Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 MB 13 006
Apply for FWS R5 MB 13 006
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nano Tag Tracking Study" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.655 Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 4, 2013 and posted on Sep 4, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 9, 2013. (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 $97,612.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Nano Tag Tracking Study is a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a Notice of Intent to Award a single cooperative agreement to the University of Massachusetts, rather than an open, competitive solicitation with a full announcement. The award is justified under Departmental policy (505 DM 2) on the basis of the recipient's unique qualifications, and it sits within CFDA 15.655, Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation. In practical terms, this is a targeted, one-recipient agreement focused on improving and applying small wildlife tracking technology to answer specific offshore movement and habitat-use questions for coastal birds in and around federal waters of Massachusetts.
The core purpose of the project is to maximize the performance and usefulness of NanoTag automated telemetry for mapping offshore flight paths, distributions, and time spent in federal waters by two focal species: Common Terns and American Oystercatchers. A major emphasis is on making the technology work as reliably as possible in real coastal conditions, including optimizing detection ranges, testing field performance, and developing sound approaches for modeling and interpreting the tracking detections produced by automated receiving stations. Because NanoTags are lightweight and designed for smaller birds, the study also includes a validation component using satellite telemetry to ground-truth NanoTag performance on American Oystercatchers, helping confirm how accurate NanoTag detections are and how far tags can be reliably detected.
Geographically, the work targets eastern Nantucket Sound and waters east of Cape Cod and Nantucket, with attention to different parts of the annual cycle when birds may use offshore areas differently: breeding, staging, and migration. The study is designed to measure how often tagged birds enter federal waters and how long they remain there, relying on an array of automated telemetry receiving stations positioned across eastern Cape Cod and the Islands. The project also explicitly looks beyond the two focal species by evaluating whether NanoTag methods are feasible to expand to additional species along multiple sections of the U.S. Atlantic coast, including species that are federally listed. That feasibility assessment is framed in practical terms, weighing comparative costs and benefits rather than treating expansion as purely technical.
In addition to tracking movements, the project links movement ecology to reproductive outcomes. It aims to estimate productivity for tagged individuals (for example, fledglings produced per pair) and compare those outcomes to productivity in the surrounding local breeding populations. From there, the study intends to connect productivity with movement patterns and habitat use, which can help distinguish whether certain offshore behaviors correlate with better or worse breeding success. The results are also intended to inform the safest and most effective methods for expanding NanoTag tracking to conservation-priority species, specifically Roseate Terns and Piping Plovers, by applying lessons learned about tagging methods, detection performance, and any observed effects on birds.
The University of Massachusetts responsibilities described for meeting these objectives include planning and logistics, then conducting intensive fieldwork roughly during May through August 2013. Field tasks include capturing and tagging 15 American Oystercatchers and 75 Common Terns on breeding grounds at Monomoy Island (Chatham, Massachusetts) and Nantucket, using NanoTags provided by the Service. A subset of the oystercatchers (5 of the 15) would also receive Platform Terminal Transmitter satellite tags, also provided by the Service, to support the validation effort. The recipient is also expected to set up NanoTag telemetry receiving stations and supporting infrastructure such as towers in eastern Cape Cod and the Islands, including a station placed on the Hy-Line Ferry, and to download data regularly. Additional technical work includes running experiments to test and improve NanoTag performance under field conditions and conducting conventional telemetry using boat-based, aerial, and ground-based methods to supplement automated detections. Nesting monitoring is included to quantify productivity for tagged birds. After field seasons, the recipient is expected to analyze the data and take primary authorship of a final report to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), with a specified report deadline stated in the notice, and optionally produce peer-reviewed papers and professional presentations based on the findings.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, the FWS Migratory Bird Division anticipates substantial federal involvement rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. FWS roles include helping design and refine the project, evaluating success and modifying the approach as needed, managing project funds, and coordinating collaboration so the work proceeds efficiently. The Service also plans to convene and moderate meetings with collaborators and the primary funder, procure and provide key equipment (NanoTags, receiving stations, and satellite tracking equipment), and manage satellite service contracts. FWS may assist with field operations and data collection if needed, contribute to drafting annual reporting to BOEM, oversee funding distribution and planning for potential subsequent years if additional funding is secured, and serve as liaison to BOEM by translating results into practical guidance on how BOEM can implement study findings.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number FWS R5 MB 13 006, categorized as an environmental activity, with one expected award. The funding level is fixed, with both an award ceiling and floor of $97,612, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with the stated intent to award specifically to the University of Massachusetts. The notice was posted on September 4, 2013, with a very short open period through September 9, 2013, and it was archived on September 10, 2013, reflecting its nature as an intent-to-award rather than a typical competitive grant cycle. For access issues, the listed grants officer contact is Christal Cutler at 413-253-8233.
FAQs: Nano Tag Tracking Study (FWS R5 MB 13 006)
What is the Nano Tag Tracking Study funding opportunity?
The Nano Tag Tracking Study is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a Notice of Intent to Award a single cooperative agreement to the University of Massachusetts. It is not an open, competitive solicitation with a full announcement.
Is this an open, competitive grant opportunity?
No. The notice describes an intent to award a single cooperative agreement to one recipient (the University of Massachusetts) rather than running a competitive process.
Who is the intended recipient?
The intended recipient is the University of Massachusetts, based on unique qualifications cited under Departmental policy (505 DM 2).
What type of award is being used?
A cooperative agreement. This structure anticipates substantial federal involvement by FWS in project design, coordination, and execution support, rather than a hands-off grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
Funding Opportunity Number: FWS R5 MB 13 006.
What program or CFDA does this fall under?
This opportunity sits within CFDA 15.655, Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is designed to maximize the performance and usefulness of NanoTag automated telemetry for mapping offshore flight paths, distributions, and time spent in federal waters by coastal birds, with a focus on improving and applying small wildlife tracking technology to answer specific offshore movement and habitat-use questions.
Which species are the main focus of the tracking work?
The two focal species are Common Terns and American Oystercatchers.
Why is NanoTag technology central to this study?
NanoTags are lightweight and intended for smaller birds. The study emphasizes making NanoTag automated telemetry work reliably in coastal conditions by optimizing detection ranges, testing field performance, and improving modeling and interpretation of detections from automated receiving stations.
How will NanoTag detections be validated?
The study includes a validation component using satellite telemetry on American Oystercatchers to ground-truth NanoTag performance, including confirming how accurate NanoTag detections are and assessing how far tags can be reliably detected.
Where will the work take place?
The work targets eastern Nantucket Sound and waters east of Cape Cod and Nantucket, supported by an array of automated telemetry receiving stations across eastern Cape Cod and the Islands.
Does the study consider different times of year?
Yes. The study is designed to account for different parts of the annual cycle when offshore use may differ, specifically breeding, staging, and migration.
What will the project measure about bird use of federal waters?
It is designed to measure how often tagged birds enter federal waters and how long they remain there, using detections from automated telemetry receiving stations.
Will the project only address the two focal species?
No. In addition to the focal species work, the project evaluates whether NanoTag methods are feasible to expand to additional species along multiple sections of the U.S. Atlantic coast, including federally listed species.
How is feasibility for expanding to other species evaluated?
The feasibility assessment is framed in practical terms by weighing comparative costs and benefits, rather than treating expansion as purely technical.
How does the project connect movement tracking to reproductive outcomes?
The project aims to estimate productivity for tagged individuals (such as fledglings produced per pair) and compare those outcomes to productivity in surrounding local breeding populations, then relate productivity to movement patterns and habitat use.
Which conservation-priority species are specifically mentioned for future application of lessons learned?
The notice states results are intended to inform the safest and most effective methods for expanding NanoTag tracking to Roseate Terns and Piping Plovers.
What fieldwork is the University of Massachusetts expected to conduct?
Responsibilities include planning and logistics and then conducting intensive fieldwork roughly during May through August 2013, including capturing and tagging birds, setting up receiving infrastructure, downloading data, running performance experiments, supplemental telemetry, and nesting monitoring to quantify productivity.
How many birds are expected to be captured and tagged?
The notice specifies capturing and tagging 15 American Oystercatchers and 75 Common Terns.
Where will birds be captured and tagged?
On breeding grounds at Monomoy Island (Chatham, Massachusetts) and Nantucket.
Who provides the NanoTags used for the study?
The NanoTags are provided by the Service (FWS), according to the notice.
Will any birds receive satellite tags as part of the study?
Yes. A subset of the American Oystercatchers (5 out of the 15) would also receive Platform Terminal Transmitter (PTT) satellite tags to support validation, and the satellite tags are also provided by the Service.
What kinds of receiving stations or infrastructure are included?
The recipient is expected to set up NanoTag telemetry receiving stations and supporting infrastructure such as towers in eastern Cape Cod and the Islands, including a station placed on the Hy-Line Ferry, and to download data regularly.
Are methods beyond automated telemetry included?
Yes. The work includes experiments to test and improve NanoTag performance under field conditions and also includes conventional telemetry using boat-based, aerial, and ground-based methods to supplement automated detections.
What reporting or deliverables are expected?
After field seasons, the recipient is expected to analyze data and take primary authorship of a final report to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), with a report deadline stated in the notice. Peer-reviewed papers and professional presentations are described as optional outputs based on findings.
Who is the primary audience or end user for the final report?
The final report is to BOEM (the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management).
What role does BOEM play in this project?
BOEM is identified as the primary funder, and the project is intended to translate results into practical guidance that BOEM can implement. FWS also serves as a liaison to BOEM and may contribute to annual reporting to BOEM.
What level of federal involvement is expected under this cooperative agreement?
Substantial involvement by FWS is anticipated, including helping design and refine the project, evaluating success and modifying approaches as needed, managing funds, coordinating collaboration, convening and moderating meetings, procuring and providing key equipment, and managing satellite service contracts. FWS may also assist with field operations and data collection if needed.
What is the total funding amount?
The funding level is fixed, with both the award ceiling and floor listed as $97,612.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
How many awards are expected?
One expected award.
How is the opportunity categorized?
It is categorized as an environmental activity.
Who is eligible to receive this award?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with the stated intent to award specifically to the University of Massachusetts.
When was the notice posted and what was the open period?
The notice was posted on September 4, 2013, with an open period through September 9, 2013.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on September 10, 2013.
Why is the open period so short?
The notice reflects an intent-to-award for a targeted, one-recipient cooperative agreement rather than a typical competitive grant cycle.
What is the stated justification for selecting a single recipient?
The award is justified under Departmental policy (505 DM 2) on the basis of the recipient's unique qualifications.
Who can be contacted for access issues related to the opportunity?
The listed grants officer contact for access issues is Christal Cutler at 413-253-8233.
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