REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST
NUMBER W912HZ-08-SOI-0005
PROJECT TO BE INITIATED IN 2008
Project Title: Aquatic Invasive Species Risk Assessment for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by the Engineering Research Development Center (ERDC) which provides guidance on aquatic nuisance species control methods to Corps Districts. Approximately $80,000.00 to be incrementally funded, is expected to be available to support this project. Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee.
Background: The Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal (CSSC) constitutes a complete hydrological connection between the Great Lakes (GL) and Mississippi River (MR) basins by which aquatic invasive species (AIS) attain entry into either system. For example, this connection facilitated entry of zebra mussels from Lake Michigan to the MR basin. The establishments of bighead (H. nobilis) and silver carp (H. molotrix) in the Mississippi River basin are of particular concern since Asian carp are well suited to establish in the GL, and impact recreational and commercial fisheries. Currently, an electric barrier and a series of locks are the only impediments to invasion of GL by Asian carp. Usually the flow of the CSSC is from Lake Michigan into the MR basin, but instances of reverse flow, from the MR basin into Lake Michigan, occur. The electric barrier is believed to be successful in deterring many fish species from passing through the CSSC; however, passively dispersing species, e.g., aquatic invasive plants, algae, and zooplanktonic species or life stages, will likely not be affected by the electric barrier.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work: The purpose of this research is to assess the risk of AIS movement through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
Objective 1: Identify AIS having the potential to pass through the CSSC and perform a risk assessment of target species and their invasiveness
Objective 2: Assess the threat posed by failure of barriers, electric or otherwise, that would allow dispersal of AIS through the CSSC
Objective 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of alternative AIS control measures to the current electric barrier
Methods: Perform a synthesis of the literature of AIS that have the potential to move between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. This risk assessment will produce a comprehensive invasive species list for the GL and MR, identification of AIS through quantitative risk assessment, and protocols for future AIS risk assessments. Additional modeling will be required to determine the risk of invasions due to failure of the electric barriers and AIS dispersal and diffusion rates through the CSSC. These models should estimate the probability of different AIS life stages passing through the CSSC. In addition, an evaluation should be made (literature review of existing control strategies - based on cost, feasibility, and potential effectiveness) of alternate control measures to the electric barrier that may prevent AIS movement through the CSSC.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Amanda.I.Campbell@ usace.army.mil (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
- Name, Organization and Contact Information
- Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
a. Biographical Sketch,
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects,
c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise,
d. Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).
Note: A proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received: Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
Amanda I. Campbell
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
ERDC Contracting Office (ECO)
3909 Halls Ferry Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199
Amanda.I.Campbell@usace.army.mil
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: Review of Statements of Interest will begin April 18, 2008. This Request for Statements of Interest will remain open until an investigator team is selected.
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