Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance with the Bobwhite Quail Working Lands for Wildlife 2.0 Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in South Carolina | USDA NRCS SC EQIP 20 NOFO0001029

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS SC EQIP 20 NOFO0001029

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a USDA agency, offered a competitive cooperative agreement opportunity through the South Carolina State Office to bring "boots on the ground" capacity to the Bobwhite Quail Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) 2.0 effort delivered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The core purpose of the award was to expand NRCS field support so more landowners can develop and carry out conservation work that improves wildlife habitat, with a clear emphasis on practices and planning that benefit northern bobwhite and associated early-successional species on working lands.

The partner selected under this opportunity would be expected to provide hands-on conservation planning and technical assistance that complements NRCS staff. That includes helping landowners develop conservation plans for new EQIP applications, supporting the administrative side of active EQIP contracts, and helping ensure contracts move forward smoothly from sign-up through implementation. The administrative assistance described includes tasks like completing contract status reviews, assembling and maintaining customer folders, responding to customer questions, and tracking contract progress in a way that helps producers stay on schedule and remain in compliance with program requirements.

On the implementation side, the work goes beyond paperwork and includes direct support for getting conservation practices on the ground. The notice calls out assistance with practice implementation such as design, layout, and certification of conservation practices, along with updating conservation plans and maps as conditions change or as practices are installed. In practical terms, this is the technical support that helps translate a habitat objective (for example, improving bobwhite cover and food resources) into a set of NRCS-approved, properly documented practices that can be funded through EQIP and verified as completed.

Outreach is also an expected part of the partner role. The awardee would attend workshops and outreach meetings to share information with landowners about NRCS services and EQIP opportunities, particularly opportunities focused on wildlife habitat outcomes. The intent is to increase awareness and participation, especially among producers who may not typically engage with conservation programs, and to connect interested landowners to the steps required to apply and successfully implement habitat-focused practices.

Geographically, the assistance is described as statewide in South Carolina, but with targeted emphasis in four Bobwhite Quail Focal Areas. The focal areas listed include the Webb, Palachuccola, and Hamilton Ridge area (noted with counties including Hampton and Allendale), the Sandhills area (including Lee, Chesterfield, and Darlington), and the Oak Lea area (including Clarendon, Orangeburg, or Calhoun). A specific program priority is reaching historically underserved landowners, meaning the partner is expected to be intentional about engagement, accessibility, and follow-through with producers who have faced barriers to participating in USDA programs.

Funding for the effort was up to $450,000 total for a 3-year project period, structured as a cooperative agreement (not a procurement contract). A cooperative agreement signals that NRCS anticipates substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as coordination on priorities, reporting, and alignment with NRCS technical standards and program delivery processes. The opportunity was categorized under agriculture, environment, and natural resources (CFDA 10.912) and was competed as a discretionary award.

Eligibility was limited to government and higher-education related entities and tribal governments/organizations. Specifically, eligible applicants included state governments; county, city, township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; and tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. NRCS indicated it was looking for an eligible entity with strong wildlife biology expertise and practical experience working with NRCS programs and associated business tools. The notice specifically references familiarity with NRCS systems such as ProTracts, Conservation Desktop (CD), and the Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART), reflecting the need for a partner who can operate effectively inside NRCS program workflows while supporting producers and field staff.

Key administrative details included the funding opportunity title and number (USDA NRCS SC EQIP 20 NOFO0001029), with an original closing date of July 31, 2020, and an anticipated 3-year duration for the selected project. Overall, the grant was designed to add capacity for high-quality conservation planning, contract support, and habitat-focused implementation assistance so EQIP can more effectively deliver bobwhite quail and working-lands wildlife habitat outcomes in South Carolina, particularly within priority focal landscapes and among historically underserved producers.

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance with the Bobwhite Quail Working Lands for Wildlife 2.0 Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in South Carolina" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.912.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA NRCS SC EQIP 20 NOFO0001029

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