Information for New FPS Customers
Scope of Services
FPS is a self-supporting public service department of the University of California, with none of the teaching or research functions associated with many UC academic departments. As such, FPS is like a small, specialized business within the University whose primary activity is the distribution of plant material and provision of testing services to commercial nurseries. FPS does not conduct research or maintain performance or evaluative information about the materials in its collection, and does not make horticultural recommendations. Please consult the resources identified on the Web site for each crop area for information and advice in these areas. FPS is set up mainly to provide small quantities of elite propagating material to nurseries, who then increase materials to commercial quantities. We do not maintain, and are not generally able to supply, very large numbers of cuttings, plants or seed. It is normally necessary to purchase from a commercial nursery if you are looking for very large quantities of propagating material. Also, FPS generally collects and distributes only propagating material for which formal orders have been submitted, and does not maintain a standing inventory of materials available for "off the shelf" purchase. For some materials like mist propagated grape plants, particularly for new selections and varieties that are in short supply, there can be a significant wait to receive materials. As part of the planning for your planting, it is important to investigate the lead time required to receive the materials you desire.
All materials maintained in the FPS collection have passed carefully selected tests for specific target virus diseases. Foundation-level (or "registered") materials are tested in accordance with the indexing tests and technologies prescribed in California Department of Food & Agriculture registration and certification program regulations. All foundation-level materials have tested negative on CDFA-prescribed tests.
Prices
Because of the high cost of maintaining a specialized collection of premium disease-tested materials, you will notice that prices for FPS material are higher than material that can be obtained from commercial nurseries. Minimum order charges are set for each crop to enable FPS to recover base-level administrative and processing costs which are incurred even for very small orders. Because our program is supported primarily by the California nursery industry and supplemented in some measure by the University of California, some costs will be higher for material going out of state, and significant surcharges or minimum order charges apply to most orders going to customers outside the U.S.
Allocation Deadlines & Policies
Because most distributions are limited to a particular season, it is very important to submit your signed order form prior to the ordering deadline for each crop group. Because the quantity of propagating material is also limited, a missed deadline may result in having to wait until the following season to receive material. With the exception of foreign requests, available propagating material is allocated among all whose orders are confirmed prior to the allocation deadline for each commodity type. Orders received after an allocation deadline are considered on a first-come, first-served basis after all orders received on time have been filled, if any material still remains. California customers receive the highest allocation priority, followed by out-of-state and then foreign customers. Material is generally shipped out of the country only after domestic demand has been satisfied.
How To Place An Order
While preliminary requests by phone, FAX or E-mail are accepted, before your order can be confirmed and material supplied, a signed original FPS Order Form/Grower Agreement must be mailed and received in the FPS office in one of the following forms: (1) the official FPS Order Form/Grower Agreement, a 2-part NCR set, with an original signature on the Grower Agreement on the reverse side of both pages (white and pink)–blank forms will be mailed to you on request; or (2) two sets of photocopies of the FPS Order Form/Grower Agreement with an original signature on each of the two copies of the Grower Agreement. A 50% prepayment (100% for foreign orders) must be submitted with your order prior to the allocation deadline. After the Agreement is executed, you will receive an acknowledgement letter with a receipt for your prepayment and a copy of the executed FPS Order Form/Grower Agreement. The Grower Agreement is a legally-binding document which constitutes the contract between the customer and FPS and, for grape materials only, includes your agreement to pay FPS user fees on any propagations made from FPS materials for the life of your vineyard. Details about FPS grapevine user fees can be found in the grape section of the Web site.
Delivery
Material can be picked up at the FPS facility or can be shipped via UPS (domestic) or international express courier(foreign). Be sure to specify your preference on the order form. If you indicate you wish to pick up your material, you will be notified when it is ready. Because space is at a premium and longer-term storage is not feasible, it is expected that you will pick up your material within 30 days of notification that it is ready. A street address is required for UPS delivery and, unless you specify otherwise on your order form, material will be sent as soon as it is ready without prior notification. You will be billed at cost for all shipping charges, along with a charge for packing & handling. A packing list will be included with your material which shows the variety, selection number and quantity of the material supplied, the locations from which the material was collected, the registration status of the material, and foundation stock tag numbers if applicable.
Billing
After material has been picked up or shipped, you will receive an invoice for any remaining balance due on your order. It will include the cost of materials, shipping, packing & handling, any minimum order charges or surcharges, fees for any required phytosanitary compliance certificates or treatments performed on the material, and will include a credit for your prepayment. If your prepayment is greater than the amount owed, you will receive a refund of the overpayment.