|
|
|
Federal Register Notices
[Federal Register: January 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 16)]
[Notices]
[Page 4172-4175]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja08-48]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting
Applications for the Emerging Markets Program
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
announces the availability of funding for the
Emerging Markets Program (EMP) for fiscal year
(FY) 2008. The intended effect of this notice is
to solicit applications from the private sector
and from government agencies for FY 2008 and
award funds in early 2008. The EMP is
administered by personnel of the Foreign
Agricultural Service (FAS).
DATES: All proposals must be received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time February 25, 2008.
Applications received after this time will not
be considered.
Note: Another notice regarding the availability
of FY 2009 EMP funds will be published later
this year.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities
wishing to apply for funding should contact the
Grants Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural
Service, Portals Office Building, Suite 400,
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024,
phone: (202) 720-5306, fax: (202) 690-0193, e-
mail:
emo@fas.usda.gov. Information is also
available on the Foreign Agricultural Service
Web site at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: The EMP is authorized by section 1542(d)(1) of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation
and Trade Act of 1990 (The Act), as amended. The
EMP regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1486.
1. Purpose: The EMP assists U.S. entities in developing,
maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S.
agricultural commodities and products by funding
technical assistance activities that promote
U.S. products in emerging foreign markets. The
Program is intended primarily to support export
market development efforts of the private
sector, but program resources may also be used
to assist public organizations.
All U.S. agricultural commodities and products, except
tobacco, are eligible for consideration.
Agricultural product(s) should be comprised of
at least 50 percent U.S. origin content by
weight, exclusive of added water, to be eligible
for funding. Proposals which seek support for
multiple commodities are also eligible. EMP
funding may only be used to support exports of
U.S. agricultural commodities and products
through generic activities.
2. Appropriate Activities: Following are the types of project
activities that may be considered for funding
under the EMP:
--Projects designed specifically to improve
market access in emerging foreign markets.
Example: Activities intended to mitigate the
impact of political or economic events in order
to maintain U.S. market share;
--Marketing and distribution of value-added
products. Examples: Market research on the
potential for consumer-ready foods; new uses of
a product;
--Studies of food distribution channels in
emerging markets, including infrastructural
impediments to U.S. exports. Examples: Grain
storage handling and inventory systems;
distribution infrastructure development;
--Projects that specifically address various
constraints to U.S. exports, including sanitary
and phytosanitary issues and other non-tariff
barriers. Examples: Seminars on U.S. food safety
standards and regulations; assessing and
addressing pest and disease problems that
inhibit U.S. exports;
--Assessments and follow up activities designed
to improve country-wide food and business
systems, and to determine potential use of
general export credit guarantees. Example:
Product needs assessments and market analysis;
--Projects that help foreign governments collect
and use market information and develop free
trade policies that benefit U.S. exporters as
well as the target country or countries.
Examples: Agricultural statistical analysis;
development of market information systems; and
--Short-term training in broad aspects of
agriculture and agribusiness
trade that will benefit U.S. exporters.
Examples: Retail training; transportation and
distribution seminars.
EMP funds may not be used to support normal operating costs
of individual organizations, nor as a source to
recover pre-award costs or prior expenses from
previous or ongoing projects. Proposals that
counter national strategies or duplicate
activities planned or already underway by U.S.
non-profit agricultural commodity or trade
associations (``cooperator'') organizations will
not be considered. Ineligible expenditures
include branded product promotions (in-store,
restaurant advertising, labeling, etc.);
advertising; administrative and operational
expenses for trade shows; Web site development;
equipment purchases; and the preparation and
printing of brochures,
flyers, posters (except in connection with
specific technical assistance activities such as
training seminars). For a more complete
description of ineligible activities, please
refer to the EMP
Regulations.
3. Eligible Markets: The Act defines an emerging market as
any country that the Secretary of
Agriculture determines:
(a) Is taking steps toward developing a market-oriented
economy through the food, agriculture,
or rural business sectors of the economy of the
country; and
(b) Has the potential to provide a viable and significant
market for United States agricultural
commodities or products of United States
agricultural commodities.
Because EMP funds are limited and the range of potential
emerging market countries is worldwide,
consideration will be given to proposals that
target countries or regional groups with per
capita income of less than $11,115 (the current
ceiling on upper middle income economies as
determined by the World Bank [World Development
Indicators; July 2007,
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS])
and populations of greater than 1 million.
Income limits and their calculation can change from year to
year with the result that a given country may
qualify under the legislative and administrative
criteria one year but not the next. Therefore,
CCC has not established a fixed list of
``emerging market'' countries.
A few countries technically qualify as emerging markets but
may require a separate determination before
funding can be considered because of political
sensitivities.
II. Award Information
In general, all qualified proposals received before the
application deadline will compete for EMP
funding. Priority consideration will be given to
proposals that identify and seek to address
specific problems or constraints to agricultural
exports in emerging markets through technical
assistance activities that are intended to
expand or maintain U.S. agricultural exports.
The applicants' willingness to contribute
resources, including cash, goods and services
will be a critical factor
in determining which proposals are funded under
the EMP. Proposals will also be judged on the
potential benefits to the industry represented
by the applicant and the degree to which the
proposal demonstrates industry support.
The limited funds and the range of eligible emerging markets
worldwide generally preclude CCC from approving
large budgets for individual projects. While
there is no minimum or maximum amount set for
EMP-funded projects, most projects are funded at
a level of less than $500,000 and for a duration
of approximately one year. Private entities may
submit multi-year proposals requesting higher
levels of funding that may be considered in the
context of a detailed strategic
implementation plan. Funding in such cases is
normally provided one year at a time with
commitments beyond the first year subject to
interim evaluations and funding availability.
Government entities are not eligible for
multi-year funding.
Funding for successful proposals will be provided through
specific agreements. The CCC, through FAS, will
be kept informed of the implementation of
approved projects through the requirement to
provide regular progress reports and final
performance reports. Changes in the
original project timelines and adjustments
within project budgets must be approved by FAS.
EMP funds awarded to federal government agencies
must be expended or otherwise obligated by COB
September 30, 2008.
III. Eligibility and Qualification Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Any United States private or
government entity with a demonstrated role or
interest in exports of U.S. agricultural
commodities or products may apply to the
program.
Government entities consist of Federal, State,
and local agencies. Private entities include
non-profit trade associations, universities,
agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade
groups, and profit-making entities and
consulting businesses. Proposals from research
and consulting organizations will be considered
if they provide evidence of substantial
participation and financial support from the
U.S. industry. For-profit entities are also
eligible but may not use program funds to
conduct private business, promote private
self-interests, supplement the costs of normal
sales activities, or promote their own products
or services beyond specific uses approved by CCC
in a given project.
U.S. market development cooperators and state regional trade
groups (SRTGs) may seek funding to address
priority, market specific issues and to
undertake activities not suitable for funding
under other marketing programs, e.g., the
Foreign Market Development (Cooperator)
Program and the Market Access Program (MAP).
Foreign organizations, whether government or
private, may participate as third parties in
activities carried out by U.S. organizations,
but are not eligible for funding assistance from
the program.
2. Cost Sharing. No private sector proposal will be
considered without the element of cost-share
from the applicant and/or U.S. partners. The EMP
is intended to complement, not supplant, the
efforts of the U.S. private sector. There is no
minimum or maximum amount of cost share, though
the range in recent successful proposals has
been between 35 and 75 percent. The degree of
commitment to a proposed project, represented by
the amount and type of private funding, is used
in determining which proposals will be approved
for funding. Cost-share may be actual cash
invested or professional time of staff assigned
to the project. Proposals for which private
industry is willing to commit cash, rather than
in-kind contributions such as staff resources,
will be given priority consideration.
Cost-sharing is not required for proposals from U.S. federal,
state or local government agencies, but is
mandatory for all other eligible entities, even
when they may be party to a joint proposal with
a U.S. government agency. Contributions from
USDA or other U.S. government
agencies or programs may not be counted toward
the stated cost share requirement. Similarly,
contributions from foreign (non-U.S.)
organizations may not be counted toward the cost
share requirement, but may be counted in the
total cost of the project.
3. Other. Proposals should include a justification for
funding assistance from the program--an
explanation as to what specifically could not be
accomplished without federal funding assistance
and why the participating organization(s) would
be unlikely to carry out the project without
such assistance. Applicants may submit more than
one proposal.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Package. EMP applicants may use the
Unified Export Strategy (UES) application
process, an online system which allows
interested applicants to submit a consolidated
and strategically coordinated single proposal
that incorporates funding requests for any or
all of the market development programs
administered by FAS.
Applicants are not required to use the UES, but are strongly
encouraged to do so because it reduces paperwork
and expedites the FAS processing and review
cycle. Applicants planning to use the online UES
system must contact the Program Policy Staff at
(202) 720-4327 to obtain site access information
including a user id and password. The
Internet-based application, including
step-by-step instructions for its use, is
located at the following URL address:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/cooperators.html. A
Help file is available to assist applicants with
the process. Applicants using the online system
should also provide, promptly after the deadline
for submitting the online application, a printed
or e-mailed version of each proposal (using Word
or compatible format) to one of the following
addresses:
Hand Delivery (including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S.
Department of Agriculture,
Foreign Agricultural Service, Grants Management
Branch, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
U.S. Postal Delivery: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Foreign Agricultural Service, Grants Management
Branch, STOP 1042, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-1042.
Applicants electing not to use the online system must submit
both (1) a printed copy of their application to
the addresses above and (2) an electronic
version to the e-mail address above.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. It is highly
recommenced that any organization considering
applying to the program first obtain a copy of
the EMP Regulations. The regulations contain
information on requirements that a proposal meet
to be considered for funding under the program,
along with other important information. EMP
regulations and additional information are
available at the following URL address:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.
In addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's policy directive regarding the use of a
universal identifier for all Federal grants or
cooperative agreements, all applicants must
submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS)
number prior to submitting applications. An
applicant may request a DUNS number at no cost
by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number
request line on 1-866-705-5711.
Applications should be no longer than ten (10) pages and
include the following information:
(a) Date of proposal;
(b) Name of organization submitting proposal;
(c) Organization address, telephone and fax numbers;
(d) Tax ID number;
(e) DUNS number;
(f) Primary contact person;
(g) Full title of proposal;
(h) Target market(s);
(i) Current conditions in the target market(s) affecting the
intended commodity or product;
(j) Description of problem(s), i.e., constraint(s), to be
addressed by the project, such as inadequate
knowledge of the market, insufficient trade
contacts, lack of awareness by foreign officials
of U.S. products and business practices,
impediments (infrastructure, financing,
regulatory or other non-tariff barriers), etc.;
(k) Project objectives;
(l) Performance measures: benchmarks for quantifying progress
in meeting the objectives;
(m) Rationale: Explanation of the underlying reasons for the
project proposal and its approach, the
anticipated benefits, and any additional
pertinent analysis;
(n) Clear demonstration that successful implementation will
benefit a particular industry as a whole, not
just the applicant(s);
(o) Explanation as to what specifically could not be
accomplished without federal funding assistance
and why the participating organization(s) would
be unlikely to carry out the project without
such assistance;
(p) Specific description of activity/activities to be
undertaken;
(q) Timeline(s) for implementation of activity, including
start and end dates;
(r) Information on whether similar activities are or have
previously been funded with USDA sources in
target country/countries (e.g., under MAP and/or
FMD programs); and
(s) Detailed line item activity budget. Cost items should be
allocated separately to each participating
organization. Expense items constituting a
proposed activity's overall budget (e.g.,
salaries, travel expenses, consultant fees,
administrative costs, etc.), with a line item
cost for each, should be listed, clearly
indicating:
(1) Which items are to be covered by EMP funding;
(2) Which by the participating U.S. organization(s); and
(3) Which by foreign third parties (if applicable).
Cost items for individual consultant fees should show
calculation of daily rate and number of days.
Cost items for travel expenses should show
number of trips, destinations, cost, and
objective for each trip. Qualifications of
applicant(s) should be included as an
attachment.
3. Submission Dates and Times. All proposals must be received
by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on [insert date
30 days after day of publication], in the Grants
Management Branch, either electronically, hand
delivered, or by mail. Proposals received after
this date and time will not be reviewed or
considered for program funding.
4. Funding Restrictions. Certain types of expenses are not
eligible for reimbursement by the program, and
there are limits on other categories of expenses
such as indirect overhead charges, travel
expenses and consulting fees. CCC will not
reimburse unreasonable expenditures or
expenditures made prior to approval of a
proposal. Full details of the funding
restrictions are available in the EMP
regulations.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. Key criteria used in judging proposals include:
--Appropriateness of the activities for the
targeted market(s) and the extent to which the
project identifies market barriers, e.g., a
fundamental deficiency in the market, and/or a
recent change in market conditions;
--Potential of the project to expand U.S. market
share, increase U.S. exports or sales, and/or
improve awareness of U.S. agricultural
commodities and products;
--Quality of the project's performance measures
and the degree to which they relate to the
objectives, deliverables, and proposed approach
and activities;
--Justification for federal funding;
--Overall cost of the project and the amount of
funding provided by the applicant and any
partners; and
--Evidence that the organization has the
knowledge, expertise, ability, and resources to
successfully implement the project.
Additional evaluation criteria are discussed in
the EMP regulations.
2. Review and Selection Process. All applications undergo a
multi-phase review within FAS, including
appropriate FAS overseas offices, and by the
private sector Advisory Committee on Emerging
Markets to determine the qualifications, quality
and appropriateness of projects,
and reasonableness of project budgets.
3. Anticipated Announcement Date. EMP funding decisions will
be announced in the spring of 2008.
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 agreement will specify the
terms and conditions applicable to the project,
including the level of EMP funding and
cost-share contribution requirements.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
Interested parties should review the EMP
regulations which are available at the following
URL address:
http://www.fas.usda/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.
3. Reporting. Quarterly progress reports for all programs one
year or longer in duration are required.
Projects of less than one year generally require
a mid-term progress report. Final performance
reports are due 90 days after completion of each
project. Content requirements
for both types of reports are contained in the
Project Agreement. Final financial reports are
also due 90 days after completion of each
project as attachments to the final performance
report.
VII. Agency Contact(s)
For additional information and assistance, contact the Grants
Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agricultural, Portals Office
Building, Suite 400, Stop 1042, 1250 Maryland
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, phone: (202)
720-5306, fax: (202)
690-0193, e-mail:
emo@fas.usda.gov.
Signed at Washington, DC, on January 17,
2008.
W. Kirk Miller,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
Service and Vice President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 08-238 Filed 1-23-08; 8:45 am]
|
|
|