[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR652.3]

[Page 530]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 652_TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDER ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A_General Provisions
 
Sec. 652.3  Administration.

    (a) As provided in this part, the Department will provide technical 
assistance to participants directly, or at the option of the 
participant, through a technical service provider in accordance with the 
requirements of this part.
    (b) The Chief, NRCS, will direct and supervise the administration of 
the regulations in this part.
    (c) NRCS will:
    (1) Provide overall leadership and management for the development 
and administration of a technical service provider process;
    (2) Consult with the Farm Service Agency and other appropriate 
agencies and entities concerning the availability and utilization of 
technical service providers and the implementation of technical service;
    (3) Establish policies, procedures, guidance, and criteria for 
certification, recertification, decertification, certification renewal, 
and implementation of the use of technical service providers; and
    (4) Establish a process for verifying information provided to NRCS 
under this part.
    (d) The Department will not make payments under a program contract 
or written agreement with a participant for technical services provided 
by a technical service provider unless the technical service provider is 
certified by NRCS for the services provided and is identified on the 
approved list.
    (e) The Department may enter into procurement contracts, 
contribution agreements, cooperative agreements, or other appropriate 
instruments to assist the Department in providing technical assistance 
when implementing conservation programs covered by this part. The 
Department will ensure that such instruments contain the qualification 
and performance criteria necessary to ensure quality implementation of 
the goals and objectives of these conservation programs; therefore, when 
the Department obtains assistance from a technical service provider in 
this manner, the technical service provider is authorized to provide 
technical services and receive payment even if such technical service 
provider is not certified in accordance with subpart B nor identified on 
the approved list.
    (f) When a participant acquires technical services from a technical 
service provider, the Department is not a party to the agreement between 
the participant and the technical service provider. To ensure that 
quality implementation of the goals and objectives of the conservation 
programs are met, the technical service provider must be certified by 
NRCS in accordance with subpart B of this part and identified on the 
approved list. Upon request of NRCS, technical service providers are 
required to submit copies of all transcripts, licensing, and 
certification documentation.