Deadline: 25-Jun-21
The Commodity Credit Corporation and Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Global Programs have launched a call for applications for the Quality Samples Program (QSP).
The QSP is designed 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. 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. 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. A QSP participant will be reimbursed after FAS reviews its reimbursement claim and determines that the claim is complete.
Funding Information
- Total Award Funding: $2,500,000
- Estimated Number of Awards: It is anticipated that FAS will issue 10–20 awards under the 2022 QSP, subject to programmatic approval and available funding. In general, all qualified proposals received before the submission deadline will compete for funding.
- Period of Performance: Awards will generally be granted for a project period of one year. FAS will entertain requests to extend the agreement expiration date of an award, up to a maximum award length of five years. Extension requests must be made at least 45 days in advance of the agreement expiration date and must include a justification as to why the extension of the award is necessary and how the extension would effectively support the program’s purpose.
- Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 12/01/2021.
- Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 12/31/2022
Eligible Activities
To be found eligible for consideration, QSP proposals must address the following criteria:
- Projects should benefit the represented U.S. industry and not a specific company or brand;
- Projects should 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;
- 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 shall 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 shall 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
- Projects should be completed within one year of FAS approval.
Audiences
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 with a demonstrated role and interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities may apply to the program, excluding FAS Posts. Government organizations consist of Federal, State, and local agencies. Private organizations include non–profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and profit–making entities.
- All applicants must have an active registration in the SAM database at www.sam.gov – pending or expired registrants are not eligible. This requirement must be met before an application will be considered and will not be waived. Please contact the program officer listed if you have questions about this requirement.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333038
