White Nose Syndrome Education and Secondary Impact Assessment | NOIP17AC01110

White Nose Syndrome Education and Secondary Impact Assessment (NPS Cooperative Agreement) - FAQs

What is the "White Nose Syndrome Education and Secondary Impact Assessment" opportunity?

This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement focused on understanding and responding to the ecological fallout from White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in the caves of Buffalo National River (BUFF) in Arkansas. It pairs field monitoring inside a key cave system with analysis, reporting, and education intended to support science-based park management decisions.

Which federal agency is offering this award?

The award is offered by the National Park Service (NPS), within the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means substantial federal involvement is built into the project design, including hands-on participation by BUFF natural resource staff and NPS technical support.

What problem is the project addressing?

The project addresses White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease that has caused steep declines in cave-hibernating bat populations. WNS was first observed in the U.S. in 2006 and was detected at Buffalo National River (BUFF) in winter 2014-2015. The decline is especially notable for tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus).

Why is BUFF a priority location for this work?

BUFF contains roughly 500 documented caves and supports multiple bat species protected under the Endangered Species Act. That combination creates an urgent conservation challenge and increases the need for defensible, science-based management decisions.

What is the main study site for the project?

The core work centers on Fitton Cave, a high-value cave system in BUFF. The cave was specifically protected through a BUFF boundary "bump out" intended to safeguard the cave and much of its contributing watershed.

What does the project mean by "secondary and cumulative impacts" of WNS?

The project is not only about documenting bat declines. It also assesses what happens in the cave ecosystem after bat populations (and their guano, a major nutrient source) collapse, and how resulting changes may affect cave-obligate species and broader cave community dynamics over time.

What field monitoring and surveys are included in the scope of work?

The recipient is expected to establish and run detailed biological inventory transects and guano deposit transects within targeted areas of Fitton Cave. The work includes comprehensive biological surveys and annual monitoring to document cave species presence and approximate population levels.

What is a guano deposit transect and what is it used for in this project?

Within this project, guano deposit transects are used to repeatedly measure bat guano deposition over time in targeted areas of Fitton Cave. This supports a repeatable index of guano availability and change, which helps model ecosystem impacts when a key nutrient source declines.

What is the annual bat dropping survey?

A key component is an annual bat dropping survey that estimates droppings per square meter across the cave floor. The goal is to create a repeatable index of guano availability and how it changes over time.

Who is the identified recipient for this cooperative agreement?

The recipient identified in the opportunity is TNC (The Nature Conservancy).

What are the recipient's main responsibilities?

The recipient is expected to (1) conduct comprehensive biological surveys and annual monitoring, (2) establish and maintain biological inventory and guano transects, (3) run an annual bat dropping survey to estimate droppings per square meter, (4) produce management-focused analyses and reports that translate monitoring into likely consequences for non-bat cave-adapted species, (5) submit monitoring and survey summaries on a per-trip basis, (6) provide two cave biology trainings each year for park staff, partners, and caving groups, and (7) help NPS develop WNS-related materials for the 2017 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium.

What training and education deliverables are required?

TNC is expected to provide two cave biology trainings each year for park staff, partners, and caving groups. The intent is capacity-building so that knowledge and best practices continue beyond the immediate project.

What reporting is required during and after field trips?

The opportunity specifies that monitoring and survey summaries must be submitted on a per-trip basis. In addition, the recipient must produce management-focused analyses and reports translating monitoring results into likely consequences for non-bat cave-adapted species.

How will the project results be used by NPS?

The project is designed to support science-based management decisions at BUFF by building practical understanding of ecosystem change driven by WNS. Results are also intended to be communicated to scientific and public audiences, and the recipient will help NPS develop WNS-related materials for the 2017 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium.

What decontamination and disease-prevention requirements apply to fieldwork?

A strict requirement throughout the fieldwork is compliance with WNS decontamination protocols for all clothing and equipment. This reflects the priority placed on preventing accidental spread of the WNS fungus between caves.

What does "substantial federal involvement" look like for this project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, BUFF natural resource staff (including the Natural Resource Program Manager or designee) are expected to participate in site selection, protocol development, and distribution of interim and final results. NPS will also assign a technical representative to assist as needed.

What resources will NPS provide to support the work?

NPS will provide cave-dedicated equipment, decontamination facilities and supplies, and technical assistance through an assigned technical representative.

Does NPS retain authority to redirect or stop work under this agreement?

Yes. NPS retains operational authority to direct or redirect work to align with other park priorities, to halt activities if performance specifications are not being met, and to work directly with TNC when challenging issues arise.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.944.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOIP17AC01110.

What is the award ceiling and how many awards were expected?

The opportunity described a single expected award with an award ceiling of $300,000.

Was this opportunity competitive?

The opportunity included a single-source justification stating that competition was not practicable.

Why did NPS state that competition was not practicable?

NPS cited unique qualifications of the proposed recipient, including proximity to and familiarity with Fitton Cave. This was described as reducing mobilization costs and avoiding additional time and expense that a more distant, less site-familiar organization would need to establish transects and execute work to the required standard.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted in late August 2017 with an early September 2017 closing date.

What species are specifically mentioned as being impacted?

The opportunity highlights steep declines in cave-hibernating bats and specifically notes a notable impact on tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus). It also references multiple bat species protected under the Endangered Species Act within BUFF.

What is the broader goal of the project beyond bat monitoring?

The broader goal is to strengthen habitat and ecosystem stewardship by combining rigorous monitoring protocols with active communication of results. The project aims to translate WNS-driven changes into practical management guidance and expand training and outreach so protective practices and findings extend beyond BUFF.