[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 48052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22615]



[[Page 48052]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Interim Guidelines and Funds Availability for Projects Involving 
the Local and Regional Procurement of Food Aid

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service and Commodity Credit Corporation, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Foreign Agricultural Service 
(FAS), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is issuing 
a set of guidelines for the administration and implementation of Local 
and Regional Food Aid Procurement Pilot Project (PPP) authorized under 
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. FAS will provide CCC 
funds in the form of grants to qualified organizations during FY 2009 
through FY 2011 for the implementation of field-based projects under 
the PPP to meet the food needs of targeted vulnerable groups. The 
``Interim Guidelines for the Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement 
Project'' can be found at http://www.fas.usda.gov/food-aid.asp. The 
Interim Guidelines are intended to guide the application and 
implementation of field projects in developing countries that involve 
the local and regional procurement of food aid. Field projects will be 
funded primarily to expedite the provision of food aid to vulnerable 
populations affected by food crises and disasters. A secondary purpose 
will be to provide development assistance that will enhance the food 
consumption security of such populations. The Interim Guidelines inform 
prospective participants about the qualification criteria and 
application process, as well as procedures and requirements for project 
implementation, monitoring and reporting. This notice formally requests 
public review of and comments on the Interim Guidelines.

DATES: The Interim Guidelines will be effective immediately upon 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Eligible 
organizations may submit applications for qualification and funding for 
field-based projects following the date of publication. Members of the 
public must submit comments on the Interim Guidelines on or before 
October 21, 2009. FAS will consider comments received by this date and 
then issue final guidelines for the Local and Regional Procurement 
Pilot Project.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     E-Mail to: [email protected] or [email protected];
     Fax: (202) 690-0251;
     U.S. Postal Delivery: Jamie Fisher, Food Assistance 
Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Stop 1034, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1034; 
and
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Jamie Fisher, Food Assistance 
Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20024.
    For comments on the Interim Guidelines, please include the volume, 
date, and page number of this Federal Register notice. Comments may be 
inspected in the Office of the Director, Food Assistance Division, 
Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1250 
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Fisher, Program Analyst, Food 
Assistance Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Stop 1034, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1034; phone (202) 720-5620; by fax: (202) 690-0251; or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    FAS intends to hold information and feedback sessions pertaining to 
the Interim Guidelines shortly after their issuance. Interested 
organizations should immediately consult http://www.fas.usda.gov/food-aid.asp after the issuance of the Interim Guidelines for specific 
information about the date, time, and location of these information 
sessions. Other announcements regarding the PPP will be posted at this 
address over the life of the Project.
    The USDA prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of 
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political 
beliefs, marital, or familial status. Persons with disabilities who 
require alternative means for communication of program information 
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office 
of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Interim Guidelines for the PPP are intended to accomplish the 
following objectives:
    1. Set forth the criteria for eligible organizations to apply to 
become qualified to submit applications for funding of a field-based 
project.
    2. Inform qualified organizations about the requirements for the 
submission of applications for funding field-based emergency response 
projects, development assistance projects, or both.
    3. Set forth the implementation guidelines and performance and 
reporting requirements.
    4. Establish minimum quality standards for eligible commodities.
    5. Allow for sufficient flexibility for participants to expedite 
the provision of food assistance to populations affected by food crises 
and disasters and to facilitate the recovery of market systems that 
directly affect food consumption.
    6. Provide guidance to ensure that local and regional purchases:
     Expedite the provision of food to vulnerable populations;
     Do not increase the price of food for low-income 
consumers;
     Do not disrupt global agricultural commodity markets;
     Do not disrupt normal patterns of commercial trade; and
     Do not serve as a disincentive that substantially 
undermines the agricultural production levels of farmers in the 
recipient country or in a neighboring country in the region.
    7. Identify the types of data and information that implementing 
organizations must collect for the independent evaluation of the PPP.

    Dated: August 24, 2009.
Michael V. Michener,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9-22615 Filed 9-16-09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P