USDA NRCS California – Conservation Contribution Agreements | USDA NRCS CA MULTI 24 NOFO0001335

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA MULTI 24 NOFO0001335

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a 2024 funding opportunity for California called "Conservation Contribution Agreements" (NOFO number USDA-NRCS-CA-MULTI-24-NOFO0001335). This is a discretionary federal financial assistance opportunity focused on conservation and natural resource priorities, and it is tied to several NRCS and USDA conservation authorities and program areas listed on SAM.gov. The notice connects to Assistance Listing numbers that include Soil and Water Conservation (10.902), Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP (10.912), Conservation Stewardship Program or CSP (10.924), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program or ACEP (10.931), and the Conservation Reserve Program or CRP (10.069). In practical terms, the opportunity is meant to support projects and partnerships that further conservation work in California across soil, water, habitat, working lands, and related natural resource goals consistent with NRCS programs.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible, reflecting NRCS's emphasis on partnerships and delivery capacity. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. It also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are eligible both as federally recognized tribal governments and as other tribal organizations. Housing authorities (public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities) are also listed. Nonprofits may apply whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. This mix of eligible applicants signals that NRCS expects proposals from organizations that can help deliver conservation outreach, planning, technical assistance, or implementation support aligned with NRCS conservation programs.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, with a firm deadline of 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, April 8, 2024. The notice flags an important administrative point: NRCS staff will not troubleshoot Grants.gov account issues, so applicants needing technical help must contact Grants.gov Applicant Support directly by phone (1-800-518-4726) or email (support@grants.gov). Questions to the agency are expected to be narrowly focused on clarifying the published NOFO content, such as dates, page references, or resolving discrepancies. The notice also states that questions about whether an applicant is eligible or whether a specific project idea is strong are not questions the agency will answer during the Q and A process, which is typical for competitive federal funding.

Funding amounts are structured with a per-award federal share minimum and maximum. The estimated funding floor is $25,000, meaning awards are not expected to be smaller than that amount for the federal portion. The estimated funding ceiling is $150,000, meaning NRCS does not expect to provide more than $150,000 in federal funds per agreement under this notice. These figures apply to the total value of an agreement rather than being tied to a particular budget period, so applicants should build their proposed budgets with the full agreement total in mind. The notice indicates an expectation of about 10 awards, which helps frame how competitive the program may be depending on how many applications are submitted and how proposals score against the NOFO criteria.

The timeline provided gives applicants a sense of when decisions and awards may occur. NRCS anticipated making selection decisions by Friday, May 3, 2024, and expected to execute awards by Friday, September 6, 2024. The notice is clear that these are estimates and could change. It also notes that the NOFO is being released before final fiscal year 2024 appropriations and/or apportionment, meaning the actual availability and level of funding could be affected by continuing resolutions or final appropriations actions. In other words, applicants should be prepared for the possibility that funding levels or timing could shift based on federal budget decisions.

Finally, the notice emphasizes that this opportunity is federal financial assistance, which comes with standard compliance expectations under federal assistance rules (often referred to as Uniform Guidance). NRCS recommends that applicants take the free "Grants 101" Federal Financial Assistance Training available through the CFO.gov site, which covers core topics like the laws and regulations that govern federal assistance, types of assistance mechanisms, administrative requirements, cost principles, and risk management and single audit considerations. This is included as a practical step for organizations that may be newer to federal funding or want a refresher before applying and managing an award.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USDA NRCS California – Conservation Contribution Agreements" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS CA MULTI 24 NOFO0001335

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