NRCS, an agency under the USDA, in the South Carolina State Office, is seeking proposals from partners to provide “Boots on the Ground” assistance with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

This assistance includes, administrative management of active contracts (completion

credit:

of contract status reviews, practice reminder letters, processing payment applications, assembling customer folders, assisting with customer questions and assisting with contract progress), assistance with conservation practice implementation (design, layout, surveying and practice certification) and updating conservation plans and maps.

In addition, the awardee will be expected to attend workshops and outreach meetings to provide information to landowners on services provided by NRCS and EQIP program opportunities available for those interested in conservation programs.

NRCS is looking for approximately three (3), full-time equivalents (FTEs)e to be located in the USDA Service Center in the counties of Aiken, Florence, and Kershaw in South Carolina with technical assistance being provided to these counties as well as to neighboring counties as directed by NRCS with a focus on reaching historically underserved landowners.

NRCS has $540,000 available for a 3-year agreement with an eligible entity who has experience with NRCS Farm Bill programs and business tools, such as but not limited to, ProTracts, Conservation Desktop (CD) and Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART).

Proposals are requested from tribal governments and organizations, State and local units of government, and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of a cooperative agreement award for projects 3 years in duration.