Technical Agricultural Assistance
educational institutions and nonprofit agencies in agricultural technical assistance and research.
Development of effective management concepts and methodologies for implementation of technical agricultural and environmental protection projects.
Hurricane rehabilitation activities in Central America and the Caribbean, emphasizing watershed rehabilitation, food safety, and food security.
Sound natural resources management, agricultural and environmental policy reform, and micro- finance for economic and rural development in developing countries.
Strengthening of host government institutions in post-conflict environments.
- Engaging in APEC to Reduce Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade
- Engagement with Asia and Regional Economic Communities to Promote Alignment of MRL Standard Setting Bodies
- Promoting Science and Rules Based Standards for Processed Food Ingredients in India and China
- Alignment of Pesticide Regulations and Standards
- Poultry Value Chain Assessment in Tanzania
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Programs currently include provision of technical assistance for expanding the use of effective program management concepts and technologies in developing countries to promote food security; guidance on natural resources management policy, procedures and techniques; trade capacity building; post-disaster and post-conflict reconstruction; and integrated approaches to international agricultural development and environmental protection.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Cost-reimbursable and cooperative agreements are used to fund projects dealing with various aspects of agricultural technical assistance.
No funding is available for unsolicited proposals.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
U.S.
institutions of higher learning, and public and private/nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is agriculture, natural resources management and/or rural development (including those located in U.S.
territories).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Technical assistance provided through these reimbursable agreements benefit foreign governments and related agricultural institutions in their countries.
Credentials/Documentation
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions and A-122, Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations. This program is not subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Notices of fund availability and requests for proposals with information on requirements are disseminated through selected USDA agencies and land grant universities.
This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
Application Procedures
Submit requests for proposal packages, which include specific information on requirements, to USDA/FAS/ICD/DRD (see below). This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, Uniform Asdministrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations. This program is not subject to the provisions of OMB Circular A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments.
Award Procedures
Proposals are evaluated by a technical review panel, which rates the qualifications of applicants and the merit of proposal.
Deadlines
Deadlines are announced with the Request for Proposals.
Authorization
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 3318, 3319a and 3291; Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, Public Law 95-113, September 29, 1977, as amended.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not available.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Extensions may be authorized.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is phased according to the requirements of individual projects. Generally, cost- reimbursable and cooperative agreements are funded for variable lengths of time, depending on the technical assistance requested.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards will have a single or double program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.
Records
Program and financial records are kept in the Department.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3200-0-1-352.
Obigations
(Reimbursable Agreements) FY 07 $7,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$30,000 to $600,000. Average: $160,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR 3015 and 3019.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Grant Pettrie, USDA/FAS/International Cooperation and Development, Development Resources Division, Washington DC 20250-1089. Telephone: (202) 690-1924.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are dependent upon identification of specific project requirements and program priorities determined by the Foreign Agricultural Service's International Cooperation and Development (FAS/ICD) program area and its collaborators, especially the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Contact FAS/ICD for additional information. While this program does not fund unsolicited proposals, interested parties are welcome to submit statements of capability and expressions of interest.
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