MEXICAN SPOTTED OWL SURVEYS NAVAL OBSERVATORY FLAGSTAFF STATION, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

Background
The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide for Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) surveys at Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (Station). The surveys provided through this Cooperative Agreement are required through an operation and maintenance measure imposed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (enclosure 1) as enacted through the Federal Endangered Species Act. Moreover, this survey requirement is also required by 16 USC §670c-1 (Sikes Act).

Military installations are required to provide development, maintenance, and coordination of wildlife, fish, and game conservation and rehabilitation in military reservations.

Grant Details
The Cooperator shall conduct presence/absence surveys for MSOs at the same MSO calling stations censused from 2006 to 2023. The Cooperator shall follow the same survey methodology and calling routes as described in Johnson et al. (2007). All surveys will be designed and conducted in accordance with the current approved USFWS MSO protocol (USFWS 2003).

The Cooperator shall document the age, sex, and activity (calling, foraging, roosting, etc.) of all MSOs or any other owl species detected during surveys. The Cooperator shall possess a current federal endangered species permit from the USFWS authorizing the Cooperator to conduct MSO surveys.

Eligibility Requirements
Any Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Californian or Desert Southwest cooperative partner who qualifies under the DoDGARS Part 34 or 2 CFR 200 is eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is up to (60 months – total including two (2) budget periods) from the date of award with a base period of (36 months) and (one (1) 24-month Budget Period). The exercise of the Option Period is subject to the availability of funds and may be awarded unilaterally.

Grant Value
$60,970.00

Place of Performance
Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, Flagstaff, Arizona