REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST
NUMBER W912HZ-15-SOI-0002
PROJECT TO BE INITIATED IN FY 2015
Project Title: Columbia River Basin (CRB) Fish Monitoring
and Evaluation Studies.
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will
be used to identify potential investigators for studies to
be sponsored by the Portland District and the Engineer
Research and Development Center to provide research
monitoring and evaluation services in the Columbia River
Basin (CRB). The estimated level of funding for FY15 is
approximately $475,931. Additional funds of $750,000/yr for
4 additional years may be available for follow on work
providing the potential funding of $3.48M over 5 years to
the successful Recipient/Awardee.
Background:
This research and data collection will be used to develop
and implement a monitoring/evaluation program for the
Columbia River Fish Mitigation Program (CRFM). Research
and monitoring results will provide public benefit through
enhanced fish passage and survival in the Columbia, Snake,
and Willamette rivers.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
Objective 1:
Evaluate factors affecting distribution, fate and spawning
success in CRB Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Pacific
lamprey populations focusing on factors affecting Prespawn
Mortality (PSM). Assess energetic condition and other fish
traits at the time of collection/interrogation through
final fates of recovered fish to determine causative PSM
mechanisms. Assess exposure(s) and effects of pathogens,
temperature, other environmental factors, and toxins on
adult salmon and steelhead final fates.
Objective2: Utilize current and emerging genetic methods
including: parentage analysis, sex determination, gene
regulation and expression, population and stock
identification, epigenetic effects, and genotype-byenvironment interactions.
Objective 3: Perform laboratory and/or field evaluations on
both juvenile and adult salmon, steelhead, and Pacific
lamprey life history stages to assess biological response
to physical and environmental conditions associated with
migration and passage;
Objective 4: Evaluate Chinook salmon, steelhead, and
Pacific lamprey life history variation and consequences of
variation on migration behavior. Provide methods
development and validation for characterization of life
history pathways.
Objective 5: Provide environmental and biological
monitoring relevant to fish habitat, fish growth, and fish
survival to include measurements such as: water chemistry,
temperature, primary productivity, secondary productivity,
food web structure, quantification of native and non-native
fish abundance and distribution, other factors affecting
growth and survival of ESA-listed salmonids.
Objective 6: Present research and monitoring results at
public and regional technical meetings to disseminate
findings and inform regional fish passage improvement
planning efforts.
Government Participation:
The Portland District will participate in study setup and
sampling activities as appropriate. The Portland District
will participate in infrastructure development to address
prioritized objectives. The Portland District will
participate in the review/selection of proposed methods to
accomplish the prioritized objectives. The Portland
District will also facilitate coordination with local,
state and federal agencies as needed. The Portland District
will provide technical review of data and reports to offer
opinion on presentations and publications that disseminate
the results of accomplished work.
Materials Requested for Statement of
Interest/Qualifications:
Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to:
Deberay.R.Carmichael@usace.army.mil (Maximum length: 2
pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
1. Name, Organization 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 proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received: 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.
Additionally,
the evaluation method and selection criteria for research
and development awards must be: (1) The technical merits
of the proposed research and development; and (2) Potential
relationship of the proposed research and development to
the Department of Defense missions.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
Deberay R. Carmichael
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
ERDC Contracting Office (ECO)
3909 Halls Ferry Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Deberay.R.Carmichael@usace.army.mil
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: Review of
Statements of Interest will begin after the SOI has been
posted on the CESU website for 10 working days.