19492 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / Notices 

Dated: April 14, 2009. 

Pat Fiala, 

Acting Administrator, Rural BusinessCooperative Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–9759 Filed 4–28–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–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 2010 Foreign 

Market Development Cooperator 

(Cooperator) program. The intended 

effect of this notice is to solicit 

applications from eligible applicants 

and award funds in October 2009. 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 29, 2009. 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, 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: podadmin@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 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 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 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 at 

(202) 720–4327 to obtain site access 

information. The Internet-based 

application, including a help file that 

contains step-by-step instructions, may 

be found at the following URL address: 

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

cooperators.html. 

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 

version (along with two paper copies) of 

their application to the FAS on compact 

disc. Organizations that choose to 

submit applications on compact disc 

can obtain the application format by 

contacting the Program Operations 

Division 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 policy (68 FR 

38402 (June 27, 2003)) regarding the 

need to identify entities that are 


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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / Notices 19493 

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. 

Incomplete applications and 

applications that 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), the Emerging Markets Program, 

the Quality Samples Program, and the 

Technical Assistance for Specialty 

Crops Program. 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 Operations Division 

on (202) 720–4327. 

3. Submission Dates and Times: All 

applications must be received by 5 p.m. 

Eastern Daylight Time, May 29, 2009. 

All Cooperator program applicants, 

regardless of the method of submitting 

an application, also must submit by the 

application deadline, 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 also 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 

29, 2009. Signed certification statements 

also must be received by that time at the 

address 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 Daylight 

Time, May 29, 2009, at the following 

address: 

Hand Delivery (including FedEx, 

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

Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, Program Operations Division, 

Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 

Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 

20024. 

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 1—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 

appropriate Commodity Branch in the 

FAS Cooperator Programs 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. 

Applicants 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 

(2005–2010) 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 

(2005–2010) of all Cooperator marketing 

plan expenditures. 

(b) Past Export Performance (20) 

• The 6-year average share (2004– 

2009) of the value of exports promoted 

by the applicant compared to; 

• The applicant’s 6-year average share 

(2004–2009) of all Cooperator marketing 

plan expenditures plus a 6-year average 

share (2004–2009) of MAP 

expenditures. 

(c) Past Demand Expansion Performance 

(20) 

• The 6-year average share (2004– 

2009) of the total value of world trade 

of the commodities promoted by the 

applicant compared to; 

• The applicant’s 6-year average share 

(2004–2009) of all Cooperator marketing 

plan expenditures plus a 6-year average 

share (2004–2009) of MAP 

expenditures. 

(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 

2015 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 

2008 compared to; 

• The applicant’s past projected share 

of world trade of the commodities being 

promoted by the applicant for the year 

2008, as specified in the 2005 

Cooperator program application. 

The Commodity Branches’ 

recommended funding levels for each 

applicant are converted to percentages 

of the total Cooperator program funds 

available and 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 2009. 

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 project 

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 may be 

obtained by contacting the Program 

Operations Division at (202) 720–2379. 

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 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
19494 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / Notices 

Operations Division, Office of Trade 

Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mailing 

Address: AgBox 1020, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–1020. Courier 

Address: Portals Office Building, Suite 

400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 

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

podadmin@fas.usda.gov. 

Signed at Washington, DC, on the 17th of 

April 2009. 

Patricia R. Sheikh, 

Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural 

Service, and Vice President, Commodity 

Credit Corporation. 

[FR Doc. E9–9729 Filed 4–28–09; 8:45 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 

Announcement Type: New. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.604. 

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit 

Corporation (CCC) announces that it is 

inviting proposals for the 2010 

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 FY 2010 

and award funds in October 2009. The 

TASC program is administered by 

personnel of the Foreign Agricultural 

Service (FAS). 

DATES: See paragraph IV.4 below for a 

detailed description of relevant dates. 

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, phone: (202) 720–4327, 

fax: (202) 720–9361, e-mail: 

podadmin@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 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 

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 address 

the following criteria: 

• 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 rather 

than a specific company or brand; and 

• Projects must address barriers to 

exports of commercially-available U.S. 

specialty crops 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. 

Applicants may submit multiple 

proposals, and applicants with 

previously approved TASC proposals 

may apply for additional funding. 

Please see 7 CFR part 1487 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. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

1. Application through the Unified 

Export Strategy (UES): Organizations are 

encouraged to submit their applications 

to FAS through the UES application 

Internet Web site. 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 Operations 

Division 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: The FAS highly 

recommends applying via the Internetbased UES application. However, 

applicants also have the option of 

submitting an electronic version of their 

application to FAS (along with two 

paper copies) on compact disc. 

Applicants may request the application 

format from the Program Operations 

Division at (202) 720–4327 or obtain the 

application format on the Internet at: 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/ 

proposals.html. 

3. 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 


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