Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0004
Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0004
- The California State Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FARM BILL ASSISTANCE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 31, 2012 and posted on May 31, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $55,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $55,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments Small businesses State governments Individuals City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FARM BILL ASSISTANCE - SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement focused on expanding on-the-ground conservation delivery in San Joaquin County by adding technical and administrative capacity that supports Farm Bill conservation programs. NRCS is looking for a partner that can work directly with local private landowners and agricultural producers to strengthen participation in voluntary USDA conservation programs and help move contracts from paperwork to real, verified conservation practice implementation. The overall intent is to protect and improve natural resources (soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife) while keeping working lands productive, with NRCS remaining substantially involved in planning, oversight, coordination, and standards compliance.
The grant work centers on supporting NRCS Farm Bill programs such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program), AWEP (Agricultural Water Enhancement Program), and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program). In practical terms, the selected applicant would serve as an extension of the local NRCS office by helping producers understand available programs, navigate the application and contracting process, and follow through on conservation plans and contract requirements. The emphasis is not on research or planning in isolation, but on accelerating implementation and tracking of conservation practices tied to both new and prior-year contracts, including coordination and documentation needed for timely execution.
The scope of work is hands-on and producer-facing. Key responsibilities include outreach to producers (answering questions, sharing program information, and encouraging participation), assisting with screening and ranking of applications, helping process applications and eligibility determinations, and supporting technical planning associated with contracts. The partner is also expected to conduct field checks needed for payment approval by meeting with participants and verifying that installed conservation practices meet NRCS standards and specifications, as documented in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. That includes taking measurements for structural practices and visually assessing vegetative practices. Beyond installation verification, the work includes providing technical assistance for ongoing conservation management practices in existing contracts, collecting and evaluating producer records when required, completing status reviews to keep contracts on schedule, and conducting spot checks on CSP-related enhancements.
A major component is equitable program delivery and local coordination. The successful applicant is expected to network and participate in interagency meetings to coordinate conservation program delivery in local communities and help ensure fair access to USDA programs. Reporting is required: quarterly progress reports tracking activities and a year-end report summarizing accomplishments and outcomes. All technical assistance, conservation planning support, and practice verification must align with USDA NRCS rules, standards, and specifications, with NRCS providing oversight plus access to agency software, forms, and relevant program resources. NRCS also assigns a representative who participates in planning and management of the agreement, reflecting that this is a cooperative agreement with active federal involvement rather than a more hands-off grant.
Funding and award details are straightforward. NRCS expected to make one award, with an estimated total available funding of up to $55,000 for the fiscal year, an award ceiling of $55,000, and an award floor of $25,000. The performance structure includes a one-year base period with up to three additional one-year options (effectively up to four years if renewed annually), and the listed activity window in the announcement ran roughly from July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013 for the initial period. The opportunity was posted May 31, 2012 and closed June 22, 2012, and it is now archived, but the summary reflects the structure and expectations of the solicitation.
Eligibility was broad, including federally recognized tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding higher education institutions in that specific category), special district governments, small businesses, state and local governments (including counties and cities/townships), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and individuals. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed. Proposals were evaluated using criteria weighted primarily toward the applicant's organizational capability to manage and perform the project professionally, followed by knowledge of local conservation issues in San Joaquin County and familiarity with NRCS practice standards, then demonstrated ability to work effectively with both NRCS staff and local producers, and finally knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations relevant to implementing conservation practices in the county. NRCS indicated it may hold discussions with applicants and would negotiate final costs and terms with the selected entity. For administrative questions, the announcement listed a grants management specialist contact (Kimberly Pedersen) at 530-792-5678.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FARM BILL ASSISTANCE - SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CA opportunity?
This opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement focused on expanding on-the-ground conservation delivery in San Joaquin County, California. The project adds technical and administrative capacity to support Farm Bill conservation programs and help move conservation contracts from paperwork to verified implementation of conservation practices.
Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?
It is a cooperative agreement. NRCS remains substantially involved through planning, oversight, coordination, and ensuring compliance with NRCS rules, standards, and specifications. NRCS also assigns a representative who participates in planning and management of the agreement.
What is the main goal of this project?
The intent is to protect and improve natural resources (soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife) while keeping working lands productive. The work emphasizes accelerating real-world conservation practice implementation and tracking, rather than research or planning in isolation.
Which Farm Bill programs does the project support?
The scope centers on NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs, including EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program), AWEP (Agricultural Water Enhancement Program), and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program).
What kind of partner is NRCS looking for?
NRCS is looking for a partner that can work directly with local private landowners and agricultural producers in San Joaquin County to strengthen participation in voluntary USDA conservation programs and support contract follow-through to verified implementation.
What does "hands-on and producer-facing" work mean in this announcement?
It means the partner is expected to act as an extension of the local NRCS office by engaging directly with producers, helping them understand program options, navigate applications and contracting, and follow through on conservation plans and contract requirements.
What outreach activities are expected?
The partner is expected to conduct outreach to producers by answering questions, sharing program information, and encouraging participation in voluntary USDA conservation programs.
Will the partner help with application processing and eligibility?
Yes. The scope includes assisting with screening and ranking of applications, helping process applications, and supporting eligibility determinations.
What technical planning support is included in the scope?
The work includes supporting technical planning associated with contracts and providing technical assistance tied to implementing and maintaining conservation practices under both new and prior-year contracts.
What are field checks, and are they required under this agreement?
Field checks are part of the required work. The partner must meet with participants and verify that installed conservation practices meet NRCS standards and specifications as documented in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. This includes taking measurements for structural practices and visually assessing vegetative practices, as needed for payment approval.
Does the scope include work on existing (prior-year) contracts?
Yes. The announcement emphasizes accelerating implementation and tracking of conservation practices tied to both new and prior-year contracts, including coordination and documentation needed for timely execution.
What kind of ongoing contract management tasks are expected?
The partner is expected to provide technical assistance for ongoing conservation management practices in existing contracts, collect and evaluate producer records when required, complete status reviews to keep contracts on schedule, and conduct spot checks on CSP-related enhancements.
What standards must practice verification and technical assistance follow?
All technical assistance, conservation planning support, and practice verification must align with USDA NRCS rules, standards, and specifications, including the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.
What is meant by equitable program delivery in this project?
A major component is local coordination and ensuring fair access to USDA programs. The selected applicant is expected to network and participate in interagency meetings to coordinate conservation program delivery in local communities and support equitable access.
What reporting is required?
The agreement requires quarterly progress reports tracking activities and a year-end report summarizing accomplishments and outcomes.
Will NRCS provide tools or resources to the partner?
NRCS provides oversight plus access to agency software, forms, and relevant program resources needed to support delivery consistent with NRCS requirements.
How much funding is available?
NRCS expected to make one award. The estimated total available funding is up to $55,000 for the fiscal year, with an award ceiling of $55,000 and an award floor of $25,000.
How many awards were expected?
NRCS indicated it expected to make one award under this opportunity.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the announcement.
How long is the performance period?
The structure includes a one-year base period with up to three additional one-year options, which can total up to four years if renewed annually.
What was the activity window listed in the announcement?
The listed activity window for the initial period ran roughly from July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity is archived. It was posted on May 31, 2012 and closed on June 22, 2012.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included federally recognized tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding higher education institutions in that specific category), special district governments, small businesses, state and local governments (including counties and cities/townships), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and individuals.
How were proposals evaluated?
Evaluation criteria were weighted primarily toward the applicant's organizational capability to manage and perform the project professionally. Additional weighted factors included knowledge of local conservation issues in San Joaquin County and familiarity with NRCS practice standards; demonstrated ability to work effectively with NRCS staff and local producers; and knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations relevant to implementing conservation practices in the county.
Could NRCS hold discussions or negotiate terms with applicants?
Yes. NRCS indicated it may hold discussions with applicants and would negotiate final costs and terms with the selected entity.
Who was the administrative contact listed for this opportunity?
The announcement listed a grants management specialist contact: Kimberly Pedersen at 530-792-5678.
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