[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19494-19495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9734]


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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 2010 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 
FY 2010 and award funds in October 2009. The TASC program is 
administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

DATES: See paragraph IV.4 below for a detailed description of relevant 
dates.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities wishing to apply for funding 
assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of 
Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, Portals Office Building, 
Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 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/tasc/tasc.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: The TASC program is authorized by section 3205 of Public 
Law 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 related 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.
    As a general matter, TASC program projects should be designed to 
address the following criteria:
     Projects should address a sanitary, phytosanitary, or 
related 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; and
     Projects must address barriers to exports of commercially-
available U.S. specialty crops for which barrier removal would 
predominantly benefit U.S. exports.
    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, database development, reasonable logistical and 
administrative support, and travel and per diem expenses.

II. Award Information

    In general, all qualified proposals received before the specified 
application deadlines 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.
    Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and applicants with 
previously approved TASC proposals may apply for additional funding. 
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.

III. 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 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application through the Unified Export Strategy (UES): 
Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications to FAS 
through the UES application Internet Web site. Using the UES 
application process reduces paperwork and expedites FAS' processing and 
review cycle. Applicants planning to use the UES Internet-based system 
must contact FAS Program Operations Division on (202) 720-4327 to 
obtain site access information including a user ID and password. The 
UES 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.
    2. Application through electronic and hard copies: The FAS highly 
recommends applying via the Internet-based UES application. However, 
applicants also have the option of submitting an electronic version of 
their application to FAS (along with two paper copies) on compact disc. 
Applicants may request the application format from the Program 
Operations Division at (202) 720-4327 or obtain the application format 
on the Internet at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/proposals.html.
    3. 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

[[Page 19495]]

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 on 1-866-705-5711.
    Incomplete applications and applications which do not otherwise 
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: TASC funding is limited, and in 
order to assure sufficient resources are available to meet 
unanticipated needs during the fiscal year, TASC proposals will, 
generally, only be evaluated on a semi-annual basis. That is:
     Proposals received prior to, but not later than, 5 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time, May 29, 2009, 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, May 
29, 2009, will be considered 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.
    FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals.
    5. Funding Restrictions: Although funded projects may take place in 
the United States, 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. CCC will also not reimburse unreasonable 
expenditures or any expenditure made prior to approval of a proposal.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: All Internet-based applications 
must be properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 29, 
2009, to be considered.
    All applications on compact disk (with two accompanying paper 
copies) and any other applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time, on May 29, 2009, at the following address:
    Hand Delivery (including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Trade Programs, 
Program Operations Division, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 
Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20024.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation criteria set forth in 
1487.6 of the TASC regulations.
    2. Review and Selection Process: FAS will review proposals for 
eligibility and will evaluate each proposal against the factors 
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.

VI. 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 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: http://www.fas.usa.gov/mos/programs/TASC%201487%201-1-06.pdf. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting the 
Program Operations Divison at (202) 720-4327.
    3. Reporting: TASC participants are required to submit written 
report(s), on not less than an annual basis, and a final report, each 
of which evaluates their TASC project using the performance measures 
presented in the approved proposal.

VII. 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 hand delivery or courier: 
Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024, by phone: (202) 720-4327, by fax: (202) 720-9361, 
e-mail: [email protected].

    Signed at Washington, DC, on the 17th of April 2009.
Patricia R. Sheikh,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9-9734 Filed 4-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P