Cooperative Agreement AP26PPQFO000C151

AWARD PURPOSE: THE FUNDS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OVERSIGHT BY STATE INSPECTORS AT NURSERIES THAT SHIP ARTICLES FROM THE REGULATED AREA FOR THE PRESENCE OF IMPORTED FIRE ANT (IFA) TO UNREGULATED AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE QUARANTINE BOUNDARY. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE COOPERATOR OVERSEES A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH USDA REGULATION, INCLUDING INSPECTING ESTABLISHMENTS, ESTABLISHING AND REVIEWING COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS, REVIEWING INVOICES, OBSERVING AND MONITORING REGULATORY TREATMENTS AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO HELP ESTABLISHMENTS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REGULATION AND PROVIDING GUIDANCE WHEN REQUESTED. THEY ALSO HELP INVESTIGATE ANY SITUATIONS INVOLVING DETECTIONS OF IFA ON FLORIDA NURSERY STOCK MOVED OUT OF THE QUARANTINE. DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE COOPERATOR'S INSPECTOR WILL VISIT, AT LEAST TWICE ANNUALLY, ALL REGULATED ESTABLISHMENTS UNDER COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT TO INSPECT FOR THE IMPORTED FIRE ANT. DURING THE PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD OF THIS PROJECT, THE COOPERATOR PERFORMED 911 REGULATORY INSPECTIONS, ISSUED OR RENEWED 686 COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS. SIMILAR NUMBERS MAY NOT BE REFLECTED IN FY26 DUE TO THE PROJECT FUNDING BEING REDUCED BY 50%. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES): THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE IMPORTED FIRE ANT TO STATES WHERE IT IS NOT CURRENTLY ESTABLISHED. THIS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT GROWERS, LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS, NURSERIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT OPERATE AND RESIDE IN THOSE STATES. IN ADDITION, NURSERIES IN FLORIDA ALSO BENEFIT BY MAINTAINING THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD: N/A. LARGE COST CATEGORIES: PERSONNEL: 1 INSPECTOR @$15.50/HR FOR 1900 HRS = $29,450. BENEFITS: 45% OF SALARY= $13, 252.50. SUPPLIES: (GAS, VEHICLE REPAIR, BAGS AND VIALS)=$3,113.50.