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Local and Regional Procurement Project

The Local and Regional Procurement Project (Pilot Program) was authorized as a pilot program under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). The Farm Bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a five-year local and regional purchase pilot program in developing countries from fiscal year (FY) 2009 through 2012. CCC funding totaling $60 million will be made available as follows:

• $5 million in FY2009; 
• $25 million in FY2010;
• $25 million in FY2011; and 
• $5 million in FY2012.

The primary objective of the USDA pilot program is to use local and regional purchasing to help quickly meet urgent food needs due to food crises and disasters. This will protect against a decline in food consumption, save lives, and reduce suffering.

The Pilot Program has four phases:

• Study prior local and regional procurement programs (FY2008 - FY 2009).
• Develop guidelines (FY2009).
• Implement field-based projects (FY2009 - FY2011). 
• Independent evaluation (FY2012). 

On January 16, 2009, the Secretary of Agriculture sent phase one of the USDA study on local and regional procurement to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.  

The USDA study found the following:

• Local and regional purchase is an important tool, enabling food aid agencies to respond quickly to emergency food needs, both during and after food crises and disasters.
• Local and regional purchase can be a timely and effective complement to in-kind food aid programs.
• It is critical to know when and how to use appropriate local and regional purchase methods to meet emergency food aid needs and avoid harming low-income consumers, producers, and fragile market systems. 

USDA has drafted interim program implementation guidelines (phase two). These interim guidelines were published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2009 and were open for public comment for 30 days (please see below for more information on the interim guidelines). USDA will seek project proposals when the guidelines are finalized (phase three).

By the end of FY 2011, all of the Pilot Program projects will be completed. USDA will contract for an independent evaluation (phase four).

In addition to USDA’s Pilot Program, USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance received up to $125 million in FY 2009 to address urgent humanitarian needs created by high food prices in vulnerable populations abroad, particularly in Africa. These funds provide the ability to act quickly and effectively in cases where a rapid response is critical to saving lives.
 

 

Local and Regional Procurement Project Resources

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USDA Report on Local and Regional Procurement (January 2009)

GAO Report on Local and Regional Procurement (May 2009)

Authorizing Legislation and Interim Guidelines Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Sec. 3206)

Interim Guidelines for the Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Pilot Project      Note: Country list for Local and Regional Procurement Project will be posted soon.

News and Events Information Session: Local and Regional Procurement Project Overview and Interim Guidelines Agenda for Information Session (.pdf) Audio Webcast Part 1: Welcome, Program: Purpose and Main Elements, Program: Applicable Conditions related to Beneficiaries and Purchases, Guidelines: Eligibility and Application Procedures Audio Webcast Part 2: Analytical and Methodological Considerations and Operational Considerations for Conducting Field Projects and Agreements Slide Show (for online viewing, only; download MS PowerPoint presentation or .pdf version)

Questions or comments can be directed to the Programming Division at 202-720-4221
or via e-mail at LRP@fas.usda.gov.