NRCS Technical Assistance for Habitat Improvement | USDA NRCS VT MULTI 22 NOFO0001193

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS VT MULTI 22 NOFO0001193

The NRCS Technical Assistance for Habitat Improvement opportunity is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement aimed at strengthening on-the-ground support for wildlife habitat improvement work tied to Farm Bill conservation programs. Through this award, NRCS is looking to partner with an organization that can provide strong, practical technical assistance and give NRCS field office staff access to local wildlife professionals. The emphasis is on professionals who can help with the real field-level workload involved in habitat-focused conservation practices, especially people with experience planning, developing, implementing, and certifying conservation practices related to wildlife habitat.

The selected partner would help NRCS carry out a range of technical tasks that support habitat improvement projects from start to finish. That includes participating in site visits, identifying and documenting resource concerns, helping develop habitat plans, assisting with the development and layout of conservation plans, and completing certification of installed conservation practices once work has been implemented. The award also expects the partner to handle the associated documentation that goes along with these steps, which is important because NRCS programs require consistent records to show that planned work matches program standards and that completed practices meet requirements.

This cooperative effort is specifically connected to Farm Bill conservation delivery, with implementation primarily flowing through two NRCS programs: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The opportunity is listed on SAM.gov under Assistance Listings 10.912 (EQIP) and 10.924 (CSP). In practical terms, that means the technical assistance work funded here is meant to support NRCS conservation planning and practice implementation that landowners and producers carry out through those programs, with a strong focus on wildlife habitat outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants: state and local governments (including cities/townships, special districts, and school districts), public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, individuals, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and small businesses. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals an arrangement where NRCS expects to be substantially involved in the project during performance, rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal interaction.

In terms of funding scale, NRCS estimated a federal funding floor of $80,000 and a ceiling of $280,000 for the federal share per agreement, referring to the total agreement amount rather than a specific budget period. The opportunity anticipated making one award. Key dates provided in the notice set the application deadline as June 17, 2022, by 11:59 pm Eastern Time, with selections anticipated by June 30, 2022, and awards expected to be executed by September 15, 2022 (all described as estimates and subject to change). Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants experiencing technical issues were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support rather than NRCS staff for account-related troubleshooting.

Finally, NRCS highlights that this is federal financial assistance and points applicants, especially those newer to federal funding, toward the free Grants 101 training hosted by the CFO Council (cfo.gov). That training is presented as a helpful primer on federal assistance rules and expectations, covering topics like uniform guidance administrative requirements, cost principles, risk management, and single audit considerations, all of which can matter for organizations managing federal funds under a cooperative agreement.

• The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NRCS Technical Assistance for Habitat Improvement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912, 10.924.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2022 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 $280,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for USDA NRCS VT MULTI 22 NOFO0001193

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: