Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 MB 12 011
Apply for FWS R5 MB 12 011
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Award" 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 Jul 3, 2012 and posted on Jul 3, 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.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $90,000.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
This opportunity is a Notice of Intent to Award, not an open, competitive funding announcement. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is stating its intent to make a single discretionary grant award to the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) to carry out satellite tracking research focused on offshore diving birds that use federal waters off the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast during winter and migration. The central reason for the work is the rapid planning of offshore wind energy facilities in the region and the lack of detailed, fine-scale information on where key bird species travel, how they move through the area, and when they are most likely to overlap with proposed wind development footprints.
The project is framed around FWS responsibilities under federal wildlife protection laws to evaluate and reduce risks to marine bird populations in offshore areas where turbines may be constructed. Those risks include potential direct mortality from turbine collisions as well as indirect impacts such as changes in flight behavior, altered movement corridors, or displacement from important habitat. FWS also highlights the regulatory decision-making role of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which oversees wind facility approvals in federal waters roughly 3 to 20 nautical miles from shore. The intended outcome is to generate credible movement and distribution data that can be used to inform BOEM decisions and help ensure wind development proceeds with a clearer understanding of wildlife impacts.
BRI is identified as the intended recipient because FWS considers the organization uniquely qualified and ready to perform the work at the necessary offshore scale, including having specialized field capacity (boats, trailers, vehicles, trapping gear) and deep species-specific expertise. The notice emphasizes BRI's long-standing leadership in loon research, including its work through the International Center for Loon Conservation and Research, and notes that BRI staff have led much of the recent loon fieldwork in the U.S. Atlantic region. It also points to BRI experience conducting movement studies on the other focal groups, gannets and scoters, and notes prior collaboration with other key partners (including USGS Patuxent and Memorial University of Newfoundland's Montevecchi Lab). FWS also references BRI involvement in related offshore wind and seabird efforts funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Bailey Wildlife Foundation, suggesting the grant will complement ongoing research rather than duplicate it. Based on these factors, FWS indicates it selected BRI with minimal competition because it is not aware of another organization with an equivalent combination of expertise and operational readiness.
The technical scope centers on capturing and tagging three focal species with satellite platform terminal transmitter tags (PTTs): Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassana). BRI is expected to collect, analyze, and report fine-scale movement data from tagged birds using federal mid-Atlantic waters during winter and migration, when large portions of these populations are present offshore. Beyond mapping where birds go in the immediate study area, the notice states two additional objectives: first, improving understanding of seasonal connectivity for all three species, including identifying breeding areas through tracking; and second, refining at-sea winter capture methods and PTT attachment techniques for Northern Gannets to extend tracking duration beyond what is typically achievable.
FWS describes an unusually hands-on federal role in the project rather than a simple pass-through grant. Planned FWS involvement includes helping design and implement the project, managing funds, coordinating collaborators, and providing logistical oversight across geographies and species. FWS will also procure the satellite tracking equipment, manage satellite service accounts, assist with field operations if needed, and take an active role in analyzing and presenting location data. On the reporting and coordination side, FWS will compile results from BRI and other collaborators, oversee preparation of an annual report to BOEM, manage funding distribution and planning for potential subsequent field seasons (with any agreement extension), and serve as the liaison to BOEM to help translate findings into practical guidance for offshore wind planning and regulation.
Key award details provided in the notice are straightforward. The Funding Opportunity Number is FWS R5 MB 12 011 under CFDA 15.655 (Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation). The instrument is a grant, categorized under environmental activities, with one expected award. The award amount is fixed at $90,000 (both the floor and ceiling), and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is listed as 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education, although the notice makes clear the intent is to award directly to BRI rather than solicit multiple applicants. The notice was posted July 3, 2012, with an original and current closing date of July 10, 2012, and an archive date of July 11, 2012. A point of contact is provided for access or technical issues: Christal Cutler, Grants Officer, at 413-253-8233.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this an open funding opportunity that multiple organizations can apply for?
No. This is a Notice of Intent to Award, not an open, competitive funding announcement. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) states its intent to make a single discretionary grant award to a specific recipient.
Who is the intended recipient of this grant?
The intended recipient is the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI).
How many awards does FWS expect to make under this notice?
One award is expected.
What is the total award amount?
The award amount is fixed at $90,000. The floor is $90,000 and the ceiling is $90,000.
Is there any cost share or matching requirement?
No. The notice states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the funding instrument type?
The instrument is a grant.
What program and CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.655, Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
FWS R5 MB 12 011.
What type of activities does this grant support?
The grant is categorized under environmental activities and supports satellite tracking research on offshore diving birds using federal waters off the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast during winter and migration.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is intended to generate credible, fine-scale movement and distribution data for key bird species in the mid-Atlantic offshore area, in response to rapid planning of offshore wind energy facilities and the lack of detailed information on bird movement and overlap with proposed wind development footprints.
Which bird species are the focus of the satellite tracking work?
The technical scope focuses on three species: Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassana).
What tracking technology will be used?
The project involves capturing and tagging birds with satellite platform terminal transmitter tags (PTTs).
What geographic area is emphasized in the notice?
The work focuses on offshore federal waters off the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast, particularly areas used during winter and migration when large portions of the focal populations are present offshore.
Why is offshore wind development mentioned in the notice?
The notice links the research to rapid offshore wind planning in the region and the need for better data to understand where birds travel, how they move through the area, and when they may overlap with proposed wind development footprints.
What risks to birds is FWS concerned about in relation to offshore wind facilities?
FWS cites potential direct mortality from turbine collisions and indirect impacts such as changes in flight behavior, altered movement corridors, or displacement from important habitat.
How will the results be used?
The intended outcome is movement and distribution data that can inform regulatory and planning decisions, including BOEM decision-making, to help ensure wind development proceeds with a clearer understanding of wildlife impacts.
What is BOEM and why is it relevant here?
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is identified as the agency overseeing wind facility approvals in federal waters, described in the notice as roughly 3 to 20 nautical miles from shore. The project aims to provide data that can support BOEM decisions.
Why did FWS select BRI with minimal competition?
FWS states BRI is uniquely qualified and ready to perform the work at the necessary offshore scale, citing specialized field capacity (boats, trailers, vehicles, trapping gear), species-specific expertise, and extensive leadership in loon research. FWS also notes BRI experience with gannets and scoters and prior collaboration with other partners, and indicates it is not aware of another organization with an equivalent combination of expertise and operational readiness.
What prior experience does the notice highlight for BRI?
The notice highlights BRI's long-standing leadership in loon research (including work through the International Center for Loon Conservation and Research), BRI staff involvement in recent loon fieldwork in the U.S. Atlantic region, and BRI experience conducting movement studies on gannets and scoters. It also references collaboration with partners such as USGS Patuxent and Memorial University of Newfoundland's Montevecchi Lab, and involvement in related offshore wind and seabird efforts funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Bailey Wildlife Foundation.
Does the notice suggest this work will duplicate existing research?
No. The notice suggests the grant will complement ongoing research efforts rather than duplicate them.
What are the key research objectives beyond mapping movements in the study area?
In addition to collecting fine-scale movement data in federal mid-Atlantic waters, the notice lists two additional objectives: (1) improving understanding of seasonal connectivity for all three species, including identifying breeding areas through tracking; and (2) refining at-sea winter capture methods and PTT attachment techniques for Northern Gannets to extend tracking duration beyond what is typically achievable.
What role will FWS play during the project?
The notice describes an unusually hands-on federal role. Planned FWS involvement includes helping design and implement the project, managing funds, coordinating collaborators, providing logistical oversight, procuring the satellite tracking equipment, managing satellite service accounts, assisting with field operations if needed, and taking an active role in analyzing and presenting location data.
Will FWS be involved in reporting and coordination with BOEM?
Yes. FWS will compile results from BRI and other collaborators, oversee preparation of an annual report to BOEM, manage funding distribution and planning for potential subsequent field seasons (with any agreement extension), and serve as liaison to BOEM to help translate findings into practical guidance for offshore wind planning and regulation.
What are the eligibility requirements listed in the notice?
Eligibility is listed as 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education. However, the notice also makes clear the intent is to award directly to BRI rather than solicit multiple applicants.
When was the notice posted and what are the key dates?
The notice was posted July 3, 2012. The original and current closing date is July 10, 2012, and the archive date is July 11, 2012.
Who is the point of contact for access or technical issues?
Christal Cutler, Grants Officer, at 413-253-8233.
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