FEDERAL AGENCY:

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

To increase overall food marketing efficiency, thereby lowering the cost of marketing food through technical assistance to States and municipalities interested in creating or upgrading markets and marketing facilities..

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Training. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Assistance provided in cooperation with other government agencies and private industry to reduce marketing costs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Other government agencies and private industry. State, trade associations, universities, and other nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for cooperative agreements.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Producers, processors, marketing agencies, and general public.

Credentials/Documentation:   Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, or OMB Circular No. A-21 for Educational Institutions.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs". An applicant should consult the office of official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   Contact Vacant, Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   As provided for in the Act.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   As provided for in the Act.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   As provided for in the Agreement.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records:   As provided for in the Agreement.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-2500-0-1-352.

Obligations:   (Advisory Services and Counseling) FY 01 $2,645,881; FY 02 est $2,775,000; and FY 03 est $2,832,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

In fiscal year 2001, 10 projects/studies were completed. It is estimated that 10 projects/studies will be completed in fiscal year 2002, and 10 projects/studies in fiscal year 2003.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

None.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Vacant, Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 690-1305. Contact: Vacant.

Web Site Address:   http://www.ams.usda.gov