II. Award Information

    In general, all qualified proposals received before the specified application deadlines will compete for funding. The limited funds and
the range of barriers affecting the exports of U.S. specialty crops worldwide preclude CCC from approving large budgets for individual
projects. In prior years, the amount of funding per proposal has ranged from $13,000 to $250,000, the maximum allowed.
    Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and applicants with previously approved TASC proposals may apply for additional funding.
However, no TASC participant may have more than three approved projects under way at any given time.
    The FAS will consider providing either grant funds as direct assistance to U.S. organizations or providing technical assistance on
behalf of U.S. organizations, provided that the organization submits timely and qualified proposals. The FAS will review all proposals
against the evaluation criteria contained in the program regulations.
    Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific agreements. These agreements will incorporate the proposal as approved
by FAS. FAS must approve in advance any subsequent changes to the project. The FAS or another Federal agency may have involvement in the implementation of approved projects.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Any United States organization, private or government, 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 private companies.
    Foreign organizations, whether government or private, may participate as third parties in activities carried out by U.S.
organizations, but are not eligible for funding assistance from the program.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Although a minimum level of cost share contribution is not required, it is very strongly encouraged in this
highly competitive program. If provided, such support may be in the form of cash, goods, or in-kind services which are dedicated to the
project by the organization that submitted the proposal, private industry entities, host governments, or foreign third parties.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Organizations can submit applications to the FAS through the Unified Export Strategy (UES)
application Internet Web site. Applicants also have the option of submitting electronic versions in the UES format (along with two paper
copies) of their applications to the FAS on diskette.
    Applicants planning to use the UES Internet-based system must contact the FAS Marketing Operations Staff on (202) 720-4327 to obtain
site access information including a user ID and password. The UES Internet-based application, including a Help file containing step-by-
step instructions for its use, may be found at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/cooperators.html. Applicants are not
required to use the UES, but are strongly encouraged to do so because it reduces paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review cycle.
    Applicants who choose to submit applications on diskette can obtain an application format by contacting the Marketing Operations Staff,
phone (202) 720-4327, fax: (202) 720-9361, e-mail: mosadmin@fas.usda.gov.

    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: All TASC proposals must contain complete information about the proposed projects as
described in Sec.  1487.5(b) of the TASC Program regulations. In addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's
issuance of a final policy (68 FR 38402) regarding the use of a universal identifier for all Federal grants and cooperative agreements,
all applicants must submit a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. An applicant may request a DUNS number
at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711. Incomplete applications and applications which do
not otherwise conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: TASC funding is limited, and in order to assure sufficient resources are available to meet
unanticipated needs during the fiscal year, TASC proposals will, generally, only be evaluated on a semi-annual basis. That is:
     Proposals received prior to, but not later than, 5 p.m. (local time Washington, DC) February 1, 2006, will be considered for
funding with other proposals received by that date;
     Proposals received prior to, but not later than, 5 p.m. (local time Washington, DC) July 1, 2006, will be considered for
funding with other proposals received by that date;
     Proposals not approved for funding during the applicable review period will be reconsidered for funding after the applicable
review period only if the applicant specifically requests such reconsideration in writing, and only if funding remains available.
     Proposals received after 5 p.m. (local time Washington, DC) July 1, 2006, will be considered for funding only if funding
remains available.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, a proposal may be submitted for expedited consideration under the TASC Quick Response process if, in
addition to meeting all requirements of the TASC program, a proposal clearly identifies a time-sensitive activity. In these cases, a
proposal may be submitted at any time for an immediate evaluation.
    All proposals will be date stamped upon receipt.
    4. Funding Restrictions: Proposals which request more than $250,000 of CCC funding in a given year will not be considered. Proposals to
fund projects that exceed three years in duration will not be considered. No TASC participant may have more than three approved
projects under way at any given time. Although funded projects may take place in the United States, all eligible projects must specifically
address sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers to the export of U.S. specialty crops.
    Certain types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by the program. For example, program funds shall not be used to reimburse the
costs of market research, advertising, or other promotional expenses. CCC will not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or any expenditure
made prior to approval of a proposal.
    5. Other Submission Requirements: All Internet-based applications must be properly submitted by 5 p.m. (local time in Washington, DC) on
February 1, 2006, or July 1, 2006, in order to be considered during the applicable review period.
    All applications on diskette (with two accompanying paper copies) and any other applications must be received by 5 p.m. (local time in
Washington, DC) on February 1, 2006, or July 1, 2006, at one of the following addresses:
    Hand Delivery (including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing Operations Staff,
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.
    U.S. Postal Delivery: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing Operations Staff, STOP 1042,
 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1042.