Technical Service Providers

South Dakota (SD) Technical Service Providers (TSP) Program

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

Register to become a TSP through the TechReg Web site.

• Becoming a TSP Fact Sheet (PDF; 278 KB)
• TSP Certification Terms and Conditions
• General - Frequently Asked Questions
• Training

South Dakota TSP Meeting (November 16, 2015 at Huron, SD)

A meeting was held on November 16, 2015, at the NRCS State Office in Huron, SD, for Technical Service Providers. This information was presented at the meeting:

• November 16, 2015 TSP Meeting Agenda and Attendee List (pdf; 15 KB)
• TSP Update (pdf; 44 KB)
• TSP Requirement Review (pdf; 2.6 MB)

South Dakota TSP Meeting (March 4, 2015 at Huron, SD)

A meeting was held on March 4, 2015, at the NRCS State Office in Huron, SD, for Technical Service Providers. This information was presented at the meeting:

• 2015 TSP Meeting Agenda and Attendee List (PDF; 18 KB)
• FY 2015 EQIP payment schedule (PDF; 732 KB)
• Bedded Pack and Deep Pit Barn Projects (PDF; 1.1 MB)

South Dakota TSP Meeting (March 4, 2014 at Huron, SD)

A meeting was held on March 4, 2014, at the NRCS State Office in Huron, SD for Technical Service Providers. This information was presented at the meeting:

• Welcome Slides (PDF; 358 KB)
• 2014 TSP Meeting Agenda and Attendee List (PDF; 18 KB)
• FY 2014 EQIP Payment Schedule (PDF; 6.4 MB)
• Farm Bill Update (PDF; 182 KB)
• Farm Bill Update Attachment 1 (PDF; 172 KB)
• Farm Bill Update Attachment 2 (PDF; 260 KB)
• 319 Funding Fact Sheet (PDF; 37 KB)
• Hoop Barns and Mono-slope Barns (8.2 MB)

Reimbursement and the Technical Service Payment Rates (formerly Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Rates)

Technical Service Payment Rates (TSPR) - TSPs in most cases will not be reimbursed by the NRCS.  It is the program participants responsibility to hire and pay the TSP.  The NRCS will reimburse the program participant.  The reimbursement is based upon the TSPR.  The NRCS bases TSPR on local NRCS data, procurement, and market data.  The NRCS goal is to encourage the highest quality technical services for its participants with the most cost-effective expenditure of government dollars.  Adjustments are periodically made to the TSPR at the state level.

Technical Service Practice Payment Worksheets

• Practice Payment Spreadsheet – 2019
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet – 2018
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet – 2017
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet - 2016
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet - 2015
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet - 2014
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet - 2013
• Practice Payment Spreadsheet - 2012

Statements of Work and/or Conservation Practice Standards

The SOW is a document that details what is necessary to complete the technical services for program participants and/or TSPs.

For example, if the Waste Storage Facility (313) CPS is to be completed, the SOW 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 SOW provides information about how to complete a practice and has specific information about "deliverables" for each component which are required to meet NRCS-SD 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 SOW or CPS on the e-FOTG Web site:

1. Go to NRCS-South Dakota's FOTG Web site
2. Select the SD county where the project is located
3. On the Main Menu on the left side of the opening screen, select Section IV of the FOTG, then select Sub-section A -   
     Conservation Practices
4. Select (highlight) a CPS
5. Below the name of the highlighted CPS will be a selection which repeats the selected CPS name along with the words "Standard" or "Statement of Work"
6. Select the desired document for the selected CPS.

TSP Guidance Documents

      General

• TSP Brochure (National)
• SD - TSP Process Guide Sheet (PDF; 11.2 KB)
• Timeline for Planning an Ag Waste Management System (PDF; 129 KB)
• TSP Using Technical Assistance Funds (DOC; 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.

Guidance for Program Participant

• How to Use a TSP (PDF; 289 KB)
• Locating a TSP
• Program Participant Step-By-Step Guide When Working with a TSP (PDF; 13 KB)
• Authorization for Release of Information to TSP (PDF; 254 KB)
• Producer Roles and Responsibilities Fact Sheet (PDF; 263 KB)
• Selecting a TSP Guide Sheet (DOC; 26.5 KB)
• Considerations in Selecting a Construction Contractor Guide Sheet (PDF; 16.7 KB)

Guidance for TSP

• TSP Roles and Responsibilities Sheet (PDF; 263 KB)
• TSP Warranty of Services (PDF; 17.3 KB)

Guidance for NRCS Employees

• NRCS Roles and Responsibilities (PDF; 263 KB)
• Preliminary Feasibility Report Checklist (pdf; 46 KB)
• Pre-Design Checklist (PDF; 36 KB)
• Pre-Construction Checklist (PDF; 37 KB)

NRCS State Directives System (to find TSP Program Updates)

• NRCS - SD State Directives

Technical Resources

• South Dakota NRCS Standards and Technical Notes (eFOTG) - The CPS are located in Section IV and Technical Notes are located in Section I, under A.  Reference Lists, Item 11.
• South Dakota NRCS Engineering Resources
• National Conservation Engineering Documents
• South Dakota Engineering and Documentation and Spot Checking Manual (PDF; 413 KB)

SD NRCS Contacts

    TSP Program and Engineering Information:  Jay B. Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, (605) 352-1260