FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127.

To assist the U.S. sheep and goat industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and goats and their products in the United States.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Direct Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Guaranteed/Insured Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

(1) Making capital available for increasing production or improving production efficiency; (2) improving marketing efficiency or product quality; (3) promoting coordination in marketing systems and between industry participants; (4) communicating to meet the information needs of the industry and to inform the public and industry of the Center's activities; and (5) taking actions that will maintain the viability of the Center.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible entities include public, private, or cooperative organizations, associations, including corporations not operated for profit, Federally-recognized Indian Tribes or public or quasi-public agencies. An individual is not considered an eligible entity. Fifty-one percent of the entity must be owned by citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Eligible entities include public, private, or cooperative organizations, association, including corporations not operated for profit, Federally-recognized Indian Tribes or public or quasi-public agencies. An individual is not considered an eligible entity. Fifty-one percent of the entity must be owned by citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicants must demonstrate that a competent management team is in place, clearly defining each management team member's role, responsibilities and credentials. Applicants must demonstrate that the management team has the technical, marketing and financial expertise to manage all aspects of the proposed project or program.

Pre-application Coordination:   Eligible applicants should submit proposed projects on the "Proposal Application, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center" form (under review, available in 2000). This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Proposal Application, NSIIC, may be submitted at any time to: NSIIC, PO Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026-3483 (Physical location: NSIIC, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., (Room 2117), Washington DC. 20250). Funding and policy decisions are made by the NSIIC Board of Directors. Board of Director application review sessions are held following the end of each calendar quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). Applications must be received on or before the end of each calendar quarter to be considered. Applications not received within the allotted time period will be considered in the next review session.

Award Procedure:   The "Proposal Application" is used by the NSIIC Board of Directors to negotiate agreements and complete additional forms. Funding is made through rural development.

Deadlines:   March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Several months, including approval by the NSIIC Board of Directors.

Appeals:   Applications submitted, but not funded at a regular Board of Directors review session, may be resubmitted. Applications not funded or carried forward will include a summary stating the reasons.

Renewals:   In general, funding by the NSIIC is intended to be a one-time affair. The financial status of the company and the requested amount of funding are analyzed carefully at the time the decision is made to fund the project. If the Board determines the amount of funding to be inappropriate, the figures are adjusted during the final negotiations with the applicants. Thus, the applying entity, is then in a position to meet the terms of the agreement.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   NSIIC will: (1) Not exceed 50 percent of the project cost on equity investments included in Direct Payments for Specified Use; (2) not exceed $1 million for a direct loan; and (3) require that loan guarantees: (a) have an eligible lender, as defined in the NSIIC Strategic Plan; (b) not exceed $ 1 million; (c) not exceed 80 percent of the guaranteed loan; and (d) be assessed a 1 percent per annum guarantee fee by NSIIC.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Terms are negotiable between applicants and the NSIIC Board of Directors. The term of a loan may not exceed the shorter of: (i) The useful life of the activity financed; or (ii) 40 years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Periodic reports showing the progress of the project are required from eligible entities that receive NSIIC funds. The frequency and the detail required in these reports are proportionate to the risk and amount of money invested in the project.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," non federal 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 Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Successful applicant receiving funds from NSIIC shall maintain adequate records and accounts using generally accepted accounting principles to assure that the funds are used for authorized purposes.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-1906-0-1-452.

Obligations:   NSIIC is a revolving fund with a $26 Million appropriation from Congress (ultimately to be $50 Million appropriated at which time the fund will privatized) without fiscal year limitations. Note: Equity Investments will be awarded.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Negotiated with the Board of Directors under the limitations set forth in the annual NSIIC Strategic Plan. Each program or project loan may not exceed $1 million.

Funds were made available to the Intermediary Relending Organization in early 2001. To set up a revolving fund for loans for projects that would benefit the Sheep and Goat Industry throughout the country. The Center awarded $5 Million in fiscal year 2002 to the Agricultural Marketing Service for a cooperative agreement project in connection with the previous President's Tariff and relief effort for the Sheep Industry in the form of Lamb Meat Marketing Projects. As of now there are no more proposed projects to be funded by the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Strategic Plan, Proposal Application.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   NSIIC, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. room 2117 Washington DC. 20250. Physical location: 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., room 2117 Washington DC. 20250. Phone: (202) 690-0632. Fax (207) 236-6576.

Web Site Address:   http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/cssheep.htm.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

None.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The Board of Directors will consider the impact the project will have on the sheep or goat industries by evaluating the financial feasibility, business system, management team, potential impact, and summary of overall strengths and weaknesses of the proposed project.