Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Management Plan for Air Quality

The summary for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Management Plan for Air Quality 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 and Conservation Management Plan for Air Quality: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural conservation and environmental quality. The objective of EQIP is to provide technical and financial help to producers in planning, designing and implementing conservation practices that contribute to water quality and quantity, soil and plant health, wildlife habitat improvements, air quality enhancement, and other natural resource enhancements. Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS in providing technical assistance necessary to design, install, and follow up on conservation practices to assist and users dealing with air quality issues. The successful applicant will be responsible for: making field visits, evaluating and documenting air quality applications, assisting with design, installation oversight, and follow up of conservation practices according to NRCS Standards and Specifications. All work will be certified in compliance with EQIP guidelines, evaluating the planned practices by a standard set of evaluation criteria furnished by NRCS, and providing technical assistance to implement these practices when approved by NRCS. The applicant will also need to provide technical assistance to land users who are implementing air quality practices approved in prior year EQIP contracts where implementation is planned for the current fiscal year. The anticipated workload for EQIP Air Quality is approximately 160 contracts. The primary focus of air quality conservation practices are diesel engine replacement, dust control on unpaved farm roads, chipping of agricultural orchard prunings and orchard and vineyard removals, and conservation tillage. The applicant will also be responsible for the development and verification of individual Conservation Management Plans (CMP) for growers within the San Joaquin Valley. Authority for assisting producers with planning for conservation practices is found in Public Law 74-46, 49 Stat. 163, 16 U.S.C 590a-f, Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1935, as amended, which authorizes the agency to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion and the preventive measures needed, to disseminate that information, and to carry out preventive measures, enter into cooperative agreements to carry out its mission. Grower planning meetings as groups and individual planning opportunities will be scheduled. The San Joaquin Valley Air District?s Rule 4550 guidelines will be followed. Individual CMP plans will be verified that they meet Rule 4550 guidelines, both in the required paperwork content and in proper conservation management practice selection. A list of CMP management practices is included within Rule 4550. The anticipated workload for the CMP planning program is approximately 2,000 to 3,000 individual plans. The CMP plans will focus on reducing Particulate Matter 10 microns or less in size (PM-10) from unpaved farm roads, equipment yards, and on-field soil disturbing activities. Assistance to dairy and poultry headquarters will also be required. CMP practices will be selected to reduce PM-10 being generated from animal raising activities. Contact John Beyer, NRCS State Air Quality Coordinator, for historical information on EQIP air quality concerns and for information on the CMP planning program at (559) 252-2191. NRCS expects to award up to 8 cooperative agreements estimated to cost between $25,000 and $400,000. The successful applicant(s) will need to provide one employee in each of the NRCS 8 Service Centers located in the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare). Office space will be provided. Vehicles, training and travel costs associated with providing technical services for the EQIP and the CMP programs will be the responsibility of the successful applicant. It is expected that the applicant will work closely with each county NRCS office staff. The applicant(s) will need to be certified as a technical service provider meeting the NRCS national criteria established for certification in the category(ies) for which the applicant applies. The certification criteria are located in TechReg, and NRCS web based certification application program at http://techreg.usda.gov. All technical services provided to EQIP applicants and participants must meet USDA standards and specifications as set forth in Departmental manuals, handbooks, guides, conservation planning, conservation practice application, and other areas of technical assistance. The applicant shall report to NRCS the appropriate data elements associated with EQIP and CMP planning technical services provided to the Department or program participant so that the data can be entered into the conservation accomplishment tracking system. NRCS anticipates being substantially involved in carrying out the work covered by resulting cooperative agreement. NRCS will conduct an initial briefing at the NRCS Fresno Area Office, within 30 days after the award. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the goals and objectives of the project. NRCS will provide a representative to participate in the planning and management of the cooperative agreement and coordinate activities. NRCS will provide, at no cost to the grantee, training in specific Ca. program procedures and administrative contract development. NRCS will identify applicants at the local level and prioritize project at the State level. NRCS will provide program oversight. NRCS will provide agency software, necessary forms and other resource information. NRCS will provide for state level management and guidance of the program. Evaluation Criteria--Listed in Decending Order of Importance 1. Organizational capabilities The adequacy of organizational resources and experience to successfully manage and perform the project. Share in common mission that supports the natural resources conservation effort with San Joaquin Valley land users. 2. Project personnel The reasonableness and feasibility of the applicant?s approach for successfully achieving the objectives of the project within the required time frame. 3. 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 4. Understanding the intent of EQIP and the CMP programs 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 the EQIP and CMP programs. 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 term 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 $400,000 will be available for FY2004. Any agreements resulting from this solicitation will have a one-year base period and three one-year options. 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 (approximately a 3-year period). Project Period: NRCS anticipates funds in FY04, FY05, and FY06. The resulting agreement would be for a three year period, subject to the availability of funds. 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. 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 States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations (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 States, Local Governments, 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 States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations (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.