Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey is soliciting a cooperative agreement under solicitation G27AS00055 to fund a three-year research project investigating PFAS bioaccumulation and partitioning in wild rice (Manoomin) and arrowhead (Wapato). The study will focus on up to four PFAS-impacted aquatic sites within the Ceded Territories, utilizing EPA Method 1633 to analyze 40 PFAS analytes across surface water, sediment, plant tissues, and cooked traditional food products. The project aims to clarify bioaccumulation pathways and determine how traditional food processing affects PFAS levels to support Tribal communities, wildlife managers, and public health decision makers. The total program funding and award ceiling are set at 377,021 dollars. Proposals will be evaluated by USGS technical personnel using a 100-point system, with 30 points specifically allocated to the purpose, objectives, and relevance of the research. Applicants must submit a technical narrative, a detailed budget breakdown, a Data Management Plan, and required biographical and support certifications through Grants.gov. Awardees are required to submit annual progress reports within 90 days of each agreement year and a final technical report 120 days after the performance period ends. Financial management is handled via the Department of the Treasury ASAP system, and all research must comply with EO 14292 regarding biological research safety and security.