TSP - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a technical service provider?

When you participate in USDA conservation programs, you now have more options for completing your conservation practices. The 2002 Farm Bill included a provision that allows certified professionals from the private sector, non-profit organizations, and public agencies to assist in implementing conservation practices. These certified professionals, called Technical Service Providers (TSPs), are available to you upon request.

What does a technical service provider do?

Both the NRCS and TSPs can plan, design, implement, and certify conservation practices. Before any planning or contracting begins, you will be given the choice to work with either a TSP or NRCS to complete each phase of your conservation plan or program contract.

How do I find a technical service provider?

The NRCS field office will provide you a list of TSPs in the state that explains which practices the TSP is certified to perform. This information is also available on the TechReg website.

How is a technical service provider paid?

If you choose to hire a TSP to do any part of the work for your conservation plan or program contract, NRCS will pay 100 percent of the costs within certain not-to-exceed levels. The cost for work provided by a TSP is written into your program contract. As each function is finished, the TSP will submit forms to NRCS that provide proof of completion. If everything is in order, NRCS will give you the amount of money written into your contract to reimburse the TSP. If the TSP charges more than the allowed not-to-exceed levels, you will be responsible for making up the difference.

Can I change my mind about using a technical service provider?

Your contract can be easily modified to designate NRCS as the service provider rather than a TSP. On the other hand, a contract can only be modified to use a TSP instead of NRCS only if funds are available in the conservation program to pay for TSP services.

Are technical service providers subject to quality checks?

TSPs will be required to follow all NRCS standards and specifications, and quality benchmarks for TSPs are the same as those used by NRCS in the Field Office Technical Guide. Five percent of all program contracts are checked by NRCS annually to be sure they meet quality standards.

How can I satisfy the training requirements in Section F1−NRCS Conservation Planning Training Requirement?

A Conservation Planning is currently available online at the AgLearn.  You must be registered on AgLearn before you may access the website.  You will need to have completed your Level 2 eAuthentication prior to completing the registration process.  Conservation Planning is one of nine courses available:

1.       Introduction to Water Quality

2.       Nutrient Management Track Part 1

3.       Pest Management Track Part 1

4.       Agricultural Waste Primer

5.       Agricultural Waste Management Level 2

6.       Conservation Planning Part 1

7.       Cultural Resources Part 1

8.       Field Office Technical Guide Primer.

9.       TSP Orientation

Can I complete the eAuthentication process on AgLearn?

Yes, you may complete the eAuthentication process on AgLearn. 

Obtaining a Level 2 eAuthentication account

Note:  If  you already has a Level 2 eAuthentication account then skip this step and go to directly to– Registering with AgLearn. 

·          Proceed to the “New User” “Register” link (from the left hand menu) on the AgLearn web page at www.aglearn.usda.gov.

·          Now, proceed to “Step 1 - Create Account”.  Select from the different types of New Users USDA Contractor or USDA Partner/Customer.

·          Follow the steps to complete your authentication registration request.   

·          Once you receive your authentication ID and Password you may proceed to Step 2 – Registering with AgLearn.  

If I already have my eAuthentication, how do I register on AgLearn?

Registering with AgLearn

·          At the AgLearn web site (www.aglearn.usda.gov) select “Register” under “New User” from the left hand side of the menu.

·          Now click on “Register” located under “Step 2 – Complete registration”.

·          Read the Warning statement and click “Continue”

·          Login with your authentication ID and Password.

·          At the User Registration screen, verify that your name, address, email and phone number are correct.

·          Select the Agency of the Sponsoring Individual.  Select NRCS-External-IA-Partners.  .

·          Select Name of USDA Official to Sponsor Access to AgLearn –(Select Demitrice Boozer). This person will receive an email to activate your account.

·          Indicate whether you are Contractor, by selecting “Yes” or “No”.

·          If you are a Contractor and you have selected “Yes”, now enter the name of your company.

·          After completing all of the required information on the “User Registration” screen, click “Submit Registration”.

·          Allow between 24 and 48 hours for your account to be activated.  Once activated you may complete your required courses.

I have changed some things on my TSP application, but I don’t see anywhere to submit my application? Where’s the "Sign Agreement (Click Only Once)" green button that’s supposed to be at the bottom of the Profile Part 2 (Technical Services) screen?

In Section G−Certification Categories, the status needs to be marked “Ready” before the "Sign Agreement (Click Only Once)" green button appears. If all the category status indicators are marked “Pending”, the green “Sign Agreement” button is hidden from view.

If the button is hidden, click on the "Confirm Qualifications" button beside each of the categories. Once that new screen opens up, check the boxes that describe how you obtained the qualifications for that particular category option (Education, Work Experience, References, or NRCS familiarity).

Once you make these changes, then the "Sign Agreement (Click Only Once)" green button should appear (status should have changed from “Pending” to “Ready”) at the bottom of the Profile Part 2 (Technical Services) screen. Click the “Sign Agreement” button (and subsequent ones) to electronically sign the TSP agreement and submit your TSP application to NRCS for verification.

After you have electronically signed your application, the status category will change from “Ready” to “Submitted.” Any category marked “Pending” or “Ready” has not been submitted for NRCS review. Only those categories marked “Submitted” will be reviewed by NRCS.

How long does NRCS have to review my application once I have submitted it?

NRCS has 60 days to review your application. You will be notified by e-mail once NRCS has reviewed your TSP application and certifies or defers your application. Any deferral will list any problems and how they could be corrected. If you apply only to one state, only one state will need to review your application.

If you have applied to many states, each of those states will have to review your application. Generally, single-state reviews are much faster (weeks) than multi-state applications (1-2 months).

What should I do if I don’t want to renew as a TSP?

If you do nothing, once your three-year TSP certification period ends, your TSP account will automatically lapse.

If you want to remove your name before the end of the three-year certification period, you can remove your name from public display on the TechReg website. Log in to TechReg and under the "Display to Public" box enter "NO" instead of "YES". When someone searches on the TechReg website to find a TSP, your name will not appear if you have check “NO”.

What if I don’t want my TSP contact information available to the public?

Go into TechReg and Log in. On the lower right of the contact information on page 1 of your profile, check yes to the box ‘display to the public’. Until the box is checked yes, your name will not show up on the public registry listing.

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