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October 30, 2007
Purpose
The purpose of the pre-planning meeting is to establish the roles and responsibilities of the NRCS, the TSP, the producer, and other conservation partners in the planning process. This includes establishing a time line for completing the tasks associated with the planning, design, implementation and checkout of the conservation practice(s).
The following information is provided as a guide to this process and is not intended to be inclusive of all activities associated with the pre-planning process.
October 30, 2007
The TSP is Hired – Now What?
• The TSP should have discussed the following with program participant prior to the pre-planning meeting
– Participant expectations– Project budget & timeline– Payment for services– Participant lifestyle– Conservation alternatives– Farm or Ranch operation and management
October 30, 2007
Who is responsible for setting up the meeting?
• The NRCS District Conservationist or the Conservation Planner
• In the event that the TSP can not attend one or more meetings, the Producer is responsible for ensuring that the TSP is aware of what is covered in the meeting
October 30, 2007
Where should the meeting be held?
• There is no one best place to hold the meeting. Depending on the circumstances, the following choices are appropriate:
– The Field Office– The site where the practice will be installed– The TSP’s office– The producer’s home
October 30, 2007
Who should attend the meeting?
• Where possible, all individuals involved in the planning, design, installation and checkout of the conservation practice(s) should attend at least one meeting together. Suggestions include:
– DC/Conservation Planner– TSP(s)– Producer– Contractor(s)– Other Agency personnel
October 30, 2007
Pre-Planning Meeting
• Topics of discussion include:
– Roles & Responsibilities
– Expectations– Management of
multiple contractors– Permits– Standards of Work
October 30, 2007
Pre-Planning Meeting
• Topics of discussion include:
– Timeline Development
– Deliverables– Documentation– Reporting
October 30, 2007
Pre-Planning Meeting
• Topics of discussion include:
– Forms– Other Agency regulatory requirements – Management of multiple contractors– Permits– Standards of Work– Other as needed
October 30, 2007
Roles and Responsibilities
• Concerning the release of producer information
– Producer acquired TSPs should use ethical business practices. Producer information should be shared with other TSPs and contractors on a “as needed” basis only.
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
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
October 30, 2007
Prior to Producer Payment
•TSP provides Producer and NRCS with:
•Signed Quality Assurance Certification Form
•Completed PRS Reporting form
October 30, 2007
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 TSP Payment Rates
October 30, 2007
TSP Payment
• TSP determines payment rate
• Producer may assign payment to TSP using CCC-36 (available online at the Iowa TSP website)
October 30, 2007
Exception Rates• The producer may request
an Exception Rate for one time, atypical situations
– Threatened/Endangered species
– Difficult access to site– Urban site requiring
special design skill– Unique site