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2007–2008 Florida Manatee Avoidance Technology Sonar Pre-Proposals

Florida Manatee Avoidance Technology (FMAT)
Program Sonar Pre-proposal Solicitation

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Florida Manatee Avoidance Technology (FMAT) program is seeking pre-proposals to assess the use of sonar to detect manatees. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) will award grants through the FWRI Grants Program. Pre-proposals are due June 29, 2007.

The FWRI Grants Program process allows FWC to target technology projects that will meet research and management needs related to manatee avoidance. FWC has identified a specific need to evaluate the use of sonar to reduce manatee-boat interactions. A broad range of people, institutions, and agencies are eligible to receive grants. Groups eligible to receive grants include government agencies (local, county, state, and federal research entities), schools (public universities or independent non-profit colleges, especially those located within Florida and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges), and non-profit organizations with scientific, environmental, or natural resource missions.

Listed below is the format for pre-proposals. Please limit submissions to two pages. Those interested in submitting sonar proposals are required to have permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct sonar work on manatees. Obtaining this permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could take up to eighteen months. If you believe a permit is not necessary to conduct the proposed research, please include a letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirming that one is not required. FWC will not consider full proposals or obligate funding for sonar testing on manatees until the grant applicant has obtained necessary federal permits. 

A total of $115,000 is available for sonar projects starting in July 2007. We will consider multi-year projects with a limit of two years for testing existing technology, and up to three years for the significant development and testing of new technology. We have not capped the amount that can be requested, other than the total amount available per year. We anticipate awarding multiple contracts.  We do not require matching funds; however, matching funds are encouraged to maximize the value of state funds. Future funding beyond the initial year is contingent on continuing legislative appropriations for the program. 

We anticipate requesting full proposals from selected pre-proposals in late July 2007 and executing grant agreements after August 1, 2007. Please direct your pre-proposals in the format provided below by e-mail to avoidancetech@MyFWC.com

Download the FMAT Program Pre-Proposal Form (MS Word Document - 29 KB)

If you have questions please contact Kat Frisch at:

Kat Frisch
Marine Mammals
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
100 8th Ave SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-8626
E-Mail: avoidancetech@MyFWC.com