81 FR 19113 - Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)
Commodity Credit Corporation
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 64 (April 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 19113-19115 | |
| FR Document | 2016-07637 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 19113-19115] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-07637] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program Announcement Type: New. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600. SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2017 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2017 and to set out criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2016. The Cooperator program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). DATES: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016. Applications received after this date will not be considered. 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: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by e-mail: [email protected]. Information is also available on the FAS Web site at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-market-development-program-fmd. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: The Cooperator program is authorized by Title VII of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended. Cooperator program regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1484. Purpose: The Cooperator program is designed to create, expand, and maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products through cost-share assistance. Financial assistance under the Cooperator program will be made available on a competitive basis and applications will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria contained herein and in the Cooperator program regulations. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration. FAS allocates funds in a manner that effectively supports the strategic decision-making initiatives of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding whether a proposed project will contribute to the effective creation, expansion, or maintenance of foreign markets, FAS considers whether the applicant provides a clear, long-term agricultural trade strategy and a program effectiveness time line against which results can be measured at specific intervals using quantifiable product or country goals. FAS also considers the extent to which a proposed project targets markets with the greatest growth potential. These factors are part of the FAS resource allocation strategy to fund applicants who can demonstrate performance and address the objectives of the GPRA. II. Award Information Under the Cooperator program, FAS enters into agreements with eligible nonprofit U.S. trade organizations to share the cost of certain overseas marketing and promotion activities. Funding priority is given to organizations that have the broadest possible producer representation of the commodity being promoted and that are nationwide in membership and scope. Cooperators may receive assistance only for generic activities that do not involve promotions targeted directly to consumers. The program generally operates on a reimbursement basis. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: To participate in the Cooperator program, an applicant must be a nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization. 2. Cost Sharing: To participate in the Cooperator program, an applicant must agree to contribute resources to its proposed promotional activities. The Cooperator program is intended to supplement, not supplant, the efforts of the U.S. private sector. The contribution must be at least 50 percent of the value of resources provided by CCC for activities conducted under the project agreement. The degree of commitment of an applicant to the promotional strategies contained in its application, as represented by the cost- share contributions specified therein, is considered by FAS when determining which applications will be approved for funding. Cost-share may be actual cash invested or in-kind contributions, such as professional staff time spent on design and execution of activities. The Cooperator program regulations, including sections 1484.50 and 1484.51, provide detailed discussion of eligible and ineligible cost- share contributions. 3. Other: Applications 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 participating organization(s) are unlikely to carry out the project without such assistance. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package: Organizations are encouraged to submit their Foreign Market Development (FMD) applications to the FAS through the web-based Unified Export Strategy (UES) application. The UES allows applicants to submit a single consolidated and strategically coordinated proposal that incorporates requests for funding for virtually all of the FAS marketing programs, financial assistance programs, and market access programs. The suggested UES format encourages applicants to examine the constraints or barriers to trade faced, identify activities that would help overcome such impediments, consider the entire pool of complementary marketing tools and program resources, and establish realistic export goals. Applicants planning to use the web-based application must contact FAS' Program Operations Division to obtain site access information. The web-based application may be found at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/. FAS highly recommends applying via the web-based application as this format virtually eliminates paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review cycle. However, applicants also have the option of submitting an electronic version of their application to FAS at [email protected]. [[Page 19114]] 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for the Cooperator program, an applicant must submit to FAS information required by section 1484.20 of the Cooperator program regulations. In addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's policy (68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003)) regarding the need to identify entities that are receiving government awards, all applicants must submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. An applicant may request a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, each entity that applies to the Cooperator 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 Cooperator 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 funding under the Cooperator program. Incomplete applications and applications that do not otherwise conform to this announcement or the Cooperator program regulations will not be accepted for review. FAS administers various other agricultural export assistance programs, including the Market Access Program (MAP), the Emerging Markets Program, the Quality Samples Program, and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program. Any organization that is not interested in applying for the Cooperator program, but would like to request assistance through one of the other programs mentioned, should contact the Program Operations Division. 3. Submission Dates and Times: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016. By the application deadline, all Cooperator program applicants, regardless of the method of submitting an application, must also submit a signed certification statement as specified in 7 CFR 1484.20(a)(14) to the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. Applications or certifications received after this date will not be considered. 4. Funding Restrictions: Certain types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other categories of expenses. CCC also will not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval. Full details are available in sections 1484.54 and 1484.55 of the Cooperator program regulations. V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria and Review Process: Following is a description of the FAS process for reviewing applications and the criteria for allocating available Cooperator program funds. (1) Phase 1--Sufficiency Review and FAS Divisional Review Applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by FAS to determine the eligibility of the applicants and the completeness of the applications. These requirements appear in sections 1484.14 and 1484.20 of the Cooperator program regulations as well as in this Notice. Applications that meet the requirements then will be further evaluated by the appropriate Commodity Branch office of FAS' Cooperator Programs Division. The Commodity Branch will review each application against the criteria listed in section 1484.21 of the Cooperator program regulations. The purpose of this review is to identify meritorious proposals. The Commodity Branch then recommends an appropriate funding level for each application for consideration by the Office of the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs. (2) Phase 2--Competitive Review Meritorious applications are passed on to the Office of the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs, for the purpose of allocating available funds among those applicants. Applicants will compete for funds on the basis of the following allocation criteria as appropriate (the number in parentheses represents a percentage weight factor): (a) Contribution Level (40)The applicant's 6-year average share (2012-2017) of all contributions under the Cooperator program (contributions may include cash and goods and services provided by U.S. entities in support of foreign market development activities) compared to the applicant's 6- year average share (2012-2017) of the funding level for all Cooperator program participants. (b) Past Export Performance (20) The 6-year average share (2011-2016) of the value of exports promoted by the applicant compared to the applicant's 6-year average share (2011-2016) of the funding level for all Cooperator participants plus, for those groups participating in the MAP program, a 6-year average share (2011-2016) of all MAP budgets. (c) Past Demand Expansion Performance (20) The 6-year average share (2011-2016) of the total value of world trade of the commodities promoted by the applicant compared to the applicant's 6-year average share (2011-2016) of all Cooperator program expenditures plus, for those groups participating in the MAP program, a 6-year average share (2011-2016) of all MAP expenditures. (d) Future Demand Expansion Goals (10) The projected total dollar value of world trade of the commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2022 compared to the applicant's requested funding level. (e) Accuracy of Past Demand Expansion Projections (10) The actual dollar value share of world trade of the commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2015 compared to the applicant's past projected share of world trade of the commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2015, as specified in the applicant's 2012 Cooperator program application. The Commodity Branches' recommended funding levels for each applicant are converted to percentages of the total Cooperator program funds available and then multiplied by each weight factor to determine the amount of funds allocated to each applicant. 2. Anticipated Announcement Date: Announcements of funding decisions for the Cooperator program are anticipated during October 2016. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the final disposition of its application. FAS will send an approval letter and project agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter and project [[Page 19115]] agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable to the project, including the levels of Cooperator program funding and cost- share contribution requirements. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Interested parties should review the Cooperator program regulations, which are available at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-market-development-program-fmd. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting the Program Operations Division. 3. Reporting: FAS requires various reports and evaluations from Cooperators. Reporting requirements are detailed in the Cooperator program regulations in sections 1484.53, 1484.70, and 1484.72. VII. Agency Contact(s) For additional information and assistance, contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720- 4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by e-mail: [email protected]. Signed at Washington, DC on the 25th of March, 2016. Bryce Quick, Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2016-07637 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Notices 19113
marital status, or sexual orientation. To I. Funding Opportunity Description Cooperator program is intended to
ensure that the recommendations of the Authority: The Cooperator program is supplement, not supplant, the efforts of
NOSB take into account the needs of the authorized by Title VII of the the U.S. private sector. The contribution
diverse groups that are served by the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as must be at least 50 percent of the value
Department, membership on the NOSB amended. Cooperator program of resources provided by CCC for
shall include, to the extent practicable, regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1484. activities conducted under the project
individuals with demonstrated ability to Purpose: The Cooperator program is agreement.
represent minorities, women, and designed to create, expand, and The degree of commitment of an
persons with disabilities. maintain foreign markets for U.S. applicant to the promotional strategies
The information collection agricultural commodities and products contained in its application, as
requirements concerning the through cost–share assistance. Financial represented by the cost–share
nomination process have been assistance under the Cooperator contributions specified therein, is
previously cleared by the Office of program will be made available on a considered by FAS when determining
Management and Budget (OMB) under competitive basis and applications will which applications will be approved for
OMB Control No. 0505–0001. be reviewed against the evaluation funding. Cost–share may be actual cash
Dated: March 30, 2016. criteria contained herein and in the invested or in–kind contributions, such
Cooperator program regulations. All as professional staff time spent on
Elanor Starmer,
U.S. agricultural commodities, except design and execution of activities. The
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
tobacco, are eligible for consideration. Cooperator program regulations,
Service.
FAS allocates funds in a manner that including sections 1484.50 and 1484.51,
[FR Doc. 2016–07616 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am]
effectively supports the strategic provide detailed discussion of eligible
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
decision–making initiatives of the and ineligible cost–share contributions.
Government Performance and Results 3. Other: Applications should include
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding a justification for funding assistance
whether a proposed project will from the program—an explanation as to
Commodity Credit Corporation contribute to the effective creation, what specifically could not be
expansion, or maintenance of foreign accomplished without federal funding
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting markets, FAS considers whether the assistance and why participating
Applications for the Foreign Market applicant provides a clear, long–term organization(s) are unlikely to carry out
Development Cooperator Program agricultural trade strategy and a program the project without such assistance.
effectiveness time line against which IV. Application and Submission
Announcement Type: New.
results can be measured at specific Information
Catalog of Federal Domestic intervals using quantifiable product or
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600. country goals. FAS also considers the 1. Address to Request Application
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit extent to which a proposed project Package: Organizations are encouraged
Corporation (CCC) announces that it is targets markets with the greatest growth to submit their Foreign Market
inviting proposals for the 2017 Foreign potential. These factors are part of the Development (FMD) applications to the
Market Development Cooperator FAS resource allocation strategy to fund FAS through the web–based Unified
(Cooperator) program. The intended applicants who can demonstrate Export Strategy (UES) application. The
effect of this notice is to solicit performance and address the objectives UES allows applicants to submit a
applications from eligible applicants for of the GPRA. single consolidated and strategically
fiscal year 2017 and to set out criteria coordinated proposal that incorporates
for the award of funds under the II. Award Information requests for funding for virtually all of
program in October 2016. The Under the Cooperator program, FAS the FAS marketing programs, financial
Cooperator program is administered by enters into agreements with eligible assistance programs, and market access
personnel of the Foreign Agricultural nonprofit U.S. trade organizations to programs. The suggested UES format
Service (FAS). share the cost of certain overseas encourages applicants to examine the
DATES: All applications must be marketing and promotion activities. constraints or barriers to trade faced,
received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Funding priority is given to identify activities that would help
Time, June 3, 2016. Applications organizations that have the broadest overcome such impediments, consider
received after this date will not be possible producer representation of the the entire pool of complementary
considered. commodity being promoted and that are marketing tools and program resources,
nationwide in membership and scope. and establish realistic export goals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants planning to use the web–
Cooperators may receive assistance only
Entities wishing to apply for funding for generic activities that do not involve based application must contact FAS’
assistance should contact the Program promotions targeted directly to Program Operations Division to obtain
Operations Division, Office of Trade consumers. The program generally site access information. The web–based
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service operates on a reimbursement basis. application may be found at the
by courier: Room 6512, 1400 following URL address: https://
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, III. Eligibility Information www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.
DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. Eligible Applicants: To participate FAS highly recommends applying via
or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e–mail: in the Cooperator program, an applicant the web–based application as this
uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is must be a nonprofit U.S. agricultural format virtually eliminates paperwork
also available on the FAS Web site at trade organization. and expedites the FAS processing and
the following URL address: http:// 2. Cost Sharing: To participate in the review cycle. However, applicants also
www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign- Cooperator program, an applicant must have the option of submitting an
market-development-program-fmd. agree to contribute resources to its electronic version of their application to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: proposed promotional activities. The FAS at uesadmin@fas.usda.gov.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Notices 19115
agreement will specify the terms and received after this date will not be possible producer representation of the
conditions applicable to the project, considered. commodity being promoted and that are
including the levels of Cooperator FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
nationwide in membership and scope.
program funding and cost–share Entities wishing to apply for funding For branded activities, only nonprofit
contribution requirements. assistance should contact the Program U.S. agricultural trade organizations,
2. Administrative and National Policy Operations Division, Office of Trade nonprofit state regional trade groups
Requirements: Interested parties should Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives,
review the Cooperator program by courier: Room 6512, 1400 and state government agencies can
regulations, which are available at the Independence Ave. SW., Washington, participate directly in the brand
following URL address: http:// program. The MAP generally operates
DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,
www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign- on a reimbursement basis.
or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:
market-development-program-fmd. uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is III. Eligibility Information
Hard copies may be obtained by also available on the FAS Web site at
contacting the Program Operations 1. Eligible Applicants: To participate
the following URL address: http:// in the MAP, an applicant must be a
Division. www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market- nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade
3. Reporting: FAS requires various access-program-map. organization, a nonprofit state regional
reports and evaluations from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: trade group, a U.S. agricultural
Cooperators. Reporting requirements are
I. Funding Opportunity Description cooperative, or a state government
detailed in the Cooperator program
agency. A small-sized U.S. commercial
regulations in sections 1484.53, 1484.70, Authority: The MAP is authorized entity may participate through a MAP
and 1484.72. under Section 203 of the Agricultural Participant.
VII. Agency Contact(s) Trade Act of 1978, as amended. MAP 2. Cost Sharing: To participate in the
regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1485. MAP, an applicant must agree to
For additional information and Purpose: The MAP is designed to contribute resources to its proposed
assistance, contact the Program create, expand, and maintain foreign promotional activities. The MAP is
Operations Division, Office of Trade markets for U.S. agricultural intended to supplement, not supplant,
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, commodities and products through cost- the efforts of the U.S. private sector. In
U.S. Department of Agriculture by share assistance. Financial assistance the case of generic promotion, the
courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence under the MAP will be made available contribution must be at least 10 percent
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by on a competitive basis, and applications of the value of resources provided by
phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) will be reviewed against the evaluation CCC for such generic promotion. In the
720–9361, or by e-mail: uesadmin@ criteria contained herein and in the case of brand promotion, the
fas.usda.gov. MAP regulations. All U.S. agricultural contribution must be at least 50 percent
Signed at Washington, DC on the 25th of commodities, except tobacco, are of the total cost of such brand
March, 2016. eligible for consideration. promotion.
Bryce Quick, FAS allocates funds in a manner that The degree of commitment of an
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural effectively supports the strategic applicant to the promotional strategies
Service, and Vice President, Commodity decision-making initiatives of the contained in its application, as
Credit Corporation. Government Performance and Results represented by the cost-share
[FR Doc. 2016–07637 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am] Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding contributions specified therein, is
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P whether a proposed project will considered by FAS when determining
contribute to the effective creation, which applications will be approved for
expansion, or maintenance of foreign funding. Cost-share may be actual cash
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE markets, FAS considers whether the invested or in-kind contributions, such
applicant provides a clear, long-term as professional staff time spent on
Commodity Credit Corporation agricultural trade strategy and a program design and execution of activities. The
effectiveness time line against which MAP regulations, in section 1485.16,
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting results can be measured at specific provide a detailed discussion of eligible
Applications for the Market Access intervals using quantifiable product or and ineligible cost-share contributions.
Program country goals. FAS also considers the 3. Other: Applications should include
Announcement Type: New. extent to which a proposed project a justification for funding assistance
Catalog of Federal Domestic targets markets with the greatest growth from the program—an explanation as to
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.601. potential. These factors are part of the what specifically could not be
FAS resource allocation strategy to fund accomplished without federal funding
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit
applicants who can demonstrate assistance and why participating
Corporation (CCC) announces that it is performance and address the objectives organization(s) are unlikely to carry out
inviting proposals for the 2017 Market of the GPRA. the project without such assistance.
Access Program (MAP). The intended
effect of this notice is to solicit II. Award Information IV. Application and Submission
applications from eligible applicants for Under the MAP, the CCC enters into Information
fiscal year 2017 and to set out criteria
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
agreements with eligible Participants to 1. Address To Request Application
for the award of funds under the share the cost of certain overseas Package: Organizations are encouraged
program in October 2016. The MAP is marketing and promotion activities. to submit their MAP applications to
administered by personnel of the MAP Participants may receive FAS through the web-based Unified
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). assistance for generic or brand Export Strategy (UES) application. The
DATES: All applications must be promotion activities. For generic UES allows interested applicants to
received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight activities, funding priority is given to submit a single consolidated and
Time, June 3, 2016. Applications organizations that have the broadest strategically coordinated proposal that
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Apr 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_19177/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2016-04-02 03:53:00
Document Modified: 2016-04-02 03:53:00
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Dates | All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016. Applications received after this date will not be considered. | |
| Contact | Entities wishing to apply for funding assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service by courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by e-mail: [email protected] Information is also available on the FAS Web | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 19113 |
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