NRCS Grants and Agreements Overview of Grants Cooperative

NRCS Grants and Agreements Overview of Grants, Cooperative and Contribution Agreements Arizona State Office October 30, 2013

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING DEFINITIONS Interagency: An agreement to document the exchange of funds, property, goods, and/or services between Federal agencies. Reimbursable: An agreement where NRCS provides a service to another Federal agency or other participant and NRCS is paid for the services. Cooperative : An agreement between two or more parties that reflects a relationship between the parties when the principle purpose is to transfer a thing of value to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. There must be substantial involvement by NRCS. Financial or other resources are transferred or exchanged between parties. ◦ Substantial involvement includes collaboration, participation, or intervention by NRCS. Responsibility for the project is shared by NRCS and the recipient. NRCS has the right to intervene in the conduct or performance of project activities for programmatic reasons. 2

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING DEFINITIONS Grant: There is no substantial involvement by NRCS. ◦ Substantial involvement does not involve normal progress monitoring, recipient is expected to perform project without NRCS collaboration, participation, or intervention. Contribution Agreement : An agreement between two or more parties that reflects a relationship between the parties to serve a mutual interest and contribute equal resources in carrying out the programs administered by NRCS. Financial or other resources are transferred or exchanged between the parties. 3

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Cooperative Agreement – an agreement between two or more parties that reflects a relationship between the parties when the principle purpose is t to transfer a thing of value to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. There also must be substantial involvement by NRCS. Financial or other resources are transferred or exchanged between parties. Grant – Same as a cooperative agreements, however, there is no substantial involvement by NRCS. 4

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS/GRANTS Requirements: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ A work plan or statement of work; and Deliverables Period of Performance/Timeframe (Begin and end dates) Funding Verification/Certification Fund/Accounting Code, Treasury Symbol, DUNS # Budget/Detailed Narrative SF-424 a, b, (c, if applicable) Technical and Administrative Contacts for both parties: Name, Address, Telephone number, Email Address Monitoring and Reporting Monthly, Quarterly or Semi-Annual Progress Reports Federal Financial Report SF-425 (NB 120 -9 -23) Payments SF-270 5

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Contribution Agreement – an agreement between two or more parties that reflects a relationship between the parties to serve a mutual interest and contribute equal resources in carrying out the programs administered by NRCS. Financial or other resources are transferred or exchanged between the parties. Requirements: ◦ ◦ Decision Template (NI 120. 322) ◦ ◦ ◦ Responsibilities Authorities: 7 USC 6962 a and NRCS program authorities Background narrative or materials that support the purpose of the agreement. A separate statement describing the mutual interest between NRCS and the other parties in carrying out the programs administered by NRCS. This statement should identify the specific program(s). Each parties input (funds, technical expertise, other) A work plan or statement of work; and Deliverables Period of Performance/Timeframe (Begin and end dates) 6

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Budget Narrative Essential part of application. Should: ◦ Be reasonable ◦ Detailed and clearly describe each item ◦ Follow all guidelines and limitation as provided in the application package ◦ Be easy to follow and understand ◦ Be mathematically correct ◦ Correspond with the information and figures on SF-424 A 7

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Cost –Sharing/Matching Contributions CASH NON CASH Expenses the applicant organization incurs in lieu of cash for its share of direct and indirect costs associated with the project. ◦ ◦ ◦ Employee salaries Supplies Overhead Allowable Costs Travel Equipment 8

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Cost –Sharing/Matching Contributions IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS ◦ Non-cash contributions from third parties that the applicant receives that will be used in the project ◦ Do not include indirect costs Examples ◦ Volunteer Labor (Boy Scouts, 4 -H, etc. ) ◦ Donated materials ◦ Donated equipment ◦ Where the applicant incurs no expenses for services or equipment that will be used on the project 9

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Cost –Sharing/Matching Contributions Cannot use: ◦ Costs from other Federal agencies (Except authorized by Federal statute) ◦ Cost or in-kind contributions that have been or will be used to satisfy the cost-share or match on another agreement or contract. 10

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING Post award Requirements: ◦ Program progress reports ◦ A comparison of actual accomplishments with goals and objects established for period ◦ A computation of costs ◦ Reason why goals and objectives were not met ◦ Other pertinent info (e. g. explanation of costs overruns or high unit costs) ◦ Quarterly, biannually, or yearly. ◦ Ensure a copy is included in official grant file (CSD) 11

NRCS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS TRAINING QUESTIONS 12