Designing Natural Infrastructure for the Coastal Zone Around Tidal Rivers

The University of Virginia has been awarded a contract under solicitation number W912HQ26CA033 to conduct research on designing natural infrastructure for the coastal zone around tidal rivers, as outlined in their submitted proposal. This award, issued under the ESTCP Broad Agency Announcement, supports environmental research aimed at enhancing coastal resilience through nature-based solutions. The work will be performed at the University’s location in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a NAICS code of 541715 indicating it falls under research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is managed by the Department of Defense through its office, W4LD USA Hecsa, located in Alexandria, Virginia. Primary point of contact for the contract is Lauren Catington, reachable via email and phone provided, with Shannon Benson serving as the secondary contact. The award was officially posted on July 28, 2026, and no set-aside type has been designated. The research is intended to inform adaptive management strategies for tidal river corridors and contribute to broader Department of Defense environmental stewardship objectives through scientific innovation and ecological engineering.