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10.164 WHOLESALE FARMERS AND ALTERNATIVE MARKET DEVELOPMENT

FEDERAL AGENCY

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

OBJECTIVES

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; Training.

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.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS

Preapplication 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 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 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 04 $2,724,484; FY 05 est $2,736,000; and FY 06 est $2,810,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In fiscal year 2004, 15 projects/studies were completed. It is estimated that 12 projects/studies will be completed in fiscal year 2005, and 12 projects/studies in fiscal year 2006.

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

RELATED PROGRAMS

None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS

Study on the design of central refrigeration systems in modern food centers; study of wholesale and farmers' market use for distributing produce.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS

Not applicable.