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reimbursement if the claim is not supported by adequate documentation.

3. Reporting: A written evaluation report must be submitted within 90 days of the expiration of each participant’s QSP agreement. Evaluation reports should address all performance measures that were presented in the proposal.

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, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

Signed at Washington, DC, on May 4, 2010.

John D. Brewer,

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.

[FR Doc. 2010–11144 Filed 5–10–10; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–10–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Commodity Credit Corporation**

**Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Emerging Markets**  **Program**

Announcement Type: New. Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.603.

**SUMMARY :**  The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2011 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The

intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the private sector and from government agencies for FY 2011. The EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS).

**DATES :**  All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 11, 2010. 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, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is also available on the Foreign Agricultural Service Web site at http:// www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/emmarkets.asp.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: The EMP is authorized by section 1542(d)(1) of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (The Act), as amended. The EMP regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1486.

1. Purpose. The EMP assists U.S. entities in developing, maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products by funding activities that improve emerging

markets’ food and rural business systems, including reducing potential

trade barriers in such markets. The EMP is intended primarily to support export market development efforts of the private sector, but EMP resources may also be used to assist public organizations.

All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration. Agricultural product(s) should be comprised of at least 50 percent U.S. origin content by weight, exclusive of added water, to be eligible for funding. Proposals that seek support for multiple commodities are also eligible. EMP funding may only be used to develop, maintain, or expand emerging markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products through generic activities. EMP funding may not be used to support the export of another country’s products to the United States, or to promote the development of a foreign economy as a primary objective. Funding provided for government participation may only be used to support the activities of government officials expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of other

countries.

2. Appropriate Activities. All EMP projects must fall into at least one of the following four categories:

(a) Assistance to U.S. individuals expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of other countries. This type of EMP project must include all three of the following:

• Conduct an assessment of the food and rural business system needs of an emerging market;

• Make recommendations on measures necessary to enhance the effectiveness of these systems; and

• Identify opportunities and projects

to enhance the effectiveness of the emerging market’s food and rural business systems.

(b) To be eligible, such proposals must clearly demonstrate that experts are primarily agricultural consultants, farmers, government officials, and other persons from the private sector, and that they have expertise in assessing the food and rural business systems of other

countries.

(c) Assistance to enable individuals from emerging markets to travel to the

United States so that these individuals can, for the purpose of enhancing the food and rural business systems in their
countries, become familiar with U.S. technology and agribusiness and rural enterprise operations by consulting with food and rural business system experts

in the United States.

(d) Assistance to enable U.S. agricultural producers and other individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and agribusiness matters to travel to emerging markets to assist in transferring their knowledge and expertise to entities in emerging

markets. Such travel must be to emerging markets. Travel to developed markets is not eligible under the program even if the traveler’s targeted market is an emerging market.

(e) Technical assistance to implement the recommendations, projects, and/or opportunities identified by assistance
under (1) above. Technical assistance that does not implement the recommendations, projects, and/or opportunities identified by assistance under (1) above is not eligible under the

EMP.

Proposals that do not fall into one or more of the four categories above, regardless of previous guidance provided regarding the EMP, are not eligible for consideration under the

program.

EMP funds may not be used to support normal operating costs of individual organizations, nor as a source to recover pre-award costs or prior expenses from previous or ongoing projects. Proposals that counter national strategies or duplicate activities planned or already underway by U.S. non-profit agricultural commodity or trade
associations (‘‘cooperators’’) will not be considered. Other ineligible expenditures include: branded product promotions (in-store, restaurant advertising, labeling, etc. ); advertising, administrative, and operational expenses for trade shows; Web site development; equipment purchases; and the preparation and printing of brochures, flyers, and posters (except in connection with specific technical assistance activities such as training seminars.). For a more complete description of ineligible expenditures, please refer to the EMP regulations.

3. Eligible Markets. The Act defines an emerging market as any country that the Secretary of Agriculture determines:


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(a) Is taking steps toward developing a market-oriented economy through the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors of the economy of the country;

and

(b) Has the potential to provide a viable and significant market for U.S. agricultural commodities or products of U.S. agricultural commodities.

Because EMP funds are limited and the range of potential emerging market
countries is worldwide, consideration will be given only to proposals that target countries or regional groups with per capita income of less than $11,905 (the current ceiling on upper middle income economies as determined by the World Bank [World Development Indicators; July 2009, http:// siteresources.worldbank.org/

DATASTATISTICS/Resources/

CLASS.XLS] and populations of greater

than 1 million.

Income limits and their calculation can change from year to year with the result that a given country may qualify under the legislative and administrative criteria 1 year but not the next.
Therefore, CCC has not established a fixed list of emerging market countries.

A few countries technically qualify as emerging markets but may require a separate determination before funding can be considered because of political

sensitivities.

II. Award Information

In general, all qualified proposals received before the application deadline will compete for EMP funding. Priority consideration will be given to proposals that directly support or address at least one of the goals and objectives in the USDA and FAS Strategic Plans. The applicants’ willingness to contribute resources, including cash, goods and

services will be a critical factor in determining which proposals are funded under the EMP. Proposals will also be judged on the potential benefits to the industry represented by the applicant and the degree to which the proposal demonstrates industry support.

The limited funds and the range of eligible emerging markets worldwide generally preclude CCC from approving large budgets for individual projects.

While there is no minimum or

maximum amount set for EMP-funded projects, most projects are funded at a
level of less than $500,000 and for a duration of approximately 1 year. Private entities may submit multi-year proposals requesting higher levels of funding that may be considered in the context of a detailed strategic implementation plan. Funding in such cases is generally limited to 3 years and provided 1 year at a time with commitments beyond the first year subject to interim evaluations and funding availability. Government entities are not eligible for multi-year funding.

Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific agreements. The CCC, through FAS, will be kept informed of the implementation of approved projects through the requirement to provide interim progress reports and final performance reports. Changes in the original project timelines and adjustments within project budgets must be approved in advance by FAS.

Note: EMP funds awarded to government agencies must be expended or otherwise obligated by close of business, September 30, 2011.

III. Eligibility and Qualification

Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Any United States private or government entity, e.g., universities, non-profit trade associations, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups (SRTG), profit-making entities, and consulting
businesses, with a demonstrated role or interest in exports of U.S. agricultural commodities or products may apply to the program. Proposals from research and consulting organizations will be considered if they provide evidence of substantial participation by and financial support from the U.S. industry. For-profit entities are also eligible but may not use program funds to conduct private business, promote private self-interests, supplement the

costs of normal sales activities or promote their own products or services beyond specific uses approved by CCC in a given project.

U.S. market development cooperators and SRTGs may seek funding to address priority, market specific issues and to

undertake activities not suitable for funding under other CCC marketing

programs, e.g., the Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) Program and the Market Access Program (MAP). 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: No private sector proposal will be considered without the element of cost-share from the applicant and/or U.S. partners. The EMP is intended to complement, not supplant, the efforts of the U.S. private sector.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of cost-share, though the range in recent successful proposals has been between 35 and 75 percent. The degree of commitment to a proposed project, represented by the amount and type of private funding, is one factor used in determining which proposals will be approved for funding. Cost-share may be actual cash invested or professional time of staff assigned to the project. Proposals for which private industry iswilling to commit cash, rather than inkind contributions such as staff resources, will be given priority

consideration.

Cost-sharing is not required for proposals from government agencies, but is mandatory for all other eligible entities, even when they may be party to a joint proposal with a government agency. Contributions from USDA or other government agencies or programs may not be counted toward the stated cost-share requirement of other applicants. Similarly, contributions from foreign (non-U.S.) organizationsmay not be counted toward the costshare requirement, but may be counted in the total cost of the project.

3. Other: 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. Applicants may submit more than one proposal.

IV. Application and Submission

Information

1. Address to Request Application Package: EMP applicants have the opportunity to utilize the Unified Export Strategy (UES) application process, an online system that provides a means for interested applicants to submit a consolidated and strategically coordinated single proposal that incorporates funding requests for any or all of the market development programs administered by FAS.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application to FAS through the UES application Internet Web site.

The Internet-based format reduces paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review cycle. Applicants planning to use the on-line UES system must contact the Program Operations

Division to obtain site access

information. The Internet-based application is located at the following

URL address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/ ues/webapp/.

Although FAS highly recommends applying via the Internet-based application as this format virtually eliminates paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review cycle, applicants also have the option of


### 26190 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 11, 2010 / Notices

submitting an electronic version to FAS

at podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application

Submission: To be considered for the EMP, an applicant must submit to the FAS information required by the EMP regulations at 7 CFR part 1486. EMP regulations and additional information are available at the following URL

address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/ em-markets/em-markets.asp.

In addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s issuance of a final policy (68 FR 38402) 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.

Applications should be no longer than ten (10) pages and include the following information:

(a) Date of proposal; (b) Name of organization submitting proposal;

(c) Organization address, telephone
and fax numbers;

(d) Tax ID number; (e) DUNS number; (f) Primary contact person; (g) Full title of proposal; (h) Target market(s); (i) Current conditions in the target market(s) affecting the intended commodity or product;

(j) Description of problem(s), i.e., constraint(s), to be addressed by the project, such as the need to assess and

enhance food and rural business systems of the emerging market, lack of awareness by foreign officials of U.S. technology and business practices, impediments (infrastructure, financing, regulatory or other non-tariff barriers) to the effectiveness of emerging market’s food and rural business systems previously identified by an EMP project that are to be addressed by the applicant, etc.;

(k) Project objectives; (l) Performance measures: Benchmarks for quantifying progress in meeting the objectives;

(m) Rationale: Explanation of the underlying reasons for the project proposal and its approach, the anticipated benefits, and any additional pertinent analysis;

(n) Clear demonstration that successful implementation will benefit an emerging market’s food and rural business system and/or reduce potential
trade barriers, and will benefit a particular industry as a whole, not just the applicant(s); (o) 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;

(p) Specific description of activity/
activities to be undertaken;

(q) Timeline(s) for implementation of activity, including start and end dates;

(r) Information on whether similar activities are or have previously been funded with USDA resources in target country or countries ( e.g., under MAP and/or Cooperator programs); and

(s) Detailed line item activity budget:

—Cost items should be allocated

separately to each participating organization; and —Expense items constituting a

proposed activity’s overall budget
( e.g., salaries, travel expenses,
consultant fees, administrative costs,

etc. ), with a line item cost for each, should be listed, clearly indicating:
(1) Which items are to be covered by EMP funding;

(2) Which by the participating U.S. organization(s); and

(3) Which by foreign third parties (if applicable).

Cost items for individual consultant fees should show calculation of daily rate and number of days. Cost items for travel expenses should show number of trips, destinations, cost, and objective for each trip.

Qualifications of applicant(s) should

be included as an attachment.

3. Funding Restrictions: Certain types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other categories of expenses such as indirect overhead charges, travel expenses, and consulting

fees. CCC will also not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval of a proposal. Full details of the funding

restrictions are available in the EMP regulations.

4. Submission Dates and Times: All Internet-based applications must be properly submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 11, 2010.

All applications submitted by e-mail must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 11, 2010, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

Applications received after this time will be considered only if funds are still

available.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria: Key criteria used in judging proposals include, among

others:
—The objective of the activities is to

develop, maintain, or expand markets for United States agricultural exports by improving the effectiveness of the food and rural business systems in emerging markets.
Appropriateness of the activities for the targeted market(s) and the extent to which the project identifies market
barriers, e.g., a fundamental deficiency

in the market’s food and rural business systems, and/or a recent change in those

systems; —Potential of the project to expand U.S.

market share and increase U.S. exports or sales; —Quality of the project’s performance

measures, and the degree to which they relate to the objectives, deliverables, and proposed approach
and activities; —Justification for Federal funding; —Overall cost of the project and the

amount of funding provided by the applicant and any partners; and —Evidence that the organization has the

knowledge, expertise, ability, and resources to successfully implement the project, including timeliness and quality of reporting on past EMP

activities.

Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for

additional evaluation criteria.

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 its 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/mos/emmarkets/em-markets.asp.

3. Reporting. Quarterly progress reports for all programs 1 year or longer in duration are required. Projects of less than 1 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


### 26191 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 11, 2010 / Notices

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, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

Signed at Washington, DC, on May 4, 2010.

John D. Brewer,

Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.

[FR Doc. 2010–11146 Filed 5–10–10; 8:45 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**

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 2011 Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator) program. The intended

effect of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible applicants

and award funds in October 2010. 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, June 11, 2010. 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, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington,

DC 20024, or by phone: (202) 720–4327,

or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Information is

also available on the FAS 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 U.S. 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 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. 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 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 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 are encouraged to submit their FMD applications to the FAS through the Unified Export Strategy (UES) application Internet Web site. The UES allows applicants to submit a single consolidated and strategically coordinated proposal that incorporates requests for funding and recommendations for virtually all of 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 that would help overcome such impediments, consider the entire pool of complementary marketing tools and program resources, and establish realistic export goals.

Applicants planning to use the Internet-based system must contact the FAS/Program Operations Division to

obtain site access information. The Internet-based application may be found at the following URL address: https:// www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.

The FAS highly recommends applying via the Internet-based application as this format virtually eliminates paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review cycle. However, applicants also have the option of submitting an electronic