Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS PA 16 02
Apply for USDA NRCS PA 16 02
- The USDA-NRCS-MOSO in the agriculture, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerate Conservation Planning and Implementation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.069, 10.072, 10.902, 10.912, 10.931.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 02, 2016 and posted on Jun 02, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 07, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Accelerate Conservation Planning and Implementation opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS PA 16 02) is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service cooperative agreement designed to expand the amount of on-the-ground conservation planning and practice implementation happening in Pennsylvania by paying qualified partners to deliver technical assistance that NRCS normally provides. The basic idea is that NRCS wants to tap into existing conservation and engineering expertise already present in the state, especially organizations that can work at a regional or statewide scale rather than being limited to a single county. Projects can be single-year or multi-year, with an overall project length not to exceed five years, and the work is expected to support conservation efforts primarily on private land (and other eligible lands) where NRCS conservation planning is completed and conservation practices are installed.
The work funded through this agreement centers on providing technical assistance across a mix of NRCS programs (CFDA 10.069, 10.072, 10.902, 10.912, 10.931). That assistance can be directed to individual landowners and producers or to groups of producers, and it can cover both general conservation planning and more targeted, practice-specific support when NRCS needs extra capacity. While most tasks are focused on conservation planning and implementation, the notice also flags that a smaller portion of the workload may involve Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention activities, including dam safety assessment. In addition, applicants should be prepared for technical assistance needs tied to federal easement monitoring, which typically involves checking compliance and condition on easement lands and completing required documentation.
A key expectation is that funded entities operate across county lines or in multiple counties, essentially functioning as capacity that can be deployed where demand is highest. Organizations may staff this work in different ways, including hiring term employees, using contractors, or combining multiple staffing approaches to meet NRCS timelines and workload. Personnel working under the agreement may be asked to report regularly to USDA Service Centers and to use NRCS computers, software, and other equipment, but they will not be allowed to use government vehicles. This signals a close working relationship with NRCS field offices and systems, with the partner functioning as an extension of NRCS capacity while still remaining a non-federal entity.
All technical work must adhere to NRCS standards and required planning systems. Conservation practices must follow the National Engineering Handbook and Section IV of the Pennsylvania Technical Guide, and all conservation planning must meet the National Planning Procedures Handbook requirements. Plans must also be developed and stored in the current NRCS conservation planning software, meaning the partner must be able to work inside NRCS-approved platforms and workflows rather than using an outside planning format. For land treatment and easement-related administration or technical functions, the partner must comply with the applicable NRCS Program Manual and associated guidance, which governs everything from documentation to quality assurance expectations.
Because this work involves producer and program information, the notice places strong emphasis on confidentiality and privacy compliance. Personnel must follow the disclosure rules of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and comply with protections for personal information related to USDA conservation programs under Section 1244 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. In practical terms, partners need internal controls and training so staff handle participant data appropriately, share information only as allowed, and maintain secure records in line with federal requirements.
Another notable feature is that, while the main purpose is technical assistance, the entity may also receive and administer financial assistance funds that will ultimately be provided to program participants or producers to carry out conservation practices. This means some awards may require the partner to handle pass-through funding mechanics tied directly to implementation, not just planning and design support. Applicants therefore need to be capable of managing federal funds responsibly, tracking expenditures, and ensuring funds flow properly to the intended participants in compliance with NRCS requirements.
Eligibility for this particular notice is limited to eligible entities from Pennsylvania, and the text specifically indicates that nonprofits are eligible. Awards are competitive and will be selected through a multi-step review process. Proposals are first screened for completeness and compliance with the notice requirements; incomplete or noncompliant applications are removed from consideration and applicants are notified. The notice also indicates late applications may be considered, although applicants generally should not rely on that. Complete proposals are then scored by a technical peer review panel using published evaluation criteria, after which they move to the Pennsylvania Review Board. The Review Board makes recommendations to the NRCS Pennsylvania State Conservationist, who makes the final funding selections.
From a funding and timeline perspective, this is a discretionary cooperative agreement with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and an expectation of around 10 awards. The opportunity was posted June 2, 2016, with a closing date of July 7, 2016. Overall, the grant is aimed at quickly increasing conservation delivery capacity in Pennsylvania by paying experienced partner organizations to help NRCS get more conservation plans completed, more practices designed and installed, and more monitoring and watershed-related work done, all while using NRCS technical standards, software, and privacy rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Accelerate Conservation Planning and Implementation (USDA NRCS PA 16 02)
What is the Accelerate Conservation Planning and Implementation opportunity?
It is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS PA 16 02) intended to expand on-the-ground conservation planning and conservation practice implementation in Pennsylvania by paying qualified partners to provide technical assistance that NRCS typically delivers.
What is the main goal of this cooperative agreement?
The goal is to rapidly increase conservation delivery capacity in Pennsylvania by leveraging existing conservation and engineering expertise already present in the state, so that more conservation plans are completed, more practices are designed and installed, and additional monitoring and watershed-related work can be completed.
Where is the work expected to take place?
The work is expected to support conservation efforts primarily on private land in Pennsylvania, as well as other eligible lands where NRCS conservation planning is completed and conservation practices are installed.
Who is this opportunity designed to partner with?
NRCS is seeking qualified partner organizations that can deliver technical assistance at a regional or statewide scale, especially those able to operate across county lines rather than being limited to a single county.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to eligible entities from Pennsylvania. The notice specifically indicates that nonprofits are eligible.
Is this funding a grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement, which implies a close working relationship with NRCS during project delivery.
What kinds of activities will be funded?
Funded work centers on providing technical assistance for conservation planning and conservation practice implementation across a mix of NRCS programs, including support to individual landowners and producers or to groups of producers.
Which NRCS program areas are associated with this technical assistance?
The technical assistance can span multiple NRCS program areas referenced by CFDA numbers 10.069, 10.072, 10.902, 10.912, and 10.931.
Can the technical assistance be provided to groups of producers, or only individual producers?
It can be provided to both individual landowners/producers and to groups of producers.
Is the work limited to general planning, or can it include practice-specific support?
It can include both general conservation planning and more targeted, practice-specific support, particularly when NRCS needs additional capacity.
Does the opportunity include watershed or dam safety work?
Yes. While most tasks focus on conservation planning and implementation, the notice indicates a smaller portion of the workload may involve Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention activities, including dam safety assessment.
Are easements included in the scope of work?
Yes. Applicants should be prepared for technical assistance needs tied to federal easement monitoring, which typically includes checking compliance and condition on easement lands and completing required documentation.
How long can a project last?
Projects may be single-year or multi-year, but the overall project length must not exceed five years.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of around 10 awards.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on June 2, 2016, and the closing date was July 7, 2016.
Is the selection process competitive?
Yes. Awards are competitive and are selected through a multi-step review process.
What happens if an application is incomplete or noncompliant?
Proposals are first screened for completeness and compliance. Incomplete or noncompliant applications are removed from consideration, and applicants are notified.
Are late applications accepted?
The notice indicates late applications may be considered, but applicants are advised not to rely on late consideration.
How are complete proposals evaluated?
Complete proposals are scored by a technical peer review panel using published evaluation criteria, then move to the Pennsylvania Review Board for recommendations.
Who makes the final funding decision?
The NRCS Pennsylvania State Conservationist makes the final funding selections, based on recommendations from the Pennsylvania Review Board.
Do partners need to work across multiple counties?
Yes. A key expectation is that funded entities operate across county lines or in multiple counties so capacity can be deployed where demand is highest.
How can an organization staff the work under this agreement?
Organizations may meet staffing needs by hiring term employees, using contractors, or combining staffing approaches to meet NRCS timelines and workload.
Will partner personnel work closely with NRCS field offices?
Yes. Personnel may be asked to report regularly to USDA Service Centers and work closely with NRCS field offices and systems, functioning as an extension of NRCS capacity while remaining a non-federal entity.
Will partner personnel be able to use NRCS computers and software?
Yes. Personnel may be asked to use NRCS computers, software, and other equipment as part of delivering the required technical assistance.
Can partner personnel use government vehicles?
No. The notice states personnel will not be allowed to use government vehicles.
What technical standards must be followed for conservation practices?
All technical work must adhere to NRCS standards. Conservation practices must follow the National Engineering Handbook and Section IV of the Pennsylvania Technical Guide.
What standards must be followed for conservation planning?
Conservation planning must meet the requirements of the National Planning Procedures Handbook.
Do plans have to be created and stored in NRCS systems?
Yes. Plans must be developed and stored in the current NRCS conservation planning software, meaning partners must use NRCS-approved platforms and workflows rather than outside planning formats.
Are there additional requirements for land treatment and easement-related work?
Yes. For land treatment and easement-related administration or technical functions, partners must comply with the applicable NRCS Program Manual and associated guidance, including documentation and quality assurance expectations.
What privacy and confidentiality rules apply to this work?
Because the work involves producer and program information, personnel must follow the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and comply with protections under Section 1244 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 related to USDA conservation program participant information.
What does privacy compliance mean in practical terms for partners?
Partners need internal controls and training so staff handle participant data appropriately, share information only as permitted, and maintain secure records consistent with federal requirements.
Is this agreement only for technical assistance, or can it include administering funds for participants?
While the main purpose is technical assistance, the notice indicates the entity may also receive and administer financial assistance funds that will ultimately be provided to program participants or producers to carry out conservation practices.
What does it mean to administer financial assistance funds under this agreement?
It means some awards may require the partner to handle pass-through funding mechanics tied directly to implementation, not just planning and design support, and to track expenditures and ensure funds flow properly to intended participants in compliance with NRCS requirements.
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| Minnesota Fiscal Year (FY) 21 Contribution Agreement Apply for USDA NRCS 10902 6322XXXX 21 0002 Funding Number: USDA NRCS 10902 6322XXXX 21 0002 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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| RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangement for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2021. Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ RCPPAFA 21 NOFO0001096 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ RCPPAFA 21 NOFO0001096 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
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