15580 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Notices 

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 2008 Foreign 

Market Development Cooperator 

(Cooperator) Program. The intended 

effect of this notice is to solicit 

applications from eligible applicants 

and award funds in October 2007. The 

Cooperator Program is administered by 

personnel of the Foreign Agricultural 

Service (FAS). 

DATES: All applications must be 

received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight 

Time, May 14, 2007. Applications 

received after this date will not be 

considered. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Entities wishing to apply for funding 

assistance should contact the Program 

Policy Staff, 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: 

ppsadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is 

also available on the Foreign 

Agricultural Service Web site at http:// 

www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/ 

fmdprogram.asp. 

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 

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 (DES) 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 UES application 

Internet Web site. 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 compact disc. 

Applicants planning to use the 

Internet-based system must contact the 

FAS Program Policy Staff on (202) 720–

4327 to obtain site access information. 

The Internet-based application, 

including a Help file containing step-bystep 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 compact disc can obtain 

an application format by contacting the 

Program Policy 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 section 1484.20. In addition, in 

accordance with the Office of 

Management and Budget’s issuance of a 

final policy (68 FR 38402 (June 27, 

2003)) regarding the need to identify 

entities that are receiving government 

awards, all applicants must submit a 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES3
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Notices 15581 

Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) number. An 

applicant may request a DUNS number 

at no cost by calling the dedicated tollfree 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 Program Policy Staff 

on (202) 720–4327. 

3. Submission Dates and Times. All 

applications must be received by 5 p.m. 

Eastern Daylight Time, May 14, 2007. 

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 section 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 

sections 1484.54 and 1484.55. 

5. Other Submission Requirements 

and Considerations. All Internet-based 

applications must be properly submitted 

by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 

14, 2007. Signed certification statements 

also must be received by that time at 

one of the addresses listed below. 

All applications on compact disc 

(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, May 14, 2007, at one of the 

following addresses: 

Hand Delivery (including FedEx, 

DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, Program Policy Staff, Portals 

Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 

Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 

20024. 

U.S. Postal Delivery: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, Program Policy Staff, Stop 

1042, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 

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 I—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 Commodity Branch in FAS’

Market Development and Grants 

Management Division. The Commodity 

Branch 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, Office of Trade 

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 (2003–2008) 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 (2003–2008) of all Cooperator 

marketing plan expenditures. 

(b) Past Export Performance (20) 

* The 6-year average share (2002–

2007) of the value of exports promoted 

by the applicant compared to 

* The applicant’s 6-year average 

share (2002–2007) of all Cooperator 

marketing plan expenditures plus a 6- 

year average share (2001–2006) of MAP 

expenditures and a 6-year average share 

(2001–2006) of foreign overhead 

provided for co-location within a U.S. 

agricultural trade office. 

(c) Past Demand Expansion Performance 

(20) 

* The 6-year average share (2002–

2007) of the total value of world trade 

of the commodities promoted by the 

applicant compared to 

* The applicant’s 6-year average 

share (2002–2007) of all Cooperator 

marketing plan expenditures plus a 6- 

year average share (2001–2006) of MAP 

expenditures and a 6-year average share 

(2001–2006) 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 

2013 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 

2006 compared to 

* The applicant’s past projected share 

of world trade of the commodities being 

promoted by the applicant for the year 

2006, as specified in the 2003 

Cooperator Program application. 

The Commodity Branches’

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 October 2007. 

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/ 

fmdprogram.asp. Hard copies maybe 

obtained by contacting PPS at (202) 

720–4327. 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES3
15582 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Notices 

3. Reporting. The FAS requires 

various reports and evaluations from 

Cooperators. Reporting requirements are 

detailed in the Cooperator Program 

regulations in sections 1484.53, 1484.70, 

and 1484.72. 

VII. Agency Contact(s) 

For additional information and 

assistance, contact the Program Policy 

Staff, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Portals 

Office Building, Suite 400, Stop 1042, 

1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20024, phone: (202) 

720–4327; fax: (202) 720–9361, e-mail: 

ppsadmin@fas.usda.gov. 

W. Kirk Miller, 

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service 

and Vice President, Commodity Credit 

Corporation. 

[FR Doc. 07–1591 Filed 3–29–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–10–M 

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 the 

availability of funding for the 2008 

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 

participation in the FY 2008 TASC 

Program. The TASC Program is 

administered by personnel of the 

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). 

DATES: See paragraph IV.3 below for a 

detailed description of relevant dates. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Entities wishing to apply for funding 

assistance should contact the Program 

Policy Staff, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 

Maryland Avenue, Stop 1042, SW., 

Washington, DC 20024, phone: (202) 

720–4327, fax: (202) 720–9361, email: 

ppsadmin@fas.usda.gov. 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 Pub. L. 

107–171. TASC regulations appear at 7 

CPR 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 

accomplish the following goals: 

• 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 and not 

a specific company or brand; and, 

• Projects must address barriers to 

U.S. specialty crops that are currently 

available on a commercial basis and 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. In prior years, the amount of 

funding per proposal has ranged from 

$13,000 to $250,000, the maximum 

allowed. 

Applicants may submit multiple 

proposals, and applicants with 

previously approved TASC proposals 

may apply for additional funding. 

However, no TASC participant may 

have more than three approved projects 

underway at any given time. 

FAS will consider providing either 

grant funds as direct assistance to U.S. 

organizations or providing 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 United 

States organization, private or 

government, 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: 

Applicants are very strongly encouraged 

to provide matching funds or cost 

sharing support in this highly 

competitive program. Such support may 

be in the form of cash, goods, or in-kind 

services which are dedicated to the 

project by the organization that 

submitted the proposal, private industry 

entities, host governments, or foreign 

third parties. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

1. Application through the UES: 

Organizations are strongly encouraged 

to submit applications to FAS through 

the Unified Export Strategy (UES) 

application Internet website. 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 

Policy Staff on (202) 720–4327 to obtain 

site access information including a user 

ID and password. The UES Internetbased 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: Applicants also have the 

option of submitting electronic versions 

in the UES format (along with two paper 

copies) of their applications to FAS on 

diskette. Applicants who choose to 

submit applications on diskette can 

obtain an application format at the 

following URL address: 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES3