Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey, Salmon Productivity Monitoring at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). | W9126G262SOI9667

FAQs: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey, Salmon Productivity Monitoring at JBER (USACE RSOI)

1) What is this opportunity about?

This is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District request for statements of interest (RSOI) to identify qualified partners to support research and monitoring related to Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) prey resources, with a specific emphasis on salmon productivity monitoring in and around Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska.

2) Is the government asking for a full proposal and detailed budget right now?

No. At this stage, USACE is requesting a statement of interest (SOI) rather than a full technical proposal or a detailed budget. The intent is to quickly identify qualified partners that can perform the work described in the referenced Statement of Objectives (SOO) attachment.

3) What type of funding instrument will be used?

Funding is expected to be awarded through a Cooperative Agreement (not a standard contract or traditional grant).

4) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to participants within specific Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU): the Alaska, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific Northwest Units. The notice also indicates that, consistent with the authority used, priority should be given to federal and state agencies responsible for conserving or managing fish and wildlife. Even though the eligible applicant type is broadly listed as "Others," the CESU participation requirement is the practical constraint.

5) What legal authority is cited for this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered under Sikes Act authority (16 USC 670c-1), which generally supports implementation and enforcement of Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) on Department of Defense lands.

6) What is the anticipated period of performance?

The anticipated period of performance begins with a base period of 18 months from the date of award.

7) Are there options for extension beyond the base period?

Yes. If funding remains available and the project continues to meet agency needs, the cooperative agreement may be extended through as many as six additional follow-on periods, each also 18 months long.

8) Does the multi-period structure imply ongoing work?

Yes. The base period plus up to six additional 18-month periods suggests an expectation of sustained, multi-year monitoring (for example, ongoing data collection, analysis, and reporting) rather than a one-time study.

9) What is the maximum funding amount for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of $1,326,101.

10) How many awards does USACE expect to make?

The announcement anticipates a single award.

11) Will all funding necessarily be provided at once?

Not necessarily. While the posted ceiling indicates the maximum amount expected, the multi-period structure suggests funding decisions could be phased and dependent on appropriations and performance.

12) Is there an indirect cost cap under the CESU program for this opportunity?

Yes. The announcement states that the established CESU indirect rate is capped at 17.5% for work performed under the cooperative agreement and any modifications.

13) What indirect cost base applies for the 17.5% cap?

The indirect cost base must align with the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base. If an organization does not have such an agreement, the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base will apply unless the agreement specifies otherwise.

14) How quickly will USACE review statements of interest?

USACE plans to review statements of interest within 30 calendar days of the posting date.

15) What is the closing date listed in the notice?

The original closing date shown is 2026-09-10.

16) If invited after the SOI stage, how much time might applicants have to submit a full proposal?

The notice warns that, if invited to submit a full proposal after the statement-of-interest stage, the turnaround time may be very short, potentially as little as five business days.

17) What should potential applicants do to prepare for a short proposal turnaround?

The posting suggests preparing internal materials early so you can move quickly if invited. Examples mentioned include technical approach outlines, staffing plans, past performance references, and rough-order-of-magnitude cost assumptions.

18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W9126G262SOI9667.

19) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The posting identifies CFDA 12.005.

20) Who are the points of contact for questions or submissions?

The points of contact listed are Nicholas A. Aprea (Grants Specialist) at Nicholas.a.aprea@usace.army.mil and David Leptien (Project Manager) at david.b.leptien@usace.army.mil.

21) What kind of work area does this opportunity fall under?

The activity falls under science and technology/research and development and is connected to natural resources management priorities on a military installation (JBER).

22) Where is the monitoring work focused?

The described focus is salmon productivity monitoring in and around Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska, tied to beluga whale prey resources.

23) Where is the detailed scope described?

The work is described in a Statement of Objectives (SOO) that is referenced as an attachment in the notice.

24) What is the main purpose of the SOI stage?

The SOI stage is intended to allow USACE to quickly identify qualified CESU partners who can carry out the work described in the SOO, before requesting full proposals from selected respondents.