Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS KS 08 02
Apply for USDA NRCS KS 08 02
- The Kansas State Office in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biological Assistance to Producers for Implementing Conservation in Kansas" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902 Soil and Water Conservation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 10, 2008 and posted on Sep 10, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 25, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $185,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $185,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments State governments Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Kansas State Office offered a cooperative agreement opportunity titled "Biological Assistance to Producers for Implementing Conservation in Kansas" (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS KS 08 02). The main purpose was to bring in an outside partner to help administer NRCS conservation-related programs and provide hands-on technical assistance to agricultural producers across Kansas. In practical terms, the partner would help producers plan, design, and implement conservation practices that support working farms and ranches while also improving natural resources. The intended outcomes emphasized keeping operations economically viable while delivering measurable benefits like improved water quality, healthier soils and plants, better wildlife habitat, and other environmental enhancements tied to farm and rangeland stewardship.
This opportunity was structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant because NRCS expected to be substantially involved in the work. That meant NRCS would not simply provide funds and step back; instead, it would remain engaged through program and technical oversight, coordination, and management of timelines and deliverables. The agreement period was planned as a one-year project, with the possibility of future amendments if additional funding became available in later years. While the notice referenced a longer horizon (roughly a five-year period) for potential follow-on amendments, those future funds were explicitly uncertain and depended on Congressional appropriations.
Funding for the initial project was estimated at about $185,000 for FY2009, and the award ceiling was also $185,000, with an expectation of a single award. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated, although applicants were expected to be capable of bringing in-kind contributions and/or other financial support to help meet the project objectives. The program fell under CFDA 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation, and the funding activity category was Agriculture.
Eligible applicants included a broad range of entities that could credibly deliver conservation technical assistance at scale: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they were not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category definition used). The emphasis throughout the announcement was on selecting an organization with the practical capacity, alignment, and track record to work effectively with both producers and government conservation programs.
Applications were evaluated primarily on organizational capabilities, which carried the greatest weight (40%). NRCS looked for evidence that the applicant had sufficient resources and relevant experience to manage and perform the project successfully, that the organization shared a mission aligned with assisting agricultural producers in natural resource conservation, and that it could contribute in-kind support or leverage other resources. Project personnel and the feasibility of the proposed approach accounted for 25%, focusing on whether staffing and work plans were realistic and could achieve objectives within the required timeframe. Another 25% evaluated the applicant's understanding of the intent of NRCS-administered USDA conservation programs, essentially testing whether the applicant understood why these programs exist and how to implement assistance in a way that matches NRCS goals and producer needs. Additional expectations included the ability to demonstrate a credible history of working with government agencies and farm clients, and the ability to meet NRCS requirements for certification and clearance for network access and handling client data files, which was weighted at 10% and reflected the sensitivity of producer information and the need to operate within NRCS systems.
The opportunity was posted on September 10, 2008, and had an original and current closing date of September 25, 2008, with an archive date of October 25, 2008. For access issues or questions about the full announcement, the listed contact was Rhonda Sulsar, Contract Specialist, at (785) 823-4505 and rhonda.sulsar@ks.usda.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this USDA NRCS Kansas opportunity?
The cooperative agreement opportunity is titled "Biological Assistance to Producers for Implementing Conservation in Kansas." The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS KS 08 02.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity was offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Kansas State Office.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The purpose is to bring in an outside partner to help administer NRCS conservation-related programs and provide hands-on technical assistance to agricultural producers across Kansas. In practice, the partner would help producers plan, design, and implement conservation practices that support working farms and ranches while improving natural resources.
What kinds of outcomes is NRCS trying to achieve through this project?
The intended outcomes emphasize keeping farm and ranch operations economically viable while delivering measurable natural resource benefits. Examples cited include improved water quality, healthier soils and plants, better wildlife habitat, and other environmental improvements tied to farm and rangeland stewardship.
Why is this a cooperative agreement instead of a standard grant?
It was structured as a cooperative agreement because NRCS expected to be substantially involved in the work. NRCS planned to remain engaged through program and technical oversight, coordination, and management of timelines and deliverables, rather than simply providing funds and stepping back.
How long is the project period?
The planned agreement period is a one-year project.
Is there a possibility of funding beyond the initial project period?
Yes, the notice indicated the possibility of future amendments if additional funding became available in later years. It also referenced a longer horizon (roughly a five-year period) for potential follow-on amendments. However, any future funds were explicitly uncertain and depended on Congressional appropriations.
How much funding is available?
Funding for the initial project was estimated at about $185,000 for FY2009.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $185,000.
How many awards did NRCS expect to make?
The opportunity stated an expectation of a single award.
Is cost sharing or a match required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was stated. However, applicants were expected to be capable of bringing in-kind contributions and/or other financial support to help meet the project objectives.
What CFDA program does this fall under?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category listed is Agriculture.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they were not institutions of higher education under the nonprofit category definition used).
What type of organization was NRCS looking for?
The announcement emphasized selecting an organization with practical capacity, alignment, and a track record to work effectively with agricultural producers and with government conservation programs, and to deliver conservation technical assistance at scale across Kansas.
How were applications evaluated?
Applications were evaluated primarily on organizational capabilities (40%), project personnel and feasibility of the proposed approach (25%), and the applicant's understanding of the intent of NRCS-administered USDA conservation programs (25%). An additional evaluation area (10%) focused on meeting NRCS requirements for certification and clearance related to network access and handling client data files.
What carried the greatest weight in the evaluation criteria?
Organizational capabilities carried the greatest weight (40%).
What did NRCS consider under "organizational capabilities"?
NRCS looked for evidence that the applicant had sufficient resources and relevant experience to manage and perform the project successfully, shared a mission aligned with helping agricultural producers conserve natural resources, and could contribute in-kind support or leverage other resources.
What did NRCS look for under "project personnel and feasibility"?
This area (25%) focused on whether staffing and work plans were realistic and could achieve the objectives within the required timeframe.
What did NRCS mean by "understanding of the intent of NRCS-administered USDA conservation programs"?
This area (25%) assessed whether the applicant understood why USDA conservation programs exist and how to implement assistance in a way that matches NRCS goals and producer needs.
Were there expectations about past experience working with producers and government agencies?
Yes. The announcement included expectations that applicants could demonstrate a credible history of working with government agencies and farm clients.
Why does the opportunity mention certification and clearance for network access and client data?
NRCS included a 10% weighted area tied to the ability to meet NRCS requirements for certification and clearance for network access and handling client data files. This reflects the sensitivity of producer information and the need for the partner to operate within NRCS systems.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on September 10, 2008.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed was September 25, 2008.
What was the archive date?
The archive date was October 25, 2008.
Who can be contacted for access issues or questions about the full announcement?
The listed contact was Rhonda Sulsar, Contract Specialist, at (785) 823-4505 and rhonda.sulsar@ks.usda.gov.
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