Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

August 21, 2026

Request for Full Proposal: Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Natural Resources Support – Juvenile Salmonid Surveys in Sinclair Inlet, WA

REQUEST-FOR-FULL-PROPOSAL-W9126G262RFP1011Download
NIST Requirement NoticeDownload

RFP No.: W9126G262RFP1011
Project: Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Natural Resources Support – Juvenile Salmonid Surveys in Sinclair Inlet, WA
Funding Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
CESU Region: Pacific Northwest and California
Proposal Due: September 8, 2026, by 12:00 PM Central Time
Questions/Clarifications Due: August 24, 2026, by 12:00 PM Central Time

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is requesting full proposals from eligible members of the Pacific Northwest and California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Regions for a cooperative agreement supporting natural resources management at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton (NBK) in Washington.

The project will conduct juvenile salmonid surveys in Sinclair Inlet to update baseline information for the Naval Base Kitsap Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) and support future Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation associated with potential in-water construction at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Project Overview

The work will involve multiple field visits to Sinclair Inlet to conduct nearshore marine fish surveys and collect data on juvenile salmonids. Surveys will follow the boat-based beach seine methodology described by Fresh et al. (2006), with survey locations selected in coordination with the Navy Project Manager and NBK Bremerton Natural Resources Manager.

The project is intended to:

  • Characterize fish species composition along the Sinclair Inlet shoreline.
  • Assess spatial and temporal patterns in juvenile salmonid presence across two outmigration seasons.
  • Determine the proportion of fish that are wild or hatchery reared.
  • Document the number of tagged juvenile Chinook collected.
  • Identify the presence and abundance of ESA-listed fish species.
  • Provide data to support NBK natural resources management and future regulatory consultations.

The selected recipient will also be responsible for obtaining the necessary scientific collection permits for the project.

Qualifications

Survey personnel must be able to identify fish species native to Puget Sound and identify juvenile salmonids to species. Experience identifying fish species in Puget Sound is preferred. All personnel conducting work at NBK Bremerton must also be able to pass a background check to obtain site access.

The project will involve substantial collaboration with NBK Bremerton and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest (NAVFAC NW), including coordination on study methodology, data gathering, analysis, and report writing.

Deliverables

The final report will include, at minimum:

  • Names of investigators.
  • Survey methodology.
  • Description and map of beach seine sites and survey dates.
  • Fish species composition along the Sinclair Inlet shoreline.
  • Quantitative assessment of spatial and temporal patterns in juvenile salmonid presence across two outmigration seasons.
  • Assessment of wild versus hatchery-reared fish.
  • Number of tagged juvenile Chinook collected.
  • Presence and abundance of ESA-listed fish species.
  • A georeferenced database containing data, maps, figures, and GPS coordinates for beach seine locations.
  • Georeferenced photographs of species of interest.

Period of Performance and Funding

The anticipated period of performance is approximately 30 months from the date of award, with the award anticipated in mid-to-late September 2026. Meaningful work must commence by September 30, 2026. Fieldwork is expected to take place during February through June of 2027 and 2028, followed by data analysis and reporting. There are no planned follow-on periods.

The maximum amount of funding available is $207,847.00 for the period of performance.

Full Proposal Requirements

Full proposals must include four sections:

  1. Section I – Administrative Information, Forms, Certifications, and NIST SP 800-171 Assessment Compliance
  2. Section II – Technical Approach
  3. Section III – Experience and Qualifications
  4. Section IV – Budget

Sections II and III are limited to 25 pages total, excluding the cover page and table of contents. Proposals must be submitted electronically as two copies: one PDF and one MS Word/Excel version containing the required sections.

The Technical Approach should address the project’s goals and objectives, methodology, deliverables/data handling, and schedule and milestones. Experience and Qualifications should identify the Principal Investigator/Field Director and other project personnel and describe relevant experience with similar projects.

Important NIST SP 800-171 Requirement

To be eligible for award, the intended recipient, all proposed subrecipients, and contract vendors must have an active NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment performed within the last three years. Evidence of compliance must be provided for the proposing entity and all proposed subrecipients and contract vendors, as applicable.

The accompanying NIST Requirement Notice states that recipients and subrecipients are required to implement NIST SP 800-171 and maintain at least a Basic NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment that is current, meaning no more than three years old unless a shorter period is specified in the solicitation.

Organizations should review the NIST Requirement Notice attachment for additional information and instructions.

Indirect Cost Rate

For any cooperative agreement resulting from this RFP, the established CESU indirect cost rate is capped at 17.5%. Unless otherwise specified in the agreement, the applicable direct-cost base will be the same base identified in the recipient’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, if the recipient does not have a federally negotiated rate agreement, the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base.

Submission and Questions

Full proposals are due no later than September 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time.

Proposals should be submitted by email to:

Cheryl R. Vendemia
Agreement Specialist / Grants Officer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
cheryl.r.vendemia@usace.army.mil

Brian D. Hesford
Agreement Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
brian.d.hesford@usace.army.mil

The RFP number should be included in the email subject line.

Technical questions and requests for clarification are due in writing no later than August 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time and should be submitted to the Agreement Specialist and Agreement Project Manager listed above.

Attachments:

  • Request for Full Proposal – W9126G262RFP1011
  • NIST Requirement Notice

Interested organizations should review the complete RFP and NIST Requirement Notice carefully for all proposal requirements, eligibility conditions, technical specifications, and terms and conditions.