TSP CNMP Teleconference December 12, 2006 Shannon Zezula Mike Cox Beth Clarizia Tony Bailey N K P.
TechReg and TSP Orientation CNMP Core Curriculum Section 10 — TSP Certification and TechReg.
-
Upload
lenard-gilbert -
Category
Documents
-
view
220 -
download
1
Transcript of TechReg and TSP Orientation CNMP Core Curriculum Section 10 — TSP Certification and TechReg.
TechReg and TSP Orientation
CNMP Core Curriculum
Section 10 — TSP Certification and TechReg
CNMP Development Core Training Curriculum
These course materials have been developed as a cooperative effort between five land-grant universities and The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111.
Copyright © 1995-2006, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
Copyright Information
ObjectivesUpon completion the student will be able to: • define general terms used by NRCS • list the steps required for the eAuthentication• recall websites for reference material• explain TSP reporting responsibilities• restate the purpose for NTE rates • explain the roles and responsibilities of the TSP,
the landowner and NRCS • list the steps of de-certification and describe the
differences between states in the verification process.
Required Materials• USDA – NRCS. Conservation Planning Policy (GM-180, Part 409.10).
• USDA – NRCS. Technical Service Categories and Criteria Options for Certification. http://techreg.usda.gov/ (listed under Certification Criteria)
• USDA – NRCS. Technical Service Provider Final Rules
• USDA-NRCS. Tech Reg Website. http://techreg.usda.gov/
• Definitions for NTE rate components: http://techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov/NTE/TSPNTE2/index.asp
• TSP Policy:http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/GM/GM_180_411.htm
• TSP Handbook: http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/H/H_180_610_Content.htm
• NRCS TSP Certification Agreement
• List of TSP, Producer and NRCS Roles & Responsibilities
• Federal and State TSP Fact Sheets
Supplemental Materials• USDA – NRCS. National Bulletin No. 450-5-2 Draft TSP Manual.
http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/NB/NB_450_5_2.htm
• TSP Roadmap: Five easy steps to certification: http://techreg.usda.gov/help/FiveSteps.pdf
• Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended by the Farm Security & Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171, (2002 Farm Bill)
• Conservation Program Manual Title 440, part 504
• NRCS General Manual (CNMP Policy)- http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/GM/GM_180_411.htm
• Federal Business Opportunities website: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/NRCS/index.html
• TSP Civil Rights Responsibilities: http://techreg.usda.gov/help/CivilRightsResponsibilities.pdf
To be discussed:
• Acquisition of technical services• TSP certification process• Maintaining Certification• Producer reimbursement• Roles and responsibilities
Why Technical Service Providers?
• Need basis– High NRCS Workload – Too few employees
• Who are technical service providers?– Individuals employed
by:• Private business
• Non-profit
• Public agency
Technical Service Acquisition Method #1
• TSP certification not required• Functions as a NRCS representative
– Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) • Payment rate determined in by contract terms• Payment is directly through NRCS
Contractual relationship
Technical Service Provider
Method # 1 - NRCS Acquisition
• Method of Contracting– FedBizOps– FedGrants
• Options available– Competitive
• Grants • Contracts (A&E)• Cooperative Agreements
– Non-Competitive • Contribution Agreements
Technical Service Acquisition Method #2
• MUST be TSP certified for Program Reimbursement
• FOIA does not apply
• NTE rates or NTE Exception rates
• Payment is directly through Producer
Contractual relationship
Technical Service Provider
TechReg Web Site
Current Events
News
Site Login (USDA login and password)
Certification Options and Criteria
Online Certification Application
Help
Online Resource Locator(http://
techreg.usda.gov)
Certification Tools Available Online
TechReg Web Site
TechReg-Step by Step Guide
Five Steps to Certification
Certification Categories, Options, and Criteria
Steps to Registration on TechReg
• Choose certification categories
• Obtain e-Authentication
• Login to TechReg Website and review agreement
• Complete certification requirements
• Complete and sign TSP application
TSP Application“Common Errors”
• Wrong certification category
• Inaccurate/Incomplete documentation
• Inappropriate References
All TSP Categories Are Not Equal
ALL CNMP Work
Verification
• Multi-state certification
• Single-state certification
• NRCS has 60 days to complete verification process
Re-Certification
• Every three years
• After expiration of de-certification
• May be required to provide CEU documentation
Decertification
• NRCS will decertify a TSP if– Technical assistance does not meet NRCS
standards and specifications– TSP violates one of more terms of
certification agreement– Provides false information on application– Other causes determined by NRCS to
demonstrate TSP inability to fulfill terms of certification agreement
Your Hired – Now What?• Project may require multiple site visits• Schedule participant, TSP, NRCS
preplanning meeting and discuss– Expectations and deadlines– Management of multiple contractors– Standards of Work– Forms– Other
Not-to-Exceed Rates
• Maximum rate reimbursed to producers for provided services
• Rates are based on NRCS cost for a similar service.
TSP Rates should be negotiated with producer.
Exceptions
• NTE rates are based on time estimates for “typical” situations
• NTE Exception Rates are used in atypical situations
TSP Performance ReportingTechnical Service Provider
PRS Data Entry Worksheet NRCS collects information concerning conservation practices put on the landscape through Technical Service Providers (TSPs). Please submit completed forms to either your customer or the local NRCS Field Office. Your input improves the accuracy of NRCS’s reporting systems. Landowner Name:
TSP Name:
Contract or TSP Number:
USDA Program: EQIP
Location of Work:
Tract Number:
Field Number:
County:
State:
Land Use: (crop, pasture, etc.)
Practice:
Name or Code:
Amount:
Units: (ac, ft, cfs, etc.)
For each type of service you performed, enter the completion date for each. If you did not provide a type of service, leave the date field blank. Service Type Date Completed Planning Design Installation Checkout
Provide copy to Producer or to NRCS upon completion of reportable item
•http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/TSP.html
Questions?