$$ for Paleo!

[Cathleen May]

CALL  FOR  PROPOSALS

Paleontological survey, assessment, and evaluation on the Comanche
National Grassland, southwestern Colorado.

The National Forest Service, through the Pike and San Isabel National
Forest, requires a thorough paleontological survey of the Comanche
National Grassland.  $20,000. is available in the form of a competitive,
cooperative agreement for one year of field reconnaissance.  Continued
funding is expected for up to three years, but not guaranteed.
"Cooperator" funding from the awardee is expected in the form of a
package of "in-kind" contributions (e.g. expertise, salary, preparation
and curatorial services, field training of Forest Service personnel,
interpretive materials, etc.).  In-kind contributions need not match NFS
funding; however, they will be considered along with other evaluative
criteria in awarding the agreement.

The term of the agreement will be from Sept., 1995 through Dec., 1996,
with extensions if continued funding is available.  Work must commence
before the end of Sept., 1995.  Preliminary work may comprise an
approved plan of work, a preliminary literature review, and a
reconnaissance field trip by the principal or co-principal investigator.

Required products of the survey will include:  graphic (mapped)
descriptions of outcrop area surveyed, intensity of survey, fossil
localities identified, and stratigraphic reference sections; narrative
reports of findings including significance evaluations and risk
assessments for use in resource management planning, catalogues of
accession and curatorial status of collected specimens; interpretive
materials including a thorough bibliography and synthesized overview of
paleontological resources and geology; and training for resource
management and interpretive personnel.

Much of the survey area lies within the valley of the Purgatoire River,
and includes the Purgatoire Tracksite locality.  Cooperation is expected
between the awardee and researchers with an ongoing interest in the
Tracksite itself.  Mesozoic strata from the Entrada Fm. through the
Niobrara Fm., including extensive Morrison Fm. crop out in the study
area.  Quaternary deposits in the valley are also known to be
fossiliferous.  Survey and assessment are emphasized for this work;
collection of specimens of scientific interest will be at the discretion
of
the awardee with appropriate archeological clearance.  Major
excavations are not budgeted into the Forest Service contribution,
though external or contingent funding for such may be sought by either
party in relevant circumstances.  The awardee must be able to document
a curation agreement with an appropriate repository for publicly-owned
fossil material.

Camping facilities in a historic ranch locality will be available through
the
Comanche National Grassland, along with other field support.  The
study area and the project lend themselves to a "field course" approach
involving students.  Preference will shown to proposals that include an
educational component, which furthers Forest Service program goals.
The study area is very hot in the summer months; optimum conditions for
field work are Sept.--Oct. and April--May.  Spring break periods are also
possible field work windows.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following:
* Qualifications of the principal investigator and associates.
* Scientific interest in paleontological resources likely to be identified.
* A complete budget including cost distributions of Forest Service
contribution and dollar value of cooperator's "in-kind" or fiscal
contribution.
* Assurance of ability to perform the work required in the time-frame
required.
* Assurance of ability to meet the preliminary requirements listed above
by the end of September, 1995.
* Documentation of an appropriate curatorial arrangement with a
repository.

Preference will be shown to proposals that:
* Include an educational experience for undergraduate or graduate
students.
* Include institutional support of the principal investigator.
* Demonstrate a commitment to meeting the needs of both resource
management and scientific research.
* Demonstrate the ability to cooperate in an ongoing partnership with the
Forest Service if funding continues in outyears.

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE OFFICE OF THE
PALEONTOLOGY PROGRAM DIRECTOR NO LATER THAN AUGUST
25.  THE COMMITTEE WILL RENDER A DECISION NO LATER THAN
SEPTEMBER 4TH.  PROPOSALS MAY BE FAXED, BUT NOT SENT
OVER THE INTERNET.

Interested parties please respond as soon as possible to:

Cathleen L. May
Director of Paleontology
USDA Forest Service
PO Box  25127
Lakewood, CO  80225

phone:  303.275.5056
fax:         303.275.5366

e-mail:  clmay at nexus.interealm.com

NOTE:  PLEASE FORWARD.  This call has been sent to the vrtpaleo list
and the taxacom list.  Please send along to other appropriate lists or
individuals.  Thanks!