Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS VT RCPP 20 NOFO0001023
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont released a discretionary funding opportunity to support the continued delivery of conservation technical assistance tied to existing Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) contracts authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill. The focus is not on launching new RCPP projects, but on helping ensure that conservation work already under contract gets finished correctly, on time, and in a way that meets NRCS requirements. The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the recipient will work closely with NRCS during implementation rather than operating entirely independently.
RCPP was designed to bring NRCS together with partner organizations to coordinate conservation efforts and add partner capacity to address priority natural resource concerns at the farm, watershed, and regional scale. Under RCPP, NRCS and partners pursued measurable outcomes and encouraged innovative solutions to conservation challenges, using "covered programs" that function similarly to major NRCS conservation programs. These covered programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and watershed authorities such as PL-566. This Vermont opportunity continues that intent by funding partner capacity that helps producers and landowners complete contracted practices and comply with program requirements.
The work NRCS Vermont is seeking support for falls into two main categories. First, the awardee would conduct on-site visits with RCPP participants to provide hands-on technical assistance so conservation practices are implemented according to contract timelines and in accordance with NRCS practice standards. After practices are installed, the awardee would support final practice certification, documenting whether each practice meets NRCS standards. Second, the awardee would provide administrative and contract-management support required to keep agreements moving forward, including tasks such as preparing or processing contract modifications, sending annual reminders about scheduled practice implementation, and issuing notices of non-compliance when needed. In practical terms, the project is about field-level follow-through and the paperwork and tracking that keeps conservation contracts in good standing through completion.
Eligibility is limited to specific entity types: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), and institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private). The opportunity is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and is associated with CFDA number 10.932, covering agriculture, environment, and natural resources activities.
Key funding details include an award ceiling of $235,000, with NRCS expecting to make one award. The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS VT RCPP 20 NOFO0001023, and the opportunity was posted on June 12, 2020. Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 12, 2020. Applicants needing help with Grants.gov were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support, with the note that NRCS awarding staff could not assist with Grants.gov account or technical issues.Apply for USDA NRCS VT RCPP 20 NOFO0001023
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Technical Assistance in Vermont for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.932.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 12, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 12, 2020 Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $235,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: USDA NRCS Vermont RCPP Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement (2014 Farm Bill contracts)
What is this funding opportunity for?
This USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Vermont discretionary funding opportunity supports the continued delivery of conservation technical assistance tied to existing Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) contracts authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill. The intent is to help ensure conservation work that is already under contract gets completed correctly, on time, and in compliance with NRCS requirements.
Is this opportunity for starting new RCPP projects?
No. The focus is not on launching new RCPP projects. It is specifically meant to support follow-through on conservation practices and related contract requirements that are already under contract through existing RCPP agreements.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is offered as a cooperative agreement. In general, this means the recipient is expected to work closely with NRCS during implementation rather than operating completely independently.
What is RCPP and why does it matter for this award?
RCPP was designed to bring NRCS together with partner organizations to coordinate conservation efforts and add partner capacity to address priority natural resource concerns at farm, watershed, and regional scales. Under RCPP, NRCS and partners pursued measurable outcomes and encouraged innovative conservation solutions. This Vermont opportunity continues that purpose by funding partner capacity to help producers and landowners complete contracted practices and meet program requirements.
What kinds of conservation programs are connected to RCPP in this opportunity?
RCPP uses "covered programs" that function similarly to major NRCS conservation programs. The covered programs referenced include:
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Watershed authorities such as PL-566
What are the main categories of work the awardee would perform?
The work NRCS Vermont is seeking support for falls into two main categories:
- On-site technical assistance and practice certification support: conducting on-site visits with RCPP participants to provide hands-on technical assistance so conservation practices are implemented according to contract timelines and NRCS practice standards, and then supporting final practice certification by documenting whether practices meet NRCS standards after installation.
- Administrative and contract-management support: providing the administrative follow-through needed to keep agreements moving forward, including preparing or processing contract modifications, sending annual reminders about scheduled practice implementation, and issuing notices of non-compliance when needed.
What does "on-site visits" mean in this context?
The opportunity describes on-site visits with RCPP participants to deliver hands-on technical assistance. The purpose is to help ensure conservation practices are installed according to the contract schedule and in accordance with NRCS practice standards.
What is meant by "final practice certification"?
After conservation practices are installed, the awardee would support final practice certification by documenting whether each installed practice meets NRCS standards.
What kinds of administrative and contract-management tasks are expected?
The opportunity lists several examples of administrative and contract-management support activities, including preparing or processing contract modifications, sending annual reminders about scheduled practice implementation, and issuing notices of non-compliance when needed. Overall, this work is described as the paperwork and tracking that keeps conservation contracts in good standing through completion.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to the following entity types:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), excluding institutions of higher education within those nonprofit categories
- Institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private)
Which USDA agency is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), specifically NRCS in Vermont.
What is the CFDA number associated with this funding?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.932, covering agriculture, environment, and natural resources activities.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS VT RCPP 20 NOFO0001023.
How much funding is available?
The award ceiling is $235,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make one award.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on June 12, 2020.
What was the application deadline?
Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 12, 2020.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov.
Where could applicants get help with Grants.gov?
Applicants needing help with Grants.gov were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support.
Could NRCS staff help with Grants.gov account or technical issues?
No. The notice specified that NRCS awarding staff could not assist with Grants.gov account or technical issues.
What is the practical goal of this project?
In practical terms, the project is about field-level follow-through and the paperwork and tracking needed to keep conservation contracts in good standing and completed in compliance with NRCS standards and timelines.
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