REVISED PAYMENT RATES FOR TECHINICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

Applies to new contracts trough 2005

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service recently released its "Not To Exceed" (NTE) payment rates for certified technical service providers. NTE rates are used when landowners contract with certified technical service providers (TSP), usually CCA's employed by ag retailers, in the private sector. NRCS decided to revise the NTE rates after public comments received from the first release in August 2003. As a result, the rates have increased and there is greater flexibility in their use. These revised payment rates apply to new contracts through calendar year 2005. Existing contracts will continue to use the 2003 payment rates. The revised NTE rates can be found at http://www.tsp-nte.nrcs.usda.gov/tspnte2/.

Thanks to the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) for bringing this information to our attention.