The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, has issued a Request for Statement of Interest (RSOI) under cooperative agreements for technical expertise in fire management to support the Air Force Wildland Fire Branch (AFWFB). The focus of this agreement is to conduct prescribed burns, manage hazardous fuels, and address wildfire suppression while ensuring compliance with federal environmental laws, including the Sikes Act. The estimated funding for the base period is approximately $1,111,500, with potential additional funding for optional tasks or follow-on work. This cooperative agreement will have an 18-month base period, with four potential 15-month follow-on periods based on funding availability.

The purpose of this initiative is to manage Air Force lands in line with federal environmental laws and to implement effective natural resources management strategies. The project will support ecosystem management, wildfire suppression, mechanical fuel reduction, and the protection of natural and cultural resources on Air Force installations. Additional responsibilities include ecological monitoring, fire planning, management of a national wildland fire tracking system, and data analysis for land rehabilitation. The overarching goal is to minimize wildfire risks, advance conservation, and maintain compliance with federal and state environmental regulations.

Eligible applicants must be members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) in the Colorado Plateau, Great Plains, or Gulf Coast regions. Applicants must demonstrate relevant expertise and qualifications, including experience in ecological monitoring, wildland fire suppression, and resource data analysis. Special emphasis is placed on applicants with the capability to plan and execute prescribed burns, conduct training, and manage wildfire suppression operations as needed. The CESU Program's indirect rate of 17.5% will apply.

Interested parties are required to submit a two-page Statement of Interest (SOI) by February 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time. The SOI should include the organization’s name, contact details, CESU region, and a brief statement of qualifications, such as the experience of the principal investigator, past projects, and relevant expertise. Full proposals are not required at this stage; selected applicants will be invited to submit detailed proposals after initial evaluations.

The evaluation process will consider qualifications, experience, and the ability to meet program objectives. A panel will assess submissions, and applicants with the most aligned capabilities will be shortlisted. Final proposals will be reviewed after a 30-day posting period on Grants.gov, and applicants will be notified accordingly.

Key deliverables include bi-weekly updates to the Fire Data Support System, monthly and quarterly progress reports, and an annual property inventory. A kickoff meeting must be held within 30 days of award, and recipients must provide technical support, equipment, and travel as needed for project completion. All expenses related to personnel, equipment, and liability insurance must be covered by the non-federal entity, with detailed reporting on project outcomes.

For more information, applicants may contact Sandy Justman or David Leptien at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Full details on reporting, invoicing, and deliverables are outlined in the agreement documentation.