Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
The Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 would overhaul how the federal government delivers technical assistance for conservation through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and related programs. It creates a formal pathway for certifying third-party providers via approved non-federal certifying entities (including private-sector groups) to expand the capacity to deliver timely, science-based, site-specific technical assistance to eligible participants (farmers, ranchers, forest producers, and others). The bill emphasizes expanded certification capacity, streamlined processes for qualified providers, clearer payment rates for third-party services, and stronger transparency about funding, certifications, and outcomes. Key components include new definitions for approved non-federal certifying entities, a shift toward broader inclusion of private-sector and non-governmental organizations in certification, a timeline-driven process to approve entities and providers, ongoing duties for certifying entities (training, continuing education), a streamlined path for providers with existing recognized credentials, arequires periodic review of the certification framework, and requirements for public reporting on funding, certification results, and efficiency gains from using third-party providers.
Key Points
- 1Expanded providers and oversight: The bill adds private-sector entities to the pool of “non-Federal certifying entities” that can certify third-party providers and creates a formal process for approving these entities to expand certification capacity.
- 2Certification framework and timelines: Establishes a certification framework administered by NRCS (through the Chief) or approved non-Federal entities, with specific time limits:
- 3- Secretary must establish the non-Federal certifying entity process within 180 days of enactment.
- 4- Approved non-Federal entities must be determined and approved within up to 40 business days of an application.
- 5- Third-party provider certifications must be added to a secretary-maintained registry within 10 business days after provider notification of certification.
- 6Streamlined pathways and ongoing training: Creates a streamlined certification track for providers with existing specialty credentials (e.g., Certified Crop Adviser, Professional Engineer). Approved entities must train and provide continuing education to keep providers up to date with current science and technical practices.
- 7Expanded scope for technical assistance: Redefines the assistance provided as “timely, science-based, and site-specific” design and implementation, emphasizing the technical aspects of conservation planning, watershed planning, environmental engineering, practice design, implementation, and evaluation.
- 8Certification duties and eligibility: Establishes criteria for non-Federal entities to assess provider qualifications, including capacity to certify at scale, experience with providers and participants, and expertise in relevant technical areas. Eligibility decisions consider multiple factors and require a defined approval timeline.
- 9Payment and cost policy: The Secretary must set fair and reasonable payments for third-party technical services, aligned with the cost of the equivalent NRC-supported assistance, and consider factors like equipment, site visits, training, and travel. When federal payments are made to participants for third-party services, these payments are excluded from other cost-sharing and capped at 100% of the determined fair rate.
- 10Transparency and reporting: Requires public reporting on funds obligated to third-party providers, certification results (numbers certified, entities approved, etc.), and the estimated staff hours saved through third-party provider efforts. Regular updates continue after initial establishment.
- 11Ongoing review and stakeholder input: Requires periodic review of certification requirements and processes (starting one year after enactment, with ongoing discretion by the Secretary) and outreach to current and former participants, providers, and relevant industry groups to identify barriers and opportunities.