OpportunityTitle: Quality Samples Program
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: 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&#8211;profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and profit&#8211;making entities.
Description: Program Overview, Objectives, and PrioritiesThe 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&#8211;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.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: USDA Email Address
GrantorContactText: Application Submission Contact(s) and Program Support: &lt;br/&gt;For additional information and assistance, contact the Program Operations Division, Global Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture by courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, &lt;br/&gt;or by phone: (202) 720&#8211;4327, &lt;br/&gt;or by fax: (202) 720&#8211;9361, &lt;br/&gt;or by e&#8211;mail: podadmin@usda.gov. &lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;2. Grants Management Contact(s): &lt;br/&gt;Eric Bozoian, Grants Management Specialist,  &lt;br/&gt;Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of Agriculture, &lt;br/&gt;e&#8211;mail: Eric.Bozoian@usda.gov, &lt;br/&gt;phone: (202) 378&#8211;1054.
CloseDateExplanation: The initial QSP application deadline is 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Friday, June 25, 2021. Incomplete applications or applications that do not otherwise conform to this announcement by the program deadline will not be accepted for review.QSP proposals will continue to be accepted and reviewed throughout the remainder of the fiscal year after the initial program deadline only if QSP funding remains available, as set forth in this notice. FAS will track the time and date of receipt of all proposals. All proposals received by the initial program deadline of 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Friday, June 25, 2021, will be considered for funding in the initial allocation tranche. Proposals not approved for funding during this initial 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, Friday, June 25, 2021, will be considered for funding in the order received only if funding remains available.