Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program

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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is directing resources towards the delivery of providing technical services in support of the conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary. Such technical services may include conservation planning assistance, technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation of conservation practices. These technical services are provided through the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program, established for the purpose of utilizing the talents of individuals who are age 55 or older, but who are not employees of the Department of Agriculture or a State agriculture department, to provide technical services in support of the conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary. NRCS is announcing the opportunity for nonprofit private agencies and organizations eligible to receive grants under the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.) to secure participants for the ACES Program who will provide technical services under the program. There is no funding available under this announcement, but approved applicants will be awarded national agreements making them eligible to enter into individual agreements that provide funding for services. The area covered by the services include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS has existing agreements in place that expire September 30, 2018. New awards will be made approximately August 1, 2018, for a five-year period. There is no minimum or maximum award amount guaranteed. It is estimated NRCS will make up to five awards to provide these services. Under the terms of the agreement NRCS provides funds, office space, position description, work assignments and oversight for the ACES positions; the awardee handles advertising, recruiting, hiring and payroll for each position. Available positions span a variety of skill sets and educational levels. In additional to wages, NRCS funds covers administrative fees such as federal payroll tax, unemployment compensation, and pay increases. ACES enrollees are neither federal employees nor state agriculture department employees, and their wages do not impact retirement annuities.

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