The Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7 is seeking potential scientific partners to submit a proposal to the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP). The JFSP is a partnership of six Federal wildland and fire and research organizations, was established in 1998 to provide scientific information and support for fuel and fire management programs. All JFSP projects require scientist-manager partnerships along with strong emphasis on transferring research findings to the field. Guidance for the program includes four original ?principal purposes? all related to wildland fuels: Fuels inventory and mapping, Evaluation of fuels treatments, Scheduling of fuels treatments, Development of protocols for monitoring and evaluation. In 2001, Congress further directed JFSP to expand its research efforts in post-fire rehabilitation and stabilization, local assistance, and aircraft-based remote sensing. JFSP research also examines air quality, smoke management and social aspects of fire and fuels management. In setting priorities for funding, the program responds to congressional direction, recommendations from advisory committees and member agencies, along with collective input from key agency personnel, workshops, and informational meetings. The program focus is on short-term, applied research that provides information and tools to specialists and managers, helping them make the best possible decisions and develop sound, scientifically valid plans. The JFSP encourages proposals from all interested parties. However, because the focus of the JFSP is on wildland fire and fuels issues on Federal wildlands, evidence of direct involvement by Federal scientists or land managers in the development of proposals must be included in all proposals. Proposals that do not have evidence of direct involvement by federal land managers or scientists will not be considered for funding. Examples of documented involvement by land managers or scientists include participation as a Principal Investigator, cooperator, or collaborator; letters of commitment and support; and written evidence from the manager that the proposal is responding to an urgent fire or fuels problem related to the land manager?s unit." Interested and capable parties with scientific proposal ideas for the undertaking of studies in Alaska who can demonstrate relevance to Alaska?s National Wildlife Refuge System are encouraged to contact us to discuss a possible partnership. There is no Region 7 specific soliciation packet, nor is there a "bidder's list" to get on. This is an opportunity for you to come to us with competitive ideas that fit within the programmatic description. A "twin" posting of this announcement # 701815R009 is posted to http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOI/FWS/FWS_R7/701815R009/Grant.html. Interested parties must contact Karen A. Murphy, Regional Fire Ecologist, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503. Phone (907) 786-3501; Fax (907) 786-3905; E-Mail
[email protected] to discuss competitive ideas not later than November 21, 2004 Lynn M. Evans Chief, Contracting and General Services Region 7 Phone: (907) 786-3439 Fax: (907) 786-3923