Examples of expenses that CCC may agree to reimburse under the TASC program include, but are not limited to: Initial preclearance programs, export protocol and work plan support, seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, development of pest lists, pest and disease research, database development, reasonable logistical and administrative support, and travel and per diem expenses.

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 [[Page 40842]]
crops worldwide preclude CCC from approving large budgets for individual projects.

Applicants may submit multiple proposals, and applicants with previously approved TASC proposals may apply for additional funding. Please see 7 CFR part 1487 for additional restrictions.

FAS will consider providing either grant funds as direct assistance to U.S. organizations or technical assistance on behalf of U.S. organizations, provided that the organization submits timely and qualified proposals. 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. FAS or another Federal agency may be involved in the implementation of approved projects.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Any United States organization, private or government, with a demonstrated role or interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities may apply to the program. Government organizations consist of Federal, State, and local agencies. Private organizations include nonprofit 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: FAS considers the applicant's willingness to contribute resources, including cash, goods, and services of the U.S. industry and foreign third parties, when determining which proposals are approved for funding.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application through the Unified Export Strategy (UES): Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications to FAS through the UES application Internet Web site. Using the UES application process reduces paperwork and expedites FAS' processing and review cycle. Applicants planning to use the UES Internetbased system must contact FAS Program Policy Staff on (202) 7204327 to obtain site access information including a user ID and password. The UES Internet based application, including a help file containing stepbystep instructions for its use, may be found at the following URL address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/cooperators.html.

2. Application through electronic and hard copies: Applicants also have the option of submitting electronic versions in the UES format (along with two paper copies) of their applications to FAS by email or on compact disc. The application format is available on the Internet at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/proposals.html.

3. 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 policy directive (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 tollfree DUNS number request line on 18667055711.

Incomplete applications and applications which do not otherwise conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.

4. 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 semiannual basis. That is:

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 timesensitive activity. In these cases, a proposal may be submitted at any time for an expedited evaluation.

FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals.

5. Funding Restrictions: 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, such as the costs of market research, advertising, or other promotional expenses. CCC will also not reimburse unreasonable expenditures or any expenditure made prior to approval of a proposal.

6. Other Submission Requirements: All Internetbased applications must be properly submitted by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on August 15, 2008, to be considered.

All applications on diskette (with two accompanying paper copies) and any other applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on August 15, 2008, at the following address:

Hand Delivery (including FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Grants Management Branch, Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria: FAS follows the evaluation criteria set forth in Sec. 1487.6 of the TASC regulations.

2. Review and Selection Process: FAS will review proposals for eligibility and will evaluate each proposal against the factors referred to above. The purpose of this review is to identify meritorious proposals, recommend an appropriate funding level for each proposal based upon these factors, and submit the proposals and funding recommendations to the Deputy Administrator, Office of Trade Programs and the Administrator, FAS. FAS may, when appropriate, request the assistance of other U.S. government subject area experts in evaluating the merits of a proposal.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the final disposition of its application. FAS will send an approval letter and agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter and agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable to the project, including levels of funding, timelines for implementation, and written evaluation requirements.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: The agreements will incorporate the details of each project as approved by FAS. Each agreement will
[[Page 40843]]
identify terms and conditions pursuant to which CCC will reimburse certain costs of each project. Agreements will also outline the responsibilities of the participant. Interested parties should review the TASC program regulations found at 7 CFR part 1487 in addition to this announcement.

3. Reporting: TASC participants are required to submit a written report(s), on no less than an annual basis, and a final report, each of which evaluates their TASC project using the performance measures presented in the approved proposal.

VII. Agency Contact

For additional information or assistance, contact the Grants Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, phone: (202) 7200866, fax: (202) 6900193, email: emo@fas.usda.gov.

Signed at Washington, DC, on the 2nd of July, 2008. Michael W. Yost,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. E816369 Filed 71508; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341010P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Entities wishing to apply for funding assistance should contact the Grants Management Branch, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, phone: (202) 720 0866, fax: (202) 6900193, email: emo@fas.usda.gov. Information is also available on the Foreign Agricultural Service Web site at http:// www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/tasc.asp.