The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aims to deliver technical services in support of conservation-related programs. This opportunity utilizes individuals aged 55 or older to provide expertise in areas such as conservation planning, technical consultations, and implementing conservation practices. The program focuses on leveraging their experience to assist NRCS efforts nationwide, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit private agencies and organizations authorized to receive grants under the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible. Applicants must clearly demonstrate their capacity to recruit, hire, and manage ACES participants to fulfill NRCS technical service needs, which range from data management to field support and program implementation. Award recipients will handle administrative functions such as advertising, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and providing benefits for enrolled participants. Positions filled under ACES must not conflict with federal or state employment restrictions.
The estimated total funding available for this opportunity is up to twenty million dollars, with awards anticipated to range from a minimum of twenty-five thousand dollars to a maximum of twenty million dollars. NRCS expects to make between three and five awards under this opportunity. Successful applicants will receive cooperative agreements for an initial twelve-month period, with the possibility of renewal for up to five years, contingent on performance and funding availability.
Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than January 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Submissions must include the SF-424 form, a project narrative (limited to 10 pages), a budget narrative, and standard supporting documentation such as the SF-424A form. Applicants are encouraged to outline organizational capacity, experience, project implementation methods, and anticipated outcomes. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this opportunity.
Applications will be evaluated on a 100-point scale based on specialized experience and technical competence, professional qualifications and capacity, and past performance in similar projects. The final award selections will include a risk assessment, and all successful applicants must comply with federal reporting and audit requirements as outlined in 2 CFR Part 200. For additional questions, applicants may contact the NRCS Grants Management Specialist listed in the notice.
The program is expected to make selections by March 1, 2025, with awards finalized by May 15, 2025. Awardees must provide quarterly reports detailing participant hours, expenditures, and project outcomes to ensure compliance with program objectives.
