Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the
Emerging Markets Program

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is
inviting proposals for the 2013 Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The
intended effect of this notice is to solicit applications from the
private sector and from government agencies for FY 2013 and to set out
criteria for the award of funds under the program in October 2012. The
EMP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS).

    The statutory authority for EMP expires at the end of fiscal year
2012. This notice is being published at this time to allow awards to be
made early in fiscal year 2013, provided that the program is
reauthorized prior to that time. In the event this program is not
reauthorized, or is substantially modified, FAS will publish a notice
in the Federal Register rescinding this Notice of Funds Availability.

DATES: To be considered for funding, applications must be received by 5
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 21, 2012. Any applications received
after this time will be considered only if funds are still available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Entities wishing to apply for funding
assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of
Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, Room 6512, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-
4327, or by fax: (202) 720-9361, or by email: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.
Information is also available on the Foreign Agricultural Service Web
site at http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Announcement Type: New.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.603.

    Authority:  The EMP is authorized by section 1542(d)(1) of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (The Act), as
amended. The EMP regulations appear at 7 CFR part 1486.

    1. Purpose. The EMP assists U.S. entities in developing,
maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and
products by funding activities that improve emerging markets' food and
rural business systems, including reducing potential trade barriers in
such markets. The EMP is intended primarily to support export market
development efforts of the private sector, but EMP resources may also
be used to assist public organizations.

    All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for
consideration. Agricultural product(s) should be comprised of at least
50 percent U.S. origin content by weight, exclusive of added water, to
be eligible for funding. Proposals that seek support for multiple
commodities are also eligible. EMP funding may only be used to develop,
maintain, or expand emerging markets for U.S. agricultural commodities
and products through generic activities. EMP funding may not be used to
support the export of another country's products to the United States,
or to promote the development of a foreign economy as a primary
objective.

    2. Appropriate Activities. All EMP projects must fall into at least
one of the following four categories:
    (a) Assistance to teams consisting primarily of U.S. individuals
expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of other
countries. This type of

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EMP project must include all three of the following:
     Conduct an assessment of the food and rural business
system needs of an emerging market;

     Make recommendations on measures necessary to enhance the
effectiveness of these systems; and

     Identify opportunities and projects to enhance the
effectiveness of the emerging market's food and rural business systems.

    To be eligible, such proposals must clearly demonstrate that
experts are primarily agricultural consultants, farmers, other persons
from the private sector, and government officials, and that they have
expertise in assessing the food and rural business systems of other
countries.

    (b) Assistance to enable individuals from emerging markets to
travel to the United States so that these individuals can, for the
purpose of enhancing the food and rural business systems in their
countries, become familiar with U.S. technology and agribusiness and
rural enterprise operations by consulting with food and rural business
system experts in the United States.
    (c) Assistance to enable U.S. agricultural producers and other
individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and agribusiness matters to
travel to emerging markets to assist in transferring their knowledge
and expertise to entities in emerging markets. Such travel must be to
emerging markets. Travel to developed markets is not eligible under the
program even if the traveler's targeted market is an emerging market.
    (d) Technical assistance to implement the recommendations,
projects, and/or opportunities identified under 2(a) above. Technical
assistance that does not implement the recommendations, projects, and/
or opportunities identified by assistance under 2(a) above is not
eligible under the EMP.

    Proposals that do not fall into one or more of the four categories
above, regardless of previous guidance provided regarding the EMP, are
not eligible for consideration under the program.

    EMP funds may not be used to support normal operating costs of
individual organizations, nor as a source to recover pre-award costs or
prior expenses from previous or ongoing projects. Proposals that
counter national strategies or duplicate activities planned or already
underway by U.S. non-profit agricultural commodity or trade
associations (``cooperators'') will not be considered. Other ineligible
expenditures include: Branded product promotions (e.g., in-store,
restaurant advertising, labeling, etc.); advertising, administrative,
and operational expenses for trade shows; Web site development;
equipment purchases; and the preparation and printing of brochures,
flyers, and posters (except in connection with specific technical
assistance activities such as training seminars). For a more complete
description of ineligible expenditures, please refer to the EMP
regulations.

    3. Eligible Markets. The Act defines an emerging market as any
country that the Secretary of Agriculture determines:
    (a) Is taking steps toward developing a market-oriented economy
through the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors of the economy
of the country; and
    (b) Has the potential to provide a viable and significant market
for U.S. agricultural commodities or products of U.S. agricultural
commodities.

    Because EMP funds are limited and the range of potential emerging
market countries is worldwide, consideration will be given only to
proposals that target countries or regional groups with per capita
income of less than $12,275 (the current ceiling on upper middle income
economies as determined by the World Bank [World Development
Indicators; November 2011, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS]) and populations of greater than 1 million.

    Income limits and their calculation can change from year to year
with the result that a given country may qualify under the legislative
and administrative criteria one year but not the next. Therefore, CCC
has not established a fixed list of emerging market countries.

    A few countries technically qualify as emerging markets but may
require a separate determination before funding can be considered
because of political sensitivities.

II. Award Information

    In general, all qualified proposals received before the application
deadline will compete for EMP funding. Priority consideration will be
given to proposals that directly support or address at least one of the
goals and objectives in the USDA and FAS Strategic Plans. The USDA
Strategic Plan can be accessed at the following link: http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/usdasp/sp2010/sp2010.pdf. The FAS strategic plan can
be accessed at the following link: http://www.fas.usda.gov/admin/FAS%20StrategicPlan2010-15finalClearedFFAS.pdf. The applicants' willingness to contribute resources, including cash, goods and services, will be a critical factor in determining which proposals are
funded under the EMP. Proposals will also be judged on the potential
benefits to the industry represented by the applicant and the degree to
which the proposal demonstrates industry support.

    The limited funds and the range of eligible emerging markets
worldwide generally preclude CCC from approving large budgets for
individual projects. While there is no minimum or maximum amount set
for EMP-funded projects, most projects are funded at a level of less
than $500,000 and for a duration of approximately one year. Private
entities may submit multi-year proposals requesting higher levels of
funding that may be considered in the context of a detailed strategic
implementation plan. Funding in such cases is generally limited to
three years and provided one year at a time with commitments beyond the
first year subject to interim evaluations and funding availability.
Government entities are not eligible for multi-year funding.

    Funding for successful proposals will be provided through specific
agreements. The CCC, through FAS, will be kept informed of the
implementation of approved projects through the requirement to provide
interim progress reports and final performance reports. Changes in the
original project timelines and adjustments within project budgets must
be approved in advance by FAS.

    Note:  EMP funds awarded to government agencies must be expended
or otherwise obligated by close of business, September 30, 2013.

III. Eligibility and Qualification Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. private or government entity
(e.g., universities, non-profit trade associations, agricultural
cooperatives, state regional trade groups (SRTGs), state departments of
agriculture, federal agencies, profit-making entities, and consulting
businesses) with a demonstrated role or interest in exports of U.S.
agricultural commodities or products may apply to the program.
Proposals from research and consulting organizations will be considered
if they provide evidence of substantial participation by and financial
support from the U.S. industry. For-profit entities are also eligible
but 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 CCC in a given project.

[[Page 24175]]

    U.S. export market development cooperators and SRTGs may seek
funding to address priority, market specific issues and to undertake
activities not suitable for funding under other CCC market development
programs, e.g., the Foreign Market Development Cooperator (Cooperator)
Program and the Market Access Program (MAP). 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: No private sector proposal will be considered
without the element of cost-share from the applicant and/or U.S.
partners. The EMP is intended to complement, not supplant, the efforts
of the U.S. private sector. There is no minimum or maximum amount of
cost-share, though the range in recent successful proposals has been
between 35 and 75 percent. The degree of commitment to a proposed
project, represented by the amount and type of private funding, is one
factor used in determining which proposals will be approved for
funding. Cost-share may be actual cash invested or professional time of
staff assigned to the project. Proposals for which private industry is
willing to commit cash, rather than in-kind contributions, such as
staff resources, will be given priority consideration.

    Cost-sharing is not required for proposals from government
agencies, but is mandatory for all other eligible entities, even when
they may be party to a joint proposal with a government agency.
Contributions from USDA or other government agencies or programs may
not be counted toward the stated cost-share requirement of other
applicants. Similarly, contributions from foreign (non-U.S.)
organizations may not be counted toward the cost-share requirement, but
may be counted in the total cost of the project.

    3. Other: 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. Applicants may submit more than one
proposal.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: EMP applicants have the
opportunity to utilize the Unified Export Strategy (UES) application
process, an online system that provides a means for interested
applicants to submit a consolidated and strategically coordinated
single proposal that incorporates funding requests for any or all of
the market development programs administered by FAS.

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications to
FAS through the UES application Internet Web site. The Internet-based
format reduces paperwork and expedites the FAS processing and review
cycle. Applicants planning to use the on-line UES system must contact
the Program Operations Division to obtain site access information. The
Internet-based application is located at the following URL address:
https://www.fas.usda.gov/ues/webapp/.

    Although FAS highly recommends applying via the Internet-based
application, applicants also have the option of submitting an
electronic version to FAS at podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for
the EMP, an applicant must submit to FAS information required by this
Notice of Funds Availability and the EMP regulations at 7 CFR part
1486. EMP regulations and additional information are available at the
following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.

    In addition, in accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's issuance of a final policy (68 FR 38402 (June 27, 2003))
regarding the need to identify entities that are receiving government
awards, 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.

    In addition, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, each entity that
applies to the EMP and does not qualify for an exemption under 2 CFR
25.110 must:
    (i) Be registered in the CCR prior to submitting an application or
plan;
    (ii) Maintain an active CCR registration with current information
at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an
application or plan under consideration by CCC; and
    (iii) Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan it
submits to CCC.

    Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, each entity that
applies to the EMP 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 EMP funding.
    Applications should be no longer than ten (10) pages and include
the following information:
    (a) Date of proposal;
    (b) Name of organization submitting proposal;
    (c) Organization address, telephone and fax numbers;
    (d) Tax ID number;
    (e) DUNS number;
    (f) Primary contact person;
    (g) Full title of proposal;
    (h) Target market(s);
    (i) Current conditions in the target market(s) affecting the
intended commodity or product;
    (j) Description of problem(s) (i.e., constraint(s)) to be addressed
by the project, such as the need to assess and enhance food and rural
business systems of the emerging market, lack of awareness by foreign
officials of U.S. technology and business practices, impediments
(infrastructure, financing, regulatory or other non-tariff barriers) to
the effectiveness of emerging market's food and rural business systems
previously identified by an EMP project that are to be implemented by
the applicant, etc.;
    (k) Project objectives;
    (l) Performance measures: Benchmarks for quantifying progress in
meeting the objectives;
    (m) Rationale: Explanation of the underlying reasons for the
project proposal and its approach, the anticipated benefits, and any
additional pertinent analysis;
    (n) Clear demonstration that successful implementation will benefit
an emerging market's food and rural business system and/or reduce
potential trade barriers, and will benefit a particular industry as a
whole, not just the applicant(s);
    (o) 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;
    (p) Specific description of activity/activities to be undertaken;
    (q) Timeline(s) for implementation of activity, including start and
end dates;
    (r) Information on whether similar activities are or have
previously been funded with USDA resources in the target country or
countries (e.g., under MAP and/or Cooperator programs);
    (s) Detailed line item activity budget:
     Cost items should be allocated separately to each
participating organization; and

     Expense items constituting a proposed activity's overall
budget (e.g., salaries, travel expenses, consultant fees,
administrative costs, etc.), with a

[[Page 24176]]

line item cost for each, should be listed, clearly indicating:
    (1) Which items are to be covered by EMP funding;
    (2) Which by the participating U.S. organization(s); and
    (3) Which by foreign third parties (if applicable).
    Cost items for individual consultant fees should show calculation
of daily rate and number of days. Cost items for travel expenses should
show number of trips, destinations, cost, and objective for each trip;
and
    (t) Qualifications of applicant(s) should be included as an
attachment.

    3. Funding Restrictions: Certain types of expenses are not eligible
for reimbursement by the program, and there are limits on other
categories of expenses, such as indirect overhead charges, travel
expenses, and consulting fees. CCC will also not reimburse unreasonable
expenditures or expenditures made prior to approval of a proposal. Full
details of the funding restrictions are available in the EMP
regulations.

    4. Submission Dates and Times: EMP funding is reviewed on a rolling
basis during the fiscal year as long as EMP funding is available as set
forth below:

     Proposals received by, but not later than, 5 p.m. Eastern
Daylight Time, May 21, 2012, will be considered for funding with other
proposals received by that date;

     Proposals not approved for funding during the 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, May
21, 2012, will be considered in the order received for funding only if
funding remains available.

    5. Other Submission Requirements: All Internet-based applications
must be properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, May 21,
2012, in order to be considered for funding; late submissions received
after the deadline will be considered only if funding remains
available. All applications submitted by email must be received by 5
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, May 21, 2012, at podadmin@fas.usda.gov in
order to receive the same consideration.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: Key criteria used in judging proposals include:
     The objective of the activities is to develop, maintain,
or expand markets for U.S. agricultural exports by improving the
effectiveness of the food and rural business systems in emerging
markets;
 

     Appropriateness of the activities for the targeted
market(s) and the extent to which the project identifies market
barriers (e.g., a fundamental deficiency in the emerging market's food
and rural business systems, and/or a recent change in those systems);
 

     Potential of the project to expand U.S. market share and
increase U.S. exports or sales;

     Quality of the project's performance measures, and the
degree to which they relate to the objectives, deliverables, and
proposed approach and activities;

     Justification for Federal funding;

     Overall cost of the project and the amount of funding
provided by the applicant and any partners; and

     Evidence that the organization has the knowledge,
expertise, ability, and resources to successfully implement the
project, including timeliness and quality of reporting on past EMP
activities.

    Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for additional evaluation criteria.

    2. Review and Selection Process: All applications undergo a multi-
phase review within FAS, by appropriate FAS field offices, and, as
needed, by the private sector Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets to
determine the qualifications, quality, appropriateness of projects, and
reasonableness of project budgets.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the
final disposition of the submitted application. FAS will send an
approval letter and project agreement to each approved applicant. The
approval letter and agreement will specify the terms and conditions
applicable to the project, including the levels of EMP funding and
cost-share contribution requirements.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Interested
parties should review the EMP regulations, which are available at the
following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/em-markets/em-markets.asp.
    3. Reporting. Quarterly progress reports for all programs 1 year or
longer in duration are required. Projects of less than 1 year generally
require a mid-term progress report. Final performance reports are due
90 days after completion of each project. Content requirements for both
types of reports are contained in the Project Agreement. Final
financial reports are also due 90 days after completion of each project
as attachments to the final reports. Please see 7 CFR part 1486 for
additional reporting requirements.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For additional information and assistance, contact the Program
Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 6512, 1400 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720-4327, or by fax:
(202) 720-9361, or by email: podadmin@fas.usda.gov.

    Signed at Washington, DC on 13 day of April, 2012.
Bryce Quick,
Acting Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service and Vice President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2012-9637 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P