Support state cooperators and their producers in marketing poultry and EGG products to the public by using USDA grade standards, regulations, specifications, and procedures

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $1.868 million to the Delaware Department of Agriculture Food Products Inspection Division on October 1, 2025, under the Inspection Grading and Standardization program (CFDA 10.162).

The agreement funds poultry and shell egg voluntary grading and auditing services and mandatory shell egg inspection services, all performed by state-licensed employees in Delaware. These services apply USDA grade standards, regulations, specifications, and procedures to support state cooperators and producers in marketing poultry and egg products. The federal agency and state division share billing and reimbursement responsibilities based on service type: for voluntary services, the federal agency bills plants and reimburses the state; for mandatory services, the state performs inspections and receives federal reimbursement for costs. The recipient provides annual financial records to USDA AMS. No sub-recipients are anticipated.

The period of performance runs through September 30, 2026. Place of performance is Delaware.

Poultry and shell EGG voluntary grading and auditing services, and mandatory shell EGG inspection services will be performed by state licensed employees. Through state cooperators, USDA, AMS, l & p, QAD will provide a broader consumer base with quality poultry and EGG products. For voluntary services (grading and auditing) the federal agency will bill the plant for services provided and reimburse the state in federal trust states. The state agency will bill the plant for services provided and reimburse the federal agency for overhead costs in state trust states. For mandatory services, state employees will perform inspections, and the federal agency will reimburse the state agency for costs. The recipient will provide requested financial records to USDA, AMS, l & p annually. Consumers, as well as those involved in the marketing of agricultural products, benefit from the greater efficiency permitted by the availability and application of grade standards. No subrecipients anticipated.