Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00240
Apply for F16AS00240
- The DOI-FWS in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Evaluation of Degradation of Benthos in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers: Health Survey of Native Freshwater Mussels" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2016 and posted on May 23, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $95,464.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Evaluation of Degradation of Benthos in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers: Health Survey of Native Freshwater Mussels" (Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00240), is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) discretionary grant focused on assessing how contamination is affecting freshwater mussel populations in Michigan. The work targets two Michigan Areas of Concern (AOCs), the Clinton River and the Kalamazoo River, and also includes the St. Joseph River as a reference system for comparison. The broader purpose is to generate scientific evidence that helps determine the status and severity of the "Degradation of Benthos" Beneficial Use Impairment (Benthos BUI) in these waterways, which is a key designation used in Great Lakes restoration and AOC cleanup decision-making.
The core of the project is an intensive mussel health and population survey designed to capture both common native species and federally endangered mussels. The survey design emphasizes high detection probability for rare species by using large-area sampling units of 128 square meters. Field teams are expected to document mussel condition and demographics through methods like external annular ring counts (a technique used to estimate age and growth), shell length measurements, and population structure analyses (for example, looking at size and age class distributions to infer recruitment and long-term population stability). Beyond general population metrics, the scope specifically calls for additional density estimates for endangered species, reflecting a need for more precise abundance information where conservation stakes are highest.
A major component goes beyond simply counting mussels: surveyors will coordinate closely with USFWS staff to collect individuals of common species for follow-on contaminant testing and pathology evaluations. In practice, this links field biology with laboratory-style health assessment, allowing the project to connect what is observed in mussel populations (such as skewed size structure, reduced recruitment, or poor condition) with measurable drivers like contaminant burdens and disease or tissue pathology. The intent is to integrate contaminant concentrations, pathology results, and population measurements with site-specific environmental samples so that conclusions about mussel health are grounded in local exposure conditions rather than generalized assumptions.
The final output USFWS is seeking is actionable information that can be shared with state partners to clarify the extent of the Benthos BUI in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers. In other words, the data are meant to support management decisions, including whether conditions meet thresholds for BUI removal or what additional remediation might be needed. Because mussels are long-lived, sedentary, and sensitive to water and sediment quality, they function as strong indicators of benthic ecosystem health, making them particularly relevant to a Benthos BUI evaluation.
Administratively, the opportunity indicates an intention to make one award with an expected ceiling of $95,464. The posting and creation dates were May 23, 2016, with a closing date of May 30, 2016. The CFDA listing is 15.662, and the agency is DOI-FWS. Although the eligibility field is broadly labeled, the notice makes clear this is intended as a single-source (non-competitive) award to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at Michigan State University (MNFI). The justification cited is 505 DM 2.14B.4, and the rationale is that competition is not practical because MNFI is considered uniquely qualified: they already know the specific survey locations, are recognized leaders in freshwater mussel survey work, and use methods and data standards that align well with other state-run databases, improving comparability and usefulness of results. USFWS also notes MNFI has a history of delivering high-quality work and clear, timely reporting for the East Lansing Field Office, and that leveraging MNFI staff experience is expected to strengthen the study and better support USFWS obligations to provide decision-relevant information to state agencies working toward BUI removal.
FAQs: Evaluation of Degradation of Benthos in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers - Health Survey of Native Freshwater Mussels (F16AS00240)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Evaluation of Degradation of Benthos in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers: Health Survey of Native Freshwater Mussels."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F16AS00240.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), within the Department of the Interior (DOI-FWS).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA listing is 15.662.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is designed to assess how contamination is affecting freshwater mussel populations in Michigan and to generate scientific evidence that helps determine the status and severity of the "Degradation of Benthos" Beneficial Use Impairment (Benthos BUI) in targeted waterways.
What does "Degradation of Benthos" (Benthos BUI) refer to in this context?
In this opportunity, the Benthos BUI is a key designation used in Great Lakes restoration and Areas of Concern (AOC) cleanup decision-making. The project aims to provide data that can clarify the extent and severity of this impairment in the targeted rivers.
Which rivers are included in the study?
The work targets two Michigan Areas of Concern (AOCs): the Clinton River and the Kalamazoo River. The St. Joseph River is also included as a reference system for comparison.
Why is the St. Joseph River included?
The St. Joseph River is included as a reference system to provide a comparison point against the Clinton and Kalamazoo Rivers, which are the primary AOC study sites.
What organisms are being surveyed?
The project centers on native freshwater mussels, including both common native species and federally endangered mussels.
What is the core activity funded under this grant?
The core activity is an intensive mussel health and population survey intended to document mussel condition, demographics, and population structure, with additional emphasis on detecting rare and endangered species.
How will the survey design support detection of rare or endangered mussels?
The survey design emphasizes high detection probability for rare species by using large-area sampling units of 128 square meters.
What kinds of measurements will be collected in the field?
Field teams are expected to document mussel condition and demographics using methods such as external annular ring counts (to estimate age and growth), shell length measurements, and population structure analyses (including size and age class distributions).
What is an external annular ring count, and why is it used here?
An external annular ring count is a technique used to estimate mussel age and growth. In this project, it supports demographic and population assessments by helping describe age structure and growth patterns.
What does "population structure analysis" mean for this project?
Population structure analysis refers to examining distributions of size and age classes (for example, whether there are younger mussels present) to infer recruitment and long-term population stability.
Is the project only about counting mussels?
No. In addition to population and demographic metrics, the project links field observations with contaminant testing and pathology evaluations to better understand drivers of mussel condition and population patterns.
How are contamination and mussel health connected in this project?
The project is focused on understanding how contamination is affecting mussel populations by integrating population measurements with contaminant concentrations and pathology results, grounded in site-specific environmental samples.
Will the project include laboratory-style testing?
Yes. Surveyors will coordinate closely with USFWS staff to collect individuals of common species for follow-on contaminant testing and pathology evaluations.
Which mussels will be collected for contaminant testing and pathology?
Individuals of common species will be collected for follow-on contaminant testing and pathology evaluations, in coordination with USFWS staff.
Does the scope include special work on federally endangered mussels?
Yes. The scope specifically calls for additional density estimates for endangered species to provide more precise abundance information where conservation stakes are highest.
What kinds of indicators will be used to interpret mussel population health?
The opportunity describes using indicators such as population size and density, demographic metrics (age and size), recruitment signals, long-term stability in population structure, mussel condition, and links to contaminant burdens and pathology findings.
Why are freshwater mussels used as indicators for a Benthos BUI evaluation?
Freshwater mussels are long-lived, sedentary, and sensitive to water and sediment quality. These traits make them strong indicators of benthic ecosystem health, which is directly relevant to evaluating a Benthos BUI.
What is the expected outcome or deliverable of the project?
The final output sought by USFWS is actionable information that can be shared with state partners to clarify the extent of the Benthos BUI in the Kalamazoo and Clinton Rivers and support management decisions.
How will the results be used by partners and decision-makers?
The data are meant to support management decisions, including whether conditions meet thresholds for Benthos BUI removal or whether additional remediation may be needed.
How does the project ensure conclusions are site-specific?
The intent is to integrate contaminant concentrations, pathology results, and population measurements with site-specific environmental samples so that mussel health conclusions reflect local exposure conditions rather than generalized assumptions.
How many awards does USFWS intend to make under this opportunity?
The opportunity indicates an intention to make one award.
What is the expected funding ceiling for the award?
The expected ceiling is $95,464.
When was this opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The posting and creation dates were May 23, 2016, and the closing date was May 30, 2016.
Is this opportunity competitive?
No. The notice indicates it is intended as a single-source (non-competitive) award.
Who is the intended recipient of the single-source award?
The intended recipient is the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at Michigan State University (MNFI).
Why is the award single-source to MNFI?
The justification states that competition is not practical because MNFI is considered uniquely qualified: they already know the specific survey locations, are recognized leaders in freshwater mussel survey work, and use methods and data standards that align with state-run databases, improving comparability and usefulness of results.
What additional reasons are given for selecting MNFI?
USFWS notes MNFI has a history of delivering high-quality work and clear, timely reporting for the East Lansing Field Office, and that leveraging MNFI staff experience is expected to strengthen the study and support USFWS obligations to provide decision-relevant information to state agencies working toward BUI removal.
What justification authority is cited for the single-source decision?
The notice cites 505 DM 2.14B.4 as the justification.
What role does USFWS staff play during the project?
USFWS staff are expected to coordinate closely with surveyors, particularly regarding the collection of common species individuals for follow-on contaminant testing and pathology evaluations.
What makes the survey design "intensive" based on the notice?
The opportunity describes an intensive approach through large-area sampling units (128 square meters) to increase detection probability for rare species, combined with detailed demographic and condition measurements and additional endangered-species density estimates.
What is the broader restoration context referenced by this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to Great Lakes restoration and AOC cleanup decision-making, using Benthos BUI status and severity as a key factor in evaluating progress and determining next steps for remediation or BUI removal.
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