Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey, Salmon Productivity Monitoring at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, is seeking statements of interest from qualified organizations to characterize the prey species composition in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) waters to support the recovery of the endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whale. The selected organization will be responsible for collecting and analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) samples to identify prey species available to the Beluga whales. The project will involve sampling in Eagle River and adjacent Knik Arm waters, with a focus on seasonal variation in fish community composition. The organization will also be required to develop a comprehensive plan to achieve the project objectives, including sampling design, laboratory methods, and data analysis. • The project will have a base period of 18 months, with the possibility of up to six 18-month follow-on periods. • The organization will be required to provide monthly progress updates, quarterly progress reports, and a final comprehensive report. • The project will involve coordination with JBER and regional partners to ensure compatibility with the broader collaborative effort. • The organization will be required to demonstrate capability for secure data management, reproducible science practices, and integration with collaborative multi-institutional research efforts.