Record Transmission. (1) Each NRCS office must ensure that a complete copy of the agency record is transmitted, as applicable, to all appropriate parties. (i) The appellant and any authorized representatives (ii) The agency, group, or individual conducting the appeal (iii) Potential third parties whose interests might be adjudicated by the appeal decision Note: The agency record must be furnished to all parties to the appeal at no charge. Furthermore, charges are not to be made for photocopying, reprinting of FSA compliance slides, or similar reproduction costs associated with providing the agency record in an appeal. (2) The State office must maintain all original materials in the agency record for all appeals, including all records and correspondence associated with a specific appeal. File and maintain these records in accordance with the Records Guide, Title 120, General Manual, Part 408. Appeal records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years. 510.13 Notification (7 CFR Section 614.6(b)) A. Decision Notices Generally, to minimize confusion on the part of participants, NRCS will not issue letters that provide participants opportunity to challenge, seek reconsideration, or appeal favorable decisions. NRCS is required by law and regulation to notify participants of adverse decisions and their appeal rights. B. Decision Notice Content (1) The notification letter should use plain and simple language and terminology, with an explanation of acronyms and abbreviations that participants and others can easily understand. Notification should contain as much information as possible summarizing all pertinent information and program provisions that are relevant to the determination. A good notification letter adequately summarizes and explains the facts of a case and requires little additional information to explain what is at issue in an agency determination or decision. The notification letter is the starting point for the next administrative review authority. (2) Notification letters must contain the following:
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Samples: Cooperative Agreement, Cooperative Agreement, Cooperative Agreement
