Technical Service Provider Initiative

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Technical Service Provider Initiative

• J. Eric Scherer
• TSP Coordinator
• 401-822-8814

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Technical Service Acquisition Method 1
Individual (NOT considered a TSP)
Contractual relationship

• Does not have to be TSP certified
• Functions as a NRCS representative
• NRCS provides direct supervision assistance
• Payment not limited by NTE rates
• Payment is directly through NRCS

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Technical Service Acquisition Method 2
Technical Service Provider
Contractual relationship

• MUST be TSP certified for Program Reimbursement
• NTE rates or NTE Exception rates
• Producer must provide written permission for
  access to producer files
• Payment is directly through Producer

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Online Tools
National
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TechReg Web Site (http//techreg.usda.gov)
Site Login (USDA login and password)
Help
Certification Options and Criteria
Current Events
Online Certification Application
News
Online Resource Locator
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Certification Tools Available Online
TechReg Web Site
TechReg-Step by Step Guide
Five Steps to Certification
Certification Categories, Options, and Criteria
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Online Tools
Rhode Island
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New Website Design
General Registration Certification Information
Checklists, Powerpoints Guidesheets
Forms
Contact Information
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New TSP Category Checklists

• NEW checklists available online on the Rhode
  Island TSP website
• All general National and Rhode Island criteria
  must be met prior to certification
• Specific Option criteria must be met prior to
  certification

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New TSP Process Guidesheet
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New eAuthentication Guidesheet
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New AgLearn Guidesheet
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RI Forms Available Online
http//www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Technicalser
viceprovider.html
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Registration Certification Process
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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

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Step 1- Getting a USDA eGovernment Account
http//www.eAuth.eGov.USDA.gov
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eAuthetication
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Step 2- Login to TechReg and Review Agreement
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Step 3- Complete Profile Part 1
Provide general information about licenses,
qualifications, experience.

• A. Contact Information
• B. Associated Companies
• C. Relevant Accreditations and Licenses
• D. Education and Training
• E. Relevant Work Experience
• E1. Professional References

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Step 4- Complete Profile Part 2
Select the technical services you wish to provide
the locations you will work
A list of requirements you must meet for
certification will be shown, indicate how you met
the requirements

• G. Certification Categories
• H. Services to be Provided
• I. Servicing Areas
• J. Certification Agreement History

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Step 5- Sign Agreement
After you have indicated all the categories and
services you want to perform, sign your agreement.
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Certification Agreement

• TSPs certify that they will
• Agree to meet all USDA standards
• Specifications
• Program requirements
• Comply with all
• Federal
• State
• Tribal
• Local laws

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Certification Agreement

• TSPs certifying that they will
• Warrant quality of work
• Assume legal responsibility for work products
• Submit to quality assurance reviews

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Certification Agreement

• TSPs must
• Maintain documentation
• Furnish to NRCS
• Furnish to participant
• Report completed practices to NRCS

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Choosing Categories

• Match knowledge, skills and abilities with
  certification categories
• Choose correct Category
• CNMP Certification is necessary if the TSP is
  working on any part of a CNMP

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Choosing Categories

• Experience needed
• Experience with NRCS erosion tools
• Existing experience in category practices

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NRCS Online Courses

• AgLearn
• Requires eAuthentication ID Password AND
  separate registration process
• Iowa NRCS must complete the registration process
  AFTER the online registration is complete

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NRCS Online Courses

• AgLearn (cont)
• Some Categories, such as CNMP Categories require
  completion of one or more online courses
• There is no cost for the courses
• It may take several days or weeks to complete the
  required courses

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NRCS Online Courses

• AgLearn (cont)
• Contact the Iowa AgLearn Manager if you can not
  access AgLearn within 72 hours of completing
  online registration process

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References

• Individuals you have provided services for who
  can
• Verify knowledge of NRCS practice standards
• Verify work product quality
• References generally are not
• Co-workers, supervisors, relatives/friends

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When Does Verification Occur?

• New Application
• Multi-state certification
• Single-state registration
• Technical service deficiencies
• NRCS has 30 days to complete verification process

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What is Verified?

• EVERYTHING
• NRCS Training Certificates
• Licenses
• CEU training certificates
• Verification of partner certification
• References

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What Else May Be Required?

• Copies of documentation
• Transcripts
• NRCS training certification
• Licenses
• Conservation plans as requested
• Other as requested

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Re-Certification

• Every three years
• After expiration of de-certification
• May be required to provide CEU documentation

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Decertification

• NRCS will decertify a TSP for
• Not meeting NRCS standards and specifications
• Violation of certification agreement
• False information on application
• Inability to fulfill terms of certification
  agreement

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TSP Payment Producer Reimbursement Rates
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TSP Payment

• TSP determines payment rate
• Producer may assign payment to TSP using CCC-36
  (available online at the Iowa TSP website)

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Producer Reimbursement in Iowa

• Producers may always choose to utilize TSP
  services, but are reimbursed only when funding is
  available
• CNMP Engineering practices will be reimbursed
  using the 2007 Iowa Exception Rates
• Other practices will be reimbursed using
  Not-to-Exceed Rates

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Not-to-Exceed Rates

• Definition
• Maximum rate reimbursed to producers for
  individual conservation practice, or
• Practice component provided through technical
  service providers.
• NTE rates are based on what it would cost NRCS to
  provide a similar service.

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Not-to-Exceed Rates

• State NTE rates vary by
• Conservation practice
• Geographic area
• Implementation phase
• Land use
• Practice amount

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Not-to-Exceed Rates

• Practice reimbursement by
• Design
• Implementation
• Check-out
• Updated yearly

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Exceptions

• One time, atypical situations
• Threatened/Endangered species
• Difficult access to site
• Urban site requiring special design skill

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Exceptions

• Atypical situation involving
• No local expertise available
• Requires highly technical skills
• Serious threat to environment/human health
• Apply to State Conservationist

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Roles and Responsibilities
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Roles and Responsibilities

• Release of producer information
• NRCS acquired services (NRCS contracts) must not
  release non-public producer information
• Producer acquired TSPs should use ethical
  businesses practices

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Program participant
• Always has option of using a TSP
• May pay for services without reimbursement
• Must have signed contract or agreement prior to
  commencement of work
• Paid only one time per practice
• Provide written authorization for release of
  producer information

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Program participant
• Provide signed Warranty to NRCS prior to payment
• Responsible for meeting
• Regulatory requirement
• Obtaining permits, easement, authorities, rights
  and approvals
• Responsible for checking TSP references
• Responsible for ensuring work meets NRCS
  standards and specifications

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Program participant
• May contract with more than one TSP
• Responsible for coordination of services
• Must submit invoices and documentation of work
  products
• Responsible for TSP payment

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Technical Service Providers
• Must be certified prior to commencing work
• Work must be in accordance with NRCS Statement of
  work
• Must supply participant with Warranty of services
• Must supply participant/NRCS with work product
  documentation
• Awareness of decertification consequences

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Technical Service Providers
• Must comply with federal, state, Tribal and local
  laws
• May not be paid for the same work twice
• Through producer separate USDA contract
• May assist producers in obtaining permits,
  easements, etc.
• Must negotiate payment with producer

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Roles and Responsibilities

• NRCS
• May not be a reference for TSPs
• May not recommend a specific TSP
• Must disqualify themselves if they have an
  interest or relationship with TSP
• Must receive copy of Warranty prior to processing
  payment request
• Must report work in PRS prior to processing
  payment request

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Roles and Responsibilities

• NRCS
• Will not act as go-between for TSP payment
• Will not provide significant review of TSP plans
  or designs prior to installation
• Will Spot check TSP work
• First 3 projects in County
• 5 of all practices completed in County

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You're Hired - Now What?
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Your Hired Now What?

• Discuss with program participant
• Participant expectations
• Project budget timeline
• Payment for services
• Participant lifestyle
• Conservation alternatives
• Farm or Ranch operation and management

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Pre-Planning Meeting

• Field Office, TSP program participant
• Expectations and deadlines
• Management of multiple contractors
• Standards of Work
• Deliverables
• Documentation
• Reporting

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Forms and Administrative Tasks
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Producer Information Packet

• Producer receives information from Field Office
• Letter confirming election to use TSP
• List of TSP certified in the correct category
  (from the TechReg website)
• Authorization to release producer information

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Prior to Producer Payment

• TSP provides Producer and NRCS with
• Signed Quality Assurance Certification Form
• Completed PRS Reporting form

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Questions?
Contact Information