82_FR_23058 82 FR 22962 - Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

82 FR 22962 - Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 96 (May 19, 2017)

Page Range22962-22964
FR Document2017-10097

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2018 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2018 and to set out criteria for the awarding of funds under the program. The Cooperator program is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 96 (Friday, May 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 96 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22962-22964]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10097]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the 
Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 
inviting proposals for the 2018 Foreign Market Development Cooperator 
(Cooperator) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit 
applications from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2018 and to set 
out criteria for the awarding of funds under the program. 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 19, 2017. Applications received after this date will not be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants needing assistance should 
contact Curt Alt in 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 email: [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: 

A. Funding Opportunity Description

    Announcement Type: New.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600.
    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 an effective program 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.
    Funding Available: The Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended, 
provides up to $34.5 million annually for the Cooperator program. 
Actual funding available in FY 2018 may be different due to 
sequestration or other Congressional action.

B. Award Information

    Under the Cooperator program, CCC 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 purchasing in their individual capacity. The Cooperator 
program generally operates on a reimbursement basis.

[[Page 22963]]

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Organizations: 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 the design and implementation of 
activities. The Cooperator program regulations, including Sec. Sec.  
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.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Submit Application Package: Organizations should 
submit their Cooperator program applications to FAS through the web-
based Unified Export Strategy (UES) system. The UES allows applicants 
to submit a single consolidated and strategically coordinated proposal 
that incorporates requests for funding under all of the FAS market 
development programs. The suggested UES format encourages applicants to 
examine the constraints or barriers to trade that they face, 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 UES 
must first 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/.
    Applicants experiencing difficulty or otherwise needing assistance 
applying to the program 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 email: 
[email protected].
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for 
the Cooperator program, an applicant must submit to FAS information 
required by Sec.  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 (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;
    (ii) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior 
to submitting an application; 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 under consideration by CCC.
    FAS may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM 
requirements, and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time FAS is ready to make the award, FAS may 
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive the award and 
use that determination as a basis for making an award to another 
applicant.
    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 or applications that do not otherwise 
conform to this announcement or the Cooperator program regulations will 
not be accepted for review.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: All applications must be received by 
5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 19, 2017. By the application 
deadline, all Cooperator program applicants must also submit to FAS a 
signed certification statement as specified in 7 CFR 1484.20(a)(14). 
The completed certification statements can be sent via courier/delivery 
service 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. Applicants can 
also send a scanned copy of the signed certification statement via 
email to: [email protected]. Applications or certifications 
received after the deadline 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 Sec. Sec.  1484.54 and 1484.55 of the Cooperator program 
regulations.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria and Review and Selection Process: A description of the 
FAS process for reviewing applications and the criteria for allocating 
available Cooperator program funds is as follows:

(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 Sec. Sec.  1484.14 and 
1484.20 of the Cooperator program regulations as well as in this 
Notice. Applications that meet the requirements 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 Sec.  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

[[Page 22964]]

criteria as appropriate (the number in parentheses represents the 
percentage weight factor):
    (a) Applicant's Contribution Level (40): The applicant's 6-year 
average share (2013-2018) of all contributions under the Cooperator 
program compared to the applicant's 6-year average share (2013-2018) of 
the funding level for all Cooperator program participants.
    (b) Past U.S. Export Performance (20): The 6-year average share 
(2012-2017) of the value of U.S. exports promoted by the applicant 
compared to the applicant's 6-year average share (2012-2017) of the 
funding level for all Cooperator participants plus, for those groups 
participating in the MAP program, the 6-year average share (2012-2017) 
of all MAP budgets.
    (c) Past Demand Expansion Performance (20): The 6-year average 
share (2012-2017) of the total value of world trade of the commodities 
promoted by the applicant compared to the applicant's 6-year average 
share (2012-2017) of all Cooperator program expenditures plus, for 
those groups participating in the MAP program, a 6-year average share 
(2012-2017) of all MAP expenditures.
    (d) Future Demand Expansion Goals (10): The total dollar value of 
projected world trade of the commodities being promoted by the 
applicant for the year 2023 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 2016 as reported in the 2018 Cooperator 
program application compared to the projection of world trade of the 
commodities being promoted by the applicant for 2016 as specified in 
the applicant's 2013 Cooperator program application.
    The Commodity Branches' recommended funding levels for each 
applicant are adjusted by each weight factor as described above to 
determine the amount of funds allocated to each applicant.
    In addition, FAS, prior to making a Federal award with a total 
amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition 
threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the 
applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system 
accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An 
applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated 
integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on 
any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously 
entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance 
system accessible through SAM. FAS will consider any comments by the 
applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated 
integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 
applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under 
Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants 
as described in 2 CFR 200.205 ``Federal awarding agency review of risk 
posed by applicants.''
    2. Anticipated Announcement Date: Announcements of funding 
decisions for the Cooperator program are anticipated during October 
2017.

F. 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 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.
    3. Reporting: FAS requires various reports and evaluations from 
Cooperators. Reporting requirements are detailed in the Cooperator 
program regulations in Sec. Sec.  1484.53, 1484.70, and 1484.72.

G. 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 email: [email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC, on May 12, 2017.
Holly Higgins,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Acting Vice 
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2017-10097 Filed 5-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-10-P



                                                    22962                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                       • Completeness and Viability of the                  1486 and are provided in the Project                     Authority: The Cooperator program is
                                                    proposal, including evidence that the                   Agreement.                                            authorized by Title VII of the
                                                    organization has the knowledge,                                                                               Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as
                                                                                                            G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
                                                    expertise, ability, and resources to                                                                          amended. Cooperator program
                                                    successfully implement the project, the                   For additional information and                      regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1484.
                                                    entity’s willingness to contribute                      assistance, contact the Program
                                                                                                            Operations Division, Office of Trade                     Purpose: The Cooperator program is
                                                    resources to the project, and the                                                                             designed to create, expand, and
                                                    applicant’s reported past EMP results                   Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
                                                                                                            U.S. Department of Agriculture by                     maintain foreign markets for U.S.
                                                    and evaluations, if applicable. (20%).
                                                                                                            courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence                 agricultural commodities and products
                                                       2. Review and Selection Process: All                                                                       through cost-share assistance. Financial
                                                    proposals will undergo a multi-phase                    Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by
                                                                                                            phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202)               assistance under the Cooperator
                                                    review within FAS, by appropriate FAS
                                                                                                            720–9361, or by email: podadmin@                      program will be made available on a
                                                    field offices, and, as needed, by the
                                                                                                            fas.usda.gov.                                         competitive basis and applications will
                                                    private sector Advisory Committee on
                                                                                                                                                                  be reviewed against the evaluation
                                                    Emerging Markets to rate the                              Signed at Washington, DC, on May 12,
                                                                                                            2017.                                                 criteria contained herein and in the
                                                    qualifications, quality, and
                                                                                                            Holly Higgins,                                        Cooperator program regulations. All
                                                    appropriateness of projects and the
                                                    reasonableness of project budgets.                      Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
                                                                                                                                                                  U.S. agricultural commodities, except
                                                                                                            Service, and Acting Vice President,                   tobacco, are eligible for consideration.
                                                       In addition, FAS, prior to making a
                                                    Federal award with a total amount of                    Commodity Credit Corporation.                            FAS allocates funds in a manner that
                                                    Federal share greater than the simplified               [FR Doc. 2017–10105 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am]           effectively supports the strategic
                                                    acquisition threshold, is required to                   BILLING CODE 3410–10–P                                decision-making initiatives of the
                                                    review and consider any information                                                                           Government Performance and Results
                                                    about the applicant that is in the                                                                            Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding
                                                    designated integrity and performance                    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                             whether a proposed project will
                                                    system accessible through SAM                                                                                 contribute to the effective creation,
                                                                                                            Commodity Credit Corporation
                                                    (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).                                                                      expansion, or maintenance of foreign
                                                    An applicant, at its option, may review                 Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting                markets, FAS considers whether the
                                                    information in the designated integrity                 Applications for the Foreign Market                   applicant provides a clear, long-term
                                                    and performance systems accessible                      Development Cooperator Program                        agricultural trade strategy and an
                                                    through SAM and comment on any                                                                                effective program time line against
                                                    information about itself that a Federal                 SUMMARY:    The Commodity Credit                      which results can be measured at
                                                    awarding agency previously entered and                  Corporation (CCC) announces that it is                specific intervals using quantifiable
                                                    is currently in the designated integrity                inviting proposals for the 2018 Foreign               product or country goals. FAS also
                                                    and performance system accessible                       Market Development Cooperator                         considers the extent to which a
                                                    through SAM. FAS will consider any                      (Cooperator) program. The intended                    proposed project targets markets with
                                                    comments by the applicant, in addition                  effect of this notice is to solicit                   the greatest growth potential. These
                                                    to the other information in the                         applications from eligible applicants for             factors are part of the FAS resource
                                                    designated integrity and performance                    fiscal year 2018 and to set out criteria              allocation strategy to fund applicants
                                                    system, in making a judgment about the                  for the awarding of funds under the                   who can demonstrate performance and
                                                    applicant’s integrity, business ethics,                 program. The Cooperator program is                    address the objectives of the GPRA.
                                                    and record of performance under                         administered by personnel of the
                                                    Federal awards when completing the                      Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).                      Funding Available: The Agricultural
                                                    review of risk posed by applicants as                   DATES: All applications must be                       Trade Act of 1978, as amended,
                                                    described in 2 CFR 200.205 ‘‘Federal                    received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight                   provides up to $34.5 million annually
                                                    awarding agency review of risk posed by                 Time, June 19, 2017. Applications                     for the Cooperator program. Actual
                                                    applicants.’’                                           received after this date will not be                  funding available in FY 2018 may be
                                                                                                            considered.                                           different due to sequestration or other
                                                    F. Federal Award Administration                                                                               Congressional action.
                                                    Information                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                            Applicants needing assistance should                  B. Award Information
                                                      1. Award Notices: FAS will notify                     contact Curt Alt in the Program
                                                    each applicant in writing of the final                  Operations Division, Office of Trade                    Under the Cooperator program, CCC
                                                    disposition of the submitted proposal.                  Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service                enters into agreements with eligible
                                                    FAS will send an approval letter and                    by courier: Room 6512, 1400                           nonprofit U.S. trade organizations to
                                                    project agreement to each approved                      Independence Ave. SW., Washington,                    share the cost of certain overseas
                                                    applicant. The approval letter and                      DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,                marketing and promotion activities.
                                                    agreement will specify the terms and                    or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:               Funding priority is given to
                                                    conditions applicable to the project,                   uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is                 organizations that have the broadest
                                                    including the levels of EMP funding and                 also available on the FAS Web site at                 possible producer representation of the
                                                    cost-share contribution requirements.                                                                         commodity being promoted and that are
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                                                                                                            the following URL address: http://
                                                      2. Administrative and National Policy                 www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-                    nationwide in membership and scope.
                                                    Requirements: Interested parties should                 market-development-program-fmd.                       Cooperators may receive assistance only
                                                    review the EMP regulations, which are                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            for generic activities that do not involve
                                                    available at the following URL address:                                                                       promotions targeted directly to
                                                    http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/                       A. Funding Opportunity Description                    consumers purchasing in their
                                                    emerging-markets-program-emp.                             Announcement Type: New.                             individual capacity. The Cooperator
                                                      3. Reporting. Program reporting                         Catalog of Federal Domestic                         program generally operates on a
                                                    requirements are detailed in 7 CFR part                 Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600.                     reimbursement basis.


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                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices                                            22963

                                                    C. Eligibility Information                              to the program should contact the                     Eastern Daylight Time, June 19, 2017.
                                                       1. Eligible Organizations: To                        Program Operations Division, Office of                By the application deadline, all
                                                    participate in the Cooperator program,                  Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural                  Cooperator program applicants must
                                                    an applicant must be a nonprofit U.S.                   Service by courier: Room 6512, 1400                   also submit to FAS a signed certification
                                                    agricultural trade organization.                        Independence Ave. SW., Washington,                    statement as specified in 7 CFR
                                                       2. Cost-Sharing: To participate in the               DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,                1484.20(a)(14). The completed
                                                    Cooperator program, an applicant must                   or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:               certification statements can be sent via
                                                    agree to contribute resources to its                    uesadmin@fas.usda.gov.                                courier/delivery service to the Program
                                                    proposed promotional activities. The                       2. Content and Form of Application                 Operations Division, Office of Trade
                                                    Cooperator program is intended to                       Submission: To be considered for the                  Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
                                                    supplement, not supplant, the efforts of                Cooperator program, an applicant must                 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room
                                                    the U.S. private sector. The contribution               submit to FAS information required by                 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
                                                    must be at least 50 percent of the value                § 1484.20 of the Cooperator program                   Washington, DC 20250. Applicants can
                                                    of resources provided by CCC for                        regulations. In addition, in accordance               also send a scanned copy of the signed
                                                    activities conducted under the project                  with the Office of Management and                     certification statement via email to:
                                                    agreement.                                              Budget’s policy (68 FR 38402 (June 27,                uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Applications
                                                       The degree of commitment of an                       2003)) regarding the need to identify                 or certifications received after the
                                                    applicant to the promotional strategies                 entities that are receiving government                deadline will not be considered.
                                                    contained in its application, as                        awards, all applicants must submit a                    4. Funding Restrictions: Certain types
                                                    represented by the cost-share                           Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal                     of expenses are not eligible for
                                                    contributions specified therein, is                     Numbering System (DUNS) number. An                    reimbursement by the program, and
                                                    considered by FAS when determining                      applicant may request a DUNS number                   there are limits on other categories of
                                                    which applications will be approved for                 at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-             expenses. CCC also will not reimburse
                                                    funding. Cost-share may be actual cash                  free DUNS number request line at (866)                unreasonable expenditures or
                                                    invested or in-kind contributions, such                 705–5711.                                             expenditures made prior to approval.
                                                    as professional staff time spent on the                    In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR              Full details are available in §§ 1484.54
                                                    design and implementation of activities.                part 25, each entity that applies to the              and 1484.55 of the Cooperator program
                                                    The Cooperator program regulations,                     Cooperator program and does not                       regulations.
                                                    including §§ 1484.50 and 1484.51,                       qualify for an exemption under 2 CFR
                                                                                                                                                                  E. Application Review Information
                                                    provide detailed discussion of eligible                 25.110 must:
                                                    and ineligible cost-share contributions.                   (i) Provide a valid DUNS number in                   1. Criteria and Review and Selection
                                                       3. Other: Applications should include                each application;                                     Process: A description of the FAS
                                                    a justification for funding assistance                     (ii) Be registered in the System for               process for reviewing applications and
                                                    from the program—an explanation as to                   Award Management (SAM) prior to                       the criteria for allocating available
                                                    what specifically could not be                          submitting an application; and                        Cooperator program funds is as follows:
                                                    accomplished without federal funding                       (iii) Continue to maintain an active
                                                                                                            SAM registration with current                         (1) Phase 1—Sufficiency Review and
                                                    assistance and why participating                                                                              FAS Divisional Review
                                                    organization(s) are unlikely to carry out               information at all times during which it
                                                    the project without such assistance.                    has an active Federal award or an                        Applications received by the closing
                                                                                                            application under consideration by                    date will be reviewed by FAS to
                                                    D. Application and Submission                           CCC.                                                  determine the eligibility of the
                                                    Information                                                FAS may not make an award to an                    applicants and the completeness of the
                                                       1. Address to Submit Application                     applicant until the applicant has                     applications. These requirements appear
                                                    Package: Organizations should submit                    complied with all applicable unique                   in §§ 1484.14 and 1484.20 of the
                                                    their Cooperator program applications                   entity identifier and SAM requirements,               Cooperator program regulations as well
                                                    to FAS through the web-based Unified                    and, if an applicant has not fully                    as in this Notice. Applications that meet
                                                    Export Strategy (UES) system. The UES                   complied with the requirements by the                 the requirements will be further
                                                    allows applicants to submit a single                    time FAS is ready to make the award,                  evaluated by the appropriate
                                                    consolidated and strategically                          FAS may determine that the applicant is               Commodity Branch office of FAS’
                                                    coordinated proposal that incorporates                  not qualified to receive the award and                Cooperator Programs Division. The
                                                    requests for funding under all of the                   use that determination as a basis for                 Commodity Branch will review each
                                                    FAS market development programs. The                    making an award to another applicant.                 application against the criteria listed in
                                                    suggested UES format encourages                            Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR                § 1484.21 of the Cooperator program
                                                    applicants to examine the constraints or                part 170, each entity that applies to the             regulations. The purpose of this review
                                                    barriers to trade that they face, identify              Cooperator program and does not                       is to identify meritorious proposals. The
                                                    activities that would help overcome                     qualify for an exception under 2 CFR                  Commodity Branch then recommends
                                                    such impediments, consider the entire                   170.110(b) must ensure it has the                     an appropriate funding level for each
                                                    pool of complementary marketing tools                   necessary processes and systems in                    application for consideration by the
                                                    and program resources, and establish                    place to comply with the applicable                   Office of the Deputy Administrator,
                                                    realistic export goals. Applicants                      reporting requirements of 2 CFR part                  Office of Trade Programs.
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                                                    planning to use the UES must first                      170 should it receive funding under the
                                                                                                                                                                  (2) Phase 2—Competitive Review
                                                    contact FAS’ Program Operations                         Cooperator program.
                                                    Division to obtain site access                             Incomplete applications or                           Meritorious applications are passed
                                                    information. The web-based application                  applications that do not otherwise                    on to the Office of the Deputy
                                                    may be found at the following URL                       conform to this announcement or the                   Administrator, Office of Trade
                                                    address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/                  Cooperator program regulations will not               Programs, for the purpose of allocating
                                                    webapp/.                                                be accepted for review.                               available funds among those applicants.
                                                       Applicants experiencing difficulty or                   3. Submission Dates and Times: All                 Applicants will compete for funds on
                                                    otherwise needing assistance applying                   applications must be received by 5 p.m.               the basis of the following allocation


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                                                    22964                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 96 / Friday, May 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                    criteria as appropriate (the number in                  awarding agency previously entered and                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                    parentheses represents the percentage                   is currently in the designated integrity
                                                    weight factor):                                         and performance system accessible                     Commodity Credit Corporation
                                                      (a) Applicant’s Contribution Level                    through SAM. FAS will consider any
                                                    (40): The applicant’s 6-year average                    comments by the applicant, in addition                Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting
                                                    share (2013–2018) of all contributions                  to the other information in the                       Applications for the Market Access
                                                    under the Cooperator program                                                                                  Program
                                                                                                            designated integrity and performance
                                                    compared to the applicant’s 6-year                      system, in making a judgment about the                SUMMARY:    The Commodity Credit
                                                    average share (2013–2018) of the                        applicant’s integrity, business ethics,               Corporation (CCC) announces that it is
                                                    funding level for all Cooperator program                and record of performance under                       inviting applications for the 2018
                                                    participants.                                           Federal awards when completing the                    Market Access Program (MAP). The
                                                      (b) Past U.S. Export Performance (20):                                                                      intended effect of this notice is to solicit
                                                                                                            review of risk posed by applicants as
                                                    The 6-year average share (2012–2017) of                                                                       proposals from eligible applicants for
                                                                                                            described in 2 CFR 200.205 ‘‘Federal
                                                    the value of U.S. exports promoted by                                                                         fiscal year 2018 and to set out the
                                                                                                            awarding agency review of risk posed by
                                                    the applicant compared to the                                                                                 criteria for the awarding of funds under
                                                    applicant’s 6-year average share (2012–                 applicants.’’
                                                                                                               2. Anticipated Announcement Date:                  the program. The MAP is administered
                                                    2017) of the funding level for all
                                                                                                                                                                  by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural
                                                    Cooperator participants plus, for those                 Announcements of funding decisions
                                                                                                                                                                  Service (FAS).
                                                    groups participating in the MAP                         for the Cooperator program are
                                                                                                            anticipated during October 2017.                      DATES: All applications must be
                                                    program, the 6-year average share
                                                    (2012–2017) of all MAP budgets.                                                                               received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight
                                                      (c) Past Demand Expansion                             F. Award Administration Information                   Time, June 19, 2017. Applications
                                                    Performance (20): The 6-year average                                                                          received after this date will not be
                                                                                                              1. Award Notices: FAS will notify                   considered.
                                                    share (2012–2017) of the total value of                 each applicant in writing of the final
                                                    world trade of the commodities                          disposition of its application. FAS will              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    promoted by the applicant compared to                                                                         Applicants needing assistance should
                                                                                                            send an approval letter and project
                                                    the applicant’s 6-year average share                                                                          contact Curt Alt in the Program
                                                                                                            agreement to each approved applicant.
                                                    (2012–2017) of all Cooperator program                                                                         Operations Division, Office of Trade
                                                                                                            The approval letter and project
                                                    expenditures plus, for those groups                                                                           Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service
                                                                                                            agreement will specify the terms and
                                                    participating in the MAP program, a 6-                                                                        by courier: Room 6512, 1400
                                                    year average share (2012–2017) of all                   conditions applicable to the project,
                                                                                                                                                                  Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
                                                    MAP expenditures.                                       including the levels of Cooperator
                                                                                                                                                                  DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,
                                                      (d) Future Demand Expansion Goals                     program funding and cost-share
                                                                                                                                                                  or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:
                                                    (10): The total dollar value of projected               contribution requirements.
                                                                                                                                                                  uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is
                                                    world trade of the commodities being                      2. Administrative and National Policy               also available on the FAS Web site at
                                                    promoted by the applicant for the year                  Requirements: Interested parties should               the following URL address: http://
                                                    2023 compared to the applicant’s                        review the Cooperator program                         www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market-
                                                    requested funding level.                                regulations, which are available at the               access-program-map.
                                                      (e) Accuracy of Past Demand                           following URL address: http://                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    Expansion Projections (10): The actual                  www.fas.usda.gov/programs/foreign-
                                                    dollar value share of world trade of the                market-development-program-fmd.                       A. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                    commodities being promoted by the                                                                                Announcement Type: New.
                                                                                                              3. Reporting: FAS requires various
                                                    applicant for the year 2016 as reported                                                                          Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                    in the 2018 Cooperator program                          reports and evaluations from
                                                                                                                                                                  Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.601.
                                                    application compared to the projection                  Cooperators. Reporting requirements are                  Authority: The MAP is authorized
                                                    of world trade of the commodities being                 detailed in the Cooperator program                    under Section 203 of the Agricultural
                                                    promoted by the applicant for 2016 as                   regulations in §§ 1484.53, 1484.70, and               Trade Act of 1978, as amended. MAP
                                                    specified in the applicant’s 2013                       1484.72.                                              regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1485.
                                                    Cooperator program application.                         G. Agency Contact(s)                                     Purpose: The MAP is designed to
                                                      The Commodity Branches’                                                                                     create, expand, and maintain foreign
                                                    recommended funding levels for each                       For additional information and                      markets for U.S. agricultural
                                                    applicant are adjusted by each weight                   assistance, contact the Program                       commodities and products through cost-
                                                    factor as described above to determine                  Operations Division, Office of Trade                  share assistance. Financial assistance
                                                    the amount of funds allocated to each                   Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,               under the MAP is made available on a
                                                    applicant.                                              U.S. Department of Agriculture by                     competitive basis, and applications are
                                                      In addition, FAS, prior to making a                   courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence                 reviewed against the evaluation criteria
                                                    Federal award with a total amount of                    Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by                 contained herein and in the MAP
                                                    Federal share greater than the simplified               phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202)               regulations. All U.S. agricultural
                                                    acquisition threshold, is required to                   720–9361, or by email: uesadmin@                      commodities, except tobacco, are
                                                    review and consider any information                     fas.usda.gov.                                         eligible for consideration.
                                                    about the applicant that is in the                                                                               FAS allocates funds in a manner that
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                              Signed at Washington, DC, on May 12,
                                                    designated integrity and performance                                                                          effectively supports the strategic
                                                                                                            2017.
                                                    system accessible through SAM                                                                                 decision-making initiatives of the
                                                    (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).                Holly Higgins,                                        Government Performance and Results
                                                    An applicant, at its option, may review                 Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural            Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding
                                                    information in the designated integrity                 Service, and Acting Vice President,                   whether a proposed project will
                                                    and performance systems accessible                      Commodity Credit Corporation.                         contribute to the effective creation,
                                                    through SAM and comment on any                          [FR Doc. 2017–10097 Filed 5–18–17; 8:45 am]           expansion, or maintenance of foreign
                                                    information about itself that a Federal                 BILLING CODE 3410–10–P                                markets, FAS considers whether the


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Document Created: 2018-11-08 08:47:42
Document Modified: 2018-11-08 08:47:42
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
DatesAll applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 19, 2017. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
ContactApplicants needing assistance should contact Curt Alt in 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 email: [email protected] Information is also available on the FAS Web site at the following URL
FR Citation82 FR 22962 

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