California State Office

Description

NRCS expects to award up to eight cooperative agreements based on proposals submitted and benefits derived. Funds available for this advertisement are: $375,000. Awards made resulting from this advertisement are limited to $75,000 federal contribution covering single and multi-year projects up to 3 years in length. Applicants are required to provide at least a 50 percent match using nonfederal contributions. Up to 50 percent of the nonfederal contribution may be from in-kind contributions. The remainder must be in the form of cash contribution. An exception is provided for beginning and limited resource farmers and ranchers, and Indian tribes. For those organizations, up to 75 percent of the nonfederal contribution may be from in-kind contributions. To be eligible, projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP eligibility requirements of 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1. Further, all agricultural producers receiving direct or indirect payments through participation in a CIG project must meet the EQIP eligibility requirements. Participating producers are not required to have an EQIP contract. Applications must describe the extent of participation of EQIP eligible producers. Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in a project’s geographic area through EQIP are ineligible for CIG funding except where the use of those technologies and approaches demonstrate clear innovation. The burden falls on the applicant to sufficiently describe the innovative features of the proposed technology or approach (applicants sho8uld reference the California EQIP Eligible Practices List by visiting the following web site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/. The grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully implement and complete the project. Submission information and environmental review requirements are shown in the full announcement. An indirect cost-rate agreement must be included if the applicant is claiming indirect costs. Indirect costs can not exceed 15 percent of the federal contribution.

Who can apply

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
• Individuals
• Small businesses

Contact

Ray Miller <br/>Contract Specialist <br/>Phone 530-792-5679
ray.miller@ca.usda.gov