80_FR_18652 80 FR 18586 - Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program

80 FR 18586 - Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 66 (April 7, 2015)

Page Range18586-18588
FR Document2015-07934

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2016 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for fiscal year 2016 and to set out criteria for the award of funds in October 2015. The TASC program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18586-18588]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07934]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 18586]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the 
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program

    Announcement Type: New.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604.

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 
inviting proposals for the 2016 Technical Assistance for Specialty 
Crops (TASC) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit 
applications from the private sector and from government agencies for 
fiscal year 2016 and to set out criteria for the award of funds in 
October 2015. The TASC program is administered by personnel of the 
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

DATES: To be considered for funding, applications must be received by 5 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015. Any applications received 
after this time will be considered only if funds are still available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities wishing to apply for funding 
assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of 
Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service by courier address: Room 
6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: 
(202) 720-4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by email: 
[email protected]. Information is also available on the FAS Web 
site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: The TASC program is authorized by section 3205 of Pubic 
Law 107-171. TASC regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1487.
    Purpose: The TASC program is designed to assist U.S. organizations 
by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, 
or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. 
specialty crops. U.S. specialty crops, for the purpose of the TASC 
program, are defined to include all cultivated plants, or the products 
thereof, produced in the United States, except wheat, feed grains, 
oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco.
    Prior to the enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) on 
February 7, 2014, the TASC program was not available to address 
technical barriers to trade except for those that were related to 
sanitary or phytosanitary issues. The Act amended the statute 
authorizing the TASC program to allow the program to be used to address 
technical barriers to trade regardless of whether the barriers are 
related to a sanitary or phytosanitary barrier. The TASC regulations 
have been amended to reflect the recent statutory change.
    As a general matter, TASC program projects should be designed to 
address the following criteria:
     Projects should identify and address a sanitary, 
phytosanitary, or other technical barrier that prohibits or threatens 
the export of U.S. specialty crops;
     Projects should demonstrably benefit the represented 
industry rather than a specific company or brand;
     Projects must address barriers to exports of commercially-
available U.S. specialty crops for which barrier removal would 
predominantly benefit U.S. exports; and
     Projects should include an explanation as to what 
specifically could not be accomplished without Federal funding 
assistance and why the participating organization(s) would be unlikely 
to carry out the project without such assistance.
    Examples of expenses that CCC may agree to reimburse under the TASC 
program include, but are not limited to: initial pre-clearance 
programs, export protocol and work plan support, seminars and 
workshops, study tours, field surveys, development of pest lists, pest 
and disease research, reasonable logistical and administrative support, 
and travel and per diem expenses.

B. Award Information

    In general, and subject to the availability of funding, all 
qualified proposals received before the specified application deadline 
will compete for funding. The limited funds and the range of barriers 
affecting the exports of U.S. specialty crops worldwide preclude CCC 
from approving large budgets for individual projects. Proposals 
requesting more than $500,000 in any given year will not be considered. 
Additionally, private entities may submit multi-year proposals that may 
be considered in the context of a detailed strategic implementation 
plan. The maximum duration of an activity is 5 years. Funding in such 
cases may, at FAS' discretion, be provided one year at a time with 
commitments beyond the first year subject to interim evaluations and 
funding availability. In order to validate funding eligibility, 
proposals must specify previous years of TASC funding for each proposed 
activity/title/market/constraint combination. Government entities are 
not eligible for multi-year funding.
    Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and applicants with 
previously approved TASC proposals may apply for additional funding. 
The number of approved projects that a TASC participant can have 
underway at any given time is five. Please see 7 CFR part 1487 for 
additional restrictions.
    FAS will consider providing either grant funds as direct assistance 
to U.S. organizations or technical assistance on behalf of U.S. 
organizations, provided that the organization submits timely and 
qualified proposals. FAS will review all proposals against the 
evaluation criteria contained in the program regulations.
    Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific 
agreements. These agreements will incorporate the proposal as approved 
by FAS. FAS must approve in advance any subsequent changes to the 
project. FAS or another Federal agency may be involved in the 
implementation of approved projects.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. organization, private or 
government, with a demonstrated role or interest in exporting U.S. 
agricultural commodities may apply to the program. Government 
organizations consist of Federal, State,

[[Page 18587]]

and local agencies. Private organizations include non-profit trade 
associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional 
trade groups, and private companies.
    Foreign organizations, whether government or private, may 
participate as third parties in activities carried out by U.S. 
organizations, but are not eligible for funding assistance from the 
program.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: FAS considers the applicant's 
willingness to contribute resources, including cash, goods, and 
services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties, when 
determining which proposals are approved for funding.
    3. Proposals should include a justification for funding assistance 
from the program--an explanation as to what specifically could not be 
accomplished without Federal funding assistance and why the 
participating organization(s) would be unlikely to carry out the 
project without such assistance.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application through the Unified Export Strategy (UES): 
Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit their applications to 
FAS through the UES application Internet Web site. Using the UES 
application process reduces paperwork and expedites FAS's processing 
and review cycle. Applicants planning to use the UES Internet-based 
system must contact FAS/Program Operations Division to obtain site 
access information, including a user ID and password. The UES Internet-
based application may be found at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.
    Although FAS highly recommends applying via the Internet-based UES 
application, as this format virtually eliminates paperwork and 
expedites the FAS processing and review cycle, applicants also have the 
option of submitting an electronic version to FAS at 
[email protected].
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: All TASC proposals 
must contain complete information about the proposed projects as 
described in Sec.  1487.5(b) of the TASC program regulations.
    In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, each entity that 
applies to the TASC program and does not qualify for an exemption under 
2 CFR 25.110 must:
    (i) Provide a valid DUNS number in each application or plan it 
submits to CCC;
    (ii) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior 
to submitting an application or plan; and
    (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or 
an application or plan under consideration by CCC.
    Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, each entity that 
applies to the TASC program and does not qualify for an exception under 
2 CFR 170.110(b) must ensure it has the necessary processes and systems 
in place to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of 2 CFR 
part 170 should it receive TASC funding.
    Incomplete applications and applications that do not otherwise 
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: TASC proposals are reviewed on a 
rolling basis during the fiscal year as long as TASC funding is 
available as set forth below:
     Proposals received by, but not later than, 5 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time, June 8, 2015, will be considered for funding with other 
proposals received by that date;
     Proposals not approved for funding during the review 
period will be reconsidered for funding after the review period only if 
the applicant specifically requests such reconsideration in writing, 
and only if funding remains available;
     Proposals received after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 
June 8, 2015, will be considered in the order received for funding only 
if funding remains available.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, a proposal may be submitted for 
expedited consideration under the TASC Quick Response process if, in 
addition to meeting all requirements of the TASC program, a proposal 
clearly identifies a time-sensitive activity. In these cases, a 
proposal may be submitted at any time for an expedited evaluation. Such 
a proposal must include a specific request for expedited evaluation.
    FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals.
    4. Funding Restrictions: Although funded projects may take place in 
the United States or abroad, all eligible projects must specifically 
address sanitary, phytosanitary, or related technical barriers to the 
export of U.S. specialty crops.
    Certain types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by the 
program, such as the costs of market research, advertising, or other 
promotional expenses, and will be set forth in the written program 
agreement between CCC and the participant. CCC will also not reimburse 
unreasonable expenditures or any expenditure made prior to approval of 
a proposal.
    5. Other Submission Requirements: All Internet-based applications 
must be properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 
2015, in order to be considered for funding; late submissions received 
after the deadline will be considered only if funding remains 
available. All applications submitted by email must be received by 5 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015, at [email protected] in 
order to receive the same consideration.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation criteria set forth in Sec.  
1487.6 of the TASC regulations and in this Notice. Reviewers will 
evaluate according to the following criteria: (1) The nature of the 
specific export barrier and the extent to which the proposal is likely 
to successfully remove, resolve, or mitigate that barrier (12.5%);
    (2) The potential trade impact of the proposed project on market 
retention, market access, and market expansion, including the potential 
for expanding commercial sales in the targeted market (12.5%);
    (3) The completeness and viability of the proposal. Among other 
things, this can include the cost of the project and the amount of 
other resources dedicated to the project, including cash and goods and 
services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties (15%) and the 
effectiveness and potential of the performance measures (10%);
    (4) The ability of the organization to provide an experienced staff 
with the requisite technical and trade experience to execute the 
proposal (15%);
    (5) The extent to which the proposal is targeted to a market in 
which the United States is generally competitive (17.5%);
    (6) The degree to which time is essential to addressing specific 
export barriers (5%); and
    (7) The ability of the applicant to provide a broad base of 
producer representation (12.5%).
    2. Review and Selection Process: FAS will review proposals for 
eligibility and will evaluate each proposal against the criteria 
referred to above. The purpose of this review is to identify 
meritorious proposals, recommend an appropriate funding level for each 
proposal based upon these factors, and submit the proposals and funding 
recommendations to the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs. 
FAS may, when appropriate, request the assistance of other U.S.

[[Page 18588]]

government subject area experts in evaluating the merits of a proposal.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the 
final disposition of the submitted application. FAS will send an 
approval letter and agreement to each approved applicant. The approval 
letter and agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable 
to the project, including levels of funding, timelines for 
implementation, and written evaluation requirements.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: The agreements 
will incorporate the details of each project as approved by FAS. Each 
agreement will identify terms and conditions pursuant to which CCC will 
reimburse certain costs of each project. Agreements will also outline 
the responsibilities of the participant. Interested parties should 
review the TASC program regulations found at 7 CFR part 1487 in 
addition to this announcement. TASC program regulations are available 
at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc. Hard copies may be obtained 
by contacting the Program Operations Division at (202) 720-4327.
    3. Reporting: TASC participants will be required to submit regular 
interim reports and a final performance report, each of which evaluate 
the TASC project using the performance measures presented in the 
approved proposal, as set forth in the written program agreement.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    For additional information and assistance, contact the Program 
Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    Courier address: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 
DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by 
email: [email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC on the 1st of April, 2015.
Asif Chaudhry,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2015-07934 Filed 4-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE CODE 3410-10-P

18586 Notices Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 66 Tuesday, April 7, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Purpose: The TASC program is B. Award Information contains documents other than rules or designed to assist U.S. organizations by In general, and subject to the proposed rules that are applicable to the providing funding for projects that public. Notices of hearings and investigations, availability of funding, all qualified address sanitary, phytosanitary, or proposals received before the specified committee meetings, agency decisions and technical barriers that prohibit or rulings, delegations of authority, filing of application deadline will compete for petitions and applications and agency threaten the export of U.S. specialty funding. The limited funds and the statements of organization and functions are crops. U.S. specialty crops, for the range of barriers affecting the exports of examples of documents appearing in this purpose of the TASC program, are U.S. specialty crops worldwide section. defined to include all cultivated plants, preclude CCC from approving large or the products thereof, produced in the budgets for individual projects. United States, except wheat, feed grains, Proposals requesting more than DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, $500,000 in any given year will not be and tobacco. considered. Additionally, private Commodity Credit Corporation Prior to the enactment of the entities may submit multi-year Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) on proposals that may be considered in the Applications for the Technical February 7, 2014, the TASC program context of a detailed strategic Assistance for Specialty Crops was not available to address technical implementation plan. The maximum Program barriers to trade except for those that duration of an activity is 5 years. were related to sanitary or phytosanitary Funding in such cases may, at FAS’ Announcement Type: New. issues. The Act amended the statute discretion, be provided one year at a Catalog of Federal Domestic authorizing the TASC program to allow time with commitments beyond the first Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604. the program to be used to address year subject to interim evaluations and SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit technical barriers to trade regardless of funding availability. In order to validate Corporation (CCC) announces that it is whether the barriers are related to a funding eligibility, proposals must inviting proposals for the 2016 sanitary or phytosanitary barrier. The specify previous years of TASC funding Technical Assistance for Specialty TASC regulations have been amended to for each proposed activity/title/market/ Crops (TASC) program. The intended reflect the recent statutory change. constraint combination. Government effect of this notice is to solicit As a general matter, TASC program entities are not eligible for multi-year applications from the private sector and projects should be designed to address funding. from government agencies for fiscal year the following criteria: Applicants may submit multiple 2016 and to set out criteria for the award proposals, and applicants with • Projects should identify and previously approved TASC proposals of funds in October 2015. The TASC address a sanitary, phytosanitary, or may apply for additional funding. The program is administered by personnel of other technical barrier that prohibits or number of approved projects that a the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). threatens the export of U.S. specialty TASC participant can have underway at DATES: To be considered for funding, crops; applications must be received by 5 p.m. any given time is five. Please see 7 CFR Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015. • Projects should demonstrably part 1487 for additional restrictions. Any applications received after this benefit the represented industry rather FAS will consider providing either time will be considered only if funds are than a specific company or brand; grant funds as direct assistance to U.S. still available. • Projects must address barriers to organizations or technical assistance on exports of commercially-available U.S. behalf of U.S. organizations, provided FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: specialty crops for which barrier that the organization submits timely and Entities wishing to apply for funding removal would predominantly benefit qualified proposals. FAS will review all assistance should contact the Program U.S. exports; and proposals against the evaluation criteria Operations Division, Office of Trade contained in the program regulations. Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service • Projects should include an Funding for successful proposals will by courier address: Room 6512, 1400 explanation as to what specifically be provided through specific Independence Ave. SW., Washington, could not be accomplished without agreements. These agreements will DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, Federal funding assistance and why the incorporate the proposal as approved by or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: participating organization(s) would be FAS. FAS must approve in advance any podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is unlikely to carry out the project without subsequent changes to the project. FAS also available on the FAS Web site at such assistance. or another Federal agency may be http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/ Examples of expenses that CCC may involved in the implementation of technical-assistance-specialty-crops- agree to reimburse under the TASC approved projects. tasc. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES program include, but are not limited to: initial pre-clearance programs, export C. Eligibility Information SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: protocol and work plan support, 1. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. A. Funding Opportunity Description seminars and workshops, study tours, organization, private or government, Authority: The TASC program is field surveys, development of pest lists, with a demonstrated role or interest in authorized by section 3205 of Pubic Law pest and disease research, reasonable exporting U.S. agricultural commodities 107–171. TASC regulations appear at 7 logistical and administrative support, may apply to the program. Government CFR part 1487. and travel and per diem expenses. organizations consist of Federal, State, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:58 Apr 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Notices 18587 and local agencies. Private organizations (iii) Continue to maintain an active will also not reimburse unreasonable include non-profit trade associations, SAM registration with current expenditures or any expenditure made universities, agricultural cooperatives, information at all times during which it prior to approval of a proposal. state regional trade groups, and private has an active Federal award or an 5. Other Submission Requirements: companies. application or plan under consideration All Internet-based applications must be Foreign organizations, whether by CCC. properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern government or private, may participate Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR Daylight Time, June 8, 2015, in order to as third parties in activities carried out part 170, each entity that applies to the be considered for funding; late by U.S. organizations, but are not TASC program and does not qualify for submissions received after the deadline eligible for funding assistance from the an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b) will be considered only if funding program. must ensure it has the necessary remains available. All applications 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: FAS processes and systems in place to submitted by email must be received by considers the applicant’s willingness to comply with the applicable reporting 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, contribute resources, including cash, requirements of 2 CFR part 170 should 2015, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov in goods, and services of the U.S. industry it receive TASC funding. order to receive the same consideration. and foreign third parties, when Incomplete applications and determining which proposals are applications that do not otherwise E. Application Review Information approved for funding. conform to this announcement will not 1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation 3. Proposals should include a be accepted for review. criteria set forth in § 1487.6 of the TASC justification for funding assistance from 3. Submission Dates and Times: regulations and in this Notice. the program—an explanation as to what TASC proposals are reviewed on a Reviewers will evaluate according to the specifically could not be accomplished rolling basis during the fiscal year as following criteria: (1) The nature of the without Federal funding assistance and long as TASC funding is available as set specific export barrier and the extent to why the participating organization(s) forth below: which the proposal is likely to would be unlikely to carry out the • Proposals received by, but not later successfully remove, resolve, or mitigate project without such assistance. than, 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June that barrier (12.5%); 8, 2015, will be considered for funding (2) The potential trade impact of the D. Application and Submission with other proposals received by that Information proposed project on market retention, date; market access, and market expansion, 1. Application through the Unified • Proposals not approved for funding including the potential for expanding Export Strategy (UES): Organizations are during the review period will be commercial sales in the targeted market strongly encouraged to submit their reconsidered for funding after the (12.5%); applications to FAS through the UES review period only if the applicant (3) The completeness and viability of application Internet Web site. Using the specifically requests such the proposal. Among other things, this UES application process reduces reconsideration in writing, and only if can include the cost of the project and paperwork and expedites FAS’s funding remains available; the amount of other resources dedicated processing and review cycle. Applicants • Proposals received after 5 p.m. to the project, including cash and goods planning to use the UES Internet-based Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015, and services of the U.S. industry and system must contact FAS/Program will be considered in the order received foreign third parties (15%) and the Operations Division to obtain site access for funding only if funding remains effectiveness and potential of the information, including a user ID and available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a performance measures (10%); password. The UES Internet-based proposal may be submitted for (4) The ability of the organization to application may be found at the expedited consideration under the provide an experienced staff with the following URL address: https:// TASC Quick Response process if, in requisite technical and trade experience www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/. Although FAS highly recommends addition to meeting all requirements of to execute the proposal (15%); applying via the Internet-based UES the TASC program, a proposal clearly (5) The extent to which the proposal application, as this format virtually identifies a time-sensitive activity. In is targeted to a market in which the eliminates paperwork and expedites the these cases, a proposal may be United States is generally competitive FAS processing and review cycle, submitted at any time for an expedited (17.5%); applicants also have the option of evaluation. Such a proposal must (6) The degree to which time is submitting an electronic version to FAS include a specific request for expedited essential to addressing specific export at podadmin@fas.usda.gov. evaluation. barriers (5%); and 2. Content and Form of Application FAS will track the time and date of (7) The ability of the applicant to Submission: All TASC proposals must receipt of all proposals. provide a broad base of producer contain complete information about the 4. Funding Restrictions: Although representation (12.5%). proposed projects as described in funded projects may take place in the 2. Review and Selection Process: FAS § 1487.5(b) of the TASC program United States or abroad, all eligible will review proposals for eligibility and regulations. projects must specifically address will evaluate each proposal against the In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR sanitary, phytosanitary, or related criteria referred to above. The purpose part 25, each entity that applies to the technical barriers to the export of U.S. of this review is to identify meritorious mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES TASC program and does not qualify for specialty crops. proposals, recommend an appropriate an exemption under 2 CFR 25.110 must: Certain types of expenses are not funding level for each proposal based (i) Provide a valid DUNS number in eligible for reimbursement by the upon these factors, and submit the each application or plan it submits to program, such as the costs of market proposals and funding CCC; research, advertising, or other recommendations to the Deputy (ii) Be registered in the System for promotional expenses, and will be set Administrator, Office of Trade Award Management (SAM) prior to forth in the written program agreement Programs. FAS may, when appropriate, submitting an application or plan; and between CCC and the participant. CCC request the assistance of other U.S. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Apr 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1

18588 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Notices government subject area experts in DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE percent U.S. origin content by weight, evaluating the merits of a proposal. exclusive of added water, to be eligible Commodity Credit Corporation for funding. Proposals that seek support F. Federal Award Administration for multiple commodities are also Information Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting eligible. EMP funding may only be used Applications for the Emerging Markets to develop, maintain, or expand 1. Award Notices: FAS will notify Program each applicant in writing of the final emerging markets for U.S. agricultural SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit commodities and products through disposition of the submitted Corporation (CCC) announces that it is generic activities. EMP funding may not application. FAS will send an approval inviting proposals for the 2016 be used to support the export of another letter and agreement to each approved Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The country’s products to the United States, applicant. The approval letter and or to promote the development of a agreement will specify the terms and intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and foreign economy as a primary objective. conditions applicable to the project, 2. Appropriate Activities. All EMP including levels of funding, timelines from government agencies for fiscal year 2016 and to set out criteria for the award projects must fall into at least one of the for implementation, and written following four categories: of funds under the program in October evaluation requirements. (a) Assistance to teams consisting 2015. The EMP is administered by 2. Administrative and National Policy personnel of the Foreign Agricultural primarily of U.S. individuals expert in Requirements: The agreements will Service (FAS). assessing the food and rural business incorporate the details of each project as DATES: To be considered for funding, systems of other countries. This type of approved by FAS. Each agreement will applications must be received by 5 p.m. EMP project must include all three of identify terms and conditions pursuant Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015. the following: to which CCC will reimburse certain Any applications received after this • Conduct an assessment of the food costs of each project. Agreements will time will be considered only if funds are and rural business system needs of an also outline the responsibilities of the still available. emerging market; participant. Interested parties should • Make recommendations on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: review the TASC program regulations measures necessary to enhance the Entities wishing to apply for funding found at 7 CFR part 1487 in addition to effectiveness of these systems; and assistance should contact the Program this announcement. TASC program • Identify opportunities and projects Operations Division, Office of Trade to enhance the effectiveness of the regulations are available at the following Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service emerging market’s food and rural URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ by courier address: Room 6512, 1400 business systems. programs/technical-assistance- Independence Ave. SW., Washington, To be eligible, such proposals must specialty-crops-tasc. Hard copies may DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, clearly demonstrate that experts are be obtained by contacting the Program or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: primarily agricultural consultants, Operations Division at (202) 720–4327. podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is farmers, other persons from the private also available on the Foreign 3. Reporting: TASC participants will sector, and government officials, and Agricultural Service Web site at http:// be required to submit regular interim that they have expertise in assessing the www.fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging- reports and a final performance report, food and rural business systems of other markets-program-emp. each of which evaluate the TASC countries. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (b) Assistance to enable individuals project using the performance measures presented in the approved proposal, as A. Funding Opportunity Description from emerging markets to travel to the set forth in the written program United States so that these individuals Announcement Type: New. can, for the purpose of enhancing the agreement. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance food and rural business systems in their G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact (CFDA) Number: 10.603. countries, become familiar with U.S. Authority: The EMP is authorized by technology and agribusiness and rural For additional information and section 1542(d)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, enterprise operations by consulting with assistance, contact the Program Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (The food and rural business system experts Operations Division, Office of Trade Act), as amended. The EMP regulations in the United States. Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, appear at 7 CFR part 1486. (c) Assistance to enable U.S. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1. Purpose. The EMP assists U.S. agricultural producers and other Courier address: Room 6512, 1400 entities in developing, maintaining, or individuals knowledgeable in Independence Ave. SW., Washington, expanding exports of U.S. agricultural agricultural and agribusiness matters to DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, commodities and products by funding travel to emerging markets to assist in or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: activities that improve emerging transferring their knowledge and podadmin@fas.usda.gov. markets’ food and rural business expertise to entities in emerging systems, including reducing potential markets. Such travel must be to Signed at Washington, DC on the 1st of trade barriers in such markets. The EMP emerging markets. Travel to developed April, 2015. is intended primarily to support export markets is not eligible under the Asif Chaudhry, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES market development efforts of the program even if the traveler’s targeted Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural private sector, but EMP resources may market is an emerging market. Service, and Vice President, Commodity also be used to assist public (d) Technical assistance to implement Credit Corporation. organizations. the recommendations, projects, and/or [FR Doc. 2015–07934 Filed 4–6–15; 8:45 am] All U.S. agricultural commodities, opportunities identified under 2(a) BILLING CODE CODE 3410–10–P except tobacco, are eligible for above. Technical assistance that does consideration. Agricultural product(s) not implement the recommendations, should be comprised of at least 50 projects, and/or opportunities identified VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Apr 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM 07APN1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:04:56
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:04:56
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
DatesTo be considered for funding, applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 8, 2015. Any applications received after this time will be considered only if funds are still available.
ContactEntities wishing to apply for funding assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of
FR Citation80 FR 18586 
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