Environmental Quality Incentive Program Assistance

The summary for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program Assistance 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 California State Office, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Environmental Quality Incentive Program Assistance: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical help to install or implement structural and management practices on their land. The objective of EQIP is to optimize environmental benefits that 1) reduce nonpoint source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity, 2) reduce emissions from agricultural sources that contribute to air quality impairments in non-attainment areas, 3) reduce excessive soil erosion and sedimentation on agricultural land, and 4) promote at-risk species habitat conservation. Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS in providing technical assistance necessary to plan and implement conservation practices to assist land users with forestry and grazing land related resource problems/concerns. NRCS expects to award up to three cooperative agreements estimated to cost up to $25,000 per agreement based on proposals submitted and benefits derived for the current fiscal year. Total funds available for award are $75,000 for the current fiscal year. Any agreements resulting from this solicitation will have a one-year base period and three one-year options. Activities under this cooperative agreement(s) will be carried out from approximately May 19, 2004 through September 30, 2004 in the following counties: El Dorado, Nevada, and Placer. Please note that not all counties need to be addressed in a proposal; therefore, please specifically identify the county/counties you are interested in carrying out the work in when submitting your proposal. The successful applicant will be responsible for: making field visits to conduct site surveys and assessments for 2004 Fiscal Year EQIP program applications. This will include but is not limited to providing assistance in evaluating EQIP applications using a standard set of evaluation criteria furnished by NRCS, preparing cost estimates relating to NRCS conservation practices and EQIP cost lists. The selected applicant(s) will also provide technical assistance to land users who are implementing conservation practices approved in prior year EQIP contracts where implementation is scheduled for the current fiscal year. Other products to be delivered include: maintaining NRCS resource data (GIS topography, county parcels data, aerial photos, land user application and contract folders, etc.); conducting before and after erosion inventories on EQIP projects; assisting with engineering, biological and cultural resource assessments; and administrative activities related to managing the fiscal year 2004 EQIP program using various NRCS software programs. The approximate number of EQIP applications by county for FY2004 is as follows: El Dorado?25, Nevada?60 and Placer?28. The approximate number of active contracts (FYs 2001-2003) that potentially could have conservation practices scheduled for implementation in the current fiscal year is as followed: El Dorado?35, Nevada?60, and Placer?50. The primary EQIP forestry related conservation practices in all three counties are forest stand improvement, tree/shrub pruning, and tree/shrub establishment. Grazing land related practices including range planting, brush management, fencing, spring development, and trough or tank installation. Contact Steve Crow, Resource Conservationist for historical information on EQIP concerns at (559) 252-2191 Ext. 119. All services provided in conservation planning, conservation practice application, and other technical assistance must meet USDA-NRCS standards and specifications as set forth in Departmental manuals, handbooks, and guides. The selected applicant shall report to NRCS the appropriate data elements associated with the technical services provided to EQIP participants so that the data can be entered into the conservation accomplishments tracking system. NRCS anticipates being substantially involved in carrying out the work covered by this cooperative agreement. NRCS will also provide a representative to participate in the planning and management of the cooperative agreement and coordinate activities. NRCS will provide training, at no cost to the grantee, training in specific California EQIP program procedures and administrative contract development. NRCS will provide program oversight and will provide agency software, necessary forms and other resource information. Evalution 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 local land users in achieving the objectives within the required time frame. 2. Location in the general geographical area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project; provided, that application of this criterion leaves an appropriate number of qualified firms, given the nature and size of the project. 3. Understanding the intent of EQIP and other USDA cost share programs?the applicant?s recognition of the value and need of the project and the full understanding of the intent of EQIP. 4. Ability to demonstrate past history and credibility of working with local land users in the county. Ability to be certified by NRCS to receive clearance for network access as well as client data files. Each proposal will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the evaluation factors listed above. Discussions may be held with each applicant regarding the applicant?s experience, the proposed plan of action or alternative courses of action. After selection, NRCS will enter into negotiations with the selected applicant to discuss cost and the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement to be signed. Available Funding Cooperative agreements will be awarded on a fiscal year basis. It is anticipated that approximately $75,000 will be available for FY2004. The available funding for subsequent years is not fixed and may vary considerably. Amendments to agreement may be developed upon availability of funding in follow-on years Procedures for Applying for Assistance: Applications for assistance must include a program narrative statement that addresses the following as a minimum. a. A description of the resources and experience of the organization necessary to successfully perform these services. b. An itemized budget and detailed narrative in support of the form SF-424 for the overall project period. Applicants should include budgets for the base year and each option year. Show all funding sources and itemized costs by the following line items on the budget form: personnel, equipment, material and supplies, travel, contractual, other costs, and indirect costs. Hourly costs and number of hours should be included for personnel. Funds may be requested under any of the line items listed above provided that the item or service for which support is requested is identified as necessary for successful conduct of the proposed project, is allowable under the authorizing legislation and the applicable Federal cost principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable Federal statute. Salaries of project personnel who will be working on the project may be requested in proportion to the effort that they will devote to the project. Show any non-federal costs that the applicant indicates will be contributed in support of this project. c. The organization?s level of commitment in terms of the staff, equipment resources, and/or funding support necessary to leverage the project. d. A description of the capabilities to fulfill the terms of the cooperative agreement, including a brief description of the organizational entity and of the qualifications, current responsibilities, and proposed level of effort for the project coordinator, and staff responsible for implementation. Qualification Statement for key personnel should be included. e. List of past experience with provided technical services; include list of contacts and phone numbers f. The application may include an appendix. Material should be included only when necessary to support information provided in the narrative. Copies of documents, brochures, etc., are encouraged to demonstrate experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. g. The following forms are required and can be obtained from the web sites listed below: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants forms.html or Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance Standard Form 424A Budget Information - Non-construction Programs Standard Form 424B Assurances ? Non-construction Programs Submission Requirements: Applicants must submit one copy of their proposal to Raymond Miller, Contract Specialist, USDA, NRCS, 430 G St. # 4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164. Authority: Federal Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127, as amended; Food Security Act of 1985, Subtitle D, Title XII, 16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq. Administrative Requirements: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Section 708, limits indirect costs under cooperative agreements between USDA and non-profit institutions, including institutions of higher education, to ten percent of the total direct costs of the agreement. Applicants must document the indirect cost percentage requested. The applicant shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders and other generally applicable requirements, including those set out in 7 CFR 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, 3019, and 3052 which will be incorporated in the agreement by reference and such other statutory provisions as are specifically set forth in the agreement. The applicant, by signing or submitting this application, is providing a certification set forth in Appendix C to 7 CFR 3017; Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. The OMB Circulars will be incorporated by reference and made a part of each agreement awarded under this process. Applicants are encouraged to review the appropriate circulars prior to requesting federal funds. OMB circulars may be viewed on-line at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html. Failure of a cooperator to comply with any provision may be the basis for withholding payments for proper charges made by the cooperator and for termination of support. (a) Agreements with colleges and universities shall be in accordance with the following OMB circulars: ? Circular A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions ? Circular A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations ? Circular A-133, Audits of Institutions of Higher Learning and Other Non-Profit Institutions (b) Agreements with State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments shall be in accordance with the provisions of the following OMB circulars: ? Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments ? Circular A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments ? Circular A-133, Audits of State, Local, and Non-Profit Organizations (c) Agreements made with non-profit organizations shall be in accordance with the following OMB circulars: ? Circular A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations ? Circular A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations ? Circular A-133, Audits of Institutions of Higher Learning and Other Non-Profit Institutions (d) Agreements with organizations other than those indicated above shall be in accordance with the basic principles of OMB Circular A-110, and cost principles shall be in accordance with Part 31 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations.