[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58713-58714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15919]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service


Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Inviting Input About the 
$50 Million Non-Traditional Shelf-Stable Commodities Pilot Program

AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture requests comments from the public to inform an 
understanding on non-traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could 
be used in food assistance programming. FAS seeks to learn what 
commodities could be considered outside the traditional food assistance 
commodities. This RFI offers interested parties the opportunity to 
provide FAS with information regarding non-traditional, shelf-stable 
food aid commodities.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 23, 2024 in 
the Federal Register to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: USDA invites submission of the requested information through 
one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Email: FAS will accept electronic submissions emailed to 
[email protected]. The email should contain the subject line, ``Response 
to RFI: $50 million pilot program.''
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. All comments 
submitted in response to this RFI will be included in the record and 
will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the 
substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or 
entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. 
USDA will make the comments publicly available via http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Kairn, Program and Management 
Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, 
email [email protected], Phone 202-713-8673.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In October 2023, USDA announced with USAID the use of $1 billion of 
Credit Commodity Corporation funding to help fill food security gaps 
and supply safe and nutritious food to the global community in need.
    Of this funding, up to $50 million will be set aside for use in a 
pilot program that will operate to utilize U.S. commodities that:
    1. Have not recently been substantially included in international 
food assistance programming,
    2. Are shelf-stable, and
    3. Are suitable for use in feeding food-insecure populations.
    These U.S.-grown commodities could include, but are not limited to, 
nuts; dried fruits; grains such as quinoa, farro, and oats; and canned 
fish or canned meats.

Request for Information

    FAS requests information from the public to help identify non-
traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could be used in food 
assistance programming under the proposed $50 million pilot program. 
Non-traditional commodities could include, but are not limited to, 
commodities that have never been used before in food assistance 
programming, commodities that have not been used in food assistance 
programming in at least the last 5 years, and/or commodities that can 
be made into a new product. Additionally, FAS requests information from 
the public about non-traditional commodities including:
    1. Cost per metric tonnage, or other customary commercial unit of 
measure, including cost to the U.S. Government,
    2. Estimated cost of delivery of commodities to a U.S. port,
    3. Packaging details, including transportation/containerization 
requirements and costs,
    4. The expected shelf life under normal storage conditions and 
adverse conditions that might be expected in developing countries (i.e. 
high humidity and temperatures),
    5. Any history/documentation of successful storage performance for 
the commodity,
    6. Nutritional benefits for adults and for children,
    7. Essential minerals,
    8. Testing requirements for food safety,
    9. Consumer preparation instructions, if any, including 
requirements for potable water, fuel, and cooking time,

[[Page 58714]]

    10. Whether the commodity meets current Food and Drug 
Administration requirements,
    11. The current production capacity in the United States, and 
seasonality/availability of the commodity for export,
    12. Known challenges and barriers around imports, and
    13. Intended age range for population if product is fortified.
    Please include any relevant data sources. The response to this RFI 
is voluntary, and the public is welcome to address any or all the 
questions and provide additional information that may be relevant to 
seeking information on non-traditional food aid commodities.
    Responses may not exceed ten (10) pages per respondent and should 
focus on addressing the questions described above. Please do not submit 
applications, proposals, resumes or promotional materials. The 
submission shall be written in English and typed on standard 8 1/2'' x 
11'' electronic paper (216mm by 297mm paper), single spaced, font size 
12, with each page numbered consecutively. Any information obtained 
from this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a non-
attribution basis for planning and developing a pilot program for non-
traditional, shelf-stable commodities. This RFI does not constitute a 
formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. Your response to this 
notice will be treated as information only. FAS will not reimburse any 
costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Respondents are advised that 
FAS is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information 
received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any 
information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind 
FAS to any further actions related to this topic. Responses will become 
government property.
    No confidential information, such as confidential business 
information or proprietary information, should be submitted in comments 
for this RFI. Comments received in response to this notice will be a 
matter of public record and will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change and as received, including any 
business information or personal information provided in the comments, 
such as names and addresses. Please do not include anything in your 
comment submission that you do not wish to share with the public.

Daniel Whitley,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15919 Filed 7-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P