Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00251
Apply for F12AS00251
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Commander Islands Sea Otter Surveys" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 25, 2012 and posted on Jun 25, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 10, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $14,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $14,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Commander Islands Sea Otter Surveys grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00251) is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Headquarters Region 7 action to fund continued monitoring of northern sea otters in Russia's Commander Islands, specifically Bering and Medniy islands. It is structured as a single-source Cooperative Agreement to Far East Whale Research under the authority cited as 505 DM 2.14.B. This posting is strictly a public notice rather than a competitive solicitation, meaning the government does not plan to accept or review proposals from other parties, and the award is intended to be made about 15 days after the notice.
The main purpose is to confirm and track the status of the Commander Islands sea otter population and to understand the factors influencing its abundance. While this population had been considered stable historically, survey results from 2009 suggested a sharp decrease, with numbers estimated at roughly 15 percent of previous levels. Because the Commander Islands population is adjacent to and ecologically connected with sea otter populations in the Bering Sea region, the work is important to USFWS management and recovery efforts, especially given that the southwest stock of northern sea otters on the US side is listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. The project is designed to strengthen understanding of sea otter population dynamics across the broader Bering Sea and to support decisions related to conservation and recovery.
The project objectives center on completing one year of comprehensive surveys during 2012 or 2013, depending on weather and available funding. Fieldwork includes at-sea counts conducted from a skiff with support from a larger vessel, particularly for the more challenging conditions around Medniy Island. The announcement emphasizes that the region presents serious operational hazards, including extreme weather, high waves, and strong currents, which complicate and constrain survey efforts. During each survey track, observers will record the locations of all sea otter groups seen in the water or hauled out on land and will georeference these observations using GIS tools. For each group, the team will also record group size, sex and age composition when possible, distance from shore, and water depth. To ensure data continuity with decades of prior work, the survey will also use a long-standing sector-based mapping system developed about 30 years ago, allowing distribution and relative abundance to be compared consistently over time and across different parts of the islands.
In addition to at-sea surveys, the project includes beach-based carcass surveys on Bering Island. Field staff will search along the high tide line to locate and collect sea otter carcasses, enumerate findings, and georeference carcass locations. When feasible, carcasses will be assessed for sex and age class, providing insight into year-to-year changes in the demographic profile of animals that do not survive. By comparing carcass information with overall population measures, the work can help infer mortality patterns for adults and pups and may also contribute clues about causes of death. The project also supports collection of tissue or other biological samples from carcasses for an ongoing collaborative genetics effort aimed at understanding sea otter stock structure, with additional sample types gathered as conditions allow.
USFWS justifies the single-source approach primarily on continuity and unique qualifications. The Commander Islands dataset represents one of the longest and most complete time series of sea otter population estimates across the species range, built through consistent survey methods used since the late 1970s. Maintaining those methods and expertise is portrayed as essential for detecting real changes rather than artifacts of differing techniques, especially given the unexplained decline indicated in 2009 and the relevance to the neighboring threatened US population along the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula. Far East Whale Research, including long-time researchers such as Alexander Burdin, is identified as having deep familiarity with the historical protocols, proven ability to operate safely in the area, access to needed vessel support on Bering Island, and established working relationships with the Commander Islands Nature Reserve staff. The notice also states that, to USFWS knowledge, no other sea otter specialists are prepared to carry out these surveys in this remote and logistically difficult setting.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Environment/Natural Resources activity area, with one expected award and no cost-sharing requirement. The estimated total funding is $14,000, with an award ceiling of $14,000 and an award floor of $1. The CFDA number listed is 15.608 (Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance). Although eligible applicant types are listed broadly as certain nonprofit categories, the practical reality is that this announcement is not open for competition because it is intended as a sole-source award. Key dates in the posting include a posted date of June 25, 2012, an original and current closing date of July 10, 2012, and an archive date of August 10, 2012. The contact listed for access issues is Rich Primmer, Agreement Officer, at 907-786-3611 and richprimmer@fws.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Commander Islands Sea Otter Surveys.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00251.
Which federal agency is behind this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) action, identified as a Headquarters Region 7 notice.
Is this a competitive grant where anyone can apply?
No. This posting is described as strictly a public notice rather than a competitive solicitation. The government states it does not plan to accept or review proposals from other parties.
What type of award is planned?
The notice describes a single-source Cooperative Agreement.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The award is intended to be made to Far East Whale Research.
What is the authority cited for making this a single-source award?
The authority cited in the notice is 505 DM 2.14.B.
When does USFWS expect to make the award?
The notice states the award is intended to be made about 15 days after the notice.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project’s purpose is to confirm and track the status of the northern sea otter population in Russia’s Commander Islands and to understand the factors influencing its abundance.
Where will the work take place?
The monitoring is focused on Russia’s Commander Islands, specifically Bering Island and Medniy Island.
Why is this monitoring considered important?
The notice explains that survey results from 2009 suggested a sharp decrease in sea otter numbers (estimated at about 15 percent of previous levels). It also emphasizes that this population is adjacent to and ecologically connected with sea otter populations in the Bering Sea region, which matters for USFWS management and recovery efforts.
How does this project relate to sea otters in the United States?
The notice links the Commander Islands work to USFWS conservation needs because the Commander Islands population is connected to the Bering Sea region, and because the southwest stock of northern sea otters on the U.S. side is listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
What are the project objectives and timeline for surveys?
The objectives center on completing one year of comprehensive surveys during 2012 or 2013, depending on weather and available funding.
What field methods are planned for the at-sea surveys?
At-sea counts are planned from a skiff, with support from a larger vessel, particularly for more challenging conditions around Medniy Island.
What kinds of data will observers record during at-sea surveys?
During each survey track, observers will record the locations of all sea otter groups seen (in the water or hauled out on land) and will georeference observations using GIS. For each group, the team will also record group size, sex and age composition when possible, distance from shore, and water depth.
How will the project ensure survey results are comparable to past data?
To maintain continuity with decades of prior work, the surveys will also use a long-standing sector-based mapping system developed about 30 years ago. This supports consistent comparisons of distribution and relative abundance over time and across the islands.
What operational challenges are highlighted for this work?
The notice emphasizes serious hazards in the region, including extreme weather, high waves, and strong currents, which can complicate and constrain survey efforts.
Are beach-based surveys included in the project?
Yes. The project includes beach-based carcass surveys on Bering Island.
What will the carcass surveys involve?
Field staff will search along the high tide line to locate and collect sea otter carcasses, enumerate findings, and georeference carcass locations. When feasible, carcasses will be assessed for sex and age class.
Why does the project collect carcass information?
The notice indicates carcass data can provide insight into year-to-year demographic changes among animals that do not survive. Comparing carcass information with population measures may help infer mortality patterns for adults and pups and may contribute clues about causes of death.
Will biological samples be collected from carcasses?
Yes. The project supports collecting tissue or other biological samples from carcasses for an ongoing collaborative genetics effort to understand sea otter stock structure, with additional sample types gathered as conditions allow.
Why is USFWS using a single-source approach for this project?
USFWS justifies the single-source approach mainly due to continuity and unique qualifications. The notice describes the Commander Islands dataset as one of the longest and most complete time series of sea otter population estimates across the species range, built using consistent methods since the late 1970s. The notice argues that maintaining those methods and expertise is essential, especially given the unexplained decline indicated in 2009.
What qualifications are cited for Far East Whale Research?
The notice identifies Far East Whale Research (including long-time researchers such as Alexander Burdin) as having deep familiarity with historical protocols, a proven ability to operate safely in the area, access to needed vessel support on Bering Island, and established working relationships with the Commander Islands Nature Reserve staff.
Does the notice indicate whether other specialists could perform the work?
Yes. The notice states that, to USFWS knowledge, no other sea otter specialists are prepared to carry out these surveys in this remote and logistically difficult setting.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Environment/Natural Resources activity area.
How many awards are expected?
The posting indicates one expected award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The posting states there is no cost-sharing requirement.
What is the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding is $14,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is $14,000 and the award floor is $1.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.608, titled Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.
Who is listed as eligible to apply?
The posting lists eligible applicant types broadly as certain nonprofit categories, but it also makes clear this announcement is not open for competition because it is intended as a sole-source award.
What are the key dates in the posting?
The notice lists a posted date of June 25, 2012, an original and current closing date of July 10, 2012, and an archive date of August 10, 2012.
Who should be contacted for access issues or questions noted in the posting?
The contact listed for access issues is Rich Primmer, Agreement Officer, at 907-786-3611 and richprimmer@fws.gov.
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