REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
FOR
POTENTIAL PROJECT TO BE INITIATED
THROUGH
National Park Service
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Funding Opportunity Number:
P14AS00019
Park:
MISS
Project title:
Bird/Bridge Strike Study
Proposed Project Date:
Mid-July 2014 through January 2016
(exact dates to be determined)
Number of Awards Available:
1
Summary:
The National Park Service and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working in
partnership to determine the effect of bridge size and design on bird strike mortality,
particularly with bridges spanning rivers and intersecting migratory flyways. There has been
virtually no information found about this topic to date, and this Award would be for a review of
any existing literature, as well as development of a study design that would determine bridge
design impacts on bird mortality.
Background:
The National Park Service and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working in
partnership to determine the effect of bridge size and design on bird strike mortality,
particularly with bridges spanning rivers and intersecting migratory flyways.
This is a result of a bridge replacement project on the Mississippi River in Hastings, Minnesota.
The new bridge is a free-standing arch design featuring a trapezoidal cross-section that tapers
from the crown to the springline with no structural elements overhead, resulting in efficient
illumination of the arch at night using a minimal amount of light. Lighting consists of two lines
of light tracing the bottoms of the parallel arches from one end to the other. The downward
direction of the lights avoids sky glow and light pollution that can occur with deck mounted
floodlights. The upper and vertical inside faces of the main span piers are illuminated below the
deck to provide a focal point for viewers on the shore or river.
The goal of this research project is to determine what correlations exist between bird-bridge
collisions and bridge structure size, type (design) and lighting. In order to acquire this
information it is important to understand what information is presently available, what
research efforts have been completed or are underway, and how a research study could be
designed to best acquire this information. The study will need to determine if there are specific
species that are more susceptible to bridge strikes and if there are increased energetic expenses
of maneuvering around bridge structures.
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Numerous studies of avian mortality with regards to power lines, wind turbines and building
design have been done. However, research of various bridge design aspects and their impacts
on bird strikes are difficult to find, if they exist at all. This is particularly interesting considering
the majority of bridges cross waterways – a site for resting, nesting and feeding.
Possible Projects and Work Activities for 2014:
 Complete a comprehensive literature review to determine if there is any existing
information regarding bridge design and bird strike mortality. For bird strike studies that
have been done for other types of projects – like wind turbines or power lines – an effort
should be made to extrapolate how the conclusions might compare to a bridge.
 Design a study that will enable researchers to determine the effect bridge size, location and
design has on bird strikes/bird mortality. Determine the most effective way to assess this
mortality.
Skills desired:
 Knowledge of/experience with wildlife research study design
 Knowledge of comprehensive literature review techniques
 Ability to write clearly and concisely, synthesizing any studies that have been conducted,
and create comprehensive bibliographic citations
 Experience working with federal agencies
 Understanding of general bridge design elements
Educational background desired:
 Ornithology – knowledge of bird species, behavior and migration patterns, and natural
history
 Research qualifications – knowledge of how to design and conduct bird research
 Ability to understand technical publications, discern the difference between primary and
secondary sources in research, and judge the rigor and scientific merit of research
publications
 Ability to conduct research
Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Interested organizations submit a Statement of Information (three-page maximum, not
including bid/budget information) including a summary of how you would implement and
manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact
information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of
relevant qualifications and experience, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would
be available to work on the project. Include a bid with the Statement of Information. The
Statement of Information and bid will be reviewed by the NPS in order to determine the
organization best suited to provide services for this specific project.
Submit electronic Statement of Interest to catherine_schroeder@nps.gov by 5:00 CST on
Wednesday, April 15, 2014, as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.
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