Project Title: Natural Resources Support, Edwards Air Force Base, California Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by the US Air Force which provides professional and technical support for Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in order to facilitate successful implementation of the 16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. Approximately $851,000 is expected to be available to support this project during the base period. Additional funding may be available for additional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee, subject to the availability of funds. Background: Edwards AFB encompasses approximately 308,180 acres in the Antelope Valley in southern California. The installation lies in the western Mojave Desert in portions of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. The base is approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, about 90 miles northwest of San Bernardino, and about 80 miles southeast of Bakersfield. Approximately 13,400 military and civilian personnel work on Edwards AFB, many of whom live either on the base or in nearby communities, such as California City, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Rosamond. The objectives of the work to be performed under this task order are to conduct natural resource tasks on the federal lands belonging to Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), and to prepare reports detailing the results of this work for submission to the USACE Omaha Project Manager (PM), AFCEC Edwards Installation Support Section (ISS) POC, and Edwards Natural Resource POC. The EAFB environmental programs ensures military mission activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and policies with cooperation and assistance from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s (AFCEC) Installation Support Section (ISS). Article I B of the master agreement states the objectives of the CESU are to: provide research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies and their potential partners; develop a program of research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and place special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions. In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator (hereafter Cooperator) agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, the Air Force responsibilities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531 et seq.), the Sikes Act Improvement Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 1361 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and applicable implementing regulations, such as Air Force Instruction 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management. [Please see the related documents for the full RSOI & SOO] Note: Must be a non-federal partner in one of the CESU Units, referenced above, to be qualified for considered. Note: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and skills for performing similar or same type of work. You will be evaluated for request for a proposal based on skills, qualifications and certifications demonstrated in your SOI. Period of Performance: The base period of performance is anticipated to be 18 months from date of award. Task 1 has one 18-month option period. Task 2 has no option periods identified. Task 3 has no option periods identified. Option Task 4 has four potential 18-month option periods. Option Task 5 has no option periods identified. Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time. Please send responses or direct questions to: Sandra Justman Grants Specialist USACE Ft. Worth District
[email protected] Office: (817) 886-1073 McCullough Wells Project Manager USACE Omaha District
[email protected] Office: (402) 995-2590 Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: The RSOI is required to be posted for at least 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 27 AUGUST 2021.