Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Water Resources Mission Area and Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS), is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to advance remote sensing capabilities for hydrologic monitoring. This funding opportunity is administered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program and specifically targets partners affiliated with the Gulf Coast CESU. The initiative aligns with broader federal priorities to modernize water observation systems and improve safety and efficiency in data collection, particularly in hazardous or difficult-to-access environments. The primary purpose of this project is to evaluate and demonstrate the operational effectiveness of the Skydio Dock for X10 drone platform in conducting remote sensing of river discharge. The project focuses on enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, collecting image velocimetry (IV) data, transmitting that data via satellite communications, and developing workflows to compute discharge from imagery. The effort is intended to support USGS goals of improving hydrologic monitoring while reducing operational risks and costs associated with traditional stream gaging methods. Funding for this opportunity totals $120,000 and will support a single cooperative agreement award. The project period is expected to span up to two years, including a base year and an additional year for operations and maintenance. Funds will be fully obligated at the time of award, and applicants are required to structure proposals to reflect the full project duration. Allowable activities include drone deployment, data collection and processing, algorithm development, and validation of results against standard USGS measurement techniques. The project also emphasizes integration of artificial intelligence to improve accuracy in identifying water features and calculating discharge. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are active partners within the Gulf Coast CESU network. These partnerships typically include universities, research institutions, and other entities that collaborate with federal agencies on scientific and technical projects. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to conduct drone-based remote sensing, process hydrologic data, and contribute to scientific research outputs. The program does not specify cost-sharing or matching requirements. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the specified funding opportunity number. The application package requires a detailed technical narrative, including project objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes. Additional required components include a budget narrative aligned with federal cost categories, a 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. Proposals will be evaluated based on clearly defined criteria, including relevance to program objectives, technical approach, budget justification, and qualifications of the project team. Emphasis is placed on the ability to integrate AI technologies, demonstrate feasibility of remote drone operations, and produce reliable discharge measurements. Successful applicants will be expected to publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and provide data releases consistent with USGS standards. The timeline for the opportunity does not specify fixed opening or closing dates within the provided materials, but applications are processed through Grants.gov and evaluated by USGS technical personnel. Award recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including annual progress reports and a final technical report. Key contacts for the opportunity include Grant Specialist Katie Calder and multiple USGS technical representatives available for subject-matter inquiries.

Ensure strong alignment with AI-enabled sensing goals; clearly demonstrate BVLOS drone capability; provide detailed QA/QC methods; align with Executive Order 14179 priorities