USDA NRCS CDSI SETA Justification

The Conservation Delivery Streamlining Initiative (CDSI) effort makes improvements to the current application systems to improve the work quality and consistency throughout software delivery to reduce program cycle times and improve the effectiveness of the
agency by greater efficiencies. The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) ability to provide site-specific, science-based conservation planning is the Agency’s strategic niche in delivering conservation programs, and it is this field-based delivery
system that enables NRCS to successfully implement Farm Bill provisions. NRCS’s leadership established a vision to implement a new business model that reinforces this role, with a goal of having technical staff spend 65 to 80 percent of their time in the field
conducting conservation planning and implementation activities. The contractor will be responsible to maintain continuity of services in support of a rollup of all tasks being performed across Conservation agile release train to support Government Program Manager (GPM), Government Project Managers (PM), NRCS Leadership, and the CDSI Program Management Office (PMO) with best approaches to evaluate vendor deliverables. The contractor supports the government staff in monitoring all aspects of contractor execution; specifically, Integrated Conservation Desktop/Mobile Planning Tool version 2-6, CD Financial Assistance - Easement (RAD for Phase 2 – 21 new modules), and development of Phase 1 & 2 (27 easement modules). The support includes
inspection and validation services and recommendations, adherence to the NRCS Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and the specific requirements of the tasks listed. The critical mission areas requiring continued, uninterrupted support are:
• Oversee and provide program support and guidance services to support a rollup of all tasks being performed across Conservation agile release trains
• Support the evaluation of deliverables from multiple vendors to ensure performance metrics and value are being delivered to NRCS.
• Review and support the integration of the primary CDSI systems (CD-FA, MPT, and CD- FA Easements). Continuing the integration point for NRCS in performance management review and recommendation services needed for evaluating vendor
deliverables for CDSI orders and Application Development Contracts.
• Providing independent and objective analysis to ensure that the software and its associated products comply with requirements
This will be a new, short-term task order issued to the current incumbent to avoid a lapse in service and is critical to FPAC mission success.