2020 NOFO QSP for Grants.gov Final.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation and Foreign Agricultural Service

Quality Samples Program

A. Program Description

Issued By: Commodity Credit Corporation and Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Trade Programs

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.605

CFDA Title: Quality Samples Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Quality Samples Program (QSP)

NOFO Number: 2019–05

Authorizing Authority for Program: The QSP is authorized under Section 5(f) of the

Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, 15 U.S.C. 714c(f).

Appropriation Authority for Program: Funding for the QSP is provided under 15

U.S.C. 714b(i).

Program Type: New.

Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities: The QSP is designed to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by assisting

U.S. entities in providing commodity samples to potential foreign importers to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the high quality of U.S. agricultural commodities. The QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the

Commodity Credit Corporation.

QSP participants will be responsible for procuring (or arranging for the procurement of) the commodity samples, exporting the samples, and providing the on–site technical assistance necessary to facilitate successful use of the samples by importers. Participants that are funded under this announcement may seek reimbursement from FAS for the sample purchase price and for the cost of transporting the samples domestically to the port of export and then to the first foreign port or point of entry. Transportation costs from the first foreign port or point of entry to the final destination are not eligible for reimbursement. FAS will not reimburse the costs incidental to purchasing and transporting samples, such as: inspection or documentation fees, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, etc. Although providing technical assistance is required for all projects, the costs of providing such technical assistance are not reimbursable under the program. A QSP participant will be reimbursed after FAS reviews its reimbursement claim and determines that the claim is complete.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Available Funding for the NOFO: The QSP will provide up to $2.5 million in FY 2020 funding to support eligible projects. USDA makes no commitment to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards regardless of whether or at what level program funding for FY 2020 is provided.

Projected Number of Awards: It is anticipated that FAS will issue approximately 15 awards under the 2020 QSP, subject to programmatic approval and available funding. In general, all qualified proposals received before the submission deadline will compete for funding.

Period of Performance: Awards will generally be granted for a project period of one year. FAS will entertain requests to extend the agreement expiration date of an award, up to a maximum award length of five years. Extension requests must be made at least 45 days in advance of the agreement expiration date and must include a justification as to why the extension of the award is necessary and how the extension would effectively support the program’s purpose.

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): FAS anticipates that the initial funding selections will be made by the end of December 2019, with the initial award dates estimated to be by February 2020.

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): One year from initial award dates.

Example: March 1, 2021.

Funding Instrument: Grant.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Organizations: Any United States private or government entity with a demonstrated role and 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 profit–making entities.

2. Eligible Commodities: U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco.

3. Eligible Markets: Proposals may target any foreign market.

4. Eligible Activities: To be found eligible for consideration, QSP proposals must address the following criteria:

• Projects should benefit the represented U.S. industry and not a specific company or brand;

• Projects should develop a new market for a U.S. product, promote a new U.S.

product, or promote a new use for a U.S. product rather than promote the substitution of one established U.S. product for another;

• Commodities provided under a QSP project must be available on a commercial basis and in sufficient supply;

• The QSP project must either subject the commodity sample to further processing or substantial transformation in the importing country, or the sample must be used in technical seminars in the importing country designed to demonstrate the proper preparation or use of the sample in the creation of an end product;

• Samples provided in a QSP project shall not be directly used as part of a retail promotion or supplied directly to consumers. However, the end product (that is, the product resulting from further processing, substantial transformation, or a technical preparation seminar) may be provided to end–use consumers to demonstrate the consumer preference for that end product to importers;

• Samples shall be in quantities less than a typical commercial sale and limited to the amount sufficient to achieve the project goal (e.g., not more than a full commercial mill run in the destination country); and

• Projects should be completed within one year of FAS approval.

QSP projects shall target foreign importers and audiences who:

• Have not previously purchased the U.S. commodity that will be supplied under QSP;

• Are unfamiliar with the variety, quality attributes, or end–use characteristics of the

U.S. commodity;

• Have been unsuccessful in previous attempts to import, process, or market the U.S.

commodity (e.g., because of improper specification, blending, formulation, sanitary, or phytosanitary issues);

• Are interested in testing or demonstrating the benefits of the U.S. commodity; or

• Need technical assistance in processing or using the U.S. commodity.

5. Ineligible Activities: QSP funding may only be used for generic activities. For–profit entities 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 FAS in a given project.

6. Funding Restrictions: Only those QSP activities that are approved in each applicant’s agreement may be implemented, and those activities must be implemented during the program period specified in the agreement. Requests for activity changes during the program period must be approved in advance by FAS. The QSP operates on a reimbursement basis.

Generally, expenditure of funds under QSP grants must be consistent with 2 CFR parts

200 and 400. In addition, QSP grant funds may only be used for the purpose set forth in the award and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. QSP grant funds may not be used for matching contributions for other federal grants or cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. QSP grant funds may not be used to sue the Federal Government or any other government entity.

7. Funding Limits: Individual projects that include further processing or substantial transformation of the sample will be limited to $75,000 of QSP reimbursement per project, while projects comprised only of technical preparation seminars will be limited to $15,000 of QSP reimbursement. Applicants may submit more than one proposal, and the number of projects per participant will not be limited. Financial assistance will be made available on a reimbursement basis only; cash advances will not be made available to any QSP participant. FAS will not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or expenditures made prior to the approval of a proposal.

8. Cost Sharing: Although highly encouraged, there is no cost share requirement for QSP proposals. FAS will, however, consider the applicant’s willingness to contribute resources towards the project, including cash, goods, and services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties, when determining which proposals are approved for funding.

9. Other Eligibility Information: 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. Proposals that counter national strategies or duplicate activities planned or already underway by U.S. non–profit agricultural commodity or trade associations will not be considered.

10. Intergovernmental Review: An intergovernmental review may be required.

Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with their state’s process under Executive Order 12372 (see http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/rgeo12372.pdf).

To ensure currency, the names and addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of

Management and Budget’s home page at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf.

D. Application and Submission Information

Key Dates and Times

Application Start Date: May 28, 2019

Application Submission Deadline: QSP proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the fiscal year as long as QSP funding is available as set forth in this notice. FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals. All proposals received by the initial program deadline of 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 28, 2019, will be considered for funding in the initial allocation tranche. Proposals not approved for funding during this initial review period will be reconsidered for funding after the review period only if the applicant specifically requests such reconsideration in writing and only if funding remains available. Proposals received after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, June 28, 2019, will be considered for funding in the order received only if funding remains available.

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: FAS anticipates that the initial funding selections will be made by the end of December 2019.

Anticipated Award Date: FAS anticipates that the initial award dates will be February

2020.

Address to Submit Application Package: To be considered for the QSP, an applicant must submit an application through the web–based Unified Export Strategy (UES) system. The

UES allows applicants to submit a single consolidated and strategically coordinated proposal that incorporates requests for funding for all of the FAS market development 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 must contact FAS’ Program Operations Division to obtain UES website access information. The UES may be found at the following URL address:

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

Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for the QSP, an applicant must submit to FAS an application package consisting of Standard Forms 424, “Application for Federal Assistance” (SF–424), and 424A, “Budget Information – Non–

Construction Programs” (SF–424A), which are standard forms required for use as cover sheets for submission of applications and related information under discretionary programs, and the information detailed in this notice. Incomplete applications or applications that do not otherwise conform to this announcement and the QSP guidelines will not be accepted for review.

In addition, any applicant that has not provided the following required certifications through the System for Award Management (SAM) must complete and provide them to FAS before the application can be approved for funding:

1. SF–424B, “Assurances – Non–Construction Programs”

2. AD–3030 and AD–3031, “Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax

Delinquent Status For Corporate Applicants”

3. AD–1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other

Responsibility Matters”

4. AD–1049 or AD–1052 (as appropriate), “Certification Regarding Drug–Free

Workplace Requirements”

5. Certification Regarding Lobbying. If paragraph 2 of the certification applies, then also complete and submit the SF–LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.”

At a minimum, QSP proposals should contain the following information:

(a) Organizational information, including:

• Organization’s name, address, Chief Executive Officer (or designee), Federal Tax

Identification Number (TIN);

• A Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;

• Type of organization;

• Name, telephone number, fax number, and e–mail address of the primary contact person;

• A description of the organization and its membership;

• A description of the organization’s prior export promotion experience; and

• A description of the organization’s ability to implement the required trade/technical assistance component.

(b) Market information, including:

• An assessment of the market;

• A long–term strategy in the market; and

• Appropriate trade data for the years 2017 through 2023.

(c) Project information, including:

• A brief project title;

• The amount of funding requested;

• The beginning and end dates for the proposed project;

• A brief description of the specific market development trade constraint or opportunity to be addressed by the project;

• A description of the activities planned to address the constraint or opportunity, including how the sample will be used in the end–use performance trial, the attributes of the sample to be demonstrated and its end–use benefit, and details of the trade/technical servicing component (including who will provide and fund this component);

• Projects should include performance measures for quantifying progress and demonstrating results. In the development of performance measures, FAS believes the measures should meet the following criteria:

o Aligned: The indicator should, as closely as possible, measure exactly the relevant result.

o Clear: The indicator should be precise and unambiguous about what is being measured and how. There should be no doubt on how to measure or interpret the indicator.

o Quantifiable: The indicator(s) should sufficiently capture all of the elements of a result.

o Include an identified methodology: The data can be obtained to inform the indicator in a timely and efficient manner and the data are of high-quality.

• A description of the sample to be provided (i.e., commodity, quantity, quality, type, and grade), including a justification for why a sample with such characteristics is needed (this justification should explain why the project would not be effective with a smaller sample);

• An itemized list of all estimated costs associated with the project for which reimbursement will be sought; and

• The importer’s role in the project regarding handling and processing the commodity sample.

(d) Information indicating all funding sources and the amounts to be contributed by each entity in support of the proposed project. This may include the organization that submitted the proposal, private industry entities, host governments, foreign third parties, FAS, or other Federal agencies. Contributed resources may include cash, goods, or services.

Other Required Information: 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 receiving government awards, all applicants must submit a DUNS number. An applicant may request a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll–free DUNS number request line at (866) 705–5711.

In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 25, each entity that applies to the QSP and does not qualify for an exemption under 2 CFR §25.110 must:

(i) Be registered in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan; and

(ii) Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by

FAS; and

(iii) Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan it submits to FAS.

FAS may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements, and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FAS is ready to make the award, FAS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 170, each entity that applies to the QSP and does not qualify for an exception under 2 CFR §170.110(b) must ensure it has the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of 2 CFR

Part 170 should it receive QSP funding.

E. Application Review Information

Application Evaluation Criteria: FAS will use the following criteria in evaluating QSP proposals, each weighted at 10%:

• Whether or not appropriate trade data for the years 2017–2023 is provided;

• Whether the benefits of the project would accrue to the entire industry;

• The appropriateness of the proposed sample size for the project;

• The ability of the organization to provide an experienced staff with the requisite technical and trade experience to execute the proposal;

• The extent to which the proposal is targeted to a market in which the United States is generally competitive;

• The potential for expanding commercial sales in the proposed market;

• The nature of the specific market constraint or opportunity identified and how well it is addressed by the proposal;

• The extent to which the importer’s contribution in terms of handling and processing enhances the potential outcome of the project;

• The amount of reimbursement requested and the organization’s willingness to contribute resources towards the project, including cash, goods, and services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties; and

• How well the proposed technical assistance component assures that performance trials will effectively demonstrate the intended end–use benefit.

FAS will also review and evaluate how well the following unweighted criteria are addressed in the proposal:

• The quality of the performance measures and how effective they will be in demonstrating the impact of the project;

• The assessment of the market;

• The long–term strategy in the market; and

• Export goals in each country.

Review and Selection Process: Proposals will be evaluated by the appropriate

Commodity Branch in FAS’ Cooperator Programs Division. The Commodity Branches will review each proposal against the factors described above. The purpose of this review is to identify meritorious proposals, recommend an appropriate funding level for each proposal based upon these factors, and submit the proposals and funding recommendations to the Deputy

Administrator, Office of Trade Programs.

Prior to making a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency is required by 31 U.S.C.

3321 and 41 U.S.C. 2313 to review information available through any OMB–designated repositories of government–wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information.

Information reviewed under this provision may include the following risk based considerations of the applicant: (1) financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing federal awards; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system.

FAS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR §200.205 “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Notice of Award: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the final disposition of the submitted application. FAS will send an approval letter and agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter and agreement will incorporate the details of each project as approved by FAS. Each agreement will identify the terms and conditions pursuant to which FAS will reimburse certain costs of each project. Agreements will also outline the responsibilities of the participant, including, but not limited to, procurement (or arranging for procurement) of the commodity sample at a fair market price, arranging for transportation of the commodity sample within the time limit specified in the agreement (organizations should endeavor to ship commodities within 6 months of the effective date of the agreement), compliance with cargo preference requirements (shipment on United States flag vessels, as required), compliance with the Fly America Act requirements (shipment on United States air carriers, as required), timely and effective implementation of technical assistance, and submission of a written evaluation report within 90 days of expiration or termination of the agreement.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements: All successful applicants are required to comply with the Standard Administrative Terms and Conditions, which are available online at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp. The applicable Standard Administrative Terms and Conditions will be those in effect for the year in which the award was made unless explicitly stated otherwise in subsequent mutually–agreed amendments to the award.

Before accepting the award the potential awardee should carefully read the approval letter and program agreement for instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under Federal Awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any special terms and conditions in the approval letter and program agreement to receive an award under this program.

QSP projects are subject to review and verification by FAS’ Compliance, Security, and

Emergency Planning Division. Upon request, a QSP participant shall provide to FAS documentation that supports the participant’s reimbursement claims. FAS may deny a claim for reimbursement if the claim is not supported by adequate documentation.

Reporting: A written evaluation report must be submitted via the UES within 90 days of the expiration or termination of each participant’s QSP agreement. Evaluation reports should address all performance measures that were presented in the proposal and must include the following standard performance measures: (1) the number of people/organizations/companies trained, (2) the percent of trainees that have a better understanding of the commodity qualities and uses, and (3) the number of people requesting additional information about the commodity by the date of the final report. In addition, a final Federal Financial Report (FFR) must be submitted no later than 90 days after completion or termination of the project. This report must provide a final accounting of all project expenditures by cost category and include the accounting of actual contributions made to the project by the applicant and all other participating entities.

The FFR reporting form is available online at:

https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149786.

Close Out Reporting Requirements: Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, or after an amendment has been issued to close out a grant, whichever comes first, FAS will confirm that the participant has provided all of the required reports and will review the reports for completeness and content. Once the required reports are approved, FAS will prepare a closeout letter that advises the participant of the award closeout procedures. The notice will indicate the period of performance as closed, list any remaining funds that will be de–obligated, and address the requirement of maintaining the grant records for three years from the date of the final FFR.

Monitoring/Review: FAS, through its authorized representatives, may review project accomplishments, management control systems, and administration of funding to ensure adherence to requirements. During such reviews, FAS will review recipients’ files related to the grant–funded program. As part of any monitoring and program evaluation activities, grant recipients must allow FAS, upon reasonable notice, to review grant–related records and to interview the organization’s staff and clients regarding the program, and must respond in a timely and accurate manner to FAS requests for information relating to their grant program.

G. Awarding Agency Contact Information

Contact and Resource Information

1. Application Submission Contact(s) and Program Support: For additional information and assistance, contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign

Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by courier: Room 6512, 1400

Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 690–4784, or by fax: (202)

720–9361, or by e–mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

2. Grants Management Contact(s): Eric Bozoian, Grants Management Specialist, Foreign Agricultural Service, United States, Department of Agriculture, email:

Eric.Bozoian@fas.usda.gov, phone: (202) 378–1054.

H. Additional Information mailto:podadmin@fas.usda.gov

Extensions: Extensions to this program are allowed. Applicants may request a no–cost extension in order to complete project activities. The request must be submitted 45 days prior to the expiration of the performance period. Requests for extensions are subject to approval by

FAS.