used in previous years, then this gear will not be furnished from the Government. Although, net design is described by Lorenz (1997) et al. (see attached).

Question 5:  Is there a page limit for the biographical sketches / CVs?

Response 5:  Per the RSOI (pages 1-2), Preparation of your Statement of Interest (SOI):  elements outlined in items 1, 2 (a-d), and 3 are to be provided at a maximum of 3 pages. A full proposal may be requested based on the evaluation (see RSOI pages 2-3) of the information provided in the SOI.