USGS Experienced Services Program

USGS ESP
CFDA 15.072 Active Cooperative Agreements
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$2M FY2026
$914K
FY23
$2.9M
FY24
$2.2M
FY25*
$2M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2024 Twenty-one new task agreements were awarded under the master cooperative agreement. There were 26 active enrollees at the end of the 2024 fiscal year.
FY2025 Three new task agreements have been awarded under the master cooperative agreement. There are currently 22 active enrollees. Anticipating additional task agreements before end of FY2025 as some are in process.
FY2026 USGS anticipates continuing to award task agreements for ESP enrollees.

Program Objective

To implement legislation that authorizes cooperative agreements with eligible nonprofit organizations that will recruit and provide the services of professionals, age 55 and older, who have the experience and expertise to support the USGS mission across a range of capacities on a temporary, full or part time, project-specific basis.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Private nonprofits

This program is limited to qualified non-profit organizations subject to 26 USC 501 c(3) of the tax code, and must be designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965. Proof of establishment must be submitted with the application.

Beneficiaries

  • 56

Individuals (Americans, age 55 years and older) who qualify for temporary positions, as described in approved position descriptions provided by the contracting, Federal agency. These individuals may include Federal pension recipients.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Applications must include all required Standard Forms (SF), including a Project Proposal, a Budget Detail, and a copy the applicant's approved federal agency Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. Other required documents: SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs; SF-424B Assurances-Non-Construction Programs; Proof of establishment under the Secretary of Labor, Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965; Financial Assistance Evaluation Questionnaire (if applicable).

Award Procedure

After there is a master cooperative agreement in place, further information for each specific project will be available at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance

Description

The Experienced Services Program is authorized through annual appropriations for the Department of the Interior and allows the Department or its bureaus to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible nonprofit organizations that will recruit and administer payroll for skilled, experienced workers, aged 55 and older, to support a wide range of temporary roles within the agency.

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Recipients will use funding to cover overhead or administrative costs to fulfill its obligations under the cooperative agreement, as well as salary and benefits for enrollees. Overhead or administrative costs may include payroll and benefits management, required reporting, and providing interactive portal for enrollee supervisors, among others.Authorizing legislation (P.L. 116-94, Sec. 111) specifies that Program activities may not: (1) result in the displacement of individuals currently employed by the Department of the Interior, including partial displacement through reduction of non-overtime hours, wages, or employment benefits; (2) result in the use of an individual under the Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program for a job or function in a case in which a Federal employee is in a layoff status from the same or substantially equivalent job within the Department; or (3) affect existing contracts for services.

Required Documentation

Documentation of designation by the Secretary of Labor as eligible to receive funds under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to recruit and utilize the skills and experience of older Americans, aged 55 and older and proof of past performance in recruiting and providing employment opportunities for individuals 55 years of age and older. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Corey Hashem
303-882-3038
6th and Kipling, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2025-07-08. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:36:05.