Fund outreach work to prevent the introduction or spread of high-consequence pests into and throughout minnesota and the U.S., provide education and encourage behaviors that enhance safeguarding,…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Minnesota Department of Agriculture $100,000 under a Cooperative Agreement effective May 1, 2026, to fund pest prevention outreach, education, and First Detector website monitoring across Minnesota and the U.S.

The recipient will execute education and outreach activities, manage the First Detector website, contract for advertising, and submit reports addressing public reports of pests of concern. The work supports the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) and aims to prevent the introduction or spread of high-consequence pests, encourage safeguarding behaviors, and increase reporting by the public at vulnerable entry points and high-risk pathways.

The award obligates $100,000 for the twelve-month period ending April 30, 2027, with performance in Minnesota. The recipient has budgeted personnel costs for an outreach coordinator (436 hours at $46.15 per hour plus fringe at 42.4 percent), a web administrator (442 hours at $37.26 per hour plus 40 percent fringe), and technicians (220 hours at $35 per hour plus 40 percent fringe). Contractual costs for advertising, printing, and mailing total $25,000. Travel for hotel, meals, and mileage totals $1,363. Indirect costs are calculated at 17.84 percent of salary and fringe.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to fund outreach work to prevent the introduction or spread of high-consequence pests into and throughout minnesota and the U.S., provide education and encourage behaviors that enhance safeguarding, and increase the number of people actively looking for and reporting pests of importance at vulnerable points along high-risk pathways.

Activities

Education and outreach, first detector website monitoring, advertising, reports. Deliverables and expected outcomes: addressing public reports of pests of concern, contracting for advertising, reports submitted on time intended beneficiary(IES): MDA, PPQ, the people of MN and the US subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: n/a cost analysis: personnel-outreach coordinator(OC) 436 hours $46.15=$20 ,121.00; web administrator(WA) 442 hours $37.26=$16,469.00; techs 220 hours $35.00=$7,700.00; fringe @ OC @42.4%=$8,531.00; WA @40%=$6,588.00; techs @ 40%=$3,080.00. Travel(hotel, meals, and mileage)=$1,363.00. Contractual (advertising, printing, mailing)=$25 ,000.00. Indirect @17.84% salary and fringe=$11,148.00.