Contract Administration Clerical Support

The summary for the Contract Administration Clerical Support grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Kansas State Office, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Contract Administration Clerical Support: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Security Program (CSP) are voluntary conservation programs that promote agricultural production and environmental quality. Through EQIP, landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Through CSP, landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to maintain and enhance conservation systems on eligible agricultural lands. The NRCS recognizes other groups within the state have similar missions as well. EQIP and CSP were authorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 which provides that the Secretary may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-federal entities to assist with providing technical assistance necessary to develop and implement conservation programs under Title II - Conservation. The purpose for this Request for Applications (RFA) is to obtain contract administration clerical support associated with implementation of EQIP and CSP contracts. This assistance, in the form of accomplishing and completing identified products (identified in the following information), will enable the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to timely and accurately document completion of contract items and certification for the items for payment. NRCS is seeking contract administration clerical support in order to provide timely and accurate contract administration of approximately 6,000 EQIP and CSP contracts in 70 counties located throughout Kansas. Clerical support assistance must be provided in a minimum of 50 counties in Kansas. Projected counties are identified on the attached map. Applicants selected will be responsible for assisting NRCS by providing clerical support to prepare contract packages, file contract-related documents, review and determine accuracy of all applicable cost data for each contract item, notify participants of documentation and signature needs, verify correctness of signatures, review payee amounts and payee information for accuracy, answer questions, and provide information to the producer and the NRCS Financial Management (FNM) Staff. The ProTracts software program will be utilized to document much of the work in addition to documentation maintained in each contract file. The NRCS district conservationist (DC) in each county will provide the necessary training, technical guidance, quality assurance, and daily task assignment. The NRCS FNM Staff will also provide guidance when needed. Evaluation Criteria - Listed in Descending Order of Importance 1. Organizational Capabilities. The adequacy of organizational resources and experience to successfully manage and perform the project. Share in a common mission that supports the natural resource conservation efforts with agricultural producers. Capable of providing in-kind contributions and other sources of financial support toward meeting the objectives of the project. 2. Project Design and Personnel. The reasonableness and feasibility of the applicants approach for successfully achieving the objectives of the project within the required time frame. 3. Understanding the intent of the EQIP, CSP, and other USDA programs and policies. The applicants recognition of the value and need of the project and the full understanding of the intent of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and policies. 4. Ability to demonstrate past history and credibility of working with farm clients. Ability to be certified by NRCS to receive clearance for network access as well as client data files. Available Funding: A cooperative agreement will be awarded for a one-year project. It is anticipated that there will be a minimum of $70,000 available for this program in Fiscal Year 2007. The available funding for subsequent years is not fixed and may vary considerably. Amendments to the agreement may be developed upon availability of funding in following years (approximately a five-year period). The NRCS anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement under this announcement. Agency Contract Person for Electronic Access Problem: Rhonda Sulsar, Contract Specialist, Phone 785-823-4505, Fax 785-823-4505, E-mail [email protected]. Link to Full Announcement: See attached Adobe files named RFA_NRCS_KS_20_06_0001.pdf and How to apply for rfa.pdf.