Applications for the Quality Samples Program

SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announces that it is inviting proposals for the 2019 Quality Samples Program (QSP). The QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf  of  CCC.  The  intended  effect  of this notice is to solicit proposals from eligible applicants for fiscal year 2019 and to set out the criteria for the awarding of funds under the program. Future announcements of funding availability for the QSP program will be made through the Grants.gov website. DATES: To be considered for funding, applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on Friday, June   8, 2018. Any proposals received after  that date will be considered only if   funds remain available. FAS anticipates that  the  initial  funding  selections  will be made by the end of December 2018, with the initial award dates estimated to be by the end of February 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION  CONTACT:

Applicants needing assistance should contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service by courier: Room 6512, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by email: podadmin@ fas.usda.gov. Information is also available on the FAS website at http:// www.fas.usda.gov/programs/quality- samples-program-qsp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Announcement Type: New.

Award Instrument: Grant.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.605.

Authority: The QSP is authorized under Section 5(f) of the  Commodity

Credit Corporation Charter Act,  15

U.S.C. 714c(f).

Purpose: The 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.