Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, 19120-19122 [2016-07633]
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19120
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / Notices
2. Review and Selection Process: All
applications undergo a multi-phase
review within FAS, by appropriate FAS
field offices, and, as needed, by the
private sector Advisory Committee on
Emerging Markets to determine the
qualifications, quality, and
appropriateness of projects and the
reasonableness of project budgets.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Award Notices: FAS will notify
each applicant in writing of the final
disposition of the submitted
application. FAS will send an approval
letter and project agreement to each
approved applicant. The approval letter
and agreement will specify the terms
and conditions applicable to the project,
including the levels of EMP funding and
cost-share contribution requirements.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: Interested parties should
review the EMP regulations, which are
available at the following URL address:
https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/
emerging-markets-program-emp.
3. Reporting. Quarterly progress
reports for all programs one year or
longer in duration are required. Projects
of less than one year generally require
a mid-term progress report. Final
performance reports are due 90 days
after completion of each project.
Content requirements for both types of
reports are contained in the Project
Agreement. Final financial reports are
also due 90 days after completion of
each project as attachments to the final
reports. Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for
additional reporting requirements.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
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For additional information and
assistance, contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture by
courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by
phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202)
720–9361, or by email: podadmin@
fas.usda.gov.
Signed at Washington, DC, on 25th day of
March, 2016.
Bryce Quick,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
Service and Vice President, Commodity Credit
Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2016–07638 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting
Applications for the Technical
Assistance for Specialty Crops
Program
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604.
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC) announces that it is
inviting proposals for the 2017
Technical Assistance for Specialty
Crops (TASC) program. The intended
effect of this notice is to solicit
applications from the private sector and
from government agencies for fiscal year
2017 and to set out criteria for the award
of funds in October 2016. The TASC
program is administered by personnel of
the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
DATES: To be considered for funding,
applications must be received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016.
Any applications received after this
time will be considered only if funds are
still available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Entities wishing to apply for funding
assistance should contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service
by courier: Room 6512, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,
or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:
podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is
also available on the FAS Web site at
https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/
technical-assistance-specialty-cropstasc.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: The TASC program is
authorized by section 3205 of Pub. L.
107–171. TASC regulations appear at 7
CFR part 1487.
Purpose: The TASC program is
designed to assist U.S. organizations by
providing funding for projects that
address sanitary, phytosanitary, or
technical barriers that prohibit or
threaten the export of U.S. specialty
crops. U.S. specialty crops, for the
purpose of the TASC program, are
defined to include all cultivated plants,
or the products thereof, produced in the
United States except wheat, feed grains,
oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar,
and tobacco.
Prior to the enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) on
February 7, 2014, the TASC program
was not available to address technical
barriers to trade except for those that
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
were related to sanitary or phytosanitary
issues. The Act amended the statute
authorizing the TASC program to allow
the program to be used to address
technical barriers to trade regardless of
whether the barriers are related to a
sanitary or phytosanitary barrier. The
TASC regulations have been amended to
reflect the recent statutory change.
As a general matter, TASC program
projects should be designed to address
the following criteria:
• Projects should identify and
address a sanitary, phytosanitary, or
technical barrier that prohibits or
threatens the export of U.S. specialty
crops;
• Projects should demonstrably
benefit the represented industry rather
than a specific company or brand;
• Projects must address barriers to
exports of commercially-available U.S.
specialty crops for which barrier
removal would predominantly benefit
U.S. exports; and
• Projects should include an
explanation as to what specifically
could not be accomplished without
Federal funding assistance and why the
participating organization(s) would be
unlikely to carry out the project without
such assistance.
Examples of expenses that CCC may
agree to reimburse under the TASC
program include, but are not limited to:
Initial pre-clearance programs, export
protocol and work plan support,
seminars and workshops, study tours,
field surveys, development of pest lists,
pest and disease research, reasonable
logistical and administrative support,
and travel and per diem expenses.
B. Award Information
In general, all qualified proposals
received before the specified application
deadline will compete for funding. The
limited funds and the range of barriers
affecting the exports of U.S. specialty
crops worldwide preclude CCC from
approving large budgets for individual
projects. Proposals requesting more than
$500,000 in any given year will not be
considered. Additionally, private
entities may submit multi-year
proposals that may be considered in the
context of a detailed strategic
implementation plan. The maximum
duration of an activity is five years.
Funding in such cases may, at FAS’
discretion, be provided one year at a
time with commitments beyond the first
year subject to interim evaluations and
funding availability. In order to validate
funding eligibility, proposals must
specify previous years of TASC funding
for each proposed activity/title/market/
constraint combination. Government
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entities are not eligible for multi-year
funding.
Applicants may submit multiple
proposals, and applicants with
previously approved TASC proposals
may apply for additional funding. The
number of approved projects that a
TASC participant can have underway at
any given time is five. Please see 7 CFR
part 1487 for additional restrictions.
FAS will consider providing either
grant funds as direct assistance to U.S.
organizations or technical assistance on
behalf of U.S. organizations, provided
that the organization submits timely and
qualified proposals. FAS will review all
proposals against the evaluation criteria
contained in the program regulations.
Funding for successful proposals will
be provided through specific
agreements. These agreements will
incorporate the proposal as approved by
FAS. FAS must approve in advance any
subsequent changes to the project. FAS
or another Federal agency may be
involved in the implementation of
approved projects.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S.
organization, private or government,
with a demonstrated role or interest in
exporting U.S. agricultural commodities
may apply to the program. Government
organizations consist of Federal, State,
and local agencies. Private organizations
include non-profit trade associations,
universities, agricultural cooperatives,
state regional trade groups, and private
companies.
Foreign organizations, whether
government or private, may participate
as third parties in activities carried out
by U.S. organizations, but are not
eligible for direct funding assistance
from the program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: FAS
considers the applicant’s willingness to
contribute resources, including cash,
goods, and services of the U.S. industry
and foreign third parties, when
determining which proposals are
approved for funding.
3. Funding Justification: Proposals
should include a justification for
funding assistance from the program—
an explanation as to what specifically
could not be accomplished without
Federal funding assistance and why the
participating organization(s) would be
unlikely to carry out the project without
such assistance.
D. Application and Submission
Information
1. Application through the Unified
Export Strategy (UES): Organizations are
strongly encouraged to submit their
applications to FAS through the web-
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based UES application. Using the UES
application process reduces paperwork
and expedites FAS’s processing and
review cycle. Applicants planning to
use the UES system must contact FAS’
Program Operations Division to obtain
site access information, including a user
ID and password. The UES Internetbased application may be found at the
following URL address: https://
www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.
Although FAS highly recommends
applying via the web-based UES
application, applicants have the option
of submitting an electronic version to
FAS at podadmin@fas.usda.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission: All TASC proposals must
contain complete information about the
proposed projects as described in
§ 1487.5(b) of the TASC program
regulations. In addition, in accordance
with the Office of Management and
Budget’s policy directive (68 FR 38402
(June 27, 2003)) regarding the need to
identify entities that are receiving
government awards, all applicants must
submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number. An applicant may request a
DUNS number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS number
request line at (866) 705–5711.
In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR
part 25, each entity that applies to the
TASC and does not qualify for an
exemption under 2 CFR 25.110 must:
(i) Provide a valid DUNS number in
each application or plan it submits to
CCC;
(ii) Be registered in the System for
Award Management (SAM) prior to
submitting an application or plan; and
(iii) Continue to maintain an active
SAM registration with current
information at all times during which it
has an active Federal award or an
application or plan under consideration
by CCC.
Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170, each entity that applies to the
TASC program and does not qualify for
an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b)
must ensure it has the necessary
processes and systems in place to
comply with the applicable reporting
requirements of 2 CFR part 170 should
it receive TASC funding.
Incomplete applications and
applications that do not otherwise
conform to this announcement will not
be accepted for review.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
TASC proposals are reviewed on a
rolling basis during the fiscal year as
long as TASC funding is available as set
forth below:
• Proposals received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016,
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19121
will be considered for funding with
other proposals received by that date;
• Proposals not approved for funding
during the review period will be
reconsidered for funding after the
review period only if the applicant
specifically requests such
reconsideration in writing, and only if
funding remains available;
• Proposals received after 5 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016,
will be considered in the order received
for funding only if funding remains
available.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
proposal may be submitted for
expedited consideration under the
TASC Quick Response process if, in
addition to meeting all requirements of
the TASC program, a proposal clearly
identifies a time–sensitive activity. In
these cases, a proposal may be
submitted at any time for an expedited
evaluation. Such a proposal must
include a specific request for expedited
evaluation.
FAS will track the time and date of
receipt of all proposals.
4. Funding Restrictions: Although
funded projects may take place in the
United States or abroad, all eligible
projects must specifically address
sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical
barriers to the export of U.S. specialty
crops.
Certain types of expenses are not
eligible for reimbursement by the
program, such as the costs of market
research, advertising, or other
promotional expenses, and will be set
forth in the written program agreement
between CCC and the participant. CCC
will also not reimburse unreasonable
expenditures or any expenditure made
prior to approval of a proposal.
5. Other Submission Requirements:
All applications must be properly
submitted through the UES by 5 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016, in
order to be considered for funding; late
submissions received after the deadline
will be considered only if funding
remains available. All applications
submitted by email must be received by
5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3,
2016, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov in
order to receive the same consideration.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation
criteria set forth in § 1487.6 of the TASC
regulations. Reviewers will evaluate
according to the following criteria:
(1) The nature of the specific export
barrier and the extent to which the
proposal is likely to successfully
remove, resolve, or mitigate that barrier
(12.5%);
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(2) The potential trade impact of the
proposed project on market retention,
market access, and market expansion,
including the potential for expanding
commercial sales in the targeted market
(12.5%);
(3) The completeness and viability of
the proposal. Among other things, this
can include the cost of the project and
the amount of other resources dedicated
to the project, including cash, goods,
and services of the U.S. industry and
foreign third parties (15%);
(4) The ability of the organization to
provide an experienced staff with the
requisite technical and trade experience
to execute the proposal (15%);
(5) The extent to which the proposal
is targeted to a market in which the
United States is generally competitive
(17.5%);
(6) The degree to which time is
essential to addressing specific export
barriers (5%);
(7) The ability of the applicant to
provide a broad base of producer
representation (12.5%);
(8) The effectiveness and potential of
the performance measures (10%);
2. Review and Selection Process: FAS
will review proposals for eligibility and
will evaluate each proposal against the
criteria referred to above. The purpose
of this review is to identify meritorious
proposals, recommend an appropriate
funding level for each proposal based
upon these factors, and submit the
proposals and funding
recommendations to the Deputy
Administrator, Office of Trade
Programs. FAS may, when appropriate,
request the assistance of other U.S.
government subject area experts in
evaluating the merits of a proposal.
F. Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices: FAS will
notify each applicant in writing of the
final disposition of the submitted
application. FAS will send an approval
letter and agreement to each approved
applicant. The approval letter and
agreement will specify the terms and
conditions applicable to the project,
including levels of funding, timelines
for implementation, and written
evaluation requirements.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: The agreements will
incorporate the details of each project as
approved by FAS. Each agreement will
identify terms and conditions pursuant
to which CCC will reimburse certain
costs of each project. Agreements will
also outline the responsibilities of the
participant. Interested parties should
review the TASC program regulations
found at 7 CFR part 1487 in addition to
this announcement. TASC program
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19:03 Apr 01, 2016
Jkt 238001
regulations are available at the following
URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/
programs/technical-assistancespecialty-crops-tasc. Hard copies may
be obtained by contacting the Program
Operations Division at (202) 720–4327.
3. Reporting: TASC participants will
be required to submit regular interim
reports and a final performance report,
each of which evaluate the TASC
project using the performance measures
presented in the approved proposal, as
set forth in the written program
agreement.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
For additional information and
assistance, contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture by
courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by
phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202)
720–9361, or by e–mail: podadmin@
fas.usda.gov.
Signed at Washington, DC on the 25th of
March, 2016.
Bryce Quick,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural
Service, and Vice President, Commodity
Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2016–07633 Filed 4–1–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting
Applications for the Quality Samples
Program
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.605.
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC) announces it is
inviting proposals for the 2017 Quality
Samples Program (QSP). The intended
effect of this notice is to solicit
applications from eligible applicants for
fiscal year 2017 and to set out the
criteria for the award of funds under the
program in October 2016. QSP is
administered by personnel of the
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
DATES: To be considered for funding,
applications must be received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016.
Any applications received after this
time will be considered only if funds are
still available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Entities wishing to apply for funding
assistance should contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade
Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
by courier: Room 6512, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,
or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email:
podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is
also available on the FAS Web site at
https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/
quality-samples-program-qsp.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: QSP is authorized under
Section 5(f) of the CCC Charter Act, 15
U.S.C. 714c(f).
Purpose: QSP is designed to
encourage the development and
expansion of export markets for U.S.
agricultural commodities by assisting
U.S. entities in providing commodity
samples to potential foreign importers to
promote a better understanding and
appreciation for the high quality of U.S.
agricultural commodities.
QSP participants will be responsible
for procuring (or arranging for the
procurement of) commodity samples,
exporting the samples, and providing
the on-site technical assistance
necessary to facilitate successful use of
the samples by importers. Participants
that are funded under this
announcement may seek reimbursement
from QSP for the sample purchase price
and for the cost of transporting the
samples domestically to the port of
export and then to the foreign port or
point of entry. Transportation costs from
the foreign port or point of entry to the
final destination are not eligible for
reimbursement. CCC will not reimburse
the costs incidental to purchasing and
transporting samples, such as:
Inspection or documentation fees,
certificates of any kind, tariffs, etc.
Although providing technical assistance
is required for all projects, QSP will not
reimburse the costs of providing
technical assistance. A QSP participant
will be reimbursed after CCC reviews its
reimbursement claim and determines
that the claim is complete.
General Scope of QSP Projects: QSP
projects are the activities undertaken by
a QSP participant to provide an
appropriate sample of a U.S. agricultural
commodity to a foreign importer, or a
group of foreign importers, in a given
market. The purpose of the project is to
provide information to an appropriate
target audience regarding the attributes,
characteristics, and proper use of the
U.S. commodity. A QSP project
addresses a single market/commodity
combination.
As a general matter, QSP projects
should conform to the following
guidelines:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19120-19122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07633]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604.
SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is
inviting proposals for the 2017 Technical Assistance for Specialty
Crops (TASC) program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit
applications from the private sector and from government agencies for
fiscal year 2017 and to set out criteria for the award of funds in
October 2016. The TASC program is administered by personnel of the
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
DATES: To be considered for funding, applications must be received by 5
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016. Any applications received
after this time will be considered only if funds are still available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities wishing to apply for funding
assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of
Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service by courier: Room 6512,
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202)
720-4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by email:
podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is also available on the FAS Web
site at https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: The TASC program is authorized by section 3205 of Pub.
L. 107-171. TASC regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1487.
Purpose: The TASC program is designed to assist U.S. organizations
by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary,
or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S.
specialty crops. U.S. specialty crops, for the purpose of the TASC
program, are defined to include all cultivated plants, or the products
thereof, produced in the United States except wheat, feed grains,
oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco.
Prior to the enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) on
February 7, 2014, the TASC program was not available to address
technical barriers to trade except for those that were related to
sanitary or phytosanitary issues. The Act amended the statute
authorizing the TASC program to allow the program to be used to address
technical barriers to trade regardless of whether the barriers are
related to a sanitary or phytosanitary barrier. The TASC regulations
have been amended to reflect the recent statutory change.
As a general matter, TASC program projects should be designed to
address the following criteria:
Projects should identify and address a sanitary,
phytosanitary, or technical barrier that prohibits or threatens the
export of U.S. specialty crops;
Projects should demonstrably benefit the represented
industry rather than a specific company or brand;
Projects must address barriers to exports of commercially-
available U.S. specialty crops for which barrier removal would
predominantly benefit U.S. exports; and
Projects should include an explanation as to what
specifically could not be accomplished without Federal funding
assistance and why the participating organization(s) would be unlikely
to carry out the project without such assistance.
Examples of expenses that CCC may agree to reimburse under the TASC
program include, but are not limited to: Initial pre-clearance
programs, export protocol and work plan support, seminars and
workshops, study tours, field surveys, development of pest lists, pest
and disease research, reasonable logistical and administrative support,
and travel and per diem expenses.
B. Award Information
In general, all qualified proposals received before the specified
application deadline will compete for funding. The limited funds and
the range of barriers affecting the exports of U.S. specialty crops
worldwide preclude CCC from approving large budgets for individual
projects. Proposals requesting more than $500,000 in any given year
will not be considered. Additionally, private entities may submit
multi-year proposals that may be considered in the context of a
detailed strategic implementation plan. The maximum duration of an
activity is five years. Funding in such cases may, at FAS' discretion,
be provided one year at a time with commitments beyond the first year
subject to interim evaluations and funding availability. In order to
validate funding eligibility, proposals must specify previous years of
TASC funding for each proposed activity/title/market/constraint
combination. Government
[[Page 19121]]
entities are not eligible for multi-year funding.
Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and applicants with
previously approved TASC proposals may apply for additional funding.
The number of approved projects that a TASC participant can have
underway at any given time is five. Please see 7 CFR part 1487 for
additional restrictions.
FAS will consider providing either grant funds as direct assistance
to U.S. organizations or technical assistance on behalf of U.S.
organizations, provided that the organization submits timely and
qualified proposals. FAS will review all proposals against the
evaluation criteria contained in the program regulations.
Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific
agreements. These agreements will incorporate the proposal as approved
by FAS. FAS must approve in advance any subsequent changes to the
project. FAS or another Federal agency may be involved in the
implementation of approved projects.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. organization, private or
government, with a demonstrated role or interest in exporting U.S.
agricultural commodities may apply to the program. Government
organizations consist of Federal, State, and local agencies. Private
organizations include non-profit trade associations, universities,
agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and private
companies.
Foreign organizations, whether government or private, may
participate as third parties in activities carried out by U.S.
organizations, but are not eligible for direct funding assistance from
the program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: FAS considers the applicant's
willingness to contribute resources, including cash, goods, and
services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties, when
determining which proposals are approved for funding.
3. Funding Justification: Proposals should include a justification
for funding assistance from the program--an explanation as to what
specifically could not be accomplished without Federal funding
assistance and why the participating organization(s) would be unlikely
to carry out the project without such assistance.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Application through the Unified Export Strategy (UES):
Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit their applications to
FAS through the web-based UES application. Using the UES application
process reduces paperwork and expedites FAS's processing and review
cycle. Applicants planning to use the UES system must contact FAS'
Program Operations Division to obtain site access information,
including a user ID and password. The UES Internet-based application
may be found at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.
Although FAS highly recommends applying via the web-based UES
application, applicants have the option of submitting an electronic
version to FAS at podadmin@fas.usda.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: All TASC proposals
must contain complete information about the proposed projects as
described in Sec. 1487.5(b) of the TASC program regulations. In
addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's
policy directive (68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003)) regarding the need to
identify entities that are receiving government awards, all applicants
must submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number. An applicant may request a DUNS number at no cost by calling
the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at (866) 705-5711.
In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, each entity that
applies to the TASC and does not qualify for an exemption under 2 CFR
25.110 must:
(i) Provide a valid DUNS number in each application or plan it
submits to CCC;
(ii) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior
to submitting an application or plan; and
(iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or
an application or plan under consideration by CCC.
Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, each entity that
applies to the TASC program and does not qualify for an exception under
2 CFR 170.110(b) must ensure it has the necessary processes and systems
in place to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of 2 CFR
part 170 should it receive TASC funding.
Incomplete applications and applications that do not otherwise
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
3. Submission Dates and Times: TASC proposals are reviewed on a
rolling basis during the fiscal year as long as TASC funding is
available as set forth below:
Proposals received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June
3, 2016, will be considered for funding with other proposals received
by that date;
Proposals not approved for funding during the review
period will be reconsidered for funding after the review period only if
the applicant specifically requests such reconsideration in writing,
and only if funding remains available;
Proposals received after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,
June 3, 2016, will be considered in the order received for funding only
if funding remains available.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a proposal may be submitted for
expedited consideration under the TASC Quick Response process if, in
addition to meeting all requirements of the TASC program, a proposal
clearly identifies a time-sensitive activity. In these cases, a
proposal may be submitted at any time for an expedited evaluation. Such
a proposal must include a specific request for expedited evaluation.
FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals.
4. Funding Restrictions: Although funded projects may take place in
the United States or abroad, all eligible projects must specifically
address sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers to the export of
U.S. specialty crops.
Certain types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by the
program, such as the costs of market research, advertising, or other
promotional expenses, and will be set forth in the written program
agreement between CCC and the participant. CCC will also not reimburse
unreasonable expenditures or any expenditure made prior to approval of
a proposal.
5. Other Submission Requirements: All applications must be properly
submitted through the UES by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, June 3,
2016, in order to be considered for funding; late submissions received
after the deadline will be considered only if funding remains
available. All applications submitted by email must be received by 5
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 3, 2016, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov in
order to receive the same consideration.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation criteria set forth in Sec.
1487.6 of the TASC regulations. Reviewers will evaluate according to
the following criteria:
(1) The nature of the specific export barrier and the extent to
which the proposal is likely to successfully remove, resolve, or
mitigate that barrier (12.5%);
[[Page 19122]]
(2) The potential trade impact of the proposed project on market
retention, market access, and market expansion, including the potential
for expanding commercial sales in the targeted market (12.5%);
(3) The completeness and viability of the proposal. Among other
things, this can include the cost of the project and the amount of
other resources dedicated to the project, including cash, goods, and
services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties (15%);
(4) The ability of the organization to provide an experienced staff
with the requisite technical and trade experience to execute the
proposal (15%);
(5) The extent to which the proposal is targeted to a market in
which the United States is generally competitive (17.5%);
(6) The degree to which time is essential to addressing specific
export barriers (5%);
(7) The ability of the applicant to provide a broad base of
producer representation (12.5%);
(8) The effectiveness and potential of the performance measures
(10%);
2. Review and Selection Process: FAS will review proposals for
eligibility and will evaluate each proposal against the criteria
referred to above. The purpose of this review is to identify
meritorious proposals, recommend an appropriate funding level for each
proposal based upon these factors, and submit the proposals and funding
recommendations to the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs.
FAS may, when appropriate, request the assistance of other U.S.
government subject area experts in evaluating the merits of a proposal.
F. Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing
of the final disposition of the submitted application. FAS will send an
approval letter and agreement to each approved applicant. The approval
letter and agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable
to the project, including levels of funding, timelines for
implementation, and written evaluation requirements.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: The agreements
will incorporate the details of each project as approved by FAS. Each
agreement will identify terms and conditions pursuant to which CCC will
reimburse certain costs of each project. Agreements will also outline
the responsibilities of the participant. Interested parties should
review the TASC program regulations found at 7 CFR part 1487 in
addition to this announcement. TASC program regulations are available
at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc. Hard copies may be obtained
by contacting the Program Operations Division at (202) 720-4327.
3. Reporting: TASC participants will be required to submit regular
interim reports and a final performance report, each of which evaluate
the TASC project using the performance measures presented in the
approved proposal, as set forth in the written program agreement.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
For additional information and assistance, contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by courier: Room 6512, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-
4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.
Signed at Washington, DC on the 25th of March, 2016.
Bryce Quick,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2016-07633 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P