To encourage the creation, maintenance, and expansion of
commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities through cost-share
assistance to eligible trade organizations that implement a foreign market
development program.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Market Access Program (MAP) funds are authorized through program agreements
that provide for partial reimbursement of eligible promotional expenses in a
Unified Export Strategy application approved by the Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS), the agency which administers the program for the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC). MAP participants may receive assistance for either
generic or brand promotion activities. Program funds help finance activities
such as consumer advertising, point of sale demonstrations, public relations,
trade servicing activities, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market
research and technical assistance.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: To be approved, applicants
must be: (1) A nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization; (2) a nonprofit
State regional trade group; (3) a U.S. agricultural cooperative; (4) a State
agency; or (5) a U.S. commercial entity that is a small-sized entity (other
than a cooperative or producer association).
Beneficiary Eligibility: CCC will enter into MAP
agreements only where the eligible agricultural commodity is comprised of at
least 50 percent U.S. origin content by weight, exclusive of added water.
Credentials/Documentation: Applicants are
required to provide a competent, experienced staff and other resources to
assure adequate development, supervision, and execution of promotion
activities. All applicants must submit a written proposal which provides a
brief discussion of the commodity for which assistance is requested; the
proposed program with a justification; and a strategic plan. In addition, all
applicants must submit a statement certifying that any CCC resources received
will supplement, but not supplant, any private or third party funds or other
contributions to program activities. This program is excluded from coverage
under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Pre-application Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372 and OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure: Each year the availability
of funds is announced in a Federal Register notice. At this time a written
export strategy should be submitted to the Director, Marketing Operations
Staff, FAS. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-110.
Award Procedure: Applications are reviewed
against the allocation criteria and factors set forth in 7 CFR Part 1485. CCC
notifies each applicant of the final disposition of its application and also
issues a public announcement concerning the allocation of resources among the
applicant organizations. Each approved applicant receives a program agreement
and allocation approval letter which specifies any special terms and
conditions applicable to a participant's program. Final agreement occurs when
both the participating organization and the Administrator of FAS in the
Administrator's capacity as Vice President, CCC, sign the program agreement.
Deadlines: Application deadline is announced in
the form of a Federal Register notice.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately
90 days.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable. Program commitments are
made on a program year basis.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: A participant's
contribution requirement will be specified in the export strategy approval
letter. Participants must contribute at least 10 percent of the value of
resources provided by CCC for generic promotions. Such contributions may be in
the form of cash, goods or services. In the case of brand promotions, a
participant must contribute at least 50 percent of the total cost of such
brand promotions. The brand promotion program is by its very nature a matching
funds program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Agreements
generally include a twelve-month promotional effort and a provision for
program evaluation by an independent third party. Funds awarded in any given
fiscal year are typically available for two additional years.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Expense reports are submitted to claim
reimbursement for promotional expenses. Trip reports are submitted not later
than 45 days after completion of travel. Research reports and end-of-year
contribution reports are submitted no later than 6 months after the end of a
participant's activity plan year.
Audits: Participant accounts are reviewed as
needed, but normally at least every two years, by representatives of the
Compliance Review Staff (CRS) of FAS. Audits and reviews are also conducted
sporadically by representatives of the Office of Inspector General and the
Government Accounting Office. Accounts and records must be available for
inspection or audit at any reasonable time. This program is excluded for
coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records: Must be maintained for not less than 3
years after completion or termination of the agreement or not more than 5 full
calendar years following the year of the transaction that is evidenced by such
an account or record that took place, whichever is sooner.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-4336-0-3-999.
Obligations: (Direct payments) FY 01 $90,000,000;
FY 02 est $90,000,000; and FY 03 est $90,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
$22,000 to $9,611,000. Average: $1,375,000.
For the 2001 program, allocations were made to 65 U.S. nonprofit commodity
groups and regional trade groups for export promotion activities. Example: The
North American Blueberry Council, with the help of MAP funds and industry
contributions, capitalized on the increased Japanese interest in American
Blueberries. Application seminars by a professional baker from the U.S.,
combined with advertisements and brochures, provided blueberry information and
concepts to Japanese bakers. The result was a wide variety of new product
introductions and a record level of 3,029 tons of fresh and frozen high bush
blueberries being shipped to Japan in 1999.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
7 CFR 1485.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: Deputy Administrator,
Commodity and Marketing Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of
Agriculture, Washington DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-4761.
Web Site Address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/mapprog.html.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Generic programs: (1) Promotion of U.S. forest products in Europe through
conferences and demonstration projects; (2) promotion of sunflower kernel in
Germany through trade shows, advertising and public relations; (3) promotion
of U.S. potatoes in Japan through consumer and trade advertising; (4)
familiarizing world trading partners with the U.S. grain trading system in
order to encourage easier and more fruitful trade. Brand identified promotion
program: (1) Promotion of branded citrus worldwide, especially in the Far East
and Europe; (2) promotions of branded almonds by increasing consumer awareness
in Japan, France and the United Kingdom; and (3) promotions by State groups of
a variety of high value products worldwide.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Allocations will only be made to applicants that present the best opportunity
for developing or expanding export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities.
In assessing the applicant, the following factors are considered: (1)
effectiveness of program management; (2) soundness of accounting procedures;
(3) the nature of the organization; (4) prior export promotion or direct
export experience; (5) previous MAP funding and performance; (6) adequacy of
the applicant's strategic plan; (7) past and present contribution levels; (8)
export goals; and the (9) accuracy of past projected export goals. In
providing assistance for brand promotions, priority will be given to
small-sized entities. Qualifying products whose composition is less than 50
percent U.S. origin are not eligible.
