Notice of Funding Opportunity: Inviting Applications for the Market Access Program, 24467-24470 [2019-11022]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Commodity Credit Corporation
• Foreign Agricultural Service

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24467-24470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11022]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Funding Opportunity: Inviting Applications for the 
Market Access Program

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 
inviting applications for the 2020 Market Access Program (MAP). The MAP 
is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) 
on behalf of CCC. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit 
proposals from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2020 and to set out 
the criteria for the awarding of funds under the program.

DATES: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time, Friday, June 28, 2019. Applications received after this date will 
not be considered. FAS anticipates that the initial funding selections 
will be made by the end of October 2019, with the initial award dates 
estimated to be by the end of December 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants needing 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: [email protected]. Information, 
including a copy of the program regulations, is also available on the 
FAS website at the following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/market-access-program-map.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Funding Opportunity Description

    Announcement Type: New.
    Award Instrument: Grant.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.601.
    Authorizing Authority: The MAP is authorized under Section 203(b) 
of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(b)), as amended. 
MAP regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1485.
    Appropriation Authority: Funding for the MAP is provided under 7 
U.S.C. 5623(f).
    Purpose: The MAP is designed to encourage the development, 
maintenance, and expansion of commercial export markets for United 
States agricultural commodities and products through cost-share 
assistance. Under the MAP, FAS enters into agreements with eligible 
Participants to share the cost of certain overseas marketing and 
promotion activities. Financial assistance under the MAP is made 
available on a competitive basis, and applications are reviewed against 
the evaluation criteria contained herein and in the MAP regulations. 
All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for 
consideration.
    FAS allocates funds in a manner that effectively supports the 
strategic decision-making initiatives of the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding whether a proposed project will 
contribute to the effective creation, expansion, or maintenance of 
foreign markets, FAS considers whether the applicant provides a clear, 
long-term agricultural trade strategy and an effective program time 
line against which results can be measured at specific intervals using 
quantifiable product or country goals. FAS also considers the extent to 
which a proposed project targets markets with the greatest growth 
potential. These factors are part of the FAS resource allocation 
strategy to fund applicants who can best demonstrate performance and 
address the objectives of the GPRA.
    Funding Available: The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 provides 
no less than $200 million for MAP for each of the fiscal years FY 2019 
through FY 2023.

[[Page 24468]]

B. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Organizations: To participate in the MAP, an applicant 
must be a nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization, a nonprofit 
state regional trade group, a U.S. agricultural cooperative, or a state 
government agency. Small-sized private U.S. commercial entities may 
participate in a branded program through a MAP Participant.
    2. Eligible Activities: MAP Participants may receive assistance for 
generic or brand promotion activities. For generic activities, funding 
priority is given to organizations that have the broadest possible 
producer representation of the commodity being promoted and that are 
nationwide in membership and scope. For branded activities, only 
nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, nonprofit state 
regional trade groups (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and 
state government agencies can participate directly in the brand 
program.
    3. Limits on Activities: MAP activities are approved for a single 
program year, with the approval dates specified in the allocation 
approval letter that is provided as part of the award approval package. 
Only those MAP activities that are approved in each applicant's 
allocation approval letter may be implemented, and those activities 
must be implemented during the 12-month program year specified in the 
allocation approval letter. Requests for activity changes during the 
program year must be approved in advance by FAS. MAP Participants must 
re-apply for the program every year.
    4. Funding Restrictions: Certain types of expenses are not eligible 
for reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other 
categories of expenses. FAS also will not reimburse unreasonable 
expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval. Full details and a 
list of eligible and ineligible expenses may be found in the MAP 
regulations in section 1485.17.
    5. Cost-Sharing: To participate in the MAP, an applicant must agree 
to contribute resources towards its proposed promotional activities. 
The MAP is intended to supplement, not supplant, the efforts of the 
U.S. private sector. In the case of generic promotion, the contribution 
must be at least 10 percent of the value of resources provided by FAS 
for such generic promotion. In the case of branded promotion, the 
contribution must be at least 50 percent of the total cost of such 
brand promotion.
    The degree of commitment of an applicant to the promotional 
strategies contained in its application, as represented by the cost-
share contributions specified therein, is considered by FAS when 
determining which applications will be approved for funding. Cost-share 
may be actual cash invested or in-kind contributions, such as 
professional staff time spent on the design and implementation of 
activities. The MAP regulations, in section 1485.16, provide a detailed 
discussion of eligible and ineligible cost-share contributions.
    6. Other: Applications 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 
participating organizations are unlikely to carry out the project 
without such assistance. The MAP generally operates on a reimbursement 
basis.
    7. Intergovernmental Review: An intergovernmental review may be 
required. Applicants must contact their state's Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) to comply with their state's process under Executive Order 12372 
(see https://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf). The names and 
addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of Management and 
Budget's home page at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf.

C. Award Information

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 01/01/2020

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2023

    It is anticipated that FAS will award approximately 70 awards under 
the 2020 MAP, subject to programmatic approval and available funding. 
In general, all qualified proposals received before the submission 
deadline will compete for funding. FAS will review all proposals 
against the evaluation criteria contained in the program regulations.
    Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific 
agreements. FAS must approve in advance any subsequent changes to the 
agreement.
    Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, or after 
an amendment has been issued to close out a grant, whichever comes 
first, FAS will confirm that the participant has provided all of the 
required reports and will review the reports for completeness and 
content. Once the required reports are approved, FAS will prepare a 
closeout letter that advises the participant of the award closeout 
procedures. The notice will indicate the period of performance as 
closed, list any remaining funds that will be de-obligated, and address 
the requirement of maintaining the grant records for three years from 
the date of the final FFR.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Submit Application Package: Organizations should 
submit their MAP applications to FAS through the web-based Unified 
Export Strategy (UES) system. The UES allows interested applicants to 
submit a single consolidated and strategically coordinated proposal 
that incorporates requests for funding under all of the FAS market 
development programs. The suggested UES format encourages applicants to 
examine the constraints or barriers to trade that they face, identify 
activities that would help overcome such impediments, consider the 
entire pool of complementary marketing tools and program resources, and 
establish realistic export goals. Applicants planning to use the UES 
system must first contact FAS' Program Operations Division to obtain 
site access information. The web-based application may be found at the 
following URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.
    Applicants experiencing difficulty or otherwise needing assistance 
applying to the program 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: 
[email protected].
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for 
MAP, an applicant must submit to FAS an application package consisting 
of Standard Forms 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' (SF-424), 
and 424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs'' (SF-424A), 
which are standard forms required for use as cover sheets for 
submission of applications and related information under discretionary 
programs, and the information required by Section 1485.13 of the MAP 
regulations. Incomplete applications or applications that do not 
otherwise conform to this announcement and the MAP regulations will not 
be accepted for review.
    In addition, any applicant that has not provided the following 
required certifications through the System for Award Management (SAM) 
must

[[Page 24469]]

complete and provide them to FAS before the application can be approved 
for funding:
    1. SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs''
    2. AD-3030 and AD-3031, ``Representations Regarding Felony 
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status For Corporate Applicants''
    3. AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 
Other Responsibility Matters''
    4. AD-1049 or AD-1052 (as appropriate), ``Certification Regarding 
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements''
    5. Certification Regarding Lobbying. If paragraph 2 of the 
certification applies, then the form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying 
Activities'' must also be completed and submitted.
    3. Other Required Information: In accordance with the Office of 
Management and Budget's policy (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 MAP and does not qualify for an exemption under 2 CFR 
25.110 must:
    (i) Be registered in SAM prior to submitting an application or 
plan; and
    (ii) 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 FAS; and
    (iii) Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan it 
submits to FAS.
    FAS may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM 
requirements, and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time FAS is ready to make the award, FAS may 
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and 
use that determination as a basis for making an award to another 
applicant.
    Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, each entity that 
applies to MAP 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 MAP funding.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: All applications must be received by 
5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Friday, June 28, 2019. Applications 
received after the deadline will not be considered.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria and Review Process: A description of the FAS process 
for reviewing applications and the criteria for allocating available 
MAP funds is as follows:
    (1) Phase 1--Sufficiency Review and FAS Divisional Review: 
Applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by FAS to 
determine the eligibility of the applicants and the completeness of the 
applications. These requirements appear in sections 1485.12 and 1485.13 
of the MAP regulations. Applications that meet the requirements will 
then be further evaluated by the appropriate Commodity Branch office of 
FAS' Cooperator Programs Division. The Commodity Branches will review 
each application against the criteria listed in section 1485.14(b) and 
(c) of the MAP regulations as well as in this Notice. The purpose of 
this review is to identify meritorious proposals and to recommend an 
appropriate funding level for each application based upon these 
criteria.
    (2) Phase 2--Competitive Review: Meritorious applications then will 
be passed on to the Office of the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade 
Programs, for the purpose of allocating available funds among the 
applicants. Applicants will compete for funds on the basis of the 
following allocation criteria as applicable (the number in parentheses 
represents the percentage weight factor):
    (a) Applicant's Contribution Level (40): The applicant's 4-year 
average share (2017-2020) of all contributions under the MAP compared 
to the applicant's 4-year average share (2017-2020) of the funding 
level for all MAP Participants.
    (b) Past U.S. Export Performance (30): The 3-year average share 
(2016-2018) of the value of U.S. exports promoted by the applicant 
compared to the applicant's 2-year average share (2018-2019) of the 
funding level for all MAP Participants plus, for those groups 
participating in the Cooperator program, the 2-year average share 
(2018-2019) of all Cooperator program budgets.
    (c) Projected U.S. Export Goals (15): The total dollar value of 
projected U.S. exports of the commodities being promoted by the 
applicant for the year 2020 compared to the applicant's requested 
funding level.
    (d) Accuracy of Past U.S. Export Projections (15): The actual 
dollar value share of U.S. exports of the commodities being promoted by 
the applicant for the year 2018 as reported in the 2020 MAP application 
compared to the projection of U.S. exports for 2018 as specified in the 
2018 MAP application.
    The Commodity Branches' recommended funding levels for each 
applicant are adjusted by each weight factor as described above to 
determine the amount of funds allocated to each applicant.
    In addition, FAS, prior to making a Federal award with a total 
amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition 
threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the 
applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system 
accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An 
applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated 
integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on 
any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously 
entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance 
system accessible through SAM. FAS will consider any comments by the 
applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated 
integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 
applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under 
Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants 
as described in 2 CFR 200.205 ``Federal awarding agency review of risk 
posed by applicants.''

F. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the 
final disposition of its application. FAS will send an approval letter 
and program agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter 
and program agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable 
to the project, including the levels of MAP funding and cost-share 
contribution requirements. All successful applicants for all grant and 
cooperative agreements are required to comply with the Standard 
Administrative Terms and Conditions, which are available online at: 
https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp. The applicable Standard Administrative Terms and 
Conditions will be those in effect for the year in which the award was 
originally made unless explicitly stated otherwise in subsequent 
mutually-agreed amendments to the award.
    Before accepting the award, the potential awardee should carefully 
read the approval letter and program agreement for instructions on 
administering the grant award and the

[[Page 24470]]

terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under Federal 
Awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as 
any special terms and conditions in the approval letter and program 
agreement to receive an award under this program.
    2. Reporting: FAS requires various reports and evaluations from MAP 
Participants. Required reports include an annual contributions report 
that identifies, by cost category and in U.S. dollar equivalents, 
contributions made by the Participant, the U.S. industry, and the 
States during that program year. All MAP Participants must also report 
annual results against their target market and/or regional constraint/
opportunity performance measures and must provide program success 
stories on an annual basis, or more often when appropriate or required 
by FAS. There are additional reporting requirements for trip reports, 
evaluation reports, and research reports. Full reporting requirements 
are detailed in sections 1485.22 and 1485.23 of the MAP regulations.
    3. Federal Financial Reporting Requirements: The Federal Financial 
Reporting Form (FFR) is available online at: https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149786.
    4. Monitoring: FAS through its authorized representatives, has the 
right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project 
accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such 
technical assistance as may be required. During site visits, FAS will 
review grant recipients' files related to the grant-funded program.
    As part of any monitoring and program evaluation activities, grant 
recipients must permit FAS, upon reasonable notice, to review grant-
related records and to interview the organization's staff and clients 
regarding the program, and to respond in a timely and accurate manner 
to FAS requests for information relating to their grant program.

G. Agency Contact(s)

    1. Application Submission Contact(s) and Program Support: 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: [email protected].
    2. Grants Management Contact(s): Eric Bozoian, Grants Management 
Specialist, Foreign Agricultural Service, United States, Department of 
Agriculture, Email: [email protected], Office: (202) 378-1054.

    Dated: May 21, 2019.
Clay Hamilton,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
    Dated: May 21, 2019.
Bill Northey,
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2019-11022 Filed 5-24-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P