Deadline: 19-May-23
Quality Samples Program (QSP) is now open to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by assisting U.S. entities in providing commodity samples to potential foreign importers to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the high quality of U.S. agricultural commodities.
Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities
- The QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
- QSP participants will be responsible for procuring (or arranging for the procurement of) the commodity samples, exporting the samples, and providing the on–site technical assistance necessary to facilitate successful use of the samples by importers.
- Participants that are funded under this announcement may seek reimbursement from FAS for the sample purchase price and for the cost of transporting the samples domestically to the port of export and then to the first foreign port or point of entry.
- No other expenses will be reimbursed through the program, including the transportation costs from the first foreign port or point of entry to the final destination are not eligible for reimbursement.
- FAS will also not reimburse the costs incidental to purchasing and transporting samples, such as: inspection or documentation fees, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, etc. Although providing technical assistance is required for all projects, the costs of providing such technical assistance are not reimbursable under the program. The program operates on a reimbursement basis.
Funding Information
- Total Award Funding: $2,500,000
- Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2023.
- Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 10/31/2024.
- Award Ceiling: $2,500,000
- Award Floor: $1
Eligible Activities
- To be eligible for consideration, QSP applications must address the following criteria:
- Projects must benefit the entire represented U.S. commodity and not a specific company or brand;
- Projects must develop a new market for a U.S. product, promote a new U.S. product, or promote a new use for a U.S. product rather than promote the substitution of one established U.S. product for another;
- Commodities provided under a QSP project must be available on a commercial basis and in sufficient supply to meet anticipated demand;
- The QSP project must either subject the commodity sample to further processing or substantial transformation in the importing country, or the sample must be used in technical seminars in the importing country designed to demonstrate the proper preparation or use of the sample in the creation of an end product;
- Samples provided in a QSP project may not be directly used as part of a retail promotion or supplied directly to consumers. However, the end product (that is, the product resulting from further processing, substantial transformation, or a technical preparation seminar) may be provided to end–use consumers to demonstrate the consumer preference for that end product to importers;
- Samples must be in quantities less than a typical commercial sale and limited to the amount sufficient to achieve the project goal (e.g., not more than a full commercial mill run in the destination country); and
- QSP projects shall only target foreign importers and audiences who:
- Have not previously purchased the U.S. commodity that will be supplied under QSP;
- Are unfamiliar with the variety, quality attributes, or end–use characteristics of the U.S. commodity;
- Have been unsuccessful in previous attempts to import, process, or market the U.S. commodity (e.g., because of improper specification, blending, formulation, sanitary, or phytosanitary issues);
- Are interested in testing or demonstrating the benefits of the U.S. commodity; or
- Need technical assistance in processing or using the U.S. commodity.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any United States private or government entity, excluding FAS Posts, with a demonstrated role and interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities may apply to the program. Government organizations may consist of Federal, State, or local agencies. Private organizations can include non–profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and profit–making entities.
- Eligible Commodities: All agricultural commodities, except tobacco, produced entirely in the U.S. are eligible for the program. Products derived from an eligible commodity are also eligible for the program.
- Eligible Markets: Applications may target any foreign market.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.