FS-1500-11 Collection Agreement

USDA, Forest Service

OMB 0596-0217 FS-1500-11

FS Agreement No.

     -     -     -     

Cooperator Agreement No.

     

COLLECTION AGREEMENT

Between

     

And The

USDA, FOREST SERVICE

     

This COLLECTION AGREEMENT is hereby entered into by and between     , hereinafter referred to as “     ”, and the USDA, Forest Service,      , hereinafter referred to as the “U.S. Forest Service,” under the provisions of the      .

Background:      

Title:      

1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agreement, and incorporated Financial Plan, is to document the voluntary contribution of funds from       to the U.S. Forest Service to      

2. THE       SHALL:

1. LEGAL AUTHORITY.       shall have the legal authority to enter into this agreement, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure proper planning, management, and completion of the project, which includes funds sufficient to pay the nonfederal share of project costs, when applicable.

2. Perform in accordance with the Financial Plan.

3. Upon presentation of a Bill for Collection, the U.S. Forest Service the amount agreed to in the Financial Plan.

4. PAYMENT BOND. shall furnish and maintain a payment bond acceptable to the U.S. Forest Service in the amount of $      before any work commences under this agreement.

5.      

3. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE SHALL:

1. ADVANCE BILLING. The maximum total cost liability to the for this agreement is $     . The U.S. Forest Service shall bill prior to commencement of work for deposits sufficient to cover the estimated costs (including overhead) for the specific payment period. Overhead is assessed at the rate of       percent.

Billing Method:      

Billing must be sent to:

2. REIMBURSABLE BILLING. The maximum total cost liability to the for this agreement is $     . The U.S. Forest Service shall bill       as of       for funds sufficient to cover the costs for the specific payment period. All reimbursement billings must be completed within the same fiscal year as U.S. Forest Service expenditures. Overhead is assessed at the rate of       percent.

Billings must be sent to:

     

     

     

     

The U.S. Forest Service is required to issue bills for expenditures incurred under reimbursable agreements at the end of or prior to the end of each fiscal year. Therefore, an out-of-cycle bill may be received by .

If payment is not received to the satisfaction of the U.S. Forest Service by the date specified on the Bill for Collection (Form FS-6500-89), the U.S. Forest Service shall exercise its rights regarding the collection of debts owed to the United States. Conditions specified in an associated payment bond guaranteeing payment must also be met.

3. SPECIAL BILLING REQUIREMENTS – FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION. Reimbursable billings shall be issued at the prescribed frequency based on expenditures recorded in the U.S. Forest Service accounting system for work performed. Bills for Collection reflect an aggregate amount for the billing period. U.S. Forest Service Transaction Register listing itemized expenses will be provided upon request at the end of a project or annually for long-term agreements. Provision of the Transaction Register or other supporting documentation accompanying individual bills will be limited to agreements over $2,500, and only when requirements are clearly defined within this clause.

The special billing requirements are:      

4. SPECIAL BILLING REQUIREMENTS – PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION. The U.S. Forest Service Program Manager shall provide with a written report that meets ’s specific documentation requirements.

5. Perform in accordance with the attached Financial Plan.

6.      

4. IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT:

1. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS. Individuals listed below are authorized to act in their respective areas for matters related to this agreement.

Principal Cooperator Contacts:

Cooperator Program Contact	Cooperator Administrative Contact
Name:       Address:       City, State, Zip:       Telephone:       FAX:       Email:      	Name:       Address:       City, State, Zip:       Telephone:       FAX:       Email:      

Principal U.S. Forest Service Contacts:

U.S. Forest Service Program Manager Contact	U.S. Forest Service Administrative Contact
Name:       Address:       City, State, Zip:       Telephone:       FAX:       Email:      	Name:       Address:       City, State, Zip:       Telephone:       FAX:       Email:      

2. FOREST SERVICE LIABILITY TO THE COOPERATOR.  The United States shall not be liable to for any costs, damages, claims, liabilities, and judgments that arise in connection with the performance of work by the U.S. Forest Service or its contractors under this agreement, including but not limited to damage to any property owned by or any third party. 

3. REFUNDS. Funds collected in advance by the U.S. Forest Service, which are not spent or obligated for the project(s) approved under this agreement, may be refunded to , authorized for use for a new agreement by , or waived by . A DUNS number and registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) by may be necessary to process a refund. Due to processing costs, any balance less than $25 shall not be refunded to .

4. PUBLIC NOTICES. It is the U.S. Forest Service's policy to inform the public as fully as possible of its programs and activities. is/are encouraged to give public notice of the receipt of this agreement and, from time to time, to announce progress and accomplishments. Press releases or other public notices should include a statement substantially as follows:

"      of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture,      ."

may call on the U.S. Forest Service's Office of Communication for advice regarding public notices. is/are requested to provide copies of notices or announcements to the U.S. Forest Service Program Manager and to the U.S. Forest Service's Office of Communications as far in advance of release as possible.

5. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA). Public access to agreement records must not be limited, except when such records must be kept confidential and would have been exempted from disclosure pursuant to Freedom of Information regulations (5 U.S.C. 552). Requests for research data are subject to 2 CFR 215.36.

Public access to culturally sensitive data and information of Federally-recognized Tribes may also be explicitly limited by P.L. 110-234, Title VIII Subtitle B §8106 (2009 Farm Bill).

6. PARTICIPATION IN SIMILAR ACTIVITIES. This agreement in no way restricts the U.S. Forest Service or from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals.

ENDORSEMENT. Any of ’s contributions made under this agreement do not by direct reference or implication convey U.S. Forest Service endorsement of 's products or activities. 

7. NOTICES. Any communication affecting the operations covered by this agreement by the U.S. Forest Service or will be sufficient only if in writing and delivered in person, mailed, or transmitted electronically by e-mail or fax, as follows:

To the U.S. Forest Service Program Manager, at the address specified in the agreement.

To , at ’s address shown in the agreement or such other address designated within the agreement.

Notices are effective when delivered in accordance with this provision, or on the effective date of the notice, whichever is later.

8. COLLABORATION. The U.S. Forest Service and may mutually agree to collaborate in the review of draft publications, interpretive signs, manuscripts, and other printed material and audiovisuals prior to completion. This agreement, in and of itself, does not authorize ’s participation in the project.

9. USE OF U.S. FOREST SERVICE INSIGNIA. In order for to use the U.S. Forest Service insignia on any published media, such as a Web page, printed publication, or audiovisual production, permission must be granted from the U.S. Forest Service’s Office of Communications (Washington Office). A written request will be submitted by Forest Service to the Office of Communications Assistant Director, Visual Information and Publishing Services prior to use of the insignia. The U.S. Forest Service will notify when permission is granted.

10. BUILDING AND COMPUTER ACCESS BY NON-FOREST SERVICE PERSONNEL. may be granted access to Forest Service facilities and/or computer systems to accomplish work described in the Operating Plan or Statement of Work. All non-government employees with unescorted access to Forest Service facilities and computer systems must have background checks following the procedures established by USDA Directives 3800 series. Those granted computer access must fulfill all Forest Service requirements for mandatory security awareness and role-based advance security training, and sign all applicable Forest Service statements of responsibilities.

11. U.S. FOREST SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGED IN PUBLICATIONS, AUDIOVISUALS, AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA. shall acknowledge U.S. Forest Service support in any publications, audiovisuals, and electronic media developed as a result of this agreement.

12. PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS. Improvements placed by on National Forest System land at the direction or with the approval of the U.S. Forest Service become property of the United States. These improvements are subject to the same regulations and administration of the U.S. Forest Service as would other national forest improvements of a similar nature. No part of this agreement entitles to any interest in the improvements, other than the right to use them under applicable U.S. Forest Service regulations.

13. PURCHASE OF ASSETS. Any assets (such as equipment, property, or improvements) purchased by the U.S. Forest Service with ’s contributions shall become the property of the U.S. Forest Service.

14. OFFSETS, CLAIMS AND RIGHTS. Any and all activities entered into or approved by this agreement will create and support afforestation/ reforestation efforts within the National Forest System without generating carbon credits. The U.S. Forest Service does not make claims of permanence or any guarantees of carbon sequestration on lands reforested or afforested through partner assistance. The U.S. Forest Service will provide for long-term management of reforested and afforested lands, according to applicable Federal statute regulations and forest plans.

15. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT – PRINTED, ELECTRONIC, OR AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL. shall include the following statement, in full, in any printed, audiovisual material, or electronic media for public distribution developed or printed with any Federal funding.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC  20250-9410 or call toll free voice (866) 632-9992, TDD (800)877-8339, or voice relay (866) 377-8642.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the material must, at minimum, include the following statement, in print size no smaller than the text:

"This institution is an equal opportunity provider."

16. TERMINATION FOR COLLECTION AGREEMENTS. Either party, in writing, may terminate this agreement in whole, or in part, at any time before the date of expiration. The U.S. Forest Service shall not incur any new obligations for the terminated portion of this agreement after the effective date of termination and shall cancel as many obligations as possible. Full credit must be allowed for U.S. Forest Service expenses and all non-cancelable obligations properly incurred up to the effective date of termination.      

17. DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION. shall immediately inform the U.S. Forest Service if they or any of their principals are presently excluded, debarred, or suspended from entering into covered transactions with the Federal Government according to the terms of 2 CFR Part 180. Additionally, should or any of their principals receive a transmittal letter or other official Federal notice of debarment or suspension, then they shall notify the U.S. Forest Service without undue delay. This applies whether the exclusion, debarment, or suspension is voluntary or involuntary.

18. MODIFICATIONS. Modifications within the scope of this agreement must be made by mutual consent of the parties, by the issuance of a written modification signed and dated by all properly authorized, signatory officials, prior to any changes being performed. Requests for modification should be made, in writing, at least 30 days prior to implementation of the requested change. The U.S. Forest Service is not obligated to fund any changes not properly approved in advance.

COMMENCEMENT/EXPIRATION DATE. This agreement is executed as of the date of the last signature, and has an expiration date of      . The expiration date is the final date for completion of all work activities under this agreement.

19. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES. By signature below, each party certifies that the individuals listed in this document as representatives of the individual parties are authorized to act in their respective areas for matters related to this agreement. In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the last date written below.

	     
     ,            	Date
	     
     ,       U.S. Forest Service,      	Date

The authority and format of this agreement have been reviewed and approved for signature.
     
      U.S. Forest Service Grants Management Specialist	Date

Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0596-0217. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Page 7 of 7 (Rev. 11-13)