New York State Annual FY22 NFO for Contribution Agreements

Description

The NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), is seeking support and opportunities with likeminded natural resourceconservation partners in New York. Eligible applicants are invited to apply for NRCSassistance with the following key conservation objectives. Proposals are requested thatwill provide direct technical services (boots on the ground) to assist producers to planand/or implement conservation practices throughout New York. Emphasis will be placedon proposals that provide direct technical assistance on critical conservation needs andthat address the following New York State priority Resource Concerns: Water Quality, SoilHealth, Wildlife, and Plant Health.1) Development of conservation plans, conservation implementation and/or assistancewith farm bill applications/contract management. Examples:• Development of irrigation water management plans/contracts design/implementation of irrigation water management techniques.• Provide technical and administrative service in support of conservationeasements programs.• Develop conservation plans and implement conservation practices to supportdeclining wildlife species in NY.• Develop forest management plans and design/implement forest conservationpractices.• Develop conservation plans and implement conservation practices to supportHistorically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers (Limited Resource, Beginning,Socially Disadvantaged, Veterans, and Tribal Nations and Members)2) Research available vendor supplied designs (for example manufactured waste storagetanks and manufactured precast concrete wall systems), provide peer reviewevaluation and recommendations to NRCS for approval use Statewide forconservation practice implementation. See National Engineering Model (NEM) 505.15Standard Designs and Drawings.3) Provide field technical support to NRCS engineering personnel to expedite andimprove technical work of the agency by sharing expertise and exchanging on-the-jobtraining. Federal and Non-Federal work force will work together to plan, design,implement and evaluate conservation practices for shared program participants NEM505.14. With NRCS direct oversight, work expected would be assisting withimplementation inventory/evaluation, prepare design report, preparing constructiondrawings, contract specifications, operation and maintenance plans, engineer’sestimate, prepare quality assurance plan, construction inspection, etc.Page 6 of 284) Conduct Quality Assurance and Spot-checking services of work performed byTechnical Service Providers (TSP) over the last 5 years to support NEM 505.10(4)responsibilities. Provide a report to NRCS on each TSP’s performance.5) Prepare planning, or engineering technical materials for NRCS review, acceptance,and release to serve as permanent references for providing technical assistanceacross the range of agency programs. Implement and deliver technical materials forgeneral use by the public.6) Provide high quality imagery and data to NRCS, using a licensed Unmanned AircraftSystem (UAS) operated by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified pilot toinform Conservation Compliance activities, planning activities and/orimplementation activities remotely.This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions.Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions ofthis notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications will be eliminated fromcompetition and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.

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