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?