Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Hawaii-Pacific Island Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), within the U.S. Department of the Interior, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. This opportunity is specifically administered through the Hawaii-Pacific Islands CESU and is intended to support applied research addressing ecological and infrastructure challenges in U.S. territories. The funding opportunity focuses on evaluating cost-effective strategies to mitigate power outages in Guam caused by the invasive brown treesnake, a species that has created significant ecological and infrastructure disruptions across the island. The primary purpose of this grant is to support research that quantifies the economic impacts of snake-induced power outages and evaluates the tradeoffs between different mitigation strategies. The research aims to develop a feeder-level analytical framework to estimate outage costs, compile and analyze historical outage data from the Guam Power Authority, and assess the cost-effectiveness of various intervention strategies. These interventions may include high-cost infrastructure solutions such as undergrounding power lines, as well as lower-cost approaches such as trapping or insulation. The project is expected to produce actionable insights that inform infrastructure investment decisions and optimize resource allocation based on return on investment. Funding for this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, with an anticipated total program funding of $85,500 across a two-year performance period. The first budget year is expected to receive $65,500, with continuation funding in the second year contingent upon satisfactory progress and availability of funds. Applicants are required to submit a full proposal that reflects the complete two-year project scope, including detailed budget justifications aligned with federal cost categories. The CESU indirect cost rate is capped at 17.5 percent, and all budget components must adhere to federal financial assistance guidelines. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to organizations that are active partners within the Hawaii-Pacific Islands CESU network. These partnerships typically include universities, research institutions, and other organizations that collaborate with federal agencies on ecosystem-related research. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in the Pacific Islands region and a strong background in economic modeling, infrastructure analysis, or similar research domains. The selection process places emphasis on technical capability, prior performance, and the ability to produce high-quality, data-driven analyses relevant to power infrastructure and ecological management. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov using the specified funding opportunity number. Proposals must include a comprehensive technical narrative covering the research problem, objectives, methodology, dissemination plan, and project timeline. Additional required components include a detailed budget narrative, data management plan, biographical sketches for key personnel, and disclosures related to current and pending support. Applicants must also prepare a Project Abstract Summary for public reporting purposes. All submissions must comply with USGS Fundamental Science Practices and federal data sharing policies. Proposals are evaluated based on four primary criteria: purpose and relevance (30 points), technical approach (20 points), budget justification (25 points), and qualifications and past performance (25 points). Reviewers assess how well the proposed research aligns with national security priorities, infrastructure resilience goals, and economic analysis requirements. The evaluation also considers the feasibility of the proposed methods, the clarity of project milestones, and the applicant’s demonstrated expertise. Final award decisions are made by the Contracting Officer based on reviewer recommendations. While no explicit application deadline is provided in the announcement, applicants are encouraged to coordinate with USGS contacts for guidance. Key contacts include Rachel Miller for grants management inquiries and Melia Nafus for technical questions related to the project. The award includes standard federal reporting requirements, including annual progress reports, financial reporting via SF-425 forms, and a final technical report due within 120 days of project completion. This opportunity reflects a targeted investment in improving infrastructure resilience and economic stability in Guam through applied ecological and economic research.

Emphasize experience in Pacific Islands and economic modeling; clearly define measurable objectives; align proposal with national security and infrastructure resilience priorities; provide strong data methodology