Technical Service Providers (TSP)

South Dakota's Technical Service Provider (TSP) Program is intended to help professionals interested in providing technical assistance to landowners and farmers under one of the Farm Bill conservation programs.

How to become a TSP

• Becoming a TSP Fact Sheet (278 KB)
• How to Use a TSP (289 KB)
• Locating a TSP
• Frequently Asked Questions

Reimbursement and the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Rates

TSP NTE Payment Rates - TSP's in most cases will not be reimbursed by NRCS.  It is the producer's responsibility to hire and pay the TSP.  The NRCS will reimburse the producer.  The reimbursement is based upon the NTE rates.  NRCS bases NTE rates on what it would cost for NRCS to provide the same technical service.  The NRCS goal is to encourage the highest quality technical services for its participants with the most cost-effective expenditure of government dollars.  NTE rates for a specific task are determined by dividing the total cost for NRCS staff to perform specific tasks by the typical job size (in acres, feet, or animal units.)  Adjustments are periodically made to the NTE rates.

Roles and Responsibilities

• TSP Using Technical Assistance Funds (134 KB) - The process of a producer using a TSP can be a bit overwhelming to everyone involved in the process.  This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the producer, TSP, and NRCS.  Following this document will prevent many of the miscommunications and pitfalls along the route.
• Final As-Built Spreadsheet (2.41 MB) - The TSP is required to prepare final "as-built" quantities.  This spreadsheet will aid in tracking changes and modifications.
• Measurement and Payment Guidance

Statements of Work

The Statement of Work is a document that details what is necessary to complete the technical services for program participants.

For example, if the "Waste Storage Facility (313)" practice is to be completed, the Statement of Work will detail exactly what is expected of the TSP to satisfactorily complete the required technical services for each component (design, installation and checkout) of the practice.

Each Statement of Work provides information about how to complete a practice and has specific information about "deliverables" for each component which are required to meet NRCS-South Dakota Standards and Specifications.  The "deliverables" are the technical services required for each practice for which a client hires a TSP to provide.

How to Access the Statements of Work on the e-FOTG Web site:

• Go to NRCS-South Dakota's e-FOTG Web site
• Select the South Dakota county where the project is located
• On the Main Menu on the left side of the opening screen, select Section IV of the e-FOTG, then select Sub-section A - Conservation Practices
• Select (highlight) a conservation practice
• Below the name of the highlighted conservation practice will be a selection which repeats the selected conservation practice name along with the words "Statement of Work"
• Select the "Statement of Work" for the selected conservation practice.

NRCS Forms

• TSP Warranty of Services (17.3 KB)
• TSP Notification and Agreement on Release Information (66.8 KB)
• Engineering Forms

Technical Resources

• South Dakota NRCS Standards and Technical Notes (eFOTG) - Standards are located in Section IV and Technical Notes are located in Section I.
• South Dakota NRCS Engineering Resources
• National Conservation Engineering Documents

TSP Training Opportunities

Conservation Planning Modules 1-5

Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center

The TSP Express, an electronic report for the certified TSP, is available on TechReg.  These reports will keep TSPs informed on a broad array of conservation activities.  Subscribe.

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