Connecticut Conservation Planning and Support Agreements
Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary The NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking opportunities to partner with and support the efforts of natural resource conservation partners in Connecticut. The overall intent of this solicitation is to enter into partnerships to provide technical assistance and underlying support functions in the delivery, development, promotion, and support of soil, water and wildlife conservation programs to Connecticut’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. Key technical assistance emphasis areas include Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, Water Quality, and Wildlife. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to: • Educate farmers, ranchers, and landowners in successful application of Farm Bill programs and/or • Deliver conservation planning, management, and implementation of climate smart conservation practices related to climate change mitigation and/or • Provide the underlying support functions necessary to maintaining conservation planning and delivery projects. 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 proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. The Connecticut State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or all applications. NRCS will accept applications under this notice for single or multiyear applications submitted by eligible entities. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 23, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 16, 2023 and expects to execute awards by September 30,2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.