Opportunity Information: Apply for P14AS00175
Apply for P14AS00175
- The National Park Service in the education information and statistics natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assessment of Landbird Monitoring" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 14, 2014 and posted on Jul 14, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $33,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $33,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The "Assessment of Landbird Monitoring" opportunity (Funding Announcement P14AS00175) is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, meaning it is not an open call for applications. Instead, it serves as public notice that NPS plans to issue a non-competitive (single-source) continuation award under an existing cooperative agreement. The anticipated award is $33,000 with no cost share required, issued as a Cooperative Agreement under CFDA 15.945 (Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System / CESU). The project is a continuation task agreement (P14AC01193) under Cooperative Agreement H2370114000, with a performance period running from the date of award through 09/01/2015. The recipient is New Mexico State University (NMSU), led by Principal Investigator Dr. William Gould. The NPS point of contact listed is June Zastrow (303-987-6718, junezastrow@nps.gov).
Programmatically, the project supports long-term "vital signs" monitoring of landbirds across three NPS inventory and monitoring networks in the American Southwest: the Sonoran Desert Network (SODN), the Chihuahuan Desert Network (CHDN), and the Southern Plains Network (SOPN). Landbirds are treated as key ecological indicators because they play important functional roles in ecosystems and can reflect broader ecosystem integrity. These networks collaborate regionally and also coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor breeding birds across different habitats. The overarching monitoring aim is to detect biologically meaningful changes in bird populations over time. Because estimating annual abundance for all species everywhere is not realistic with limited budgets and staffing, the monitoring design emphasizes approaches that maximize inference while staying feasible.
The core technical focus of this continuation work is to start preliminary analyses of existing landbird monitoring data to test whether the current sampling design can reliably produce the main desired metrics. The monitoring program objectives are to (1) estimate occupancy (the proportion of sites occupied by a species), (2) estimate density where feasible, and (3) estimate species richness and community composition. This particular task places special emphasis on the first two: occupancy and density. A major reason is that both modern occupancy modeling and distance-based density estimation explicitly account for imperfect detection, correcting for the common problem that birds may be present but not detected during a survey. That correction is central to producing defensible trend estimates and avoiding misleading conclusions from raw counts alone.
The project lays out two primary evaluation questions. First, it asks how efficiently the current protocols can estimate site occupancy for a given species, and how factors like park size, stratification decisions, and whether a species is rare or common influence the results. Second, it asks whether the current approach can detect meaningful trends in density for individual species over biologically relevant time frames. In practice, the work is expected to explore how stratification and covariates (for example, habitat types or other site-level predictors) can strengthen the analyses and broaden inference about bird populations. The Sonoran Desert Network is the top priority for both occupancy and density analyses because it has the longest run of consistent data collection under the shared protocol. Even so, the plan includes analyzing a sample from each of the three networks, spanning both common and rare species, to help determine whether the monitoring design is balanced and whether adjustments are needed.
Methodologically, occupancy estimation will be used to track changes in distribution across space and time, while density estimation will be done primarily for common species with enough detections to support robust modeling. Density estimates will rely on distance sampling, which models detection probability as a function of distance from the observer by fitting a detection function. NMSU is expected to use appropriate software and analytical techniques to choose suitable detection functions and to make key modeling decisions such as truncation distances, grouping rules, and the use of covariates. The deliverables include a brief report summarizing findings and practical recommendations for improving sampling design and overall monitoring efficiency, along with the underlying analysis files and any software code used so the work can be reviewed, reproduced, and extended.
Roles are divided in a way that reflects the cooperative agreement structure and "substantial involvement" by NPS. NMSU leads the statistical and methodological analyses to address the monitoring design questions, while NPS staff handle data management, quality assurance/quality control, and data queries. NPS and Fish and Wildlife Service staff also provide guidance on analysis interpretation, reporting, and park-level ecological context, and NPS is responsible for editing, peer review, and publishing results in the NPS Natural Resources Publication Series. The award is explicitly justified as a single-source continuation because competing it could disrupt continuity or completion of an ongoing, already-established monitoring effort, and it is processed through the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) at a negotiated 17.5% overhead rate.
Finally, the authority for NPS to enter into and fund this cooperative agreement is cited under multiple statutes, including 16 USC 1(g) (cooperative agreements supporting NPS programs), 16 USC 1a-2(j) (cooperative research and training programs), and 16 USC 5933 (cooperative agreements with universities and partners to support cooperative study units and integrated information products relevant to park resources and their broader regions).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Assessment of Landbird Monitoring (Funding Announcement P14AS00175)
Is this an open grant opportunity that organizations can apply for?
No. This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to award, not an open call for applications. It serves as public notice that NPS plans to issue a non-competitive (single-source) continuation award under an existing cooperative agreement.
What does "notice of intent to award" mean in this context?
It means NPS has already identified the recipient and intends to make a continuation award without competition. The announcement is primarily for transparency and public notice rather than soliciting proposals.
Who is the intended recipient of this award?
The intended recipient is New Mexico State University (NMSU). The listed Principal Investigator is Dr. William Gould.
What is the anticipated award amount?
The anticipated award amount is $33,000.
Is a cost share or matching funds requirement included?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost share required.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The award is planned as a Cooperative Agreement.
What program or CFDA listing is associated with this award?
The announcement cites CFDA 15.945, described as Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System / CESU.
Is this a new project or a continuation of existing work?
This is a continuation task agreement, identified as task agreement P14AC01193 under Cooperative Agreement H2370114000.
What is the expected project performance period?
The performance period runs from the date of award through 09/01/2015.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project supports long-term "vital signs" monitoring of landbirds across three NPS inventory and monitoring networks in the American Southwest. A key aim is to detect biologically meaningful changes in bird populations over time using feasible monitoring approaches.
Which NPS networks are included in the work?
The work applies to three networks: the Sonoran Desert Network (SODN), the Chihuahuan Desert Network (CHDN), and the Southern Plains Network (SOPN).
Why are landbirds being monitored as a "vital sign"?
Landbirds are treated as key ecological indicators because they play important functional roles in ecosystems and can reflect broader ecosystem integrity.
Does the project involve coordination with any other federal agency?
Yes. The networks coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor breeding birds across different habitats.
What specific work is this continuation funding meant to support?
The continuation work is focused on preliminary analyses of existing landbird monitoring data. The goal is to test whether the current sampling design can reliably produce the main desired monitoring metrics, with special emphasis on occupancy and density.
What are the monitoring program objectives mentioned in the announcement?
The objectives are to (1) estimate occupancy (the proportion of sites occupied by a species), (2) estimate density where feasible, and (3) estimate species richness and community composition. This task emphasizes occupancy and density.
What does "occupancy" mean here?
Occupancy is defined as the proportion of sites occupied by a species. Occupancy estimation is used to track changes in distribution across space and time.
What does "density" mean here, and how will it be estimated?
Density refers to estimates of abundance per unit area (as implied by the density focus described). The project specifies that density estimation will rely on distance sampling, which models detection probability as a function of distance from the observer by fitting a detection function.
Why is imperfect detection a major focus in the analyses?
The announcement emphasizes that both occupancy modeling and distance-based density estimation explicitly account for imperfect detection (birds present but not detected during a survey). This correction is described as central to producing defensible trend estimates and avoiding misleading conclusions from raw counts alone.
What are the two primary evaluation questions the project will address?
First, it evaluates how efficiently current protocols can estimate site occupancy for a given species and how factors like park size, stratification decisions, and rarity/commonness affect results. Second, it evaluates whether the current approach can detect meaningful trends in density for individual species over biologically relevant time frames.
What factors may be examined to improve inference from the monitoring design?
The work is expected to explore how stratification and covariates (for example, habitat types or other site-level predictors) can strengthen analyses and broaden inference about bird populations.
Which network is the highest priority for analysis, and why?
The Sonoran Desert Network (SODN) is identified as the top priority for both occupancy and density analyses because it has the longest run of consistent data collection under the shared protocol.
Will all three networks be included in the analyses?
Yes, the plan includes analyzing a sample from each of the three networks (SODN, CHDN, SOPN), spanning both common and rare species, to help assess whether the monitoring design is balanced and whether adjustments are needed.
Will density be estimated for all species?
No. The announcement indicates density estimation will be done primarily for common species with enough detections to support robust modeling.
What methodological decisions are expected for distance sampling analyses?
NMSU is expected to use appropriate software and analytical techniques to choose suitable detection functions and to make key modeling decisions such as truncation distances, grouping rules, and the use of covariates.
What deliverables are expected from this work?
Deliverables include a brief report summarizing findings and practical recommendations for improving sampling design and overall monitoring efficiency, plus the underlying analysis files and any software code used so the work can be reviewed, reproduced, and extended.
How are responsibilities divided between NMSU and NPS?
NMSU leads the statistical and methodological analyses to address the monitoring design questions. NPS staff handle data management, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and data queries. NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff provide guidance on interpretation, reporting, and ecological context. NPS is responsible for editing, peer review, and publishing results in the NPS Natural Resources Publication Series.
Why is this being issued as a single-source, non-competitive award?
The award is justified as a single-source continuation because competing it could disrupt continuity or completion of an ongoing, already-established monitoring effort.
What is the CESU connection mentioned in the announcement?
The award is processed through the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), and the announcement notes a negotiated 17.5% overhead rate.
Who is the NPS point of contact for this notice?
The listed NPS point of contact is June Zastrow. Phone: 303-987-6718. Email: junezastrow@nps.gov.
What legal authorities are cited for NPS to fund this cooperative agreement?
The notice cites multiple statutes, including 16 USC 1(g), 16 USC 1a-2(j), and 16 USC 5933, as authorities supporting cooperative agreements, cooperative research and training programs, and cooperative agreements with universities and partners supporting cooperative study units and related information products.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Information and Statistics Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Analysis of Bakken Air Quality Study, Front Range Pollution Photochemistry Experiment
Previous opportunity: Comprehensive Assessment of Risk of Caves to White Nose Syndrome
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for P14AS00175
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "P14AS00175", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.