[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76738-76740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7948]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the 
Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

    Announcement Type: New.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600.

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 
inviting proposals for the 2007 Foreign Market Development Cooperator 
(Cooperator) Program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit 
applications from eligible applicants and award funds in June 2006. The 
Cooperator Program is administered by personnel of the Foreign 
Agricultural Service (FAS).

DATES: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. eastern standard 
time, March 13, 2006. Applications received after this date will not be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities wishing to apply for funding 
assistance should contact the Marketing Operations Staff, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042, phone: (202) 720-4327, 
fax: (202) 720-9361, e-mail: [email protected]. Information is also 
available on the Foreign Agricultural Service Web site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/fmd.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: The Cooperator Program is authorized by title VII of 
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended. Cooperator Program 
regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1484.

    Purpose: The Cooperator Program is designed to create, expand, and 
maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products 
through cost-share assistance. Financial assistance under the 
Cooperator Program will be made available on a competitive basis and 
applications will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria contained 
herein. All agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for 
consideration.
    The FAS allocates funds in a manner that effectively supports the 
strategic decision-making initiatives of the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 and the USDA's Food and Agricultural Policy 
(FAP). In deciding whether a proposed project will contribute to the 
effective creation, expansion, or maintenance of foreign markets, the 
FAS seeks to identify a clear, long-term agricultural trade strategy 
and a program effectiveness time line against which results can be 
measured at specific intervals using quantifiable product or country 
goals. The 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 
demonstrate performance and address the objectives of the GPRA and FAP.

II. Award Information

    Under the Cooperator Program, the FAS enters into agreements with 
nonprofit U.S. trade organizations which have the broadest possible 
producer representation of the commodity being promoted and gives 
priority to those organizations which are nationwide in membership and 
scope. Cooperators may receive assistance only for the promotion of 
generic activities that do not involve promotions targeted directly to 
consumers. The program generally operates on a reimbursement basis.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. To participate in the Cooperator Program an 
applicant must be a nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization.
    2. Cost Sharing. To participate in the Cooperator Program, an 
applicant must agree to contribute resources to its proposed 
promotional activities. The Cooperator Program is intended to 
supplement, not supplant, the efforts of the U.S. private sector. The 
contribution must be stated in dollars and be at least 50 percent of 
the value of resources provided by CCC for activities conducted under 
the project agreement.
    The degree of commitment of an applicant to the promotional 
strategies contained in its application, as represented by the agreed 
cost share contributions specified therein, is considered by the 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 design and execution of activities. 
The Cooperator Program regulations, in sections 1484.50 and 1484.51, 
provide detailed discussion of eligible and ineligible cost-share 
contributions.
    3. Other. Applications should include a justification for funding 
assistance from the program--an explanation as to what specifically 
could not be

[[Page 76739]]

accomplished without federal funding assistance and why participating 
organization(s) are unlikely to carry out the project without such 
assistance.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Organizations that are 
interested in applying for Cooperator Program funds are encouraged to 
submit their requests using the Unified Export Strategy (UES) format. 
The UES allows interested entities to submit a consolidated and 
strategically coordinated single proposal that incorporates requests 
for funding and recommendations for virtually all the FAS marketing 
programs, financial assistance programs, and market access programs. 
The suggested UES format encourages applicants to examine the 
constraints or barriers to trade that they face, identify activities, 
which would help overcome such impediments, consider the entire pool of 
complementary marketing tools and program resources, and establish 
realistic export goals. Applicants are not required, however, to use 
the UES format. Organizations can submit applications in the UES format 
by two methods. The first allows an applicant to submit information 
directly to the FAS through the Unified Export Strategy (UES) 
application Internet website. The FAS highly recommends applying via 
the Internet, as this format virtually eliminates paperwork and 
expedites the FAS processing and review cycle. Applicants also have the 
option of submitting electronic versions (along with two paper copies) 
of their applications to the FAS on diskette.
    Applicants planning to use the Internet-based system must contact 
the FAS Marketing Operations Staff on (202) 720-4327 to obtain site 
access information. The Internet-based application, including a Help 
file containing step-by-step instructions for its use, may be found at 
the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/cooperators.html.
    Applicants who choose to submit applications on diskette can obtain 
an application format by contacting the Marketing Operations Staff on 
(202) 720-4327.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. To be considered for 
the Cooperator Program, an applicant must submit to the FAS information 
required by the Cooperator Program regulations in Sec.  1484.20. In 
addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's 
issuance of a final policy (68 FR 38402) regarding the need to identify 
entities that are receiving government awards, all applicants must 
submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number. An applicant may request a DUNS number at no cost by calling 
the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. 
Incomplete applications and applications which do not otherwise conform 
to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
    The FAS administers various other agricultural export assistance 
programs, including the Market Access Program (MAP), Cochran 
Fellowships, the Emerging Markets Program, the Quality Samples Program, 
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, and several Export 
Credit Guarantee programs. Any organization that is not interested in 
applying for the Cooperator Program but would like to request 
assistance through one of the other programs mentioned should contact 
the Marketing Operations Staff on (202) 720-4327.
    3. Submission Dates and Times. All applications must be received by 
5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, March 13, 2006. All Cooperator Program 
applicants, regardless of the method of submitting an application, also 
must submit by the application deadline, via hand delivery or U.S. 
mail, an original signed certification statement as specified in 7 CFR 
1484.20(a)(14). Applications or certifications received after this date 
will not be considered.
    4. Funding Restrictions. Certain types of expenses are not eligible 
for reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other 
categories of expenses. CCC will not reimburse unreasonable 
expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval. Full details are 
available in the Cooperator Program regulations in Sec. Sec.  1484.54 
and 1484.55.
    5. Other Submission Requirements and Considerations. All Internet-
based applications must be properly submitted by 5 p.m. eastern 
standard time, March 13, 2006. Signed certification statements also 
must be received by that time at one of the addresses listed below.
    All applications on diskette (with two accompanying paper copies 
and a signed certification statement) and any other form of application 
must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, March 13, 2006, at 
one of the following addresses:
    Hand Delivery (including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing Operations Staff, 
1250 Maryland Ave., SW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.
    U.S. Postal Delivery: Marketing Operations Staff, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 20250-1042.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria and Review Process. Following is a description of the 
FAS process for reviewing applications and the criteria for allocating 
available Cooperator Program funds.

(1) Phase 1--Sufficiency Review and FAS Divisional Review

    Applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by the 
FAS to determine the eligibility of the applicants and the completeness 
of the applications. These requirements appear at sections 1484.14 and 
1484.20 of the Cooperator Program regulations. Applications that meet 
the requirements then will be further evaluated by the proper FAS 
Commodity Division. The Divisions will review each application against 
the criteria listed in sections 1484.21 and 1484.22 of the Cooperator 
Program regulations. 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, Commodity and Marketing Programs, for the 
purpose of allocating available funds among the applicants. 
Applications will compete for funds on the basis of the following 
allocation criteria (the number in parentheses represents a percentage 
weight factor):
(a) Contribution Level (40)
     The applicant's 6-year average share (2002-2007) of all 
contributions (contributions may include cash and goods and services 
provided by U.S. entities in support of foreign market development 
activities) compared to
     The applicant's 6-year average share (2002-2007) of all 
Cooperator marketing plan expenditures.
(b) Past Export Performance (20)
     The 6-year average share (2001-2006) of the value of 
exports promoted by the applicant compared to
     The applicant's 6-year average share (2001-2006) of all 
Cooperator marketing plan expenditures plus a 6-year average share 
(2000-2005) of MAP expenditures and a 6-year average share (2000-2005) 
of foreign overhead provided for co-location within a U.S. agricultural 
trade office.

[[Page 76740]]

(c) Past Demand Expansion Performance (20)
     The 6-year average share (2001-2006) of the total value of 
world trade of the commodities promoted by the applicant compared to
     The applicant's 6-year average share (2001-2006) of all 
Cooperator marketing plan expenditures plus a 6-year average share 
(2000-2005) of MAP expenditures and a 6-year average share (2000-2005) 
of foreign overhead provided for co-location within a U.S. agricultural 
trade office.
(d) Future Demand Expansion Goals (10)
     The projected total dollar value of world trade of the 
commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2012 compared 
to
     The applicant's requested funding level.
(e) Accuracy of Past Demand Expansion Projections (10)
     The actual dollar value share of world trade of the 
commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2005 compared 
to
     The applicant's past projected share of world trade of the 
commodities being promoted by the applicant for the year 2005, as 
specified in the 2002 Cooperator Program application.
    The Commodity Divisions' recommended funding levels for each 
applicant are converted to percentages of the total Cooperator Program 
funds available then multiplied by each weight factor to determine the 
amount of funds allocated to each applicant.
    2. Anticipated Announcement Date. Announcements of funding 
decisions for the Cooperator Program are anticipated during June 2006.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices. The FAS will notify each applicant in writing of 
the final disposition of its application. The 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 Cooperator Program funding and 
cost-share contribution requirements.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Interested 
parties should review the Cooperator Program regulations which are 
available at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/fmd.html. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting MOS at 
(202) 720-4327.
    3. Reporting. The FAS requires various reports and evaluations from 
Cooperators. Reporting requirements are detailed in the Cooperator 
Program regulations in Sec. Sec.  1484.53, 1484.70, and 1484.72.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For additional information and assistance, contact the Marketing 
Operations Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1042, Washington, DC 
20250-1042, phone: (202) 720-4327, fax: (202) 720-9361, e-mail: 
[email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC, on December 9, 2005.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E5-7948 Filed 12-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P