# Presentation: 373521

## 2007 Contracting TrainingTuesday November 7th, 20062:00 PM ET

*Access #: 888-233-6592*
*Passcode: CSP*

## *6

**6*
*Thank You!*

## Topics

- Opening Remarks
- Background on contracting changes
- Key contracting changes made in CPM 512 – Conservation Program Contracting
- Program Policy changes and updates
- Review of ProTracts Changes
- FSA producer eligibility changes
- Q&A

## Review of Contracting Changes (Kevin Norton)

## Review of Contracting Changes (Kevin Norton)

- Conservation Program Manual
- Part 512 - Conservation Program Contracting
- Team members:
- Susan Arrants, Maine
- Leon Brooks, New York (Formerly Georgia)
- Cheryl Grapes, Wyoming
- Don Pettit, New York
- Deb White, Iowa
- Kevin Norton, Harry Buffer, Oklahoma
- Harry Slawter, Sponsor/Meddler, DC

## Overview of Changes

- Much of the changes were for clarification
- Adopted streamlining initiatives
- Catch up with ProTracts
- Steer ProTracts toward future enhancements
- Incorporate the Application Evaluation and Ranking Tool
- Create a few new forms
- New sample letters

## Subpart A.  Roles and Responsibilities

- State Conservationist – delegate – ProTracts (512.3 A)
- Move day-to-day contract admin decisions closest to the field – use the line officers (512.3 A)
- Separation of duties for certification - Second level review – move up but don’t bog down the payment process (512.3 B)
- Train – ProTracts, Fund manger, FFIS, Programs, and Contracting (512.3 C)

## Subpart B.  Conservation Planning

- Practice Life Span will come from the Conservation Practice Standards (CPS) website (512.11 D)
- Address O&M in the planning process in the practice narratives (512.11 D)

## Subpart C.  Application for Assistance

- NRCS-CPA-1200 - a separate form – increase self certification requirements (512.20 A)
- Provide the appendix – Create understand the requirements of the program/contract – Not required to sign the appendix with the application (512.20 B)
- Beefed up required certifications by the applicant (512.20 C)
- Applicant eligibility – move on it at application eligibility not approval – Use the letter! (512.20 C Note)

## Subpart C.  Application for Assistance (continued)

- New section for Tribes, Tribal Ventures, Alaskan Native Corps., and Trusts involving BIA (512.20 F)
- Use of the Application Evaluation and Ranking Tool (AERT) - (512.25)
- Updated the application status table reflecting CST upload status and FFIS relationship (512.26)

## Subpart D.  Cost Sharing and Incentive Payments

- Average cost (AC) and flat rate (FR) cost-sharing methods for 2007 and later contracts (512.30 A)
- Average Not-to-Exceed (AM) applicable only to TSP contract items
- New flat rate incentive payment method – Single payment with a Period of Adoption (512.32 B)

## Subpart E.  Contracting

- Established new NRCS-CPA-1202, with appendix as the contract form (512.42)
- New contract form with conservation plan and practice schedule separated (NRCS-CPA-1155)
- Finalize the relationships and authorities before contracting
- Faxed signature requirements (512.46 B)

## Instituted “minor contract changes” and clarified modifications (512.50 A)
Expanded the policy regarding modifications and implications in ProTracts (512.50 B) – No change in scope modifications
Contract changes not requiring signatures (512.50 C) – covered in previous net conference.

- Expanded the policy regarding modifications and implications in ProTracts (512.50 B) – No change in scope modifications
- Contract changes not requiring signatures (512.50 C) – covered in previous net conference.

- Subpart F.  Contract Administration

## Expanded policy on prohibited changes in a CPC (512.50 F) and documentation requirements for modifications (512.50 G)
Approval of contract modifications signature authority must match 1202 (512.51 B.1.)
Significant increases (lesser of 20% or $10,000) require second level review and approval. (512.51 B.2.)
Expanded discussion of interest payments (512.58 D)

- Approval of contract modifications signature authority must match 1202 (512.51 B.1.)
- Significant increases (lesser of 20% or $10,000) require second level review and approval. (512.51 B.2.)
- Expanded discussion of interest payments (512.58 D)

- Subpart F.  Contract Administration

## Subpart G.  Program Payments

- Expanded policy on direct deposit requirements (512.60 A)
- Average cost/Flat Rates – pay on certified units performed (512.60 D)
- Steps in processing 1245 (512.60 F)
- ProTracts update – process all payments with less than $1,000 change without modification to add funds (512.60 F.(ii))
- Second level review requirements (512.60 G)

## Subpart G.  Program Payments

- Payment assignments – new form NRCS-CPA-1236 (512.62 A)
- Amount and timing of payment assignments (512.62 B)
- New section on Erroneous and other special payments outside of ProTracts (512.69)

## Contract Non-compliance and Subpart H.  Violations

- No changes

## Subpart I.  Fund Management

- Completely new subpart
- Discussion on NRCS financial (FFIS) and contracting systems (ProTracts)
- Fund authorities
- Annual, No-year and multi year fund authorities
- Program table – FFIS fund codes
- Fund management timeline (512.82)

## Subpart I.  Fund Management

- Fund allocations (512.83)
- State Conservationist considerations in allocating and establishing subaccounts
- Fund allocation changes (512.83)
- Contract level fund management
- NHQ – FFIS/ProTracts synchronization
- State Office – voucher examination and unpaid obligations
- Field office – ProTracts and Fund Manager transactions

## Subpart J.  Exhibits

- New or revised forms
- NRCS-CPA-152, Transfer Agreement
- NRCS-CPA-1155, Conservation Plan Schedule of Operations
- NRCS-CPA-1156, Revision of Conservation Plan Schedule of Operations or Modification of Contract
- NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application
- NRCS-CPA-1202, Conservation Program Contract
- NRCS-CPA-1202, Conservation Program Contract Appendix
- NRCS-CPA-1236, Assignment of Payment

## Subpart J.  Exhibits

- New or revised sample letters
**Program Eligibility Certification Letter***** ***
**Application Deferral Letter**
**Ineligibility Determination for Conservation Program Contract Letter **
**Pre-Approval for a Conservation Program Contract Letter**
**Waiver to Begin a Conservation Practice Letter**
**Annual Practice Reminder Letter**
**Certification of Recurring Payments Letter**
**Debt Collection Letter**
**CSP Disapproval Letter**
**Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher Administrative Review Letter**
**Beginning Farmer/Rancher Administrative Review Letter**
**Termination with Cost Recovery Letter**
**Cancellation without Cost Recovery Letter**
**Cancellation with Cost Recovery Letter**

## Agricultural Management Assistance (Dave Mason)

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

**Program Objectives**
- Construct or improve watershed management structures or irrigation structures
- Plant trees for windbreaks or improve water quality
- Mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices, including soil erosion control, integrated pest management or transition to organic farming

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

**National Priorities**
- Reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDLs), where available, as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination.
- Promotion of conservation of ground and surface water resources.

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

**National Priorities (continued)**
- Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOX), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable high levels on agricultural land.
- Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation.

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

-  **ProTracts**
- HEL, WC, and AGI do not apply to AMA in determining eligibility
- Payment limitation - $50,000 per year
- Regional Assistant Chief (RAC) is the approving authority for all contracts when the total contract obligation exceeds an amount designated by the Chief annually
- AMA applications will be evaluated using the Application and Evaluation Ranking Tool (AERT)

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

**Contracting**
- ProTracts is the required contracting software for all AMA contracts
- Total contract length must be at least 3 years but not more than 10 years
- Participants must start a cost-shared practice within the first 12 months of the contract
- All practices must be implemented at least one year before the contract expires

## Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – Part 521- (Dave Mason)

**FY 2007 funding/Future of AMA**
- FY 2007 funding is unknown at this time
- Administration recommends $0
- House bill version - $6 million
- Senate bill version – No cap
- Program would continue under 2007 Farm Bill unless Congress repeals Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000

## Conservation Security Program(Steve Parkin)

## Conservation Security Program CPM Part 518 - Policy Changes 

- Extensive Re-write
- Incorporates streamlined processes and clarification from FY ‘06 bulletins
- Integrates CPM Part 512 & new forms
- Less is more
- “Highlights”

## Conservation Security Program General

- References Sign-Up Notice For:
- Minimum level of treatment requirements (518.44)
- Category placement (518.63)

## Conservation Security Program Subpart G – Application Process

- Agricultural Operation Delineation
- Increased emphasis on:
- Control [518.60B(1)]
- Substantiating control [518.60B(2)]
- Added exhibit with decision tree and examples (518.154)

## Conservation Security Program Subpart G – Application Process

-    Producer Self-Assessment and Benchmark Condition Inventory
- Producer-certification (518.61A & D)
- NRCS does not collect, store, or recalculate records (518.61D)
- Use of Applicant Offer Certification Worksheet (518.61D)

## Conservation Security Program Subpart H – Cons. Stew. Plan

- Plan Components Streamlined (518.70B)
- Benchmark Enhancement Activities
- New Enhancement Activities
- New Conservation Practices

## Conservation Security Program Subpart H – Cons. Stew. Plan

- Technical Assistance
- Implements operational level evaluation of eligibility [518.74A(1)]
- 518.74B incorporates technical reference documents into Exhibit 518.155, including:
- Wildlife habitat assessment criteria
- Technical criteria for Silvopasture

## Conservation Security Program Subpart I – Est. CSP Payments

- Enhancement Activities
- Provides direction on what practices and activities are/aren’t considered the same (518.80C)
- Encourages a system approach to planning enhancement extents (518.84F)

## Conservation Security Program Subpart K – Contract Admin.

- Contract Modifications
- “Due to the unique nature of CSP contract administration, Subpart K contains the primary guidance on CSP contract modifications...” [518.100A(1)]

## Conservation Security Program Subpart K – Contract Admin.

- Contract Modifications
- Provides direction:
- Improvement modifications (518.101)
- Maintenance modifications (518.102)
- Clarifies transfer of land – existing contract (518.103D)

## EQIP Manual Changes (David Webster)

## EQIP Manual Changes David Webster

**515.3 Program Objectives**
**515.3B - National Priorities and National Measures**
- Updated to separate water quality and water quantity
- Water quality criteria was expanded
- Conservation of ground and surface water resources is now a separate priority
- Energy conservation included as a component of each priority

## 515.51Producer Eligibility
C Determining Eligibility as an Agricultural Producer
Clarified eligibility requirements for forest land to be considered for EQIP 
Exempt from annual $1000 minimum but must have one of the following and meet other eligibility requirements
Forest management plan
Prior record of harvest
Proof of capital investments

**C Determining Eligibility as an Agricultural Producer**
- Clarified eligibility requirements for forest land to be considered for EQIP
- Exempt from annual $1000 minimum but must have one of the following and meet other eligibility requirements
- Forest management plan
- Prior record of harvest
- Proof of capital investments

- EQIP Manual Changes

## 515.51Producer Eligibility
C(5) Determining Eligibility as an Ag Producer
Clarified ag producer annual minimum income requirement
If $1000 or more of annual ag products produced or sold they are an ag producer
If due to circumstances beyond the producers control they don’t have the annual minimum due to drought, flood,etc. may use 2 out of the last 5 years as documentation.

**C(5) Determining Eligibility as an Ag Producer**
- Clarified ag producer annual minimum income requirement
- If $1000 or more of annual ag products produced or sold they are an ag producer
- If due to circumstances beyond the producers control they don’t have the annual minimum due to drought, flood,etc. may use 2 out of the last 5 years as documentation.

- EQIP Manual Changes

## EQIP Manual Changes

**515.51 Producer Eligibility**
**515.51E Other Eligibility**
- NRCS will confirm:
-  land eligibility,
- control of the land requirements,
- irrigation history requirements,
- and any other EQIP specific eligibility requirements prior to checking the “Other Eligibility” box in the Participant Information screen of ProTracts.

## 515.52 Eligibility of Land
515.52D Evidence of Control of Land
(1) Deed
(2) Lease
(3) Added - Other written authorization from the landowner showing control of the land for the life of the contract

**515.52D Evidence of Control of Land**
- (1) Deed
- (2) Lease
- (3) Added - Other written authorization from the landowner showing control of the land for the life of the contract

- EQIP Manual Changes

## EQIP Manual Changes

**515.81 Eligible Conservation Practices**
**515.81F.  Relocation of Portable Equipment**
- Portable equipment may only be relocated to land in an EQIP contract that meets all land eligibility requirements.
**Example: **Contracted portable irrigation equipment may only be used on land that meets the land eligibility requirements, including irrigation history.

## EQIP Manual Changes

**515.81 Eligible Conservation Practices**
**515.81G Retrofitting of Structural Practices**
- Retrofitting is allowed if a higher level of conservation benefit can be documented.
- Will only be allowed if more cost efficient than an alternative replacement system.
- Replacing components will not be allowed if part of  the maintenance needed for normal system operation

## EQIP Manual Changes

**515.91Establishing Cost Share and Incentive Payments**
**515.91H Ineligible Costs**
**Electric power hook-ups:**
**Added new exception: **Electrical components that are an integral part of the operations system of an approved conservation practice
**Example:** Electrical components that are needed to meter irrigation sprinkler systems

## EQIP Manual Changes

**515.91Establishing Cost Share and Incentive Payments**
**515.91H Ineligible Costs**
**Livestock buildings**
**Exception: **Buildings as determined by the State Conservationist to be a necessary component of an animal waste system.
- Cost sharing will be pro-rated to that portion of the building primarily used for animal waste handling or to achieve water quality purposes.
- Any areas used for livestock housing will not be eligible for cost share.

## EQIP Manual Changes

- 515.102 Contract Modifications
**515.102 G Successor-In- Interest**
- Added the successor-in-interest must meet all eligibility requirements for EQIP.
**525.102H Repairing Damaged Conservation Practices**
- EQIP funds may be used to restore practices damaged by a natural disaster for active contracts
- ECP funds no longer eligible for any practice still under a USDA program lifespan

## 515.131 Conservation Practice Service Life 
No longer included in EQIP manual
Now listed in Section IV of eFOTG.
State Conservationist may decrease but not increase a practice service life.
Service life for CNMPs and TSP codes still listed in EQIP manual as these are not conservation practices

- No longer included in EQIP manual
- Now listed in Section IV of eFOTG.
- State Conservationist may decrease but not increase a practice service life.
- Service life for CNMPs and TSP codes still listed in EQIP manual as these are not conservation practices

- EQIP Manual Changes

## WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM(Albert Cerna)

## Part 517WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM (WHIP)(Albert Cerna)

**GOALS FOR MANUAL REVISION**
**TOOLS TO ASSIST WITH MANUAL**
**SOME POLICY REVISION HIGHLIGHTS**

## Part 517WHIP

- Consistency between programs:
- WHIP Manual renumbered to match Part 512
- Policies changed to be consistent with AMA, EQIP, CSP
- Policies in WHIP Manual are unique to WHIP
- Hyperlinks have been included for ease in finding relative policy.

**Notes:**
MANUAL NUMBERED TO MATCH PART 512 CONTRACTING MANUAL, BUT NOT 100%.  THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES.
TO BE CONSISTENT AS MUCH AS STATUTE WILL ALLOW
POLICIES
  HYPERLINKS TO 512 AND OTHER MANUALS AND POLICIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

## Part 517 WHIP

| REVISED WHIP MANUAL | EXISTING WHIP MANUAL |
| --- | --- |
| Subpart A – General Info. | Subpart A – General Provi. |
| 517.0  General | 517.01  General Provisions |
| 517.0 A Introduction | 517.01 a Introduction |
| 517.0 B  Objective | 517.01 b Objective |

**Notes:**
BECAUSE THE WHIP MANUAL NUMBERING IS SO DIFFERENT THIS MATRIX HAS BEEN PREPARED TO SHOW WHERE THE CHANGES ARE.

## Part 517 WHIP

| EXISTING WHIP Manual | Changes Made or Moved to |
| --- | --- |
| Subpart A – General Provisions  | Subpart A- General Information  |
| 517.01  General Provisions  | 517.0  General  |
| 517.01 a  Introduction  | 517.0 A  Introduction  |
| 517.01 b  Objectives  | 517.0 B  Objective  |

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.33  Maintaining Eligible Practice and Cost Lists (See   **_**440 CPM, Part 512, Section 512.33**_**)**
**517.34  Use of Other Funds**
- A.  Public or Private Fund Sources
-     Partners may provide financial assistance to support the WHDP.  Although partner contributions may be reflected on the WHDP, these agreements are considered separate from the NRCS cost-share agreement.  Participants will comply with the policies and provisions of the partnering agency as appropriate to meet the terms of these agreements.  The policy regarding total Federal cost-share contributions continues to apply (see _[440-CPM, Part 512, Section 512.34](http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/M/M_440_512_D.htm)_).

**Notes:**
SHOWS WHAT HYPERLINKS SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

## Part 517 WHIP

**National Priorities**
**In order to provide direction to the State and local levels for implementing WHIP to achieve its objective, NRCS has established the following national priorities:**
**(i)  Promote the restoration of declining or important**
**native wildlife habitats.**
**(ii)  Protect, restore, develop or enhance wildlife habitat of **
**at-risk species (candidate species, and State and**
**Federally listed threatened and endangered species).**
**(iii)  Reduce the impacts of invasive species on wildlife**
**habitats.**
**(iv)  Protect, restore, develop or enhance declining or**
**Important aquatic wildlife species’ habitats.**

**Notes:**
NEW NATIONAL PRIORITIES IMPLEMENTED IN FY 2006

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.2  Definitions (See **_**440-CPM, Part 502**_**)**
**The Regional Assistant Chief (RAC) will be the approving authority for all contracts and agreements when the total contract obligation **_***exceeds an amount designated by the Chief annually***_** through the NRCS Directives System (e.g., $150,000, $100,000).  This authority cannot be delegated.**

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.22  Eligibility**
**B.  Acceptable Evidence of Control or Ownership**
- (viii)  An applicant proposing to implement a structural practice on rented or leased land must sign the application and submit written concurrence by the landowner at time of application.

**Notes:**
ADDED FOR WHIP

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.22  Eligibility**
**H.  Ineligible Land – ****(Grassland Reserve Program)**
**Exception:  The State Conservationist may fund a WHIP contract along with a GRP contract if the following two requirements are met:**
**Wildlife habitat is the primary resource concern**
**The GRP contract is for an easement.**

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.32  Cost-Share Policies**
**	****B.  Payment**
***The cost-share payment... shall be paid at the cost specified on the cost list in effect at the time the contract is signed*****.**

**Notes:**
This policy defers to ProTracts to have costlists automatically updated the first three years of a contract.

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.45  Contract Period and Limitations**
**A.  Length**
**...**At least one essential practice must be commenced within the first 12 months of the contract approval** *****(the State Conservationist may waive this requirement at the request of the participant).***
- All essential practices will be implemented*** at least one (1) year***** **before the contract expires. .

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.45  Contract Period and Limitations**
***D.  Invasive Species***
***(1)  WHIP is a habitat for wildlife program.  Contracts may include conservation practices to address invasive species when the following criteria are met: ...***

**Notes:**
D.  Invasive Species
(1)  WHIP is a habitat for wildlife program.  Contracts may include conservation practices to address invasive species when the following criteria are met:
(i)  The invasive species include: 
Non-native or native plants that are affecting the habitat of a prioritized wildlife species; displacing plants that are the habitat of a prioritized wildlife species (e.g., Bog turtle) or,
Non-native or native wildlife that is affecting the habitats of prioritized wildlife species; displacing native habitat faster than it can be restored, affecting the prioritized wildlife species.
(ii)  Eradication or control of the invasive species on the contracted acres, during the period of a contract (5 to 10 years) is highly probable.
(2)  Treatments ineligible for WHIP:
  If a plant is a federally listed threatened and endangered species, but is not a habitat for a prioritized wildlife species it is ineligible for cost-share under WHIP.

## Part 517 WHIP

**517.57  Canceling and Terminating Contracts**
**	****B.  Cost Recovery**
- Per WHIP _[7 CFR 636.12(2)](http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/7cfr636_03.html)__ NRCS may terminate a contract and require the participant to refund all or part of any assistance earned under that contract, plus interest, as well as require the participant to forfeit all rights for future payment under the contract_**, **_***but not liquidated damages.***_

## Review of ProTracts Changes (Mary Grande)

## Review of ProTracts Changes (Mary Grande)

- What’s ready: Fillable Forms CPA-1200, CPA-1155, CPA-1156; blank forms CPA-1202 and CPA 152
- What’s coming: Temporary Eligibility Changes; Fillable Forms CPA 1202, CPA-152 & CPA-1245, period of adoption management, Minor Changes and Major Contract Modifications

## FSA Notice PL-146 & ProTracts Eligibility

- Prior to FY07 eligibility flag settings for AD 1026 and Adjusted Gross Income Certification were defaulted to the prior-year status.  In FY07 FSA will be resetting these flags to “Not Filed” until the producer certification data can be re-verified.
- The following actions in ProTracts/Fund Manager prompt an eligibility check before processing:
- Changing an application status to “approved”
- Electronically signing a contract by the NRCS Approving Official
- Modifying a contract to increase the obligation
- Adding a new participant to an approved contract
- Making a payment to any contract participant

## PL-146: EQIP & WHIP Contracts obligated before FY 2007

- ProTracts will immediately use the FY 2006 eligibility data for eligibility verification on prior year contracts. After FSA completes its updates of all producer records, ProTracts and Fund Manager will be updated to once again utilize the current FY2007 data.
- After the FSA update is complete, NRCS will compare the FY 2007 eligibility data to the FY 2006 eligibility data to determine if any FY 2007 payments (that relied on 2006 eligibility data) have eligibility issues needing resolution or potential cost recovery based on “improper” payments having been issued.

## PL-146: 2007 CSP Payments

- CSP contracts will follow the same process as EQIP and WHIP contracts obligated before FY 2007 where FY 2006 eligibility data will be used during the interim.  The 2007 Annual Payments should process normally unless a participant fails eligibility based on the 2006 FSA record.

## PL-146: EQIP & WHIP 2007 Applications and Obligations

- All contract obligations with 2007 program applicants will be affected by the update actions planned by FSA.  As soon as practical, the names of applicants that have been ranked and selected for funding need to be provided to the FSA county office for “priority processing.”
- After FSA resets its AD-1026 and Adjusted Gross Income Certifications to “Not Filed,” ProTracts will not allow the applicant status to be changed to “approved.”
- Field employees can rank “pending” applications without the ability to Upload from Toolkit but will be unable to proceed with other contract approval actions until the 2007 eligibility records are updated in the FSA subsidiary files.

## Monitoring for Improper Payments

- The NRCS Information Technology Center will be generating a list of all prior-year CSP, EQIP, and WHIP contracts that currently fail HELC/WC screening based on 2006 FSA eligibility flags.  Each State Conservationist will be expected to distribute this list to their respective field offices for local follow-up to confirm the current status and seek resolution of eligibility issues that impact program participants.
**Under no circumstances are payments to be issued to any participant on this list without confirmation of 2007 eligibility in the FSA subsidiary files.**

## Upcoming Minor Correction to Forms

- Will have text box (draft view on next screen) for data entry (including CRP and other non-ProTracts Programs) to describe what other programs the land is enrolled in and ability to over-ride default response

## Upcoming Changes to Application Data Entry

- To print 1202

- Q. 10 on 1200

## Upcoming Minor Correction to Forms

- Decision Maker will become default signature for Modifications and Payments to generate signature box on CPA-1156 but can be changed through a modification to select additional or different participants.

## 512.11 (d) Applicable Conservation Treatment: Practice Lifespan

- Entry of state custom narrative in CPS for statewide default planning narratives.
- Extended Toolkit Narrative ID’s for modified narratives in SP-3 will allow adding period of adoption (non-CPS length) lifespan in Toolkit narratives.

## 512.26 Status of Applications

- Letters listed in this section (Eligibility Certification, Pre-Approved, Ineligible, Deferred and CSP Disapproved) are only letters that will be included in Manage Applications module.
- States can include limited text customization of content.

## Period of Adoption: 512.30, 512.32 (2), and 512.42(7)

- The payment will be made for the entire period upon initial implementation of the practice.  The period of adoption will be identified in the practice narrative and will not exceed the length of the CPC.
- Contracts should be extended to cover entire adoption period. Future ProTracts enhancements will allow manual setting of extended contract periods and provide tools to extend lifespan and monitor implementation of POA practices.

## 512.26 Status of Applications and Application Ranking

- Status Pending and Eligible are only status compatible with AERT ranking.
- Setting Application to Approved will include rule check for AMA, EQIP, & WHIP that a ranking score is present
- Deferred: Currently deletes all ranking information so use with caution only after _all_ ranking periods end.

## 512.26 Status of Applications

- New NRCS-CPA-1202 will be printed from status Eligible, Pre-Approved or Approved but MUST have uploaded Toolkit items with all items set to planned by rule check to calculate appropriate contract obligation amounts.
- New text box will be necessary to complete contract expiration date which is rule checked at “Sign Contract” when ledger obligation is made.

## 512.42 Establishing CPC in ProTracts

- Review all the signatory requirements that will be implemented on all forms.
- Note in (4) that the decision maker is selected in the Applicant Information Screen and printed first on the CPA-1202.
- Note in (8) that vendor code is required when application changed to “Approved”.

## 512.46 Signing & Approving Contracts

**C.  NRCS Required Signatures**
- The *Designated Conservationist* will sign the conservation plan (Form NRCS-CPA-1155) or conservation plan revision (Form NRCS-CPA-1156) certifying*** ***the technical adequacy of the conservation treatment in accordance with NRCS Conservation Planning Policy (See CPM Part 512, Subpart B).
*Designated* = ProTracts Sign contract permission

## 512.50 Modifications

- Minor contract changes and Major Modifications will be implemented in ProTracts early in calendar year 2007.
- Change in scope modifications **no longer** permitted for AMA or WHIP.

## 512.50(E) Contract Changes Requiring Other Supporting Documentation 

- Certain changes to the original CPC requiring entry into ProTracts that must be supported by participant signature on documents and correspondence generated outside of ProTracts.
- 		(iv)  Change in participant payment shares.  Document the changes in shares on Form NRCS-CPA-152.
******    ****PAYMENT SHARE TRANSFER**
- The undersigned hereby certify that the identified contract has been modified to reflect a transfer of participant shares in the contract.  Effective upon NRCS approval, it is agreed that subsequent payments and application of the all contract provisions will be applied in accordance with the share percentage as denoted in the new payment shares.

## 512.54 Transfer of Land: CPA 152

******    ****LAND TRANSFER **
- The undersigned hereby certify that the present participant has transferred to the new participant the following right and interest in the land unit described in the above numbered contract. By this transfer, it is agreed:
- The new participant agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the above-numbered contract that shall be the same as the rights of the present participant.
- The new participant agrees that his right to cost shares or other assistance under the above-numbered contract shall be the same as the rights of the present participant.
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service agrees to provide cost sharing and other assistance necessary to the new and present participants under the above-numbered contract. Cost sharing and assistance provided under this transfer agreement shall be in accordance with applicable program rules and regulations

## 512.55 Contract Reviews

- No substantive changes from previous manual version. Tentative deployment of ProTracts Contract Review module in early 2007.

## 512.63 TSP Payments: Modification Requirements

- The participant then requests a modification of his or** **her CPC to include funding for the desired services.  This modification must be signed by the NRCS Approving Official before the participant is authorized to use TSP services.
- All work to be performed by a TSP must be “substantially completed” during the same fiscal year that funds are obligated in a CPC for TSP assistance
- TA can only be obligated in the ProTracts ledger for the current fiscal year. States have been instructed to enter zero for any future fiscal year as a "place holder" to enter future obligations. ProTracts currently does not prevent a dollar amount to be entered for those future year TA items but *will *prevent it printing on any CPA-1202, CPA-1155, or CPA-1156 for future FY.

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