California Biological Assistance

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – California State Office, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking technical support from natural resource conservation partners to provide technical assistance to NRCS and its clients for biological planning and conservation activities in specified geographic areas in California. 

Applicants will be responsible for assisting landowners by providing technical assistance necessary to develop and implement CTA and Farm Bill programs, to include, but not limited EQIP, WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program), ACEP and CSP conservation plans and easement activities. 

NRCS anticipates that the total funds available for this program in FY 2020 will be up to $ 1,000,000 subject to availability of funds at the time of award. NRCS will accept applications under this notice for a base year and up to four, one-year option periods. Applicants must be based in or with substantial operations in California and who can contribute matching funds. Proposals must provide for all of the technical services specified. 

Proposals will be accepted from entities who have the ability and resources to deliver biological assistance in California. The applicants must contribute equal resources to the accomplishment of the objectives. NRCS policy requires a 50 percent (50%) contribution by the recipient, however a 75 percent (75%) NRCS share and 25 percent (25%) recipient share is possible if the selected applicant provides a written statement of a financial burden to provide the 25 percent (50%) match and a statement of mutual interest. Applicants must submit proposals via Grants.gov. 

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria and application instructions. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant applications will be eliminated from competition and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. The California State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or all applications. 

Key Dates

Applications must be received by NRCS before 8:59pm PST, Friday, December 20, 2019

One (1) teleconference will be held during the open period of this opportunity to answer any clarifying questions on the following date:

Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 at 12:30pm PST (Call in: 1-888-844-9904, Access Code: 8989465#)

Please see the Full Announcement in the Related Documents Tab of this opportunity for more information

Nonprofit

• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Government

• Special district governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments