Monitoring Common Murre and Other Seabirds along the Central California Coast | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Monitoring Common Murre and Other Seabirds along the Central California Coast" opportunity?

This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) cooperative agreement focused on seabird restoration, recovery monitoring, and conservation research along California's central coast. The work emphasizes Common Murres and other seabird species affected by major stressors such as oil spills, gill net fisheries, and human disturbance.

What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to support ongoing, field-based monitoring and applied research that can detect potential impacts, track recovery trends over time, and help guide restoration strategies aimed at rebuilding affected seabird populations.

Which seabirds are the focus of the work?

The central focus is on Common Murres, along with other seabird species along the central California coast that have experienced harm from major stressors.

What kinds of stressors or threats does the project address?

The opportunity description highlights several major stressors that have harmed seabirds, including oil spills, gill net fisheries, and human disturbance. The project is intended to help monitor impacts and document recovery in light of these and other ongoing or emerging threats.

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

The funding is described as a cooperative agreement. The opportunity is positioned as a continuation award and is expected to be issued through a single-source determination.

What does it mean that this is a continuation award?

It means the funding is intended to continue an ongoing effort rather than start a brand-new program. The description emphasizes maintaining and advancing a long-running seabird monitoring and restoration effort that has been underway for many years.

What does "single-source determination" mean in this announcement?

Based on the description provided, the agency expects to make one award to a specific type of partner due to the value of long-term continuity in specialized seabird monitoring. The announcement explains that consistent methods, institutional knowledge, and experienced personnel are critical for reliable trend data and credible restoration outcomes.

Why is continuity important for this project?

The opportunity notes that seabird monitoring programs depend on consistent methods and long-term institutional knowledge to produce reliable trend data over time. Maintaining experienced personnel and established protocols helps ensure the monitoring results remain comparable year to year and useful for guiding restoration decisions.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility listed is private institutions of higher education. This aligns with the university-based, science-driven nature of the project and the need for technical research capacity.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is required. This means the recipient is expected to contribute non-federal resources to help meet the total project cost.

What forms of match or cost share are mentioned?

The description gives examples such as institutional support, in-kind services, or other matching funds as potential non-federal contributions.

What is the funding amount for this opportunity?

The total estimated funding is $95,304. The award ceiling is $95,304, and the award floor is $0.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates making one award.

What funding activity category is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity is placed within the natural resources funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.615, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.

What types of work and deliverables are implied by the description?

The description implies continued field monitoring of seabird populations, assessment of ongoing and emerging threats, documentation of recovery following historic impacts, and applied research outputs that directly inform seabird restoration and conservation actions in California.

Where will the work take place?

The work is along the central California coast, with monitoring and research tied to seabird restoration and recovery in that region.

Which agency office is connected to administration and support for this opportunity?

Administration and contact support are routed through the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Who is the point of contact for assistance and what is their phone number?

The listed point of contact is Lucinda Ballard, Administrative Officer. The phone number provided is 510-745-9286 for assistance accessing the full announcement or related details.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted on June 22, 2010. The original and current closing date is June 30, 2010.

What does it mean that the opportunity is archived?

The announcement indicates it was archived on July 30, 2010, which typically signals it is no longer an active, open solicitation.

What long-term partner relationship is described in the announcement?

The agency describes a university partner operating through a Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit and tied to the Common Murre Restoration Project. The partner has provided sustained technical expertise and on-the-ground assistance since 1995, including staffing, equipment, supplies, and other key services.

Why does the announcement emphasize a university partner?

The description indicates the institution has the experience and capacity needed to deliver specialized seabird monitoring support without interruption. The project is science-driven and relies on technical research capacity and long-standing expertise.