Explanation. The use of SRA data to inform allocation of funding received through the Inflation Reduction Act is currently under consideration. SRA guidance will provide additional information as the data collection period approaches.
Data collected through the SRA-OBP provides a basis for formulation and allocation of FA funds for the Agricultural Management Assistance Program, EQIP, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Additionally, Regional Conservation Partnership Program easements and ACEP information will be captured within the Easement pages. The data helps establish and manage workload-based technical assistance (TA) needs. State FA estimates are an important factor in determining how funds are allocated within programs and initiatives. SRA funding request are used to assess each state’s demonstrated needs as they relate to regional equity requirements. Programs not listed will be handled outside of this process.
The FY 2024 through 2026 OBP will identify estimated TA needs at the program and budget object class level. States must provide detailed information in the CGA database for all planned contracts and agreements, including any associated full-time equivalent staff years. At this time, only FY 2024 is required in the CGA database. The CGA deliverable and tag definitions were updated last year for clarity and to capture the current Administration’s initiatives. Tags are used to identify contracts and agreements that target specific groups and are critical for accurate agency reporting purposes.
Training, Demonstrations, and Virtual Help Desk Office Hours. Microsoft Teams (Teams) meetings will provide training, demonstrations, and virtual help desk office hours for the SRA-OBP and CGA data call. The Teams meeting invitations will be sent from the SRA.OBP@usda.gov email and will be displayed as “FPAC.NRCS.SRA.OBP.TOOL”.
SRA-OBP and CGA Teams training and demonstration invitations will be sent to state conservationists (STCs), STC executive assistants, assistant STCs for Management & Strategy (M&S), financial resources specialists, assistant STCs for Programs, state resource conservationists, deputy chiefs, and regional conservationists distribution lists. Please forward to your staff as appropriate.
The following are training and demonstration dates for the SRA-OBP and CGA:
· February 22, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
· February 28, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET (repeat)
Virtual help desk to answer questions on the SRA-OBP and CGA. Teams invitations will be sent to the SRA-OBP group mentioned above on the following dates:
· March 1, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET
· March 8, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET
· March 15, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET
· March 22, 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET
SRA-OBP Links. Information for the SRA-OBP can be found on the M&S Deputy Area SharePoint site at NRCS Management and Strategy Deputy Area> M&S Deputy Area- State Landing Page> SRA/OBP Tools> FY2023 SRA.
SRA-OBP Tool Access. Individual users may access the SRA-OBP tool now to determine whether they have access or are aligned to the correct state. However, the SRA-OBP tool is not ready for data entry at this time. The team will announce during the training sessions when to start entering FY 2023 submissions. If you do not have access, are aligned to an incorrect state, or other team members need access, you can submit a request for SRA-OBP access at the new user access link.
CGA Link. Information for the CGA can be found at NRCS Management and Strategy Deputy Area> M&S Deputy Area- State Landing Page> State CGA> CGA Documents.
The CGA Microsoft Access Database will be updated with an active FY 2024 tab prior to training sessions. The CGA tool functionality will remain the same as it has in years past. For any additional questions, please attend the help desk sessions or email the help desk inbox at SRA.OBP@usda.gov.
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