[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62986-62988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18040]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. TM-07-01]


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP); Notice of Request 
for Emergency Review and Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the 
availability of approximately $1.3 million in competitive grant funds 
for fiscal year 2007 to enable States to explore new market 
opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage 
research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and 
performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include 
State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment 
stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Applicants are 
encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, community-based 
organizations, and other stakeholders in developing proposals and 
conducting projects. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), AMS is requesting emergency review and 
approval of a new information collection.

DATES: Proposals will be accepted through February 12, 2007. Comments 
regarding the information collection requirement under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 must be received on or before December 26, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required documents to: FSMIP 
Staff Officer, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4009 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250; telephone (202) 720-8043; e-mail [email protected].
    Comments concerning the information collection requirements should 
be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB: 
Attention: Desk Officer for AMS, Washington, DC 20503. Please indicate 
that your comments refer to Docket No. TM-07-01. Comments concerning 
the information collection requirements also should be sent to the 
FSMIP Staff Officer at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer; 
telephone (202) 720-8043; fax (202) 690-4948; or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP 
provides matching grants on a competitive basis to enable States to 
explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural 
products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving 
the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible 
applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State agencies. Other 
organizations interested in participating in this program should 
contact their State Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division. 
State agencies specifically named under the authorizing legislation 
should assume the lead role in FSMIP projects, and use cooperative or 
contractual linkages with other agencies, universities, institutions, 
and producer, industry or community-based organizations as appropriate. 
Multi-State projects are encouraged as long as one State assumes the 
coordinating role, using appropriate cooperative arrangements with the 
other States involved.
    Proposals must be accompanied by completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 
and 424A. AMS will not approve the use of FSMIP funds for advertising 
or, with limited exceptions, for the purchase of equipment. Detailed 
program guidelines may be obtained from the contact listed above, and 
are available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.

Background

    FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address 
barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transportation, 
and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically 
and internationally.
    Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock 
products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, 
viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured 
products derived from such commodities. Reflecting the growing 
diversity of U.S. agriculture, in recent years, FSMIP has funded 
projects dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, and products 
made from agricultural residues.

[[Page 62987]]

    Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges, or opportunities 
manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, 
wholesale, and retail. Proposals may involve small, medium, or large 
scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple 
producers or agribusinesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one 
business or individual will not be considered.
    Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, regional 
or national level are appropriate for FSMIP. FSMIP also seeks unique 
proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case 
studies useful as a model for other States. Of particular interest are 
proposals that reflect a collaborative approach among the States, 
academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and 
stakeholders. FSMIP's enabling legislation authorizes projects to:
     Determine the best methods for processing, preparing for 
market, packing, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and 
marketing agricultural products.
     Determine the costs of marketing agricultural products in 
their various forms and through various channels.
     Assist in the development of more efficient marketing 
methods, practices, and facilities to bring about more efficient and 
orderly marketing, and reduce the price spread between the producer and 
the consumer.
     Develop and improve standards of quality, condition, 
quantity, grade, and packaging in order to encourage uniformity and 
consistency in commercial practices.
     Eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of 
agricultural products in commercial channels.
     Foster new/expanded domestic/foreign markets and new/
expanded uses of agricultural products.
     Collect and disseminate marketing information to 
anticipate and meet consumer requirements, maintain farm income, and 
balance production and utilization.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35), this notice announces that AMS is requesting emergency 
review and approval from the Office of Management and Budget of a new 
information collection.
    Title: Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of OMB approval.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting and recordkeeping burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to total 4,730 hours.
    Abstract: The primary objective of FSMIP is to enable States to 
explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural 
products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving 
the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible 
entities under this program include State departments of agriculture, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State 
Agencies.
    AMS has established guidelines that contain full details about 
FSMIP and the application process. The guidelines and application forms 
are available from the FSMIP Staff Officer by calling 202/720-8043, 
faxing 202/690-4948, or e-mailing to [email protected]. This 
information is also available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm. Eligible entities are strongly 
encouraged to follow the guidelines when preparing applications for 
submission to the FSMIP.
    FSMIP applicants must complete Form SF-424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance'' (approved under OMB 4040-0004), for each 
application. Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs'' (approved under OMB 0348-0044), also must be 
completed for each application to show the project's budget breakdown, 
both with regard to expense categories and the division between Federal 
and matching non-Federal sources, as applicable. A Proposal Narrative 
is also required for each application.
    AMS needs to receive the information contained in this collection 
of information to select the projects that will best meet and fulfill 
FSMIP program objectives. The selection process is competitive and AMS 
must ensure that limited funds are used for the intended purpose.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for completing the 
SF 424, SF 424A, and the Proposal Narrative is estimated to average 33 
hours per response.
    Respondents: State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 40.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 80.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,640 hours.
    After approval of the grant application and before grant funds are 
dispersed, grantees must complete the following forms to certify 
compliance with applicable Federal regulations: Form SF-424B, 
``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs'' (approved under OMB 
0348-0040); AD-1047, Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions; AD-1048, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions; 
and AD-1049, Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 
(Grants) Alternative 1--for Grantees Other Than Individuals.
    In addition, four copies of the Grant Agreement must be signed with 
an original signature and dated once by grantees after their proposals 
have been approved and before grant funds are dispersed. The 
information will be used to affirm the award amount, time frame, 
objectives and work plan agreed upon by the grantee and USDA/AMS. The 
Grant Agreement also outlines responsibilities of both parties with 
regard to the grant.
    Standard Form 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement (approved 
under OMB 0348-0004), is completed whenever the grantee 
requests an advance or reimbursement of grant funds. The information 
will be used to keep track of grant disbursements and the level of 
matching funds expended by the grantee during the grant period. We 
expect that grantees will submit a total of three SF 270 forms during 
the grant period.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for completing the 
SF 424B, AD-1047, AD-1048, AD-1049, the Grant Agreement, and three SF 
270 forms is estimated to average 22.6 hours per response.
    Respondents: State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 25.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 565 hours.
    Progress Reports are required at the midpoint of projects approved 
for one year and at six-month intervals for projects of longer 
duration. Progress Reports should (1) briefly summarize activities 
performed and milestones achieved for each objective or sub-element of 
the narrative; (2) note

[[Page 62988]]

unexpected delays or impediments as well as favorable or unusual 
developments; (3) outline work to be performed during the succeeding 
period; and (4) indicate the amount of grant and matching funds 
expended to date. We expect that grantees will submit a total of two 
Progress Reports during the grant period.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for two Progress 
Reports is estimated to average 14 hours per response.
    Respondents: State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 50.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 700 hours.
    Not later than 90 days following the ending date of the Grant 
Agreement the grantee must submit Standard Form 269A, Financial Status 
Report (short form) (approved under OMB 0348-0038), or 
Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report (long form) (approved under 
OMB 0348-0039) to document the final financial status of the 
grant project and to indicate that the one-to-one matching requirement 
has been met. The grantee must also submit a Final Report of results 
and accomplishments within 90 days following the grant ending date. The 
Final Report will include:
     An outline of the issue or problem.
     How the issue or problem was approached via the project.
     Contribution of public or private agency cooperators.
     Results, conclusions and lessons learned.
     Current or future benefits to be derived from the project.
     Additional information available (publications, Web 
sites).
     Recommendations for future research needed, if applicable.
     Contact person for the project with telephone number and 
e-mail address.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for completing the 
SF 269A or SF 269, as appropriate, and the Final Report is estimated to 
average 32 hours per response.
    Respondents: State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State agencies.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 25.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on the Respondents: 800 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the new collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
new collection of information including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    All comments concerning the information collection shall reference 
Docket No. TM-07-01, and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. Comments concerning the information collection 
requirements should be sent to the office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, OMB: Attention: Desk Officer for AMS, Washington, DC 20503. 
Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. TM-07-01. Comments 
also may be sent to Janise Zygmont, Staff Officer, Federal-State 
Marketing Improvement Program, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 
USDA, Room 4009-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250; phone 202/720-8043; and e-mail [email protected]. Comments 
received will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the same address. All comments will become a matter 
of public record.
    AMS 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 two SF forms as well as the 
Proposal Narrative can be filled out electronically and printed out for 
submission or filled out electronically and submitted as an attachment 
through the http://www.grants.gov Web site with the Proposal Narrative.

How To Submit Proposals and Applications

    Applicants have the option of submitting FSMIP applications 
electronically through the Federal grants Web site, http://www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants 
considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to 
familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site well before the 
application deadline and to begin the application process before the 
deadline. Additional details about the FSMIP application process for 
all applicants are available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.
    FSMIP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'' 
under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally 
assisted programs.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: October 24, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18040 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P