Shoal Bass Study NOI Not a Request for Proposals | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Shoal Bass Study (P13AC00235)

1) What is the Shoal Bass Study funding opportunity (P13AC00235)?

The Shoal Bass Study (Funding Opportunity Number P13AC00235) is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement to support research on shoal bass populations in the upper Chattahoochee River basin.

2) Is this a standard open Request for Proposals (RFP)?

No. The announcement is labeled as an NOI (Not a Request for Proposals). It is not described as a typical open competitive solicitation, but it still provides the scope of work, expectations, and partner responsibilities for the funded effort.

3) What is the main purpose of the project?

The central purpose is to understand how habitat fragmentation caused by dams and impoundments affects shoal bass by examining the genetics and population dynamics of isolated groups.

4) Where is the study focused geographically?

The research focuses on shoal bass populations in the upper Chattahoochee River basin.

5) How many shoal bass populations are included in the study?

The work focuses on three shoal bass populations.

6) What types of scientific methods are expected for the basin-wide work?

The project combines genetic analysis with standard fisheries population assessments, including estimating effective population size and characterizing genetic diversity, as well as assessing age structure, mortality rates, and recruitment drivers.

7) What genetic analysis is expected?

The project aims to estimate effective population size and characterize genetic diversity by genotyping sampled fish using up to 17 microsatellite DNA markers.

8) How will age structure and mortality be estimated?

Investigators are expected to estimate age structure and mortality rates by analyzing scale samples collected from fish in each population.

9) What does the project require regarding recruitment analysis?

Recruitment drivers are a core component of the study. Investigators are expected to evaluate variables influencing recruitment using catch-curve residual analysis to identify deviations from expected survival patterns that can indicate changes in year-class strength or environmental pressures.

10) Which population receives additional intensive study?

Big Creek receives additional intensive study beyond the basin-wide genetic and demographic work.

11) What additional work is required for Big Creek?

For Big Creek, the project adds a three-year mark-recapture effort to estimate actual population size more directly. It also includes evaluating the potential for shoal bass emigration, supporting the project theme of fragmentation and movement limitations.

12) What is meant by evaluating emigration in this project?

The project includes assessing whether shoal bass are able to move out of or between habitats despite barriers, aligning with the broader question of how dams and impoundments affect isolated populations.

13) What are the expected applied outcomes of the study?

The final applied outcome is the development of management recommendations informed by the combined genetic, age/mortality, recruitment, movement/emigration, and abundance findings to help managers understand whether populations are self-sustaining, genetically constrained, or at risk due to isolation.

14) What type of award is being used?

The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement.

15) Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants are limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.

16) What is the total anticipated funding amount?

The total anticipated funding is $125,840.

17) What are the award floor and award ceiling?

The award floor is $125,840 and the award ceiling is $125,840, indicating an expectation of a single award at a fixed amount.

18) How many awards are expected?

Expected awards: 1.

19) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

20) What are the key compliance responsibilities for the recipient?

The recipient is expected to complete the NPS research permitting process, follow all permit conditions, and submit the required Investigator Annual Report through the NPS research permit system.

21) What coordination is expected with NPS or park representatives?

The recipient must coordinate with park representatives, including meeting by conference call if needed, to confirm the project scope and implementation details.

22) What operational responsibilities does the recipient have?

The recipient is responsible for conducting the research and managing the project, and for providing key field equipment required for sampling and tracking fish.

23) What equipment is specifically listed as required for the work?

The listed equipment includes a backpack electrofisher, visible implant tagging supplies, and acoustic telemetry gear (including a submersible ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic receiver, and directional hydrophone).

24) What is the backpack electrofisher used for in this project?

It is identified for fish collection in wadeable waters.

25) What are visible implant tagging supplies used for?

They are listed for individual identification in the mark-recapture work.

26) What is the acoustic telemetry equipment used for?

It is included to support movement and emigration assessment.

27) What reporting is required during the project?

The recipient must submit written quarterly progress briefs to the NPS.

28) What data deliverables are required?

The recipient must provide tabular, graphic, and spatial datasets (including derived products) in a mutually agreed digital format with appropriate metadata.

29) What final report is required?

A final completion report is required, written to the standards of the NPS Natural Resource Technical Report (NRTR) series.

30) Are there publication or thesis acknowledgment requirements?

Yes. Any thesis work or peer-reviewed publications that result must acknowledge the NPS and the relevant partner organizations and staff, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, and the Chattahoochee Coldwater Fishery Foundation.

31) When was this opportunity posted and created?

It was posted and created on May 23, 2013.

32) What was the closing date for the opportunity?

The original and current closing date was May 30, 2013.

33) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was June 29, 2013.

34) What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 15.944 (Natural Resource Stewardship).

35) What activity category is this opportunity aligned with?

The activity category is aligned with education and environment.

36) Who is the contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed contact is Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist, phone 402-661-1662.