Solicitation Notification STATEMENT OF WORK **Actual Solicitation Posted 1/28/2013** Colorado Program Support Services The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced below. SUMMARY: The primary purpose is to provide administrative support for farm bill programs application and contract administration at the field office level. Reviews a wide variety of invoices, vouchers, and other miscellaneous payment requests for the following programs: - Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), - Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), - Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), - Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP), - Conservation Security Program (CSP), - Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), - Conservation Reserve Program ( CRP) - Miscellaneous cooperative and contribution agreements. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - The primary duty of this position is to enter application and contract data into agency-specific software programs and prepare software generated reports. - Provides a variety of information to program applicants and participants, such as specific program and eligibility requirements; guidance on completion of required program application materials; and explanations regarding contract payment processes and paperwork requirements necessary for conservation program participation - Manages and processes conservation program applications and informs participant of eligibility requirements specific to Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation (HEL/WC) and Farm Tract Eligibility (FTE). Analyzes problems with applications and takes remedial actions. - Reviews participant signature authority documentation for all aspects of applications and contracting documents according to agency policy. - Manages application and contract administration letters and documents related to application status, status reviews, contract implementation, contract modifications, and potential cancellations or terminations. Maintains contract documents in case files according to agency policy. Responsible for compiling contract documentation including, but not limited to, conservation plans, maps, photographs, resource data and technical material. Ensures procedural handbooks and manuals are .kept current and up-to-date. - Manages assigned administrative duties for obligated conservation contracts and contract reviews. Provides administrative assistance on contract modifications, as developed by the field office technical staff, within the agency-specific software. - Assembles documentation required to process approved NRCS certified conservation payments. Provides quality assurance that information on each document is complete per agency policy and guidelines. Processes payment applications, as assigned, within the agency specific software. - Assists with all assigned functions related to financial and programmatic audits. - Performs other conservation program application and contract duties as assigned. - Incumbent will need a working knowledge of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) software such as Protracts, Toolkit, Performance Results System, and Excel. Additionally, incumbent will establish and maintain files in Toolkit and Protracts. - Incumbent reviews accuracy of documentation, compliance with regulations, and justification of vouchers, invoices, claims, statements and other requests for payment of goods and services; processes program payment information; prepares for District Conservationist's signature and forwards completed document to financial management staff for payment. - The incumbent will also provide training support on contract services. These services will include refresher training to contract staff and select federal employees. Proposal shall identify those costs for providing these services. The Government will furnish the use of Government computers and Government vehicles to accomplish the work. Contractor must be able to initially obtain and maintain ever five years a National Agency Background Investigation which is initiated and paid for by the Government. The contracted employees must be: 1. Proficient in typing. 2. Knowledgeable and experienced in utilizing a variety of computer hardware and software applications; i.e., Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Access. 3. Able to use electronic mail systems i.e., Microsoft Outlook and internet browsers i.e., Microsoft explorer. 4. Knowledgeable and experienced in operating small office machines i.e., calculators, fax machines, copy machines, etc. 5. Knowledgeable and experienced in general office procedures i.e., reports, spreadsheets, filing, etc. 6. Skillful in working with the general public. 7. Capable of working independently. 8. Possess basic telephone skills. 9. Detail oriented. Although not required the following factors would be preferred: 1. Knowledge of Arc View. 2. Knowledge of general agricultural and conservation programs. Work will be completed in accordance with NRCS Colorado policies, procedures and the local Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) requirements. Locations for program specialist will be across Colorado in various counties as outlined in the full solicitation. As this is a follow-on contract, these positions were previously paid under various Wage Determinations in Colorado. The Wage Determinations used for the Service Contract Act for the particular counties can be found at www.WDOL.gov. The Occupational Code and Title should that should be used is 01112-General Clerk III. The period of performance is April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2016 and there are four (4) one-year option periods. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., 40 hours a week during the aforementioned period of performance. Successful offerors must identify themselves as "contractor(s)"during the designated hours of performance.
