Facility Guarantee Program, 34080-34097 [2015-14449]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Commodity Credit Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34080-34097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14449]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 114 / Monday, June 15, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 34080]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Part 1493

RIN 0551-AA73


Facility Guarantee Program

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service and Commodity Credit Corporation, 
USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise and amend the regulations at 7 
CFR 1493 subpart C used to administer the Facility Guarantee Program 
(FGP). Changes in this proposed rule incorporate statutory changes from 
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and modifications 
intended to reduce burden on participants and improve program 
efficiency and effectiveness. Certain revisions will ensure the FGP is 
operated in compliance with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation 
and Development (OECD) Arrangement on Officially Supported Export 
Credits. Additionally, this proposed rule incorporates significant 
changes made to the regulations for the Export Credit Guarantee Program 
(GSM-102), that are also applicable to the FGP.

DATES: Comments concerning this proposed rule must be received by 
August 14, 2015 to be assured consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
    [ssquf] Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions to submit comments.
    [ssquf] E-Mail: GSMregs@fas.usda.gov.
    [ssquf] Fax: (202) 720-2495, Attention: ``FGP Proposed Rule 
Comments''.
    [ssquf] Hand Delivery, Courier, or U.S. Postal delivery: Amy 
Slusher, Deputy Director, Credit Programs Division, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW., Stop 1025, Room 5509, Washington, DC 20250-1025.

Comments may be inspected at 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
holidays. A copy of this proposed rule is available through the Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS) homepage at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/export-financing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Slusher, Deputy Director, Credit 
Programs Division, by phone at (202) 720-6211, or by email at: 
Amy.Slusher@fas.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) Facility Guarantee Program 
(FGP) is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on behalf of CCC, pursuant to 
program regulations codified at 7 CFR part 1493; through the issuance 
of ``Program Announcements'' and ``Notices to Participants'' that are 
consistent with this program regulation; and in compliance with the 
requirements of the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits 
of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 
Under the FGP, CCC provides payment guarantees to facilitate the 
financing of manufactured goods and U.S. services to improve or 
establish agriculture-related facilities in emerging markets. By 
supporting such facilities, the FGP is designed to enhance sales of 
U.S. Agricultural Commodities and products to emerging markets where 
the demand for such commodities and products may be limited due to 
inadequate storage, processing, handling, or distribution capabilities 
for such products.
    The current FGP regulations became effective on August 8, 1997. The 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246) (2008 Act) 
modified the program by including a ``construction waiver'' that allows 
the Secretary of Agriculture to waive requirements related to the use 
of U.S. goods in the construction of a proposed facility if the 
Secretary determines that ``(A) goods from the United States are not 
available; or (B) the use of goods from the United States is not 
practicable.''
    On August 6, 2009, CCC published an advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register (74 FR 39240). This notice 
was intended to solicit comments on improvements and changes to be made 
in the implementation and operation of the FGP program, with the intent 
of improving the FGP's effectiveness and efficiency and lowering costs. 
CCC received comments to the ANPR from five entities. One of the key 
comments was that program requirements, particularly the application 
process, are too burdensome on participants and prohibit its use. 
Further, program fees were consistent with those charged by the U.S. 
Export-Import Bank for similar products but coverage was inferior.
    On November 18, 2014, CCC published a final rule for the Export 
Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program, found at 7 CFR 1493 subpart B. The 
GSM-102 and FGP Programs are similarly structured and many of the same 
requirements apply. For this reason, CCC completed the rulemaking 
process for the GSM-102 program prior to issuing this proposed rule so 
that relevant GSM-102 program changes could be incorporated into the 
FGP. The affected provisions include (but are not limited to) 
information and certifications required for program participation, 
letter of credit requirements, terms and requirements of the payment 
guarantee, assignments, notice of default and claims for default, 
payments and recoveries, additional obligations and requirements, 
dispute resolution and appeals, and miscellaneous provisions. 
Explanations of the changes incorporated in both the GSM-102 and FGP 
regulations can be found in the following documents:
    GSM-102 Proposed Rule (July 27, 2011): https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/27/2011-18403/ccc-export-credit-guarantee-gsm-102-program.
    GSM-102 Proposed Rule (December 27, 2013): https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/12/27/2013-29439/ccc-export-credit-guarantee-gsm-102-program-and-facility-guarantee-program-fgp.
    GSM-102 Final Rule (November 18, 2014): https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-27129.
    Key changes in the proposed rule are discussed below by topic. The 
numbering system of this proposed rule

[[Page 34081]]

differs from that in the current regulation. For the purposes of this 
discussion, the numbering of the proposed rule will be used. 
Capitalized terms are defined terms that are found in Sec.  1493.210, 
Definition of Terms.

Changes in Response to the 2008 Act

    The 2008 Act contains a ``construction waiver'' that allows the 
Secretary of Agriculture to waive requirements related to the use of 
U.S. goods in the construction of a proposed facility if the Secretary 
determines that ``(A) goods from the United States are not available; 
or (B) the use of goods from the United States is not practicable.''
    To implement this provision, CCC proposes to permit a Seller to 
request a Coverage Waiver in the application for Payment Guarantee. As 
described in Sec.  1493.290(f)(1), the Seller may request a Coverage 
Waiver to allow for coverage of non-U.S. Goods or to waive the U.S. 
Content Test. The U.S. Content Test states that CCC will issue a 
Payment Guarantee only if the value of Eligible Non-U.S. Goods and 
Eligible Imported Components are less than 50 percent of the sum of the 
Net Contract Value plus the value of approved Local Costs. CCC included 
criteria in Sec.  1493.290(f)(2) that will be the basis for CCC to 
issue a Coverage Waiver. A Seller must rely on one or more of these 
criteria as the basis for justifying a Coverage Waiver. By allowing the 
Seller to request a waiver and obtain coverage of non-U.S. Goods and/or 
imported components, CCC intends to provide maximum flexibility in 
approving goods, services and projects that will meet the requirement 
to primarily promote the export of U.S. Agricultural Commodities.

Changes To Reduce Burden and Improve Program Effectiveness and 
Efficiency

Application for Payment Guarantee

    CCC proposes to expand the current Payment Guarantee application 
process. This change is designed to reduce the burden on the Seller by 
allowing the Seller to supply information to CCC in stages and obtain 
conditional approval before moving to the next step of the application 
process. It also may expedite the application process by allowing CCC 
to focus its time on proposals meeting FGP criteria.
    In Sec.  1493.260(a), CCC added an optional ``letter of interest.'' 
Prior to submitting an initial application for a Payment Guarantee, the 
Seller may choose to submit a letter of interest to CCC describing a 
proposed transaction. CCC will review information submitted and provide 
preliminary feedback on whether the proposed transaction may be 
eligible for FGP coverage. In doing so, CCC hopes to reduce the burden 
on participants by ruling out ineligible projects prior to the Seller 
providing in-depth information required in the Payment Guarantee 
application. A short letter of interest form will be available on the 
FAS Web site and must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee that will 
be deducted from the final guarantee fee if the application results in 
a payment guarantee.
    The first required step in the application process is the 
submission of the initial application. Information submitted with the 
initial application will include the details of the proposed export, 
project or facility as specified in Sec.  1493.260(b), including a 
description of all goods and services for which coverage is sought and 
information about environmental impact. If applicable, the Seller will 
also request a Coverage Waiver. This stage of the application process 
will require an in-depth review and analysis by FAS to determine 
whether the proposal meets requirements for coverage. To avoid tying up 
the Seller's full guarantee fee during this time, CCC will not require 
the guarantee fee with the initial application. Instead, the Seller 
must submit a non-refundable initial application fee. If CCC determines 
to issue a Payment Guarantee for the transaction, this fee will be 
deducted from the final guarantee fee. Both the letter of intent and 
initial application fees are designed to ensure that the Seller is 
serious about the particular transaction and the associated Payment 
Guarantee before FAS expends resources on review and analysis.
    CCC will review the information submitted in the initial 
application and determine whether to approve the application as is or 
with amendments, and also whether to grant any requested coverage 
waiver. If CCC approves the initial application, the Seller will have 
30 calendar days in which to submit information in a final application 
(Sec.  1493.260(c)). The Seller needs CCC's feedback on the initial 
application to determine most of the elements in the final application. 
CCC will require the Seller to submit the full guarantee fee (less the 
letter of interest and initial application fees) with the final 
application.

Promoting the Export of U.S. Agricultural Commodities

    The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as 
amended, allows for the provision of export credit guarantees for ``(A) 
the establishment or improvement of facilities, or (B) the provision of 
services or United States products goods, in emerging markets by United 
States persons to improve handling, marketing, processing, storage, or 
distribution of imported agricultural commodities and products thereof 
if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such guarantees will 
primarily promote the export of United States agricultural commodities 
. . .'' (emphasis added). To meet this requirement, the current FGP 
regulation requires significant information and analysis to be included 
in the Seller's application, including projected prices, quantities, 
and country of origin of the agricultural commodities that will benefit 
from the goods, services or facility over a five-year period.
    CCC determined that this requirement is too burdensome on Sellers 
whose expertise is more likely in constructing facilities or exporting 
equipment than in agricultural commodities. CCC modified the 
requirements of the Application for Payment Guarantee (Sec.  
1493.260(b)(7)) to now require the Seller to provide only a list of 
agricultural commodities or products to be used by the proposed project 
and a description of how the goods and/or Services will specifically 
benefit exporters of U.S. Agricultural Commodities. As part of the 
application review process, FAS will perform an analysis to determine 
whether the proposed project will primarily benefit U.S. Agricultural 
Commodity exporters. FAS will reach out to other areas of USDA and to 
relevant commodity organizations, state/regional trade groups, and 
exporters, as needed, for assistance in collecting data and conducting 
this analysis.

Qualification of Program Participants

    To reduce the burden on program participants, CCC proposes to ease 
or eliminate FGP qualification requirements on certain participants 
already qualified to participate in the GSM-102 Program. In accordance 
with Sec.  1493.220(c), Sellers who are qualified exporters under the 
GSM-102 program will only be required to submit additional information 
specific to the FGP in order to qualify as a Seller under the FGP. U.S. 
Financial Institutions qualified under the GSM-102 program are 
automatically qualified to participate in the FGP.
    Due to the longer tenors and corresponding higher risk under the 
FGP, Foreign Financial Institutions will be required to apply 
separately for participation, even if already qualified under the GSM-
102 Program. As explained in Sec.  1493.240, CCC will establish 
specific dollar participation

[[Page 34082]]

limits for Foreign Financial Institutions qualifying for the FGP. These 
participation limits will be separate from any participation limits 
that may be established under the GSM-102 program.

Compliance With the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export 
Credits

    The United States is a participant in the OECD Arrangement on 
Officially Supported Export Credits (``the Arrangement''). The 
Arrangement seeks to foster a level playing field for official export 
credits and applies ``to all official support provided by or on behalf 
of a government for export of goods and/or services, including 
financial leases, which have a repayment term of two years or more.'' 
All FGP activity with a repayment term of two years or more, therefore, 
must comply with the provisions of the Arrangement. The Arrangement is 
updated periodically by OECD Participants. The most recent version can 
be found at https://www.oecd.org/tad/xcred/arrangement.htm.
    Aspects of the FGP that are governed by the Arrangement include, 
but are not limited to, the following:

Environmental and Social Impact Screening

    The OECD Common Approaches for Officially Supported Export Credits 
and Environmental and Social Due Diligence provides guidelines for 
addressing environmental and social issues related to exports of 
capital goods and/or services and the location for which they are 
destined. The primary purpose of these guidelines is to encourage OECD 
members to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental and social 
impacts of projects receiving official support. To support this goal, 
the OECD provides guidelines for screening applications for official 
support.
    CCC will screen all FGP Payment Guarantee applications for any 
negative environmental and social impact. In accordance with Sec.  
1493.260(b), Sellers must submit a completed environmental screening 
document with each initial application for a Payment Guarantee. The 
screening document will be available on the USDA Web site. CCC will 
review the screening document to determine whether the transaction is 
likely to have significant adverse environmental and/or social impacts. 
If CCC determines that a transaction has potential adverse impact, the 
transaction will be subject to an in-depth environmental and social 
review. CCC may reject an application based on the results of this 
review.

Guarantee Fees

    The Arrangement prescribes minimum fees to be charged based on 
country risk, obligor risk, tenor, percentage of cover, and other 
factors. Guarantee fees for the FGP will be available on the USDA Web 
site and will be consistent with rules of the Arrangement.

Initial Payment

    The Arrangement requires a minimum downpayment to be made by the 
Buyer prior to the start of the credit. The minimum amount of the 
required Initial Payment (as a percentage of the Net Contract Value) 
will be available on the USDA Web site. The current requirement under 
the Arrangement is 15 percent.

Local Costs

    The Arrangement prescribes a limit on the maximum amount of 
official support for local costs. Local Costs are defined in Sec.  
1493.210 as ``expenditures for goods in the Destination Country that 
are necessary for executing the Firm Sales Contract and that are within 
scope of the Firm Sales Contract.'' CCC will consider providing 
coverage for Local Costs within the limits of the Arrangement, but 
because Local Costs are non-U.S. Goods, the Seller must also request 
and receive from CCC a Coverage Waiver for these costs. The maximum 
amount of Local Costs permitted (as a percentage of the Net Contract 
Value) will be available on the USDA Web site. The current maximum 
under the Arrangement is 30 percent.

Maximum Tenor

    Maximum tenor (repayment term) under the Arrangement is determined 
by country of destination. Maximum tenors under FGP will be available 
on the USDA Web site and may be less than prescribed by the Arrangement 
as determined appropriate by CCC.

Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule is issued in conformance with Executive Order 
12866. It has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and was not reviewed by OMB. A cost-benefit 
assessment of this rule was not completed.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule has been reviewed in accordance with Executive 
Order 12988. This proposed rule would not preempt State or local laws, 
regulations, or policies unless they present an irreconcilable conflict 
with this proposed rule. Before any judicial action may be brought 
concerning the provisions of this proposed rule, the appeal provisions 
of 7 CFR part 1493.200 would need to be exhausted. This rulemaking 
would not be retroactive.

Executive Order 12372

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, which 
requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. 
See the notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, published at 48 
FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Executive Order 13132

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132, 
``Federalism.'' The policies contained in this proposed rule do not 
have any substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship 
between the Federal government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 
nor does this proposed rule impose substantial direct compliance costs 
on State and local governments. Therefore, consultation with the States 
is not required.

Executive Order 13175

    The United States has a unique relationship with Indian Tribes as 
provided in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, and 
Federal statutes. On November 5, 2009, President Obama signed a 
Memorandum emphasizing his commitment to ``regular and meaningful 
consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in policy 
decisions that have tribal implications including, as an initial step, 
through complete and consistent implementation of Executive Order 
13175.'' This proposed rule has been reviewed for compliance with E.O. 
13175 and CCC worked directly with the Office of Tribal Relations in 
the rule's development. The policies contained in this proposed rule do 
not have tribal implications that preempt tribal law.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because 
CCC is not required by 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law to publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the subject matter of 
this rule.

Environmental Assessment

    CCC has determined that this proposed rule does not constitute a 
major State or Federal action that would significantly affect the human 
or natural environment. Consistent with the National Environmental 
Policy Act

[[Page 34083]]

(NEPA), 40 CFR part 1502.4, ``Major Federal Actions Requiring the 
Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements'' and the regulations of 
the Council on Environmental Quality, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, no 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement will be 
prepared.

Unfunded Mandates

    This proposed rule does not impose any enforceable duty or contain 
any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA). Therefore, this rule is not subject 
to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of UMRA.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, CCC is 
requesting comments from all interested individuals and organizations 
on a proposed revision to the currently approved information collection 
for this program. This revision includes the proposed change in 
information collection activities related to the regulatory changes in 
this proposed rule.
    Title: CCC Facility Guarantee Program (FGP).
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0032.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: This information collection is required to support the 
existing regulations and proposed changes to 7 CFR part 1493, subpart 
C, ``CCC Facility Guarantee Program (FGP) Operations,'' which 
establishes the requirements for participation in CCC's FGP program. 
This revised collection incorporates changes in estimated burden to 
program participants as a result of certain revised requirements in 
this proposed rule for (1) seller and U.S. and foreign financial 
institution qualification; (2) applications for payment guarantees; (3) 
notices of assignment; (4) evidence of performance reports; and (5) 
appeals. This information collection is necessary for CCC to manage, 
plan and evaluate the program and to ensure the proper and judicious 
use of government resources.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 0.819 hours per response.
    Respondents: U.S. exporters (sellers), U.S. financial institutions, 
and foreign financial institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18 per year.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 13.4 per year.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 197.4 hours.
    Comments on this information collection may be submitted to CCC in 
accordance with the instructions for submitting comments to this 
proposed rule. All comments received in response to this notice will be 
a matter of public record.

E-Government Act Compliance

    CCC is committed to complying with the E-Government Act to promote 
the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide 
increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information 
and services and for other purposes. The forms, regulations, and other 
information collection activities required to be utilized by a person 
subject to this rule are available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1493

    Agricultural commodities, Exports.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, CCC proposes to amend 7 CFR 
part 1493 as follows:

Title 7--Agriculture

PART 1493--CCC EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 1493 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 5602, 5622, 5661-5664, 5676; 15 U.S.C. 
714b(d), 714c(f).

0
2. Subpart C is revised to read as follows:
Subpart C--CCC Facility Guarantee Program (FGP) Operations
Sec.
1493.200 General statement.
1493.210 Definition of terms.
1493.220 Information required for Seller participation.
1493.230 Information required for U.S. Financial Institution 
participation.
1493.240 Information required for Foreign Financial Institution 
participation.
1493.250 Certification requirements for program participation.
1493.260 Application for Payment Guarantee.
1493.270 Certifications required for obtaining Payment Guarantee.
1493.280 Special requirements of the Foreign Financial Institution 
Letter of Credit and Terms and Conditions Document, if applicable.
1493.290 Terms and requirements of the Payment Guarantee.
1493.300 Fees.
1493.310 Assignment of the Payment Guarantee.
1493.320 Evidence of performance.
1493.330 Certification requirements for the evidence of performance.
1493.340 Proof of entry.
1493.350 Notice of default.
1493.360 Claims for default.
1493.370 Payment for default.
1493.380 Recovery of defaulted payments.
1493.385 Additional obligations and requirements.
1493.390 Dispute resolution and appeals.
1493.395 Miscellaneous provisions.

Subpart C--CCC Facility Guarantee Program (FGP) Operations


Sec.  1493.200  General statement.

    (a) Overview. The FGP of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) was 
developed to expand U.S. Agricultural Commodity exports by making 
available Payment Guarantees to encourage U.S. private sector financing 
to establish or improve facilities or provide Services or goods in 
emerging markets to improve handling, marketing, processing, storage, 
or distribution of imported agricultural commodities and products. Such 
guarantees will primarily promote the export of U.S. Agricultural 
Commodities. CCC will give priority to projects that encourage 
privatization of the agricultural sector or that benefit private farms 
and cooperatives in emerging markets, and for which nongovernmental 
persons agree to assume a relatively larger share of costs. The Payment 
Guarantee issued under FGP is an agreement by CCC to pay the Seller, or 
the U.S. Financial Institution that may take assignment of the Payment 
Guarantee, specified amounts of principal and interest in case of 
default by the Foreign Financial Institution that issued the Letter of 
Credit for the sale covered by the Payment Guarantee. The program is 
targeted toward those countries that have sufficient financial strength 
so that foreign exchange will be available for scheduled payments. In 
providing this program, CCC seeks to expand and/or maintain market 
opportunities for U.S. agricultural exporters and assist long-term 
market development for U.S. Agricultural Commodities.
    (b) Program administration. The FGP is administered under the 
direction of the General Sales Manager and Vice President, CCC, 
pursuant to this subpart, subpart A of this part, any Program 
Announcements issued by CCC, and, as applicable, the Organisation for 
Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Arrangement on Officially 
Supported Export Credits. From time to time, CCC may issue a notice to 
participants on the USDA Web site to remind participants of the 
requirements of the FGP or to clarify the program requirements 
contained in these regulations in a

[[Page 34084]]

manner not inconsistent with this subpart and subpart A of this part. 
Program information, such as approved U.S. and Foreign Financial 
Institutions, is available on the USDA Web site.
    (c) Country and regional program announcements. From time to time, 
CCC will issue a Program Announcement on the USDA Web site to announce 
the FGP for a specific country or region. The Program Announcement will 
contain any requirements applicable to that country or region as 
determined by CCC.


Sec.  1493.21  Definition of terms.

    Terms set forth in this part, on the USDA Web site (including in 
Program Announcements and notices to participants), and in any CCC-
originated documents pertaining to the FGP will have the following 
meanings:
    Affiliate. Entities are affiliates of each other if, directly or 
indirectly, either one controls or has the power to control the other 
or a third person controls or has the power to control both. Control 
may include, but is not limited to: Interlocking management or 
ownership; identity of interests among family members; shared 
facilities and equipment; or common use of employees.
    Assignee. A U.S. Financial Institution that has obtained the legal 
right to make a claim and receive the payment of proceeds under the 
Payment Guarantee.
    Business Day. A day during which employees of the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are on official 
duty during normal business hours.
    Buyer. A foreign purchaser that enters into a Firm Sales Contract 
with a Seller for the sale of goods to be shipped to the Destination 
Country and/or U.S. Services to be provided in the Destination Country.
    Buyer's Representative. An entity having a physical office and that 
is either organized under the laws of or registered to do business in 
the Destination Country or region specified in the Payment Guarantee 
and that is authorized to act on the Buyer's behalf with respect to the 
sale described in the Firm Sales Contract.
    CCC. The Commodity Credit Corporation, an agency and 
instrumentality of the United States within the Department of 
Agriculture, authorized pursuant to the Commodity Credit Corporation 
Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.).
    CCC Late Interest. Interest payable by CCC pursuant to Sec.  
1493.370(c).
    Contractual Event. A specific deliverable (activity or milestone) 
measured by objective or quantifiable methods within the Firm Sales 
Contract which, when met by the Seller, results in an obligation to 
make payment in accordance with the agreed contractual terms without 
recourse, and triggers the start of coverage under the Payment 
Guarantee. Such events may include, but are not limited to, exports of 
goods, completion of Services, or commissioning date of equipment or a 
facility.
    Cost of Services. The price for Services as stipulated in the Firm 
Sales Contract.
    Coverage Waiver. A determination by CCC, upon request of the 
Seller, to allow guarantee coverage of non-U.S. Goods and/or to waive 
the U.S. Content Test in Sec.  1493.290(e).
    Date of Performance. The date that a Contractual Event occurs in 
accordance with the Firm Sales Contract. The Date of Performance may 
be, but is not limited to, an installation date, the date of completion 
of the Service, the commissioning date of equipment or a facility, or 
the date of export of goods (one of the following dates, depending upon 
the method of shipment: The on-board date of an ocean bill of lading or 
the on-board ocean carrier date of an intermodal bill of lading; the 
on-board date of an airway bill; or, if exported by rail or truck, the 
date of entry shown on an entry certificate or similar document issued 
and signed by an official of the government of the importing country).
    Date of Sale. The earliest date on which a Firm Sales Contract 
exists between the Seller and the Buyer.
    Destination Country. The location (country) of the agricultural-
related facility that will use the goods and/or Services covered by the 
Payment Guarantee. If the Payment Guarantee covers goods not intended 
for a specific facility, then the country where the goods will be 
delivered and utilized.
    Director. The Director, Credit Programs Division, Office of Trade 
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, or designee.
    Discounts and allowances. Any consideration provided directly or 
indirectly, by or on behalf of the Seller, to the Buyer in connection 
with a sale of a good or Service, above and beyond its value. Discounts 
and allowances include, but are not limited to, the provision of 
additional goods, services or benefits; the promise to provide 
additional goods, services or benefits in the future; financial 
rebates; the assumption of any financial or contractual obligations; 
commissions where the Buyer requires the Seller to employ and 
compensate a specified agent as a condition of concluding the sale; the 
whole or partial release of the Buyer from any financial or contractual 
obligations; or settlements made in favor of the Buyer for quality or 
weight.
    Eligible Export Sale. A transaction in which the obligation of 
payment for the portion registered under the FGP arises solely and 
exclusively from a Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit or 
Terms and Conditions Document issued in connection with a Payment 
Guarantee.
    Eligible Imported Components. Imported components in U.S. Goods 
that are eligible for coverage because either:
    (1) The project meets the U.S. Content Test in Sec.  1493.290(e); 
or
    (2) A Coverage Waiver of the U.S. Content Test has been requested 
by the Seller and approved by CCC.
    Eligible Non-U.S. Goods. Goods, including Local Costs, that are not 
U.S. Goods but for which a Coverage Waiver has been requested by the 
Seller and approved by CCC.
    Eligible Interest. The amount of interest that CCC agrees to pay 
the Holder of the Payment Guarantee in the event that CCC pays a claim 
for default of Ordinary Interest. Eligible Interest shall be the lesser 
of:
    (1) The amount calculated using the interest rate agreed by the 
Holder of the Payment Guarantee and the Foreign Financial Institution; 
or
    (2) The amount calculated using the specified percentage of the 
Treasury bill investment rate set forth on the face of the Payment 
Guarantee.
    Firm Sales Contract. The written sales contract entered into 
between the Seller and the Buyer which sets forth the terms and 
conditions of an Eligible Export Sale from the Seller to the Buyer. 
Written evidence of a sale may be in the form of a signed sales 
contract, a written offer and acceptance between parties, or other 
documentary evidence of sale. The Firm Sales Contract between the 
Seller and the Buyer may be conditioned upon CCC's approval of the 
Seller's application for a Payment Guarantee. The written evidence of 
sale for the purposes of the FGP must, at a minimum, document the 
following information:
    (1) Date of sale;
    (2) A complete description of all goods associated with the 
project. For goods to be covered by the Payment Guarantee, include the 
brand name and model number, country where the good was manufactured 
and country from which the good will be exported (if applicable), 
quantity, value, and Incoterms (if applicable);
    (3) A complete description of all Services associated with the 
project. For Services to be covered by the Payment

[[Page 34085]]

Guarantee, include the supplier and cost;
    (4) The Date of Performance of each Contractual Event; and
    (5) The date and evidence of agreement between Buyer and Seller.
    Foreign Financial Institution. A financial institution (including 
foreign branches of U.S. financial institutions):
    (1) Organized and licensed under the laws of a jurisdiction outside 
the United States;
    (2) Not domiciled in the United States; and
    (3) Subject to the banking or other financial regulatory authority 
of a foreign jurisdiction (except for multilateral and sovereign 
institutions).
    Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit. 
An irrevocable documentary letter of credit, subject to the current 
revision of the Uniform Customs and Practices (UCP) for Documentary 
Credits (International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or 
latest revision), and if electronic documents are to be utilized, the 
current revision of the Supplement to the Uniform Customs and Practice 
for Documentary Credits for Electronic Presentation (eUCP) providing 
for payment in U.S. dollars against stipulated documents and issued in 
favor of the Seller by a CCC-approved Foreign Financial Institution.
    GSM. The General Sales Manager, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), 
USDA, acting in his or her capacity as Vice President, CCC, or 
designee.
    Guaranteed Value. The maximum amount indicated on the face of the 
Payment Guarantee, exclusive of interest, that CCC agrees to pay the 
Holder of the Payment Guarantee. The Guaranteed Value is calculated by 
deducting the Initial Payment and any Discounts and Allowances from the 
Net Contract Value and adding to that result the value of Local Costs 
that CCC has approved for coverage. The resulting figure is then 
multiplied by the guaranteed percentage (up to the maximum percentage 
allowable in the applicable country or regional Program Announcement).
    Holder of the Payment Guarantee. The Seller or the Assignee of the 
Payment Guarantee with the legal right to make a claim and receive the 
payment of proceeds from CCC under the Payment Guarantee in case of 
default by the Foreign Financial Institution.
    Incoterms. Trade terms developed by the International Chamber of 
Commerce in Incoterms 2010 (or latest revision), which define the 
respective obligations of the Buyer and the Seller in a sales contract.
    Initial Payment. The amount that the Buyer is required to pay the 
Seller prior to CCC's approval of the Payment Guarantee, expressed as a 
percentage (specified on the USDA Web site) of the Net Contract Value.
    Local Costs. Expenditures for goods in the Destination Country that 
are necessary for executing the Firm Sales Contract and that are within 
scope of the Firm Sales Contract.
    Net Contract Value. The aggregate Value of Goods and Cost of 
Services (exclusive of Local Costs) that are eligible for guarantee 
coverage and for which coverage is requested.
    North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Standard 
used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business 
establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing 
statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
    Ordinary Interest. Interest (other than Post Default Interest) 
charged on the principal amount identified in the Foreign Financial 
Institution Letter of Credit or, if applicable, the Terms and 
Conditions Document.
    Payment Guarantee. An agreement under which CCC, in consideration 
of a fee paid, and in reliance upon the statements and declarations of 
the Seller, subject to the terms set forth in the written guarantee, 
this subpart, and any applicable Program Announcements, agrees to pay 
the Holder of the Payment Guarantee in the event of a default by a 
Foreign Financial Institution on its Repayment Obligation under the 
Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit issued in connection 
with a guaranteed sale or, if applicable, under the Terms and 
Conditions Document.
    Post Default Interest. Interest charged on amounts in default that 
begins to accrue upon default of payment, as specified in the Foreign 
Financial Institution Letter of Credit or, if applicable, in the Terms 
and Conditions Document.
    Principal. A principal of a corporation or other legal entity is an 
individual serving as an officer, director, owner, partner, or other 
individual with management or supervisory responsibilities for such 
corporation or legal entity.
    Program Announcement. An announcement issued by CCC on the USDA Web 
site that provides information on specific country and regional 
programs and may identify eligible projects and countries, length of 
credit periods which may be covered, and other information.
    Repayment Obligation. A contractual commitment by the Foreign 
Financial Institution issuing the Letter of Credit in connection with 
an Eligible Export Sale to make payment(s) on principal amount(s), plus 
any Ordinary Interest and Post Default Interest, in U.S. dollars, to a 
Seller or U.S. Financial Institution on deferred payment terms 
consistent with those permitted under CCC's Payment Guarantee. The 
Repayment Obligation must be documented using one of the methods 
specified in Sec.  1493.280.
    Repurchase Agreement. A written agreement under which the Holder of 
the Payment Guarantee may from time to time enter into transactions in 
which the Holder of the Payment Guarantee agrees to sell to another 
party Foreign Financial Institution Letter(s) of Credit and, if 
applicable, Terms and Conditions Document(s) secured by the Payment 
Guarantee, and repurchase the same Foreign Financial Institution 
Letter(s) of Credit and Terms and Conditions Documents secured by the 
Payment Guarantee, on demand or date certain at an agreed upon price.
    SAM (System for Award Management). A Federal Government owned and 
operated free Web site that contains information on parties excluded 
from receiving Federal contracts or certain subcontracts and excluded 
from certain types of Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and 
benefits.
    Seller. A supplier of goods and/or Services that is both qualified 
in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  1493.220 and the applicant 
for the Payment Guarantee.
    Service. Any business activity classified in any of the 13 NAICS 
Services sectors (NAICS chapters 22 and 48-49 through 81). For the 
shipment of goods, freight and insurance costs to the port of entry 
that are included in the price of the goods (in accordance with the 
specified Incoterms) are not considered Services under this subpart.
    Terms and Conditions Document. A document specifically identified 
and referred to in the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit 
which may contain the Repayment Obligation and the special requirements 
specified in Sec.  1493.280.
    United States or U.S. Each of the States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions 
of the United States.
    U.S. Agricultural Commodity or U.S. Agricultural Commodities.
    (1) (i) An agricultural commodity or product entirely produced in 
the United States; or
    (ii) A product of an agricultural commodity--

[[Page 34086]]

    (A) 90 percent or more of the agricultural components of which by 
weight, excluding packaging and added water, is entirely produced in 
the United States; and
    (B) That the Secretary determines to be a high value agricultural 
product.
    (2) For purposes of this definition, fish entirely produced in the 
United States include fish harvested by a documented fishing vessel as 
defined in title 46, United States Code, in waters that are not waters 
(including the territorial sea) of a foreign country.
    U.S. Content Test. A determination of the value of total Eligible 
Non-U.S. Goods and Eligible Imported Components as a percentage of the 
total Value of Goods and Cost of Services to be covered under the 
Payment Guarantee, as specified in Sec.  1493.290(e).
    USDA. United States Department of Agriculture.
    U.S. Financial Institution. A financial institution (including 
branches of Foreign Financial Institutions):
    (1) Organized and licensed under the laws of a jurisdiction within 
the United States;
    (2) Domiciled in the United States; and
    (3) Subject to the banking or other financial regulatory authority 
jurisdiction within the United States.
    U.S. Goods. Goods that are assembled, processed or manufactured in, 
and exported from, the United States, including goods which contain 
imported raw materials or imported components. Minor or cosmetic 
procedures (e.g., affixing labels, cleaning, painting, polishing) do 
not qualify as assembling, processing or manufacturing.
    U.S. Person. One of the following:
    (1) An individual who is a citizen or legal resident of the United 
States; or
    (2) An entity constituted or organized in the United States, 
including any corporation, trust partnership, sole proprietorship, 
joint venture, or other association with business activities in the 
United States.
    U.S. Services. Services performed by U.S. Persons, including those 
temporarily residing outside the United States. Costs for hotels, 
meals, transportation, and other similar Services incurred in the 
Destination Country are not U.S. Services.
    Value of Goods or Components in Goods. The price derived for goods 
or components in goods, determined by:
    (1) The price stipulated in the Firm Sales Contract or, if such 
price is not available;
    (2) The declared customs value or, if the customs value is not 
available; then
    (3) The fair market wholesale value in the United States.


Sec.  1493.220  Information required for Seller participation.

    Sellers must apply and be approved by CCC to be eligible to 
participate in the FGP.
    (a) Qualification requirements. To qualify for participation in the 
FGP, an applicant must submit the following information to CCC in the 
manner specified on the USDA Web site:
    (1) For the applicant:
    (i) The name and full U.S. address (including the full 9-digit zip 
code) of the applicant's office, along with an indication of whether 
the address is a business or private residence. A post office box is 
not an acceptable address. If the applicant has multiple offices, the 
address included in the information should be that which is pertinent 
to the FGP sales contemplated by the applicant;
    (ii) Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number;
    (iii) Employer Identification Number (EIN--also known as a Federal 
Tax Identification Number);
    (iv) Telephone and fax numbers;
    (v) Email address (if applicable);
    (vi) Business Web site (if applicable);
    (vii) Contact name;
    (viii) Statement indicating whether the applicant is a U.S. 
domestic entity or a foreign entity domiciled in the United States; and
    (ix) The form of business entity of the applicant, (e.g., sole 
proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.) and the U.S. 
jurisdiction under which such entity is organized and authorized to 
conduct business. Such jurisdictions are a U.S. State, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories or possessions of the United 
States. Upon request by CCC, the applicant must provide written 
evidence that such entity has been organized in a U.S. State, the 
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a territory or possession of the 
United States.
    (2) For the applicant's headquarters office:
    (i) The name and full address of the applicant's headquarters 
office (a post office box is not an acceptable address); and
    (ii) Telephone and fax numbers.
    (3) For the applicant's agent for the service of process:
    (i) The name and full U.S. address of the applicant's agent's 
office, along with an indication of whether the address is a business 
or private residence;
    (ii) Telephone and fax numbers;
    (iii) Email address (if applicable); and
    (iv) Contact name.
    (4) A description of the applicant's business. Applicants must 
provide the following information:
    (i) Nature of the applicant's business (i.e., producer, Service 
provider, trader, consulting firm, etc.);
    (ii) Explanation of the applicant's experience/history selling the 
goods or Services to be sold under the FGP, including number of years 
involved in selling, types of goods or Services sold, and destination 
of sales for the preceding three years;
    (iii) Whether or not the applicant is a ``small or medium 
enterprise'' (SME) as defined on the USDA Web site.
    (5) A listing of any related companies (e.g., Affiliates, 
subsidiaries, or companies otherwise related through common ownership) 
currently qualified to participate in CCC export programs;
    (6) A statement describing the applicant's participation, if any, 
during the past three years in U.S. Government programs, contracts or 
agreements; and
    (7) A statement that: ``All certifications set forth in 7 CFR 
1493.250(a) are hereby made in this application'' which, when included 
in the application, will constitute a certification that the applicant 
is in compliance with all of the requirements set forth in Sec.  
1493.250(a). The applicant will be required to provide further 
explanation or documentation if not in compliance with these 
requirements or if the application does not include this statement.
    (b) Qualification notification. CCC will promptly notify applicants 
that have submitted information required by this section whether they 
have qualified to participate in the program or whether further 
information is required by CCC. Any applicant failing to qualify will 
be given an opportunity to provide additional information for 
consideration by the Director.
    (c) Previous qualification. Any Seller that is currently qualified 
under subpart B of this part, Sec.  1493.30 need only provide the 
information requested in Sec.  1493.220(a)(4). Once CCC receives that 
information, CCC will notify the Seller that the Seller is qualified 
under this section to submit applications for a FGP Payment Guarantee, 
and the other information provided by the Seller pursuant to Sec.  
1493.30 will be deemed to also have been provided under this section. 
Any Seller not submitting an application for a GSM-102 or FGP Payment 
Guarantee for two consecutive U.S. Government fiscal years must 
resubmit a qualification application containing the information 
specified in Sec.  1493.220(a) to CCC to participate in the FGP. If at 
any time the information required by paragraph (a) of this section 
changes, the Seller must promptly contact CCC to update this 
information and certify that the remainder of the

[[Page 34087]]

information previously provided under paragraph (a) of this section has 
not changed.
    (d) Ineligibility for program participation. An applicant may be 
ineligible to participate in the FGP if such applicant cannot provide 
all of the information and certifications required in Sec.  
1493.220(a).


Sec.  1493.230  Information required for U.S. Financial Institution 
participation.

    U.S. Financial Institutions must apply and be approved by CCC to be 
eligible to participate in the FGP.
    (a) Qualification requirements. To qualify for participation in the 
FGP, a U.S. Financial Institution must submit the following information 
to CCC in the manner specified on the USDA Web site:
    (1) Legal name and address of the applicant;
    (2) Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number;
    (3) Employer Identification Number (EIN--also known as a Federal 
Tax Identification Number);
    (4) Year-end audited financial statements for the applicant's most 
recent fiscal year;
    (5) Breakdown of the applicant's ownership as follows:
    (i) Ten largest individual shareholders and ownership percentages;
    (ii) Percentage of government ownership, if any; and
    (iii) Identity of the legal entity or person with ultimate control 
or decision making authority, if other than the majority shareholder.
    (6) Organizational structure (independent, or a subsidiary, 
Affiliate, or branch of another financial institution);
    (7) Documentation from the applicable United States Federal or 
State agency demonstrating that the applicant is either licensed or 
chartered to do business in the United States;
    (8) Name of the agency that regulates the applicant and the name 
and telephone number of the primary contact for such regulator; and
    (9) A statement that: ``All certifications set forth in 7 CFR 
1493.250 are hereby made in this application'' which, when included in 
the application, will constitute a certification that the applicant is 
in compliance with all of the requirements set forth in Sec.  1493.250. 
The applicant will be required to provide further explanation or 
documentation if not in compliance with these requirements or if the 
application does not include this statement.
    (b) Qualification notification. CCC will notify applicants that 
have submitted information required by this section whether they have 
qualified to participate in the program or whether further information 
is required by CCC. Any applicant failing to qualify will be given an 
opportunity to provide additional information for consideration by the 
Director.
    (c) Previous qualification. Any U.S. Financial Institution that is 
qualified under subpart B, Sec.  1493.40 is qualified under this 
section, and the information provided by the U.S. Financial Institution 
pursuant to Sec.  1493.40 will be deemed to also have been provided 
under this section. Any U.S. Financial Institution not participating in 
the GSM-102 or FGP programs for two consecutive U.S. Government fiscal 
years must resubmit the information and certifications specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section to CCC to participate in the FGP. If at 
any time the information required by paragraph (a) of this section 
changes, the U.S. Financial Institution must promptly notify CCC to 
update this information and certify that the remainder of the 
information previously provided under paragraph (a) of this section has 
not changed.
    (d) Ineligibility for program participation. A U.S. Financial 
Institution may be ineligible to participate in the FGP if such 
applicant cannot provide all of the information and certifications 
required in Sec.  1493.230(a).


Sec.  1493.240  Information required for Foreign Financial Institution 
participation.

    Foreign Financial Institutions must apply and be approved by CCC to 
be eligible to participate in the FGP.
    (a) Qualification requirements. To qualify for participation in the 
FGP, a Foreign Financial Institution must submit the following 
information to CCC in the manner specified on the USDA Web site:
    (1) Legal name and address of the applicant;
    (2) Year-end, audited financial statements in accordance with the 
accounting standards established by the applicant's regulators, in 
English, for the applicant's three most recent fiscal years. If the 
applicant is not subject to a banking or other financial regulatory 
authority, year-end, audited financial statements in accordance with 
prevailing accounting standards, in English, for the applicant's three 
most recent fiscal years;
    (3) Breakdown of applicant's ownership as follows:
    (i) Ten largest individual shareholders and ownership percentages;
    (ii) Percentage of government ownership, if any; and
    (iii) Identity of the legal entity or person with ultimate control 
or decision making authority, if other than the majority shareholder.
    (4) Organizational structure (independent, or a subsidiary, 
Affiliate, or branch of another legal entity);
    (5) Name of foreign government agency that regulates the applicant; 
and
    (6) A statement that: ``All certifications set forth in 7 CFR 
1493.250 are hereby made in this application'' which, when included in 
the application, will constitute a certification that the applicant is 
in compliance with all of the requirements set forth in Sec.  1493.250. 
The applicant will be required to provide further explanation or 
documentation if not in compliance with these requirements or if the 
application does not include this statement.
    (b) Qualification notification. CCC will notify applicants that 
have submitted information required by this section whether they have 
qualified to participate in the program or whether further information 
is required by CCC. Any applicant failing to qualify will be given an 
opportunity to provide additional information for consideration by the 
Director.
    (c) Participation limit. If, after review of the information 
submitted and other publicly available information, CCC determines that 
the Foreign Financial Institution is eligible for participation in the 
FGP, CCC will establish an FGP dollar participation limit for the 
institution. This limit will be the maximum amount of FGP exposure CCC 
agrees to undertake with respect to this Foreign Financial Institution 
at any point in time. CCC may change or cancel this dollar 
participation limit at any time based on any information submitted or 
any publicly available information.
    (d) Previous qualification and submission of annual financial 
statements. Each qualified Foreign Financial Institution shall submit 
annually to CCC the certifications in Sec.  1493.250 and its audited 
fiscal year-end financial statements in accordance with the accounting 
standards established by the applicant's regulators, in English, so 
that CCC may determine the continued ability of the Foreign Financial 
Institution to adequately service CCC guaranteed debt. If the Foreign 
Financial Institution is not subject to a banking or other financial 
regulatory authority, it must submit year-end, audited financial 
statements in accordance with prevailing accounting standards, in 
English, for the applicant's most recent fiscal year. Failure to submit 
this

[[Page 34088]]

information annually may cause CCC to decrease or cancel the Foreign 
Financial Institution's dollar participation limit. Any Foreign 
Financial Institution not participating in the FGP for two consecutive 
U.S. Government fiscal years may have its dollar participation limit 
cancelled. If this participation limit is cancelled, the Foreign 
Financial Institution must resubmit the information and certifications 
requested in paragraph (a) of this section to CCC when reapplying for 
participation. Additionally, if at any time the information required by 
paragraph (a) of this section changes, the Foreign Financial 
Institution must promptly contact CCC to update this information and 
certify that the remainder of the information previously provided under 
paragraph (a) of this section has not changed.
    (e) Ineligibility for program participation. A Foreign Financial 
Institution:
    (1) May be deemed ineligible to participate in the FGP if such 
applicant cannot provide all of the information and certifications 
required in Sec.  1493.240(a); and
    (2) Will be deemed ineligible to participate in the FGP if, based 
upon information submitted by the applicant or other publicly available 
sources, CCC determines that the applicant cannot adequately service 
the debt associated with the Payment Guarantees issued by CCC.


Sec.  1493.250  Certifications required for program participation.

    (a) When making the statement required by Sec. Sec.  
1493.220(a)(7), 1493.230(a)(9), or 1493.240(a)(6), each Seller, U.S. 
Financial Institution and Foreign Financial Institution applicant for 
program participation is certifying that, to the best of its knowledge 
and belief:
    (1) The applicant and any of its principals (as defined in 2 CFR 
180.995) or affiliates (as defined in 2 CFR 180.905) are not presently 
debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or 
excluded from covered transactions by any U.S. Federal department or 
agency;
    (2) The applicant and any of its principals (as defined in 2 CFR 
180.995) or affiliates (as defined in 2 CFR 180.905) have not within a 
three-year period preceding this application been convicted of or had a 
civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a 
criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or 
performing a public (Federal, State, or local) transaction or contract 
under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust 
statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, 
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or 
receiving stolen property;
    (3) The applicant and any of its principals (as defined in 2 CFR 
180.995) or affiliates (as defined in 2 CFR 180.905) are not presently 
indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a 
governmental entity (Federal, State or local) with commission of any of 
the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
    (4) The applicant and any of its principals (as defined in 2 CFR 
180.995) or affiliates (as defined in 2 CFR 180.905) have not within a 
three-year period preceding this application had one or more public 
transactions (Federal, State or local) terminated for cause or default;
    (5) The applicant does not have any outstanding nontax debt to the 
United States that is in delinquent status as provided in 31 CFR 
285.13;
    (6) The applicant is not controlled by a person owing an 
outstanding nontax debt to the United States that is in delinquent 
status as provided in 31 CFR 285.13 (e.g., a corporation is not 
controlled by an officer, director, or shareholder who owes such a 
debt); and
    (7) The applicant does not control a person owing an outstanding 
nontax debt to the United States that is in delinquent status as 
provided in 31 CFR 285.13 (e.g., a corporation does not control a 
wholly-owned or partially-owned subsidiary which owes such a debt).
    (b) Additional certifications for U.S. and Foreign Financial 
Institution applicants. When making the statement required by Sec.  
1493.230(a)(9) or Sec.  1493.240(a)(6), each U.S. and Foreign Financial 
Institution applicant for program participation is certifying that, to 
the best of its knowledge and belief:
    (1) The applicant and its Principals are in compliance with all 
requirements, restrictions and guidelines as established by the 
applicant's regulators; and
    (2) All U.S. operations of the applicant and its U.S. Principals 
are in compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering and terrorist 
financing statutes including, but not limited to, the USA Patriot Act 
of 2001, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.


Sec.  1493.260  Application for Payment Guarantee.

    (a) Letter of interest. Prior to submitting an initial application 
for a Payment Guarantee in accordance with paragraph (b) of this 
section, the Seller may, solely at the Seller's option, submit a letter 
of interest to CCC describing a transaction for which FGP coverage may 
be sought. The letter of interest must contain all of the information 
specified on the USDA Web site. A letter of interest fee, which will be 
specified on the USDA Web site, must accompany the letter of interest. 
CCC will review the letter of interest and provide preliminary feedback 
to the Seller on whether the transaction may be eligible for coverage 
under the FGP. However, CCC's determination whether to issue a Payment 
Guarantee will be based on the Seller's applications submitted pursuant 
to paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section.
    (b) Initial application for Payment Guarantee. A Firm Sales 
Contract must exist before a Seller may submit an initial application 
for a Payment Guarantee. An initial application for a Payment Guarantee 
must be submitted in writing to CCC in the manner specified on the USDA 
Web site, and be accompanied by the application fee in accordance with 
Sec.  1493.300(b). Each initial application for a Payment Guarantee 
must also include a completed environmental screening document, which 
can be found on the USDA Web site. An initial application must identify 
the name and address of the Seller and include the following 
information:
    (1) Destination Country.
    (2) The name and address of the Buyer. If the Buyer is not 
physically located in the Destination Country or region, it must have a 
Buyer's Representative in the Destination Country or region taking 
receipt of the goods and Services covered by the Payment Guarantee. If 
applicable, provide the name and address of the Buyer's Representative.
    (3) The name and address of the party on whose request the Letter 
of Credit is issued, if other than the Buyer.
    (4) The name and address of the end-user of the goods or Services, 
if other than the Buyer.
    (5) The Seller's sales number pertinent to the application and a 
copy of the Firm Sales Contract.
    (6) A description (including location, i.e., address, city, port, 
and/or GPS coordinates, if available) of the agriculture-related 
facility that will use the goods and/or Services to be covered by the 
Payment Guarantee and an explanation of how the goods and/or Services 
will be used to improve handling, marketing, processing, storage, or 
distribution of U.S. Agricultural Commodities. If the Payment Guarantee 
covers goods not

[[Page 34089]]

intended for a specific facility, describe where the goods will be 
delivered in the Destination Country.
    (7) List of all agricultural commodities or products (inputs) to be 
handled, marketed, processed, stored, or distributed by the proposed 
project after completion, and an explanation of why and how the 
facility or goods and/or Services will specifically benefit exporters 
of U.S. Agricultural Commodities.
    (8) Total value of the Firm Sales Contract.
    (9) A full description of each good to be covered by the Payment 
Guarantee. The goods specified in the Seller's application for the 
Payment Guarantee must correspond with the description of the goods 
specified in the Firm Sales Contract and the Foreign Financial 
Institution Letter of Credit. The description must include each of the 
following:
    (i) Brand name and model number;
    (ii) Applicable 10-digit Harmonized System classification code;
    (iii) Description of the good;
    (iv) Country where the good was manufactured and from which the 
good will be exported;
    (v) For U.S. goods, the Value of imported Components used in the 
U.S. good's manufacture;
    (vi) For goods that are Local Costs, the name of the local 
supplier;
    (vii) Quantity;
    (viii) Value of the good; and
    (ix) Incoterms (if the sale of the goods is based on Incoterms 
delivery).
    (10) A full description of each U.S. Service to be covered by the 
Payment Guarantee. The U.S. Services specified in the Seller's 
application for the Payment Guarantee must correspond with the 
description of the U.S. Services specified in the Firm Sales Contract 
and the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit. The description 
must include each of the following:
    (i) Description of the U.S. Service;
    (ii) Supplier of the U.S. Service;
    (iii) Cost of the U.S. Service; and
    (iv) NAICS classification number.
    (11) A description and Date of Performance of each Contractual 
Event, as specified in the Firm Sales Contract.
    (12) Indication of whether a Coverage Waiver is requested in 
accordance with Sec.  1493.290(f). If a Coverage Waiver is requested, 
the applicant must indicate the nature of the waiver requested per 
Sec.  1493.290(f)(1) and provide the justification and explanation 
required by Sec.  1493.290(f)(2).
    (13) Name and location of the Foreign Financial Institution issuing 
the Letter of Credit and, upon request by CCC, written evidence that 
the Foreign Financial Institution has agreed to issue the Letter of 
Credit.
    (14) The term length of the credit being extended and the intervals 
between principal payments for each Contractual Event under the Payment 
Guarantee.
    (15) If applicable, a description of any arrangements or 
understandings with other U.S. or foreign government agencies, or with 
financial institutions or entities, private or public, providing 
guarantees or financing to the Seller or other competing sellers in 
connection with this sale, whether or not the goods or Services are of 
U.S. origin or would otherwise qualify for a Payment Guarantee under 
this subpart. Copies of any documents relating to such arrangements 
must be provided.
    (16) A statement of how this project may encourage privatization of 
the agricultural sector, or benefit private farms or cooperatives, in 
the Destination Country. Include in the statement the share of any 
private sector ownership of the project.
    (17) An estimate of how many U.S. Persons will be or have been 
hired because of the Firm Sales Contract and/or how many U.S Persons 
are required to fulfill the Firm Sales Contract.
    (18) FGP tracking number assigned to previously submitted letter of 
interest, if applicable.
    (c) Review of initial application.
    (1) An initial application may receive conditional approval from 
CCC as submitted, be conditionally approved with modifications agreed 
to by the Seller, or be rejected by CCC. CCC's review will include, but 
not be limited to, the following criteria:
    (i) CCC will only consider an initial application in connection 
with a transaction that CCC determines will benefit primarily exports 
of U.S. Agricultural Commodities.
    (ii) If, based upon a price review, the unit sales price of any 
good(s) and/or Service(s) does not fall within the prevailing 
commercial market level ranges, as determined by CCC, the initial 
application will not be approved as submitted.
    (iii) All initial applications submitted will be screened to 
determine their potential environmental and social impacts. Any 
application determined to have potentially significant adverse 
environmental and/or social impacts will be subject to an environmental 
and social review consistent with the provisions of the OECD Common 
Approaches for Officially Supported Export Credits and Environmental 
and Social Due Diligence. CCC may reject an initial application for 
Payment Guarantee based on the results of this environmental and social 
review.
    (2) Once CCC indicates its approval of the initial application to 
the Seller, the Seller must submit a final application as specified in 
paragraph (d) of this section before CCC will make a final 
determination of whether to issue a Payment Guarantee.
    (d) Final application for Payment Guarantee. CCC must receive the 
Seller's final application for a Payment Guarantee within 30 calendar 
days of CCC's approval of the initial application, unless a longer 
timeframe is agreed to by CCC in writing. The final application for 
Payment Guarantee must be submitted in writing to CCC in the manner 
specified on the USDA Web site, and be accompanied by the full 
guarantee fee (less the letter of interest fee, if applicable, and the 
initial application fee). The final application must identify the name 
and address of the Seller and include the following information:
    (1) FGP tracking number assigned by CCC.
    (2) Destination country.
    (3) The name and address of the Buyer.
    (4) A description of each good and U.S. Service, along with the 
Value of the Good and Cost of the Service, for which guarantee coverage 
is requested, based on CCC's feedback on the Seller's initial 
application. If CCC approved a coverage waiver to provide guarantee 
coverage of only the U.S. components used in the assembly of U.S. 
Goods, provide the Value of the U.S. Components.
    (5) Net Contract Value.
    (6) Amount of the Initial Payment and evidence that the Initial 
Payment has been made by the Buyer to the Seller.
    (7) Description and value of any discounts and allowances.
    (8) Guaranteed Value.
    (9) Guarantee fee.
    (10) The Seller's statement, ``All certifications set forth in 
Sec.  1493.270 are hereby being made by the Seller in this 
application'' which, when included in the application by the Seller, 
will constitute a certification that it is in compliance with all the 
requirements set forth in Sec.  1493.270 with respect to both the 
initial and final applications.
    (e) A final application for a Payment Guarantee may be approved as 
submitted, approved with modifications agreed to by the Seller, or 
rejected by CCC. CCC shall have the right to request the Seller to 
furnish any other information and documentation it deems pertinent to 
the evaluation of the Seller's application. In the event that the final 
application is approved, the Director will cause a Payment Guarantee

[[Page 34090]]

to be issued in favor of the Seller. Such Payment Guarantee will become 
effective at the time specified in Sec.  1493.290(b).


Sec.  1493.270  Certification requirements for obtaining Payment 
Guarantee.

    By providing the statement in Sec.  1493.260(d)(10), the Seller is 
certifying that the information provided in the initial and final 
applications is true and correct and, further, that all requirements 
set forth in this section have been met. The Seller will be required to 
provide further explanation or documentation with regard to final 
applications that do not include this statement. If the Seller makes 
false certifications with respect to a Payment Guarantee, CCC will have 
the right, in addition to any other rights provided under this subpart 
or otherwise as a matter of law, to revoke guarantee coverage for any 
goods not yet exported and Services not yet performed and/or to 
commence legal action and/or administrative proceedings against the 
Seller. The Seller, in submitting an application for a Payment 
Guarantee and providing the statement set forth in Sec.  
1493.260(d)(10), certifies that:
    (a) There have not been any corrupt payments or extra sales 
services or other items extraneous to the transaction provided, 
financed, or guaranteed in connection with the transaction, and the 
transaction complies with applicable United States law, including the 
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other anti-bribery measures;
    (b) At the time of submission of the final application for Payment 
Guarantee, the Buyer does not appear as an excluded party on the SAM 
list;
    (c) The Seller is fully in compliance with the requirements of 
Sec.  1493.320(b) for all existing Payment Guarantees issued to the 
Seller or has requested and been granted an extension per Sec.  
1493.320(b)(3); and
    (d) The information provided pursuant to Sec.  1493.220 has not 
changed and the Seller still meets all of the qualification 
requirements of Sec.  1493.220.


Sec.  1493.280  Special requirements of the Foreign Financial 
Institution Letter of Credit and the Terms and Conditions Document, if 
applicable.

    (a) Permitted mechanisms to document special requirements. (1) A 
Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit is required in 
connection with the sale to which CCC's Payment Guarantee pertains.
    (i) If the obligation to pay by the Foreign Financial Institution 
is conditioned on shipment documentation, the Letter of Credit must 
stipulate presentation of at least one original clean on board bill of 
lading as a required document, unless:
    (A) The Seller, or a related company previously reported to CCC by 
the Seller pursuant to 1493.220(a)(5), is named as the shipper on the 
clean, on-board bill of lading. If the Seller or a related company is 
named the shipper on the bill of lading, the Letter of Credit may 
stipulate a copy or photocopy of an original, clean, on-board bill of 
lading; or
    (B) The Letter of Credit stipulates presentation of electronic 
documents per paragraph (a)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) If the Letter of Credit will allow for presentation of 
electronic documents, the Letter of Credit must so stipulate.
    (iii) If the obligation to pay by the Foreign Financial Institution 
is conditioned on a Contractual Event requiring other than shipment 
documentation, the Contractual Event must be clearly stipulated in 
either the Letter of Credit or the Terms and Conditions Document.
    (2) The use of a Terms and Conditions Document is optional. The 
Terms and Conditions Document, if any, must be specifically identified 
and referred to in the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit.
    (3) The special requirements in paragraph (b) of this section must 
be documented in one of the two following ways:
    (i) The special requirements may be set forth in the Foreign 
Financial Institution Letter of Credit as a special instruction from 
the Foreign Financial Institution; or
    (ii) The special requirements may be set forth in a separate Terms 
and Conditions Document.
    (b) Special requirements. The following provisions are required and 
must be documented in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) The terms of the Repayment Obligation, including a specific 
promise by the Foreign Financial Institution issuing the Letter of 
Credit to pay the Repayment Obligation;
    (2) The following language: ``In the event that the Commodity 
Credit Corporation (``CCC'') is subrogated to the position of the 
obligee hereunder, this instrument shall be governed by and construed 
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, excluding its 
conflict of laws principles. In such case, any legal action or 
proceeding arising under this instrument will be brought exclusively in 
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or the 
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, as determined by CCC, 
and such parties hereby irrevocably consent to the personal 
jurisdiction and venue therein.'';
    (3) A provision permitting the Holder of the Payment Guarantee to 
declare all or any part of the Repayment Obligation, including accrued 
interest, immediately due and payable, in the event a payment default 
occurs under the Letter of Credit or, if applicable, the Terms and 
Conditions Document; and
    (4) Post Default Interest terms.


Sec.  1493.290  Terms and requirements of the Payment Guarantee.

    (a) CCC's obligation. The Payment Guarantee will provide that CCC 
agrees to pay the Holder of the Payment Guarantee an amount not to 
exceed the Guaranteed Value, plus Eligible Interest, in the event that 
the Foreign Financial Institution fails to pay under the Foreign 
Financial Institution Letter of Credit and, if applicable, the Terms 
and Conditions Document. Payment by CCC will be in U.S. dollars.
    (b) Period of guarantee coverage. The Payment Guarantee becomes 
effective on the Date(s) of Performance. For goods, the period of 
coverage will apply from the date on which interest begins to accrue, 
if earlier than the Date of Performance. The Payment Guarantee will 
apply to the period beginning with the Date(s) of Performance and will 
continue during the credit term specified in the Payment Guarantee or 
amendments thereto.
    (c) Terms of the CCC Payment Guarantee. The terms of CCC's coverage 
will be set forth in the Payment Guarantee, as approved by CCC, and 
will include the provisions of this subpart, which may be supplemented 
by any Program Announcements and notices to participants in effect at 
the time the Payment Guarantee is approved by CCC.
    (d) Final Date of Performance. The final allowable Date of 
Performance will be specified on the Payment Guarantee.
    (e) U.S. Content Test. Except as allowed under Sec.  1493.290(f), 
CCC will issue a Payment Guarantee only if the following items 
collectively represent less than 50 percent of the sum of the Net 
Contract Value and the value of approved Local Costs:
    (1) The value of Eligible Non-U.S. Goods; and
    (2) The value of Eligible Imported Components.
    (f) Coverage Waiver.
    (1) The Seller may request a Coverage Waiver for any of the 
following:
    (i) To allow for guarantee coverage of non-U.S. Goods;

[[Page 34091]]

    (ii) The U.S. Content Test, electing for guarantee coverage of only 
the U.S. components used in the assembly of U.S. Goods; and/or
    (iii) The U.S. Content Test, allowing for guarantee coverage of 
non-U.S. Goods and imported components in U.S. Goods in excess of the 
value permitted under the U.S. Content Test.
    (2) To request a Coverage Waiver on any of the bases specified in 
paragraph (1) of this sub-section, the Seller must submit with the 
initial application for a Payment Guarantee a justification of why the 
non-U.S. Goods and/or imported components in U.S. Goods are essential 
to the completion of the FGP project. This justification must be based 
on one of the following:
    (i) The goods and/or components are no longer manufactured in or 
provided by the United States;
    (ii) The use of U.S. Goods and/or components is not cost effective; 
or
    (iii) U.S. Goods and/or components are not compatible with the 
existing infrastructure in the Destination Country.
    (g) Certain transactions are ineligible for Payment Guarantees. A 
transaction (or any portion thereof) is ineligible for Payment 
Guarantee coverage if at any time CCC determines that:
    (1) The sale includes corrupt payments or extra sales or services 
or other items extraneous to the transactions provided, financed, or 
guaranteed in connection with the transaction;
    (2) The sale does not comply with applicable U.S. law, including 
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other anti-bribery 
measures;
    (3) The Buyer is excluded or disqualified from participation in 
U.S. government programs;
    (4) The goods, Services, and/or facility being financed will not 
primarily benefit U.S. Agricultural Commodity exports;
    (5) The sale is not an Eligible Export Sale.
    (h) Certain Contractual Events are ineligible for Payment Guarantee 
coverage. The following Contractual Events are ineligible for coverage 
under an FGP Payment Guarantee, except where it is determined by the 
Director to be in the best interest of CCC to provide guarantee 
coverage on such Contractual Events:
    (1) Contractual Events with a Date of Performance prior to the date 
of receipt by CCC of the Seller's written application for a Payment 
Guarantee;
    (2) Contractual Events with a Date of Performance later than the 
final Date of Performance shown on the Payment Guarantee or any 
amendments thereof;
    (3) Contractual Events where the date of issuance of a Foreign 
Financial Institution Letter of Credit is later than the Date of 
Performance; or
    (4) Contractual Events that have been guaranteed by CCC under 
another Payment Guarantee. If CCC determines that the Contractual Event 
has been guaranteed under multiple Payment Guarantees (or coverage has 
been requested under multiple Payment Guarantees), CCC will determine 
which Payment Guarantee (or application for Payment Guarantee), if any, 
corresponds to an Eligible Export Sale.
    (i) Additional requirements. The Payment Guarantee may contain such 
additional terms, conditions, and limitations as deemed necessary or 
desirable by the Director. Such additional terms, conditions or 
qualifications as stated in the Payment Guarantee are binding on the 
Seller and the Assignee.
    (j) Amendments to the Firm Sales Contract. Any amendments to the 
Firm Sales Contract that impact Contractual Event(s) covered by the 
Payment Guarantee must be submitted to CCC for approval for coverage 
prior to the Date of Performance of the Contractual Event.
    (k) Amendments to the Payment Guarantee. A request for an amendment 
of a Payment Guarantee may be submitted only by the Seller, with the 
written concurrence of the Assignee, if any, and must be accompanied by 
the revised Firm Sales Contract, if applicable. The Director will 
consider such a request only if the amendment sought is consistent with 
this subpart and any applicable Program Announcements and sufficient 
budget authority exists. Any amendment to the Payment Guarantee, 
particularly those that result in an increase in CCC's liability under 
the Payment Guarantee, may result in an increase in the guarantee fee. 
CCC reserves the right to request additional information from the 
Seller to justify the request and to charge a fee for amendments. Such 
fees will be announced and available on the USDA Web site. Any request 
to amend the Foreign Financial Institution on the Payment Guarantee 
will require that the Holder of the Payment Guarantee resubmit to CCC 
the certification in Sec.  1493.310(c)(1)(i) or Sec.  1493.330(e).


Sec.  1493.300  Fees.

    (a) Letter of interest fee. A letter of interest fee, as specified 
on the USDA Web site, must be received by CCC before CCC will consider 
the Seller's letter of interest.
    (b) Initial application fee. An initial application fee, as 
specified on the USDA Web site, must be received by CCC before CCC will 
consider the Seller's initial application for a Payment Guarantee.
    (c) Guarantee fee rates. Guarantee fee rates will be based upon the 
length of the payment terms provided for in the Firm Sales Contract, 
the degree of risk that CCC assumes, as determined by CCC, and any 
other factors that CCC determines appropriate for consideration.
    (d) Calculation of guarantee fee. The guarantee fee will be 
computed by multiplying the Guaranteed Value by the guarantee fee rate.
    (e) Payment of guarantee fee. The Seller shall remit, with his 
final application, the full amount of the guarantee fee, less the 
letter of interest fee, if applicable, and the initial application fee. 
CCC will not issue a Payment Guarantee until the full amount of the 
guarantee fee has been received by CCC. The Seller's wire transfer or 
check for the guarantee fee shall be made payable to CCC and be 
submitted in the manner specified on the USDA Web site.
    (f) Refunds of fees. Letter of interest fees, initial application 
fees, and guarantee fees will ordinarily not be refundable unless the 
Director determines that such refund will be in the best interest of 
CCC.


Sec.  1493.310  Assignment of the Payment Guarantee.

    (a) Requirements for assignment. The Seller may assign the Payment 
Guarantee only to a U.S. Financial Institution approved for 
participation by CCC. The assignment must cover all amounts payable 
under the Payment Guarantee not already paid, may not be made to more 
than one party, and, unless approved in advance by CCC, may not be:
    (1) Made to one party acting for two or more parties; or
    (2) Subject to further assignment.
    (b) CCC to receive notice of assignment of Payment Guarantee. A 
notice of assignment signed by the parties thereto must be filed with 
CCC by the Assignee in the manner specified on the USDA Web site. The 
name and address of the Assignee must be included on the written notice 
of assignment. The notice of assignment should be received by CCC 
within 30 calendar days of the date of assignment.
    (c) Required certifications.
    (1) The U.S. Financial Institution must include the following 
certifications on the notice of assignment: ``I certify, that:
    (i) [Name of Assignee] has verified that the Foreign Financial 
Institution, at the time of submission of the notice of

[[Page 34092]]

assignment, does not appear as an excluded party on the SAM list; and
    (ii) To the best of my knowledge and belief, the information 
provided pursuant to Sec.  1493.230 has not changed and [name of 
Assignee] still meets all of the qualification requirements of Sec.  
1493.230.''
    (2) If the Assignee makes a false certification with respect to a 
Payment Guarantee, CCC may, in its sole discretion, in addition to any 
other action available as a matter of law, rescind and cancel the 
Payment Guarantee, reject the assignment of the Payment Guarantee, and/
or commence legal action and/or administrative proceedings against the 
Assignee.
    (d) Notice of ineligibility to receive assignment. In cases where a 
U.S. Financial Institution is determined to be ineligible to receive an 
assignment, in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, CCC will 
provide notice thereof to the U.S. Financial Institution and to the 
Seller issued the Payment Guarantee.
    (e) Ineligibility of U.S. Financial Institutions to receive an 
assignment and proceeds. A U.S. Financial Institution will be 
ineligible to receive an assignment of a Payment Guarantee or the 
proceeds payable under a Payment Guarantee if such U.S. Financial 
Institution:
    (1) At the time of assignment of a Payment Guarantee, is not in 
compliance with all requirements of Sec.  1493.230(a); or
    (2) Is the branch, agency, or subsidiary of the Foreign Financial 
Institution issuing the Letter of Credit; or
    (3) Is owned or controlled by an entity that owns or controls the 
Foreign Financial Institution issuing the Letter of Credit; or
    (4) Is the U.S. parent of the Foreign Financial Institution issuing 
the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit; or
    (5) Is owned or controlled by the government of a foreign country 
and the Payment Guarantee has been issued in connection with sales of 
goods or Services to Buyers located in such foreign country.
    (f) Repurchase agreements.
    (1) The Holder of the Payment Guarantee may enter into a Repurchase 
Agreement, to which the following requirements apply:
    (i) Any repurchase under a Repurchase Agreement by the Holder of 
the Payment Guarantee must be for the entirety of outstanding balance 
under the associated Repayment Obligation;
    (ii) In the event of default with respect to the Repayment 
Obligation subject to a Repurchase Agreement, the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee must immediately effect such repurchase; and
    (iii) The Holder of the Payment Guarantee must file all 
documentation required by Sec. Sec.  1493.350 and 1493.360 in case of a 
default by the Foreign Financial Institution under the Payment 
Guarantee.
    (2) The Holder of the Payment Guarantee shall, within five Business 
Days of execution of a transaction under the Repurchase Agreement, 
notify CCC of the transaction in writing in the manner specified on the 
USDA Web site. Such notification must include the following 
information:
    (i) Name and address of the other party to the Repurchase 
Agreement;
    (ii) A statement indicating whether the transaction executed under 
the Repurchase Agreement is for a fixed term or if it is terminable 
upon demand by either party. If fixed, provide the purchase date and 
the agreed upon date for repurchase. If terminable on demand, provide 
the purchase date only; and
    (iii) The following written certification: ``[Name of Holder of the 
Payment Guarantee] has entered into a Repurchase Agreement that meets 
the provisions of 7 CFR Sec.  1493.310(f)(1) and, prior to entering 
into this agreement, verified that [name of other party to the 
Repurchase Agreement] does not appear as an excluded party on the SAM 
list.''
    (3) Failure of the Holder of the Payment Guarantee to comply with 
any of the provisions of Sec.  1493.310(f) may result in CCC annulling 
coverage on the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit and 
Terms and Condition Document, if applicable, covered by the Payment 
Guarantee.


Sec.  1493.320  Evidence of performance.

    (a) Report of performance. The Seller is required to provide CCC an 
evidence of performance report for each Contractual Event occurring 
under the Payment Guarantee. This report must include the following 
information:
    (1) Payment Guarantee number;
    (2) Evidence of performance report number (e.g., Report 1, Report 
2) reflecting the report's chronological order of submission under the 
particular Payment Guarantee;
    (3) Date of Performance;
    (4) Seller's Firm Sales Contract number;
    (5) Detailed description of the Contractual Event. For goods, 
include the applicable 10-digit Harmonized System classification code 
and the quantity;
    (6) Value of the Contractual Event covered by the Payment 
Guarantee;
    (7) Description and value of Discounts and Allowances, if any;
    (8) The Seller's statement, ``All certifications set forth in Sec.  
1493.330 are hereby made by the Seller in this evidence of 
performance'' which, when included in the evidence of performance by 
the Seller, will constitute a certification that it is in compliance 
with all the requirements set forth in Sec.  1493.330; and
    (9) In addition to all of the above information, the final evidence 
of performance report for the Payment Guarantee must include the 
following:
    (i) The statement ``All Contractual Events under the Payment 
Guarantee have been completed.''
    (ii) A statement summarizing the total value of all Contractual 
Events covered under the Payment Guarantee (i.e., the cumulative totals 
on all numbered reports).
    (b) Time limit for submission of evidence of performance.
    (1) The Seller must provide a written report to CCC in the manner 
specified on the USDA Web site within 30 calendar days from the Date of 
Performance.
    (2) If at any time the Seller determines that no Contractual Events 
are to occur under a Payment Guarantee, the Seller is required to 
notify CCC in writing no later than the final Date of Performance 
specified on the Payment Guarantee by furnishing the Payment Guarantee 
number and stating ``No Contractual Events will occur under the Payment 
Guarantee.''
    (3) Requests for an extension of the time limit for submitting an 
evidence of performance report must be submitted in writing by the 
Seller to the Director and must include an explanation of why the 
extension is needed. An extension of the time limit may be granted if 
such extension is requested prior to the expiration of the time limit 
for filing and is determined by the Director to be in the best 
interests of CCC.
    (c) Failure to comply with time limits for submission. CCC will not 
accept any new applications for Payment Guarantees from a Seller under 
Sec.  1493.260 until the Seller is fully in compliance with the 
requirements of Sec.  1493.320(b) for all existing Payment Guarantees 
issued to that Seller or has requested and been granted an extension in 
accordance with Sec.  1493.320(b)(3).


Sec.  1493.330  Certification requirements for the evidence of 
performance.

    By providing the statement contained in Sec.  1493.320(a)(8), the 
Seller is certifying that the information provided in the evidence of 
performance report is

[[Page 34093]]

true and correct and, further, that all requirements set forth in this 
section have been met. The Seller will be required to provide further 
explanation or documentation with regard to reports that do not include 
this statement. If the Seller makes false certifications with respect 
to a Payment Guarantee, CCC will have the right, in addition to any 
other rights provided under this subpart or otherwise as a matter of 
law, to annul guarantee coverage for any Contractual Events that have 
not yet occurred and/or to commence legal action and/or administrative 
proceedings against the Seller. The Seller, in submitting the evidence 
of performance and providing the statement set forth in Sec.  
1493.230(a)(8), certifies that:
    (a) The specifications and/or quantity of the Contractual Event 
conform with the information contained in the Seller's application for 
Payment Guarantee and Firm Sales Contract, or if different, CCC has 
approved such changes;
    (b) A Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit has been 
opened in favor of the Seller by the Foreign Financial Institution 
shown on the Payment Guarantee to cover the dollar amount of the 
Contractual Event covered by the Payment Guarantee, less the Initial 
Payment and less Discounts and Allowances;
    (c) There have not been any corrupt payments or extra sales 
services or other items extraneous to the transaction provided, 
financed, or guaranteed in connection with the transaction, and that 
the transaction complies with applicable United States law, including 
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other anti-bribery 
measures;
    (d) If the Seller has not assigned the Payment Guarantee to a U.S. 
Financial Institution, the Seller has verified that the Foreign 
Financial Institution, at the time of submission of the evidence of 
performance report, does not appear as an excluded party on the SAM 
list; and
    (e) The information provided pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1493.220 and 
1493.260 has not changed (except as agreed to and amended by CCC) and 
the Seller still meets all of the qualification requirements of Sec.  
1493.220.


Sec.  1493.340  Proof of entry.

    (a) Diversion. The diversion of goods covered by an FGP Payment 
Guarantee to a country other than that shown on the Payment Guarantee 
is prohibited, unless expressly authorized in writing by the Director.
    (b) Records of proof of entry.
    (1) Sellers must obtain and maintain records of an official or 
customary commercial nature that demonstrate the arrival of the goods 
sold in connection with the FGP in the Destination Country. At the 
Director's request, the Seller must submit to CCC records demonstrating 
proof of entry. Records demonstrating proof of entry must be in English 
or be accompanied by a certified or other translation acceptable to 
CCC. Records acceptable to meet this requirement include an original 
certification of entry signed by a duly authorized customs or port 
official of the Destination Country, by an agent or representative of 
the vessel or shipline that delivered the goods to the Destination 
Country, or by a private surveyor in the Destination Country, or other 
documentation deemed acceptable by the Director showing:
    (i) That the good(s) entered the Destination Country;
    (ii) The identification of the export carrier;
    (iii) The quantity of the good(s);
    (iv) A description of the good(s); and
    (v) The date(s) and place(s) of unloading of the good(s) in the 
Destination Country.
    (2) Where shipping documents (e.g., bills of lading) clearly 
demonstrate that the goods were shipped to the Destination Country, 
proof of entry verification may be provided by the Buyer.


Sec.  1493.350  Notice of default.

    (a) Notice of default. If the Foreign Financial Institution issuing 
the Letter of Credit fails to make payment pursuant to the terms of the 
Letter of Credit or the Terms and Conditions Document, the Holder of 
the Payment Guarantee must submit a notice of default to CCC as soon as 
possible, but not later than 5 Business Days after the date that 
payment was due from the Foreign Financial Institution (the due date). 
A notice of default must be submitted in writing to CCC in the manner 
specified on the USDA Web site and must include the following 
information:
    (1) Payment Guarantee number;
    (2) Name of the country or region as shown on the Payment 
Guarantee;
    (3) Name of the defaulting Foreign Financial Institution;
    (4) Payment due date;
    (5) Total amount of the defaulted payment due, indicating 
separately the amounts for principal and Ordinary Interest, and 
including a copy of the repayment schedule with due dates, principal 
amounts and Ordinary Interest rates for each installment;
    (6) Date of Foreign Financial Institution's refusal to pay, if 
applicable;
    (7) Reason for Foreign Financial Institution's refusal to pay, if 
known, and copies of any correspondence with the Foreign Financial 
Institution regarding the default.
    (b) Failure to comply with time limit for submission. If the Holder 
of the Payment Guarantee fails to notify CCC of a default within 5 
Business Days, CCC may deny the claim for that default.
    (c) Impact of a default on other existing Payment Guarantees.
    (1) In the event that a Foreign Financial Institution defaults 
under a Repayment Obligation under this subpart or under 7 CFR 1493, 
subpart B, CCC may declare that such Foreign Financial Institution is 
no longer eligible to provide additional Letters of Credit under the 
FGP. If CCC determines that such defaulting Foreign Financial 
Institution is no longer eligible for the FGP, CCC shall provide 
written notice of such ineligibility to all Sellers and Assignees, if 
any, having Payment Guarantees covering transactions with respect to 
which the defaulting Foreign Financial Institution is expected to issue 
a Letter of Credit. Receipt of written notice from CCC that a 
defaulting Foreign Financial Institution is no longer eligible to 
provide additional Letters of Credit under the FGP shall constitute 
withdrawal of coverage of that Foreign Financial Institution under all 
Payment Guarantees with respect to any Letter of Credit issued on or 
after the date of receipt of such written notice. CCC will not withdraw 
coverage of the defaulting Foreign Financial Institution under any 
Payment Guarantee with respect to any Letter of Credit issued before 
the date of receipt of such written notice.
    (2) If CCC withdraws coverage of the defaulting Foreign Financial 
Institution, CCC will permit the Seller (with concurrence of the 
Assignee, if any) to utilize another approved Foreign Financial 
Institution, and will consider other requested amendments to the 
Payment Guarantee, for the balance of the transaction covered by the 
Payment Guarantee. If no alternate Foreign Financial Institution is 
identified to issue the Letter of Credit within 30 calendar days, CCC 
will cancel the Payment Guarantee and refund the Seller's guarantee 
fees corresponding to any unutilized portion of the Payment Guarantee.


Sec.  1493.360  Claims for default.

    (a) Filing a claim. A claim by the Holder of the Payment Guarantee 
for a defaulted payment will not be paid if it is made later than 180 
calendar days from the due date of the defaulted payment. A claim must 
be submitted in writing to CCC in the manner specified on the USDA Web 
site. The claim must

[[Page 34094]]

include the following documents and information:
    (1) An original cover letter signed by the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee and containing the following information:
    (i) Payment Guarantee number;
    (ii) A description of:
    (A) Any payments from or on behalf of the defaulting party or 
otherwise related to the defaulted payment that were received by the 
Seller or the Assignee prior to submission of the claim; and
    (B) Any security, insurance, or collateral arrangements, whether or 
not any payment has been realized from such security, insurance, or 
collateral arrangement as of the time of claim, from or on behalf of 
the defaulting party or otherwise related to the defaulted payment.
    (iii) The following certifications:
    (A) A certification that the defaulted payment has not been 
received (or, alternatively, specifying the portion of the scheduled 
payment that has not been received), listing separately scheduled 
principal and Ordinary Interest;
    (B) A certification of the amount of the defaulted payment, 
indicating separately the amounts for defaulted principal and Ordinary 
Interest;
    (C) A certification that all documents submitted under paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section are true and correct copies; and
    (D) A certification that all documents conforming with the 
requirements for payment under the Foreign Financial Institution Letter 
of Credit have been submitted to the negotiating bank or directly to 
the Foreign Financial Institution under such Letter of Credit.
    (2) An original instrument, in form and substance satisfactory to 
CCC, subrogating to CCC the respective rights of the Holder of the 
Payment Guarantee to the amount of payment in default under the 
applicable sale. The instrument must reference the applicable Foreign 
Financial Institution Letter of Credit and, if applicable, the Terms 
and Conditions Document; and
    (3) A copy of each of the following documents:
    (i) The repayment schedule with due dates, principal amounts and 
Ordinary Interest rates for each installment (if the Ordinary Interest 
rates for future payments are unknown at the time of the claim for 
default is submitted, provide estimates of such rates);
    (ii) (A) The Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit 
securing the sale; and
    (B) If applicable, the Terms and Conditions Document;
    (iii) For goods, depending upon the method of shipment, the ocean 
carrier or intermodal bill(s) of lading signed by the shipping company 
with the onboard ocean carrier date for each shipment, the airway bill, 
or, if shipped by rail or truck, the bill of lading and the entry 
certificate or similar document signed by an official of the 
Destination Country. If the transaction utilizes electronic bill(s) of 
lading (e-BL), a print-out of the e-BL from electronic system with an 
electronic signature is acceptable;
    (iv) The Seller's invoice. For shipment of goods, the invoice must 
show the applicable Incoterms;
    (v) The evidence of performance report(s) previously submitted by 
the Seller to CCC in conformity with the requirements of Sec.  
1493.320(a); and
    (vi) If the defaulted payment was part of a transaction executed 
under a Repurchase Agreement, written evidence that the repurchase 
occurred as required under Sec.  1493.310(f)(1)(ii).
    (b) Additional documents. If a claim is denied by CCC, the Holder 
of the Payment Guarantee may provide further documentation to CCC to 
establish that the claim is in good order.
    (c) Subsequent claims for defaults on installments. If the initial 
claim is found in good order, the Holder of the Payment Guarantee need 
only provide all of the required claims documents with the initial 
claim relating to a covered transaction. For subsequent claims relating 
to failure of the Foreign Financial Institution to make scheduled 
installments on the same Contractual Event, the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee need only submit to CCC a notice of such failure containing 
the information stated in paragraph (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and 
(a)(1)(iii)(A) and (B) of this section; an instrument of subrogation as 
per paragraph (a)(2) of this section, and the date the original claim 
was filed with CCC.
    (d) Alternative satisfaction of Payment Guarantees. CCC may 
establish procedures, terms and/or conditions for the satisfaction of 
CCC's obligations under a Payment Guarantee other than those provided 
for in this subpart if CCC determines that those alternative 
procedures, terms, and/or conditions are appropriate in rescheduling 
the debts arising out of any transaction covered by the Payment 
Guarantee and would not result in CCC paying more than the amount of 
CCC's obligation.


Sec.  1493.370  Payment for default.

    (a) Determination of CCC's liability. Upon receipt in good order of 
the information and documents required under Sec.  1493.360, CCC will 
determine whether or not a default has occurred for which CCC is liable 
under the applicable Payment Guarantee. Such determination shall 
include, but not be limited to, CCC's determination that all 
documentation conforms to the specific requirements contained in this 
subpart, and that all documents submitted for payment conform to the 
requirements of the Letter of Credit and, if applicable, the Terms and 
Conditions Document. If CCC determines that it is liable to the Holder 
of the Payment Guarantee, CCC will pay the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) Amount of CCC's liability. CCC's maximum liability for any 
claims submitted with respect to any Payment Guarantee, not including 
any CCC Late Interest Payments due in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this section, will be limited to the lesser of:
    (1) The Guaranteed Value as stated in the Payment Guarantee, plus 
Eligible Interest, less any payments received or funds realized from 
insurance, security or collateral arrangements prior to claim by the 
Seller or the Assignee from or on behalf of the defaulting party or 
otherwise related to the obligation in default (other than payments 
between CCC, the Seller or the Assignee); or
    (2) The guaranteed percentage (as indicated in the Payment 
Guarantee) of the value of the Contractual Event indicated in the 
evidence of performance, plus Eligible Interest, less any payments 
received or funds realized from insurance, security or collateral 
arrangements prior to claim by the Seller or the Assignee from or on 
behalf of the defaulting party or otherwise related to the obligation 
in default (other than payments between CCC, the Seller or the 
Assignee).
    (c) CCC Late Interest. If CCC does not pay a claim within 15 
Business Days of receiving the claim in good order, CCC Late Interest 
will accrue in favor of the Holder of the Payment Guarantee beginning 
with the sixteenth Business Day after the day of receipt of a complete 
and valid claim found by CCC to be in good order and continuing until 
and including the date that payment is made by CCC. CCC Late Interest 
will be paid on the guaranteed amount, as determined by paragraph (b) 
of this section, and will be calculated at a rate equal to the average 
investment rate of the most recent Treasury 91-day bill auction as 
announced by the Department of Treasury as of the due date. If there 
has been no 91-day auction within 90 calendar days of the date CCC Late 
Interest begins to accrue, CCC will apply an alternative rate in a 
manner to be described on the USDA Web site.
    (d) Accelerated payments. CCC will pay claims only on amounts not 
paid as

[[Page 34095]]

scheduled. CCC will not pay claims for amounts due as a result of the 
claimant invoking an accelerated payment clause in the Firm Sales 
Contract, the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of Credit, the Terms 
and Conditions Document (if applicable), or any obligation owed by the 
Foreign Financial Institution to the Holder of the Payment Guarantee 
that is related to the Letter of Credit issued in favor of the Seller, 
unless it is determined to be in the best interests of CCC. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, CCC at its option may declare up to the 
entire amount of the unpaid balance, plus accrued Ordinary Interest, in 
default, require the Holder of the Payment Guarantee to invoke the 
acceleration provision in the Foreign Financial Institution Letter of 
Credit or, if applicable, in the Terms and Conditions Document, require 
submission of all claims documents specified in Sec.  1493.360, and 
make payment to the Holder of the Payment Guarantee in addition to such 
other claimed amount as may be due from CCC.
    (e) Action against the Assignee. If an Assignee submits a claim for 
default pursuant to Section Sec.  1493.360 and all documents submitted 
appear on their face to conform with the requirements of such section, 
CCC will not hold the Assignee responsible or take any action or raise 
any defense against the Assignee for any action, omission, or statement 
by the Seller of which the Assignee has no knowledge.


Sec.  1493.380  Recovery of defaulted payments.

    (a) Notification. Upon claim payment to the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee, CCC will notify the Foreign Financial Institution of CCC's 
rights under the subrogation agreement to recover all monies in 
default.
    (b) Receipt of monies.
    (1) In the event that monies related to the obligation in default 
are recovered by the Seller or the Assignee from or on behalf of the 
defaulting party, the Buyer, or any source whatsoever (excluding 
payments between CCC, the Seller and the Assignee), such monies shall 
be immediately paid to CCC. Any monies derived from insurance or 
through the liquidation of any security or collateral after the claim 
is filed with CCC shall be deemed recoveries that must be paid by the 
Seller and/or Assignee to CCC. If such monies are not received by CCC 
within 15 Business Days from the date of recovery by the Seller or the 
Assignee, such party will also owe to CCC interest from the date of 
recovery of such funds to the date of CCC's receipt of such funds. This 
interest will be calculated at a rate equal to the latest average 
investment rate of the most recent Treasury 91-day bill auction, as 
announced by the Department of Treasury, in effect on the date of 
recovery and will accrue from such date to the date of payment by the 
Seller or the Assignee to CCC. Such interest will be charged only on 
CCC's share of the recovery. If there has been no 91-day auction within 
90 calendar days of the date interest begins to accrue, CCC will apply 
an alternative rate in a manner to be described on the USDA Web site.
    (2) If CCC recovers monies that should be applied to a Payment 
Guarantee for which a claim has been paid by CCC, CCC will pay the 
Holder of the Payment Guarantee its pro rata share if any, provided 
that the required information necessary for determining pro rata 
distribution has been furnished. If a required payment is not made by 
CCC within 15 Business Days from the date of recovery or 15 Business 
Days from receiving the required information for determining pro rata 
distribution, whichever is later, CCC will pay interest calculated at a 
rate equal to the latest average investment rate of the most recent 
Treasury 91-day bill auction, as announced by the Department of 
Treasury, in effect on the date of recovery, and interest will accrue 
from such date to the date of payment by CCC. The interest will apply 
only to the portion of the recovery payable to the Holder of the 
Payment Guarantee.
    (c) Allocation of recoveries. Recoveries received by CCC from any 
source whatsoever that are related to the obligation in default will be 
allocated by CCC to the Holder of the Payment Guarantee and to CCC on a 
pro rata basis determined by their respective interests in such 
recoveries. The respective interest of each party will be determined on 
a pro rata basis, based on the combined amount of principal and 
interest in default on the date the claim is paid by CCC. Once CCC has 
paid out a particular claim under a Payment Guarantee, CCC prorates any 
collections it receives and shares these collections proportionately 
with the Holder of the Payment Guarantee until both CCC and the Holder 
of the Payment Guarantee have been reimbursed in full.
    (d) Liabilities to CCC. Notwithstanding any other terms of the 
Payment Guarantee, under the following circumstances the Seller or the 
Assignee will be liable to CCC for any amounts paid by CCC under the 
Payment Guarantee:
    (1) The Seller will be liable to CCC when and if it is determined 
by CCC that the Seller has engaged in fraud, or has been or is in 
material breach of any contractual obligation, certification or 
warranty made by the Seller for the purpose of obtaining the Payment 
Guarantee or for fulfilling obligations under the FGP; and
    (2) The Assignee will be liable to CCC when and if it is determined 
by CCC that the Assignee has engaged in fraud or otherwise violated 
program requirements.
    (e) Cooperation in recoveries. Upon payment by CCC of a claim to 
the Holder of the Payment Guarantee, the Holder of the Payment 
Guarantee and the Seller will cooperate with CCC to effect recoveries 
from the Foreign Financial Institution and/or the Buyer. Cooperation 
may include, but is not limited to, submission of documents to the 
Foreign Financial Institution (or its representative) to establish a 
claim; participation in discussions with CCC regarding the appropriate 
course of action with respect to a default; actions related to 
accelerated payments as specified in Sec.  1493.370(d); and other 
actions that do not increase the obligation of the Holder of the 
Payment Guarantee or the Seller under the Payment Guarantee.


Sec.  1493.385  Additional obligations and requirements.

    (a) Maintenance of records and access to premises, and responding 
to CCC inquiries. For a period of five years after the date of 
expiration of the coverage of a Payment Guarantee, the Seller and the 
Assignee, if applicable, must maintain and make available all records 
and respond completely to all inquiries pertaining to sales and 
deliveries of and extension of credit for goods and Services sold in 
connection with a Payment Guarantee, including those records generated 
and maintained by agents and related companies involved in special 
arrangements with the Seller. The Secretary of Agriculture and the 
Comptroller General of the United States, through their authorized 
representatives, must be given full and complete access to the premises 
of the Seller and the Assignee, as applicable, during regular business 
hours from the effective date of the Payment Guarantee until the 
expiration of such five-year period to inspect, examine, audit, and 
make copies of the Seller's, Assignee's, agent's, or related company's 
books, records and accounts concerning transactions relating to the 
Payment Guarantee, including, but not limited to, financial records and 
accounts pertaining to sales, inventory, processing, and administrative 
and incidental costs, both normal and unforeseen. During such period, 
the Seller and the Assignee may be required

[[Page 34096]]

to make available to the Secretary of Agriculture or the Comptroller 
General of the United States, through their authorized representatives, 
records that pertain to transactions conducted outside the program, if, 
in the opinion of the Director, such records would pertain directly to 
the review of transactions undertaken by the Seller in connection with 
the Payment Guarantee.
    (b) Responsibility of program participants. It is the 
responsibility of all Sellers and U.S. and Foreign Financial 
Institutions to review, and fully acquaint themselves with, all 
regulations, Program Announcements, and notices to participants 
relating to the FGP, as applicable. All Sellers and U.S. and Foreign 
Financial Institutions participating in the FGP are hereby on notice 
that they will be bound by this subpart and any terms contained in the 
Payment Guarantee and in applicable Program Announcements.
    (c) Submission of documents by Principals. All required 
submissions, including certifications, applications, reports, or 
requests (i.e., requests for amendments), by Sellers, Assignees, or 
Foreign Financial Institutions under this subpart must be signed by a 
Principal of the Seller, Assignee, or Foreign Financial Institution or 
their authorized designee(s). In cases where the designee is acting on 
behalf of the Principal, the signature must be accompanied by wording 
indicating the delegation of authority or, in the alternative, by a 
certified copy of the delegation of authority, and the name and title 
of the authorized person or officer. Further, the Seller, Assignee, or 
Financial Institution must ensure that all information and reports 
required under these regulations are timely submitted.
    (d) Misstatements or noncompliance by Seller may lead to rescission 
of Payment Guarantee. CCC may cancel a Payment Guarantee in the event 
that a Seller makes a willful misstatement in the certifications in 
Sec. Sec.  1493.270(a) and 1493.330(d) or if the Seller fails to comply 
with the provisions of Sec.  1493.340 or Sec.  1493.385(a). However, 
notwithstanding the foregoing, CCC will not cancel its Payment 
Guarantee if it determines, in its sole discretion, that an Assignee 
had no knowledge of the Seller's misstatement or noncompliance at the 
time of assignment of the Payment Guarantee.


Sec.  1493.390  Dispute resolution and appeals.

    (a) Dispute resolution. (1) The Director and the Seller or the 
Assignee will attempt to resolve any disputes, including any adverse 
determinations made by CCC, arising under the FGP, this subpart, the 
applicable Program Announcements and notices to participants, or the 
Payment Guarantee.
    (2) The Seller or the Assignee may seek reconsideration of a 
determination made by the Director by submitting a letter requesting 
reconsideration to the Director within 30 calendar days of the date of 
the determination. For the purposes of this section, the date of a 
determination will be the date of the letter or other means of 
notification to the Seller or the Assignee of the determination. The 
Seller or the Assignee may include with the letter requesting 
reconsideration any additional information that it wishes the Director 
to consider in reviewing its request. The Director will respond to the 
request for reconsideration within 30 calendar days of the date on 
which the request or the final documentary evidence submitted by the 
Seller or the Assignee is received by the Director, whichever is later, 
unless the Director extends the time permitted for response. If the 
Seller or the Assignee fails to request reconsideration of a 
determination by the Director within 30 calendar days of the date of 
the determination, then the determination of the Director will be 
deemed final.
    (3) If the Seller or the Assignee requests reconsideration of a 
determination by the Director pursuant to subparagraph (a)(2) of this 
section, and the Director upholds the original determination, then the 
Seller or the Assignee may appeal the Director's final determination to 
the GSM in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph (b) of 
this section. If the Seller or the Assignee fails to appeal the 
Director's final determination within 30 calendar days, as provided in 
section Sec.  1493.390(b)(1), then the Director's decision becomes the 
final determination of CCC.
    (b) Appeal procedures. (1) A Seller or Assignee that has exhausted 
the procedures set forth in paragraph (a) of this section may appeal a 
final determination of the Director to the GSM. An appeal to the GSM 
must be made in writing and filed with the office of the GSM no later 
than 30 calendar days following the date of the final determination by 
the Director. If the Seller or the Assignee requests an administrative 
hearing in its appeal letter, it shall be entitled to a hearing before 
the GSM or the GSM's designee.
    (2) If the Seller or the Assignee does not request an 
administrative hearing, the Seller or the Assignee must indicate in its 
appeal letter whether or not it will submit any additional written 
information or documentation for the GSM to consider in acting upon its 
appeal. This information or documentation must be submitted to the GSM 
within 30 calendar days of the date of the appeal letter to the GSM. 
The GSM will make a decision regarding the appeal based upon the 
information contained in the administrative record. The GSM will issue 
his or her written decision within 60 calendar days of the latter of 
the date on which the GSM receives the appeal or the date that final 
documentary evidence is submitted by the Seller or the Assignee to the 
GSM.
    (3) If the Seller or the Assignee has requested an administrative 
hearing, the GSM will set a date and time for the hearing that is 
mutually convenient for the GSM and the Seller or the Assignee. This 
date will ordinarily be within 60 calendar days of the date on which 
the GSM receives the request for a hearing. The hearing will be an 
informal procedure. The Seller or the Assignee and/or its counsel may 
present any relevant testimony or documentary evidence to the GSM. A 
transcript of the hearing will not ordinarily be prepared unless the 
Seller or the Assignee bears the costs involved in preparing the 
transcript, although the GSM may decide to have a transcript prepared 
at the expense of the Government. The GSM will make a decision 
regarding the appeal based upon the information contained in the 
administrative record. The GSM will issue his or her written decision 
within 60 calendar days of the latter of the date of the hearing or the 
date of receipt of the transcript, if one is to be prepared.
    (4) The decision of the GSM will be the final determination of CCC. 
The Seller or the Assignee will be entitled to no further 
administrative appellate rights.
    (c) Failure to comply with determination. If the Seller or the 
Assignee has violated the terms of this subpart or the Payment 
Guarantee by failing to comply with a determination made under this 
section, and the Seller or the Assignee has exhausted its rights under 
this section or has failed to exercise such rights, then CCC will have 
the right to exercise any remedies available to CCC under applicable 
law.
    (d) Seller's obligation to perform. The Seller will continue to 
have an obligation to perform pursuant to the provisions of these 
regulations and the terms of the Payment Guarantee pending the 
conclusion of all procedures under this section.


Sec.  1493.395  Miscellaneous provisions.

    (a) Officials not to benefit. No member of or delegate to Congress, 
or Resident Commissioner, shall be admitted to any share or part of the 
Payment Guarantee

[[Page 34097]]

or to any benefit that may arise therefrom, but this provision shall 
not be construed to extend to the Payment Guarantee if made with a 
corporation for its general benefit.
    (b) OMB control number assigned pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. The information collection requirements contained in this part (7 
CFR part 1493) have been approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) in accordance with the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 
and have been assigned OMB Control Number 0551-0032.

     Dated: April 29, 2015.
Philip Karsting,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2015-14449 Filed 6-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-10-P