Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00577

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main purpose of this USGS funding opportunity?

The purpose is to support research that generates high-quality chemical analysis data for environmental contaminants, with an emphasis on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and key wastewater-related constituents. The results are intended to be used collaboratively with USGS to better understand where these contaminants occur, how they move through different systems, and what happens to them over time (their fate) in real-world settings.

Which USGS office is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through its MD-DE-DC Water Science Center.

What type of award is this?

This award is a cooperative agreement. That means the recipient is expected to work closely with USGS staff during the project rather than operating fully independently.

What does "cooperative agreement" mean for how the work is done?

Based on the description provided, the recipient should expect active collaboration with USGS staff, including coordinating on how analytical results are used and interpreted to support USGS investigations into contaminant sources, transport pathways, and fate processes.

What contaminants or analytes are the focus of the project?

The primary focus is on PFAS and key wastewater-related constituents. The summary does not list specific analytes or analytical methods, but it emphasizes the production of defensible chemical data suitable for scientific interpretation.

Is this opportunity mainly about field sampling, lab analysis, or both?

The central emphasis is laboratory and analytical capability. The funded partner would be expected to provide chemical analyses for PFAS and wastewater constituents. The description also implies analysis of samples from a range of environmental and experimental settings, which may involve multiple sample types and matrices.

What kinds of samples or environmental matrices might be analyzed?

The opportunity references environmental and experimental samples across settings such as coastal watersheds, shallow soils and sediments, groundwater systems, and wastewater treatment facilities. This suggests the work may involve multiple matrices such as water, sediment, soil, groundwater, and treatment-related samples.

What technical capabilities are emphasized for the funded partner?

The description highlights trace-level detection, strict contamination control, and strong quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices. The goal is to produce defensible analytical results that can be integrated with hydrologic and geochemical information.

What research questions is USGS trying to answer through this project?

The project aims to improve understanding of (1) occurrence (where contaminants are found), (2) transport (how they move through watersheds, groundwater, and related systems), and (3) fate (what happens to them over time, including persistence or transformation) across a range of natural and built environments.

What environments or systems are specifically mentioned as being of interest?

USGS mentions diverse hydrogeologic environments and systems, including coastal watersheds, shallow soils and sediments, groundwater systems, and wastewater treatment facilities, indicating interest in both natural settings and human-built infrastructure.

Why are wastewater treatment facilities included in the scope?

The inclusion of wastewater treatment facilities signals an interest in understanding how human infrastructure influences contaminant distribution and persistence, alongside environmental occurrence in watersheds and groundwater systems.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to active participating partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Only organizations already affiliated with that CESU network can apply.

What is the CESU Program, and how does it relate to this opportunity?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which supports research, technical assistance, and education through established partnerships. The project is expected to align with the CESU model of collaborative support for federal science and management needs.

What is the opportunity number for this grant listing?

The opportunity number is G21AS00577.

What is the assistance listing / CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing is tied to CFDA 15.808.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) listed is $188,250.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting was created on June 30, 2021, and the original closing date for applications was July 30, 2021.

How many awards will be made?

The provided information does not specify the number of expected awards. It notes an anticipated award structure consistent with a single collaborative project or a small number of projects supporting the USGS Water Science Center needs.

What are the expected outputs or outcomes of the funded work?

The expected outcome is improved understanding of PFAS and wastewater-constituent occurrence and fate across coastal and inland hydrologic settings, shallow subsurface environments, groundwater, and wastewater treatment contexts, supported by rigorous chemical data that USGS can integrate into broader water-quality and contaminant-transport investigations.

Is this opportunity intended for infrastructure, service delivery, or research?

It is primarily a research and analytical science effort (Science and Technology / Research and Development), not an infrastructure or service-delivery program, based on the classification provided.

Does the summary specify the exact analytical methods to be used?

No. The summary states that specific analytes and methods are not spelled out in the text provided, but it clearly emphasizes strong analytical capability, contamination control, and robust QA/QC to produce defensible results.

What role does data interpretation play in the project?

The opportunity emphasizes not only producing chemical measurements but also using those results in collaboration with USGS to interpret contaminant sources, transport pathways, and fate processes alongside hydrologic and geochemical context.