Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services

ACES
CFDA 10.739 Active Other Financial Assistance
No open Grants.gov opportunities under this program right now. Browse all Department of Agriculture programs →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$309K FY2025
$5.1M
FY24
$309K
FY25

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 During 2025, Forest Service awarded 5 agreements under this program.

Program Objective

The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program is a cost effective and efficient program that allows the Forest Service to acquire skilled personnel (age 55 and older) with “ready to apply knowledge.” The agency has Master Agreements with two non-profit organizations. By creating Supplemental Project Agreements, all agency units can gain access to the partner’s ACES enrollees. Each unit has a designated ACES Regional Coordinator, which provides updated program guidance to establish consistency within their Region.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Nonprofit Organization

Enrollees are enrolled in a program administered by non-profit organizations through Participating Agreements. Enrollees cannot perform inherently governmental functions and cannot displace federal positions or existing contracts for services. A non-displacement compliance certification document must be signed by a line officer (or equivalent) for all positions and attached to each SPA or modification that extends or adds positions. SPAs cannot exceed the Master Agreement end date. All positions are competitive.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

All ACES positions are competitive. The partners are responsible for recruitment, managing applications, paying enrollees and more.

Program details & compliance

Description

ACES enrollees provide temporary technical and administrative services for conservation-related programs that are executed on or directly impacting National Forest System land. Services include training, mentoring and completing temporary projects. The program is open for units across the agency, including the Washington Office, Regions, Stations and Job Corps.

Mission Categories

Primary: Forestry

Other categories:
Agricultural Resource Conservation and DevelopmentRecreationEqual Employment Opportunity

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funding is used to support of conservation-related work performed on or directly impacting National Forest System (NFS) lands.

Restrictions

Funding is restricted by the authority of this award and agency directives.

Required Documentation

Applicants apply through the non-profit partners to become their program participants. All ACES positions are competitive (no pre-selection not). The partners are responsible for recruitment, managing applications, paying enrollees and more.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Contacts

Tina Terrell
703-604-4802
201 14th St SW, Washington, DC 20250
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-11. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:27:55.