21714 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Notices 

2. Review and Selection Process: All 

applications undergo a multi-phase 

review within FAS, by appropriate FAS 

field offices, and, as needed, by the 

private sector Advisory Committee on 

Emerging Markets to determine the 

qualifications, quality, appropriateness 

of projects, and reasonableness of 

project budgets. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

1. Award Notices: FAS will notify 

each applicant in writing of the final 

disposition of the submitted 

application. 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 EMP funding and 

cost-share contribution requirements. 

2. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements: Interested parties should 

review the EMP regulations, which are 

available at the following URL address: 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/ 

emerging-markets-program-emp. 

3. Reporting. Quarterly progress 

reports for all programs one year or 

longer in duration are required. Projects 

of less than one year generally require 

a mid-term progress report. Final 

performance reports are due 90 days 

after completion of each project. 

Content requirements for both types of 

reports are contained in the Project 

Agreement. Final financial reports are 

also due 90 days after completion of 

each project as attachments to the final 

reports. Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for 

additional reporting requirements. 

VII. Agency Contact(s) 

For additional information and 

assistance, contact the Program 

Operations Division, Office of Trade 

Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Courier address: Room 6512, 1400 

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 

DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, 

or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: 

podadmin@fas.usda.gov. 

Signed at Washington, DC on 18th day of 

March 2014. 

Bryce Quick, 

Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural 

Service and Vice President, Commodity Credit 

Corporation. 

[FR Doc. 2014–08623 Filed 4–15–14; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–10–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Commodity Credit Corporation 

Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting 

Applications for the Technical 

Assistance for Specialty Crops 

Program 

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit 

Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 

inviting proposals for the 2015 

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 fiscal year 

2015 and to set out criteria for the award 

of funds in October 2014. The TASC 

program is administered by personnel of 

the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). 

DATES: To be considered for funding, 

applications must be received by 5 p.m. 

Eastern Daylight Time, May 19, 2014. 

Any applications received after this 

time will be considered only if funds are 

still available. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Entities wishing to apply for funding 

assistance should contact the Program 

Operations Division, Office of Trade 

Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service 

by courier address: Room 6512, 1400 

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 

DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, 

or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: 

podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is 

also available on the FAS Web site at 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/

technical-assistance-specialty-crops. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

Announcement Type: New. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604. 

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 

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. 

Prior to the enactment of the 

Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) on 

February 7, 2014, the TASC program 

was not available to address technical 

barriers to trade except for those that 

were related to sanitary or phytosanitary 

issues. The Act amended the statute 

authorizing the TASC program to allow 

the program to be used to address 

technical barriers to trade regardless of 

whether the barriers are related to a 

sanitary or phytosanitary barrier. At this 

time, the TASC regulations have not yet 

been amended to reflect the recent 

statutory change. Notwithstanding the 

existing TASC regulations, however, 

under this announcement, proposals 

will be accepted in line with the 

amended statute, that is, if the proposals 

address sanitary, phytosanitary, or 

technical barriers to trade, regardless of 

whether the technical barriers are of a 

sanitary or phytosanitary nature. 

As a general matter, TASC program 

projects should be designed to address 

the following criteria: 

• Projects should identify and 

address a sanitary, phytosanitary, or 

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; 

• Projects must address barriers to 

exports of commercially-available U.S. 

specialty crops for which barrier 

removal would predominantly benefit 

U.S. exports; and 

• Projects should include an 

explanation as to what specifically 

could not be accomplished without 

Federal funding assistance and why the 

participating organization(s) would be 

unlikely to carry out the project without 

such assistance. 

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 

deadline 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. Proposals requesting more than 

$500,000 in any given year will not be 

considered. Additionally, private 

entities may submit multi-year 

proposals that may be considered in the 

context of a detailed strategic 

implementation plan. The maximum 

duration of an activity is five years. 

Funding in such cases may, at FAS’ 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Notices 21715 

discretion, be provided one year at a 

time with commitments beyond the first 

year subject to interim evaluations and 

funding availability. In order to validate 

funding eligibility, proposals must 

specify previous years of TASC funding 

for each proposed activity/title/market/ 

constraint combination. Government 

entities are not eligible for multi-year 

funding. 

Applicants may submit multiple 

proposals, and applicants with 

previously approved TASC proposals 

may apply for additional funding. The 

number of approved projects that a 

TASC participant can have underway at 

any given time is five. Please see 7 CFR 

part 1487 and the Supplementary 

Information section of this Notice 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. 

3. Proposals 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 the participating organization(s) 

would be unlikely to carry out the 

project without such assistance. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

1. Application through the Unified 

Export Strategy (UES): Organizations are 

strongly encouraged to submit their 

applications to FAS through the UES 

application Internet Web site. Using the 

UES application process reduces 

paperwork and expedites FAS’s 

processing and review cycle. Applicants 

planning to use the UES Internet-based 

system must contact FAS/Program 

Operations Division to obtain site access 

information, including a user ID and 

password. The UES Internet-based 

application may be found at the 

following URL address: https://

www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/. 

Although FAS highly recommends 

applying via the Internet-based UES 

application, as this format virtually 

eliminates paperwork and expedites the 

FAS processing and review cycle, 

applicants also have the option of 

submitting an electronic version to FAS 

at podadmin@fas.usda.gov. 

2. 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 

with the Office of Management and 

Budget’s policy directive (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 at 1–866–705–5711. 

In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR 

Part 25, each entity that applies to the 

TASC program and does not qualify for 

an exemption under 2 CFR 25.110 must: 

(i) Be registered in the CCR prior to 

submitting an application or plan; 

(ii) Maintain an active CCR 

registration with current information at 

all times during which it has an active 

Federal award or an application or plan 

under consideration by CCC; and 

(iii) Provide its DUNS number in each 

application or plan it submits to CCC. 

Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR 

Part 170, each entity that applies to the 

TASC program and does not qualify for 

an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b) 

must ensure it has the necessary 

processes and systems in place to 

comply with the applicable reporting 

requirements of 2 CFR Part 170 should 

it receive TASC funding. 

Incomplete applications and 

applications that do not otherwise 

conform to this announcement and the 

TASC regulations will not be accepted 

for review. 

3. Submission Dates and Times: 

TASC proposals are reviewed on a 

rolling basis during the fiscal year as 

long as TASC funding is available as set 

forth below: 

• Proposals received by, but not later 

than, 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 

19, 2014, 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 19, 2014, 

will be considered in the order received 

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. Such a proposal must 

include a specific request for expedited 

evaluation. 

FAS will track the time and date of 

receipt of all proposals. 

4. Funding Restrictions: Although 

funded projects may take place in the 

United States or abroad, 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, and will be set 

forth in the written program agreement 

between CCC and the participant. CCC 

will also not reimburse unreasonable 

expenditures or any expenditure made 

prior to approval of a proposal. 

5. Other Submission Requirements: 

All Internet-based applications must be 

properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern 

Daylight Time, May 19, 2014, in order 

to be considered for funding; late 

submissions received after the deadline 

will be considered only if funding 

remains available. All applications 

submitted by email must be received by 

5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 19, 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
21716 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Notices 

2014, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov in 

order to receive the same consideration. 

V. Application Review Information 

1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation 

criteria set forth in § 1487.6 of the TASC 

regulations and in this Notice. 

2. Review and Selection Process: FAS 

will review proposals for eligibility and 

will evaluate each proposal against the 

criteria 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 the submitted 

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.usda.gov/

programs/technical-assistancespecialty-crops. Hard copies may be 

obtained by contacting the Program 

Operations Division at (202) 720–4327. 

3. Reporting: TASC participants will 

be required to submit regular interim 

reports and a final performance report, 

each of which evaluate the TASC 

project using the performance measures 

presented in the approved proposal, as 

set forth in the written program 

agreement. 

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. 

Courier address: Room 6512, 1400 

Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 

DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, 

or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: 

podadmin@fas.usda.gov. 

Signed at Washington, DC, on the 18th of 

March 2014. 

Bryce Quick, 

Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, and Vice President, Commodity 

Credit Corporation. 

[FR Doc. 2014–08626 Filed 4–15–14; 11:15 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–10–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Commodity Credit Corporation 

Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting 

Applications for the Foreign Market 

Development Cooperator Program 

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit 

Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 

inviting proposals for the 2015 Foreign 

Market Development Cooperator 

(Cooperator) program. The intended 

effect of this notice is to solicit 

applications from eligible applicants for 

fiscal year 2015 and to set out criteria 

for the award of funds under the 

program in October 2014. 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 19, 2014. Applications 

received after this date will not be 

considered. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Entities wishing to apply for funding 

assistance should contact the Program 

Operations Division, Office of Trade 

Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service 

by courier address: Room 6512, 1400 

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 

DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, 

or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: 

uesadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is 

also available on the FAS Web site at 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/

foreign-market-development-programfmd. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

Announcement Type: New. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.600. 

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 and in the 

Cooperator program regulations. All 

U.S. agricultural commodities, except 

tobacco, are eligible for consideration. 

FAS allocates funds in a manner that 

effectively supports the strategic 

decision-making initiatives of the 

Government Performance and Results 

Act (GPRA) of 1993. In deciding 

whether a proposed project will 

contribute to the effective creation, 

expansion, or maintenance of foreign 

markets, FAS considers whether the 

applicant provides 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. 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. 

II. Award Information 

Under the Cooperator program, FAS 

enters into agreements with eligible 

nonprofit U.S. trade organizations to 

share the cost of certain overseas 

marketing and promotion activities. 

Funding priority is given to 

organizations that have the broadest 

possible producer representation of the 

commodity being promoted and that are 

nationwide in membership and scope. 

Cooperators may receive assistance only 

for 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 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 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES