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Federal Register Notices
[Federal Register: July 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 137)]
[Notices]
[Page 40832-40834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jy08-38]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting
Applications for the Emerging Markets Program
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.603.
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
announces that it is inviting proposals for the
2009 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The
intended effect of this notice is to solicit
applications from the private sector and from
government agencies for FY 2009 and award funds
in October 2008. The EMP is administered by
personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
DATES: All proposals must be received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time, August 15, 2008.
Applications received after this time will be
considered only if funds are still available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities
wishing to apply for funding should contact the
Grants Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural
Service, 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)(D) 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 is designed to assist U.S. entities in
developing, maintaining, or expanding exports of
U.S. agricultural commodities and products by
providing partial funding for 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, 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/products through
generic activities.
2. Appropriate Activities: Following are illustrative of 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 that mitigate the impact of
political or economic events;
--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; and assessing and
addressing pest and disease problems that
inhibit U.S. exports;
--Short-term training in broad aspects of
agriculture and agribusiness
trade that will benefit U.S. exporters.
Examples: Retail training or
transportation/distribution seminars;
--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 or
development of market information systems;
--Assessments and follow-up activities designed
to improve country-wide food and business
systems or to determine potential use of general
export credit guarantees. Examples: Product
needs assessments and market analysis;
--Studies of food distribution channels in
emerging markets, including infrastructural
impediments to U.S. exports. Examples: Grain
storage handling and inventory systems; and
distribution infrastructure development; and
--Marketing and distribution of value-added
products. Example: Market research on the
potential for consumer-ready foods or new uses
of a product.
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. Other 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, and posters (except in
connection with specific technical assistance
activities such as training seminars.) For a
more complete description of ineligible
expenditures, 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 trade in
emerging markets through technical assistance
activities that are intended to expand or
maintain U.S. agricultural exports. Priority
consideration will also be given to proposals
that directly support or address at least one of
the goals and objectives in the USDA and FAS
Strategic Plans. The applicants' willingness to
contribute resources, including cash or 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 1 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
generally limited to 3 years and provided one
year at a time with commitments beyond the first
year subject to interim evaluations and funding
availability. Federal 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 quarterly progress reports and final
performance reports. Changes in
the original project timelines and adjustments
within project budgets must be approved by FAS.
Note: EMP funds awarded to federal government agencies must
be expended or otherwise obligated by close of
business, September 30, 2009.
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 (SRTG), profit-making entities, and
consulting businesses. Proposals from research
and
consulting organizations will be considered if
they provide evidence of substantial
participation in 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 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
(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.
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 Application Package: EMP applicants
have the opportunity to utilize the Unified
Export Strategy (UES) application process, an
on-line system which provides a means for
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.
Organizations are encouraged to submit their application to
FAS through the UES application Internet Web
site. However, applicants are not required to
use the UES format. The Internet-based format
reduces paperwork and expedites the FAS
processing and review cycle. Applicants
planning to use the on-line 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 on-line application, a printed or
e-mailed version of each proposal (using Word or
compatible format) to the following address:
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.
Applicants electing not to use the on-line system must submit
both (1) two printed copies of their application
to the address above and (2) an electronic
version to
emo@fas.usda.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be
considered for the EMP, an applicant must submit
to the FAS information required by the EMP
regulations 7 CFR part 1486. 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 issuance of a final policy (68 FR
38402) 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 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 resources in
target country/countries (e.g., under MAP and/or
Cooperator 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 applications must be
received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on
August 15, 2008, in the Grants Management
Branch. 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 also 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.
5. Other Submission Requirements and Considerations: All
Internet-based applications must be properly
submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,
August 15, 2008.
All applications on compact disc (with two accompanying paper
copies) and any other form of application must
be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,
August 15, 2008, at the following address:
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 Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20024.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria: Key criteria used in judging proposals include,
among others:
--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.
Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for additional evaluation
criteria.
2. Review and Selection Process: All applications undergo a
multi-phase review within FAS, by appropriate
FAS field offices, and as needed, by the private
sector Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets to
determine the qualifications, quality,
appropriateness of projects, and
reasonableness of project budgets.
3. Anticipated Announcement Date: EMP funding decisions are
anticipated in late summer/fall of 2008.
However, projects cannot begin before October 1,
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 levels 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.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.
3. Reporting. Quarterly progress reports for all programs 1
year or longer in duration are required.
Projects of less than 1 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 reports.
VII. Agency Contact(s)
For additional information and assistance, contact the Grants
Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
phone: (202) 720-5306, fax: (202) 690-0193,
e-mail:
emo@fas.usda.gov.
Dated: July 1, 2008.
Michael W. Yost,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and
Vice President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E8-16372 Filed 7-15-08; 8:45 am]
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