Develope and Implement Conservation Programs

The summary for the Develope and Implement Conservation Programs 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 Ohio State Office, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Develope and Implement Conservation Programs: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Natural Resource Conservation Partnering. During FY 2005, the NRCS is requesting proposals of services from qualified individuals and organizations to contribute to the conservation and wise development of natural resources in Ohio. General The USDA NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to individuals, groups, and units of government throughout Ohio to help conserve and protect natural resources. This technical and financial assistance is provided through a number of individual programs and authorities. The specific activities of NRCS are guided by the priorities set forth in the NRCS Strategic Plan. Ohio NRCS seeks to identify partnering opportunities with other organizations that share a common interest in order to accelerate programs listed as on Strategic Plan priorities. The NRCS will accept proposals for projects up to 18 months in duration. Project Scope: Start date for projects will be July 30, 2005. The project will contribute to the conservation and/or wise development of natural resources in Ohio and contribute to one or more of the priorities set forth in the NRCS Strategic Plan. The project will provide one or more of the following: 1. Learning opportunities for NRCS staff and customers. 2. A demonstration or promotion of innovative or nontraditional conservation systems. 3. A demonstration or promotion of resource conserving agricultural, horticultural, and forestry enterprises. 4. A demonstration or promotion of comprehensive nutrient management plans and/or their application. 5. Assistance in organizing groups for action on locally important natural resource issues. 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 years 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. The organizations level of commitment in terms of the staff, equipment resources, and/or funding support necessary to leverage the project. A description of the capabilities to fulfill the terms of the cooperative agreement, including a brief description of the organizational entity and the qualifications, current responsibilities, proposed level of effort for the project coordinator, and staff responsible for implementation. Qualification Statement for key personnel should be included. 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. The following forms are required: Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance Standard Form 424A, Budget Information-Non construction Programs Standard Form 424B, Assurances - Non-construction Programs 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 nonprofit institutions, to 10 percent of the total indirect 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 proving 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 online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html. Failure to cooperate or 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 Tribal Governments shall be in accordance with the provisions of the following OMB circulars: Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Tribal Governments Circular A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State, Local, and Tribal Governments Circular A-133, Audits of State, Local, and Nonprofit Organizations (b) Agreements made with nonprofit 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 Nonprofit Organizations Circular A-133, Audits of Institutions of Higher Learning and Other Nonprofit Institutions. 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. No member of, or delegate to, Congress, or resident commissioner after his election, or appointment, and either before or after he has qualified, and no officer, agent, or employee of the government shall be admitted to any share or part of this agreement, or any benefit to arise therefrom; but this provision shall not be construed to extend to any incorporated company where such agreement is made for the general benefit of such incorporated company. By the Authority in the Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, more commonly referred to as the 2002 Farm Bill, the NRCS is assigned the responsibility for the development and implementation of conservation plans and systems. The priorities for consideration under this announcement include: High quality environment Maintain, restore, and enhance cropland productivity Maintain, restore, and enhance forestland productivity Maintain, restore, and enhance grazing land productivity Maintain, restore, or enhance ecosystems and fish and wildlife habitat Promote sound urban and rural community development Protect water and air resources from agricultural nonpoint sources of impairment The NRCS has the responsibility to assist producers to apply and maintain the practices in their conservation plan to assist in implementing changes to approved conservation systems according to the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Standard and Specifications. Producers apply and maintain planned practices/conservation systems in order to receive a variety of USDA financial benefits. The NRCS anticipates being substantially involved in carrying out the work covered by resulting cooperative agreements. Evaluation Criteria Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following factors: Organizational capabilities. The adequacy of organizational resources and expertise to successfully manage and perform the project(s). Share in a common mission that supports the natural resources efforts with agricultural producers. Documented capability to complete the proposed project(s). The reasonableness and feasibility of the applicants approach for successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed projects(s) within the required time frame. Ability to demonstrate past history and credibility of working with farm clients. Financial Support. Extent of proving cash, non-cash and in-kind contributions toward meeting the objectives of the proposed project(s). Understanding of Conservation Programs. Understanding the intent of USDA NRCS conservation programs and practices. The applicants recognition of the value and need for the proposed projects(s) and full understanding of the benefits. Extent to which the proposed project(s) supports one or more objectives of the NRCS Strategic Plan. Project Beneficiaries. The number of individuals (individually or in communities) that are likely to benefit from the proposed project. Award Cooperative agreements will be awarded from project(s) not to exceed an 18 month period. The available funding for subsequent years is not fixed and may vary considerably. If unforeseen problems delay the completion of the work, it may be affirmatively renewed by the parties, through an exchange of correspondence, for subsequent fiscal years until the agreed-to work is completed. Amendments to agreement(s) may be modified by amendments duly executed by authorized officials. Amendments to obligate additional funds in subsequent years (not to exceed a 5 year period) is subject to availability of funds. It is the intent of the NRCS to fulfill its obligations under this agreement. Funds may not, however, be committed beyond the period for which Congress has appropriated them. In the event that funds for which the NRCS may fulfill its obligations are not appropriated, the agreement shall automatically terminate. Reimbursement shall be provided to the award recipient for work completed prior to the termination. Each project proposal must be submitted as a separate project proposal. Joint project proposals combined within one application will be considered.