Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program

 

The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.

Active 10.604 Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture A - Formula Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use Not applicable. The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program is reauthorized by Section 3203 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The program was reauthorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (section 3205) which became effective on February 7, 2014. To be approved, an applicant must be a: (1) U.S. government agency; (2) U.S. State government agency; (3) U.S. non-profit trade association; (4) U.S. university; (5) U.S. agricultural cooperative; (6) U.S. private company or (7) any other U.S. organization. The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program is intended to benefit the represented U.S. industry rather than a specific company or brand. Applicants must submit a written proposal which includes, but is not limited to, the following: a brief discussion of the commodity for which funding is requested; a market assessment, including a description of the specific export barrier to be addressed; a description of the activities planned to address the export barrier; and export information that includes performance measures, benchmark performance, and the viability of long-term sales to the market. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Each year the availability of funds is publicly announced in a Federal Register notice that details the application requirements and deadlines. Proposals are reviewed against the allocation criteria and factors specified in 7 CFR 1487. The CCC notifies each applicant of the final disposition of its application and also issues a public announcement concerning the allocation of resources among the applicant organizations. Each approved applicant receives a program agreement and allocation approval letter that specifies any special terms and conditions applicable to a participant's program. Final agreement occurs when both the participating organization and FAS sign the program agreement. Not applicable. Approximately 30-90 days. Not applicable. Not applicable. The FAS will consider the following criteria in evaluating proposals: (1) The identification and nature of the specific export barrier and the extent to which the proposal is likely to successfully remove, resolve, or mitigate that barrier; (2) The potential trade impact of the proposed project on market retention, market access, and market expansion, including the potential for expanding commercial sales in the targeted market; (3) The completeness and viability of the proposal; (4) The applicant organization's ability to provide an experienced staff with the technical and trade experience necessary to economically and effectively execute the proposal; (5) The extent to which the proposal is targeted to an eligible export market in which the United States is generally competitive; (6) The cost of the project and the amount of other (non-TASC) resources specifically dedicated to the project, including cash and goods and services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties; (7) The degree to which time is essential in addressing the specific export barriers; and, (8) In cases where the CCC receives multiple proposals from different applicants which address essentially the same barrier, the nature of the applicant organization will be taken into consideration, with a greater weight given to those organizations with the broadest base of producer representation. Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program funds are authorized through project agreements that include the maximum amount that may be reimbursed and identify terms and conditions pursuant to which the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will reimburse costs. The agreements also outline any specific responsibilities of the participant. Types of activities that may be funded under this program include 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, travel and per diem expenses. Performance Reports: Interim and final performance and financial reports. Not applicable. Not applicable. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Agreements generally include the project period and a provision for project evaluation. Funds awarded in any given fiscal year are typically available for additional years. Each approved applicant receives a program agreement and allocation approval letter that specifies any special terms and conditions applicable to a praticipant's program. Final agreement occurs when both the participating organization and FAS sign the agreement. None/Not specified. Richard Chavez - Program Manager
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20050
Washington, DC 20050 USA
Richard.Chavez@fas.usda.gov
Phone: 202-401-0100 http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/technical-assistance-specialty-crops-tasc 12-4336-0-3-999 (Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 18$9,000,000.00; FY 19 est $9,000,000.00; FY 20 est $9,000,000.00; FY 17$3,005,104.00; FY 16 est $5,272,902.00; - Projects funded on a project by project basis for up to $500,000 per year. 7 CFR 1487. Not applicable.