Short Grass Prairie Soil and Vegetation Investigative Study | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The "Short Grass Prairie Soil and Vegetation Investigative Study" is a small, targeted research and technical assistance project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to support natural resource management at Buckley Air Force Base (BAFB). The core purpose is to improve how the installation manages soils and native vegetation so that the land continues to support military training and operations without long-term degradation. The project is grounded in the base's Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), which is the guiding framework used by military installations to align mission needs with conservation requirements and broader federal land stewardship obligations.

The opportunity is framed around INRMP Goal 10.4 and Goal 10.5. Goal 10.4 focuses on conserving soil and water resources, with particular emphasis on practical problems that show up after land disturbance, such as erosion and sedimentation from earth moving or construction activities (Objective 10.4.3). It also emphasizes shifting away from traditional landscaping approaches toward methods that require less water and maintenance, like xeriscaping, and, when feasible, the use of natural native vegetation (Objective 10.4.6). Goal 10.5 focuses on wildlife management, specifically using an ecosystem management approach (Objective 10.5.1). In practice, that means wildlife objectives cannot be met sustainably unless the underlying soils are stable and capable of supporting successful establishment of native plant communities. Taken together, the justification for the study is that soil condition and native vegetation success are foundational to erosion control, water resource protection, and habitat quality, all of which affect the installation's long-term resilience and its ability to meet mission demands.

From a grants and administration standpoint, this was a discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.608 (Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance). The activity category is listed under information/statistics, natural resources science and technology, and other research and development. The funding level was modest, with an estimated total of $15,000, an award ceiling of $15,000, and an award floor of $12,000. Only one award was expected. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning the recipient was not required to contribute funds or in-kind match as a condition of the award.

A key feature of this opportunity is that it was a single-source, noncompetitive award. The announcement states it was issued under Department of the Interior policy 505 DM 2.14 B, citing both the "unsolicited proposal" pathway and "unique qualifications" as the basis for awarding without competition. Eligibility, as described, effectively points to a specific recipient: Colorado State University, specifically due to the specialized expertise of Dr. Calvin Pearson. The rationale provided is that research on soil properties and their role in restoring short grass prairie habitat is a narrow, specialized field, and that Dr. Pearson has the particular background needed to conduct the work at Buckley Air Force Base. The university's participation in the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) agreement with the FWS is also noted, signaling an established partnership mechanism for applying academic expertise to federal land management questions.

Although the announcement does not list a detailed methods plan in the excerpt provided, the stated purpose and objectives imply the deliverables would center on investigating soil conditions and how they affect the establishment and restoration of short grass prairie vegetation on the base. In practical terms, a project like this typically produces findings and recommendations that inform on-the-ground management decisions, such as identifying soil constraints that limit native plant success, proposing erosion and sediment control approaches suited to local site conditions, and offering guidance on when and how native vegetation or alternative landscaping (including xeriscaping) can be used effectively. The intended outcome is to strengthen ecosystem function on the installation in a way that supports both conservation commitments and operational readiness.

The opportunity was posted on February 15, 2013, with an original and current closing date of February 16, 2013, and it was archived on March 15, 2013. For administrative or access issues, the point of contact listed was Pamela Sponholtz, Project Officer, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (303-236-4255, Pamelasponholtz@fws.gov).

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