04-5555. Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements

AGENCY:

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of training conference.

SUMMARY:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing a forthcoming training conference for Federal Grants and Cooperative and Contribution Agreements. Special emphasis will be placed on clarifying the grants and agreements process with emphasis on the competitive process.

DATES:

The training conference date is: April 26-30, 2004, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A block of rooms has been reserved under USDA/NRCS at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone: [phone], on a first come first serve basis. The Marriott New Orleans Hotel (directly across the street), 550 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone [phone] will become the overflow hotel site. A room rate has been set at $146.00 and all reservations must be guaranteed by April 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

The training conference will take place at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions or comments should be directed to Edward Biggers, Jr., Director, Management Services Division, telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail] or Rosann Durrah, telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice of this conference is given under the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308. The conference is designed for leaders, administrators, partners, non-government officials, program managers, specialists, management analysts, and others involved with operations, agreements/grants, evaluations, administration, decision process, auditing, program management, budgeting, contracting, and program delivery. Participants will learn: Competing Grants and Agreements, Contribution Agreements, Authorities, Policies, and Earmarks, Roles and Responsibilities, and Cost Analysis and Evaluation of Proposals.

Dated: March 8, 2004.

Helen V. Huntington,

Federal Register Liaison, Natural Resources Conservation Service.