Notice2024-15474
Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Inviting Input About the $50 Million Non-Traditional Shelf-Stable Commodities Pilot Program
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Published
July 15, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForeign Agricultural Service
Abstract
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requests comments from the public to inform an understanding on non-traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could be used in food assistance programming. FAS seeks to learn what commodities could be considered outside the traditional food assistance commodities. This RFI offers interested parties the opportunity to provide FAS with information regarding non-traditional, shelf-stable food aid commodities.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 135 (Monday, July 15, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57384-57385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15474]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 /
Notices
[[Page 57384]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Request for Information (RFI) Inviting Input About the
$50 Million Non-Traditional Shelf-Stable Commodities Pilot Program
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture requests comments from the public to inform an
understanding on non-traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could
be used in food assistance programming. FAS seeks to learn what
commodities could be considered outside the traditional food assistance
commodities. This RFI offers interested parties the opportunity to
provide FAS with information regarding non-traditional, shelf-stable
food aid commodities.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 30, 2024, to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: USDA invites submission of the requested information through
one of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
<bullet> Email: FAS will accept electronic submissions emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#63333327262723161007024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95c5c5d1d0d1d5e0e6f1f4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>. The email should contain the subject line, ``Response
to RFI: $50 million pilot program.''
Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. All comments
submitted in response to this RFI will be included in the record and
will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the
substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or
entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure.
USDA will make the comments publicly available via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Kairn, Program and Management
Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8adadacecfcecafff9eeeba4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dddddc9c8c9cdf8fee9eca3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a>, Phone 202-713-8673.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In October 2023, USDA announced with United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) the use of $1 billion of Credit
Commodity Corporation funding to help fill food security gaps and
supply safe and nutritious food to the global community in need.
Of this funding, up to $50 million will be set aside for use in a
pilot program that will operate to utilize U.S. commodities that:
1. Have not recently been substantially included in international
food assistance programming,
2. Are shelf-stable, and
3. Are suitable for use in feeding food-insecure populations.
These U.S.-grown commodities could include, but are not limited to,
nuts; dried fruits; grains such as quinoa, farro, and oats; and canned
fish or canned meats.
Request for Information
FAS requests information from the public to help identify non-
traditional, shelf-stable commodities that could be used in food
assistance programming under the proposed $50 million pilot program.
Non-traditional commodities could include, but are not limited to,
commodities that have never been used before in food assistance
programming, commodities that have not been used in food assistance
programming in at least the last 5 years, and/or commodities that can
be made into a new product. Additionally, FAS requests information from
the public about non-traditional commodities including:
1. Cost per metric tonnage, or other customary commercial unit of
measure, including cost to the U.S. Government,
2. Estimated cost of delivery of commodities to a U.S. port,
3. Packaging details, including transportation/containerization
requirements and costs,
4. The expected shelf life under normal storage conditions and
adverse conditions that might be expected in developing countries
(i.e., high humidity and temperatures),
5. Any history/documentation of successful storage performance for
the commodity,
6. Nutritional benefits for adults and for children,
7. Essential minerals,
8. Testing requirements for food safety,
9. Consumer preparation instructions, if any, including
requirements for potable water, fuel, and cooking time,
10. Whether the commodity meets current Food and Drug
Administration requirements,
11. The current production capacity in the United States, and
seasonality/availability of the commodity for export,
12. Known challenges and barriers around imports, and
13. Intended age range for population if product is fortified.
Please include any relevant data sources. The response to this RFI
is voluntary, and the public is welcome to address any or all the
questions and provide additional information that may be relevant to
seeking information on non-traditional food aid commodities.
Responses may not exceed ten (10) pages per respondent and should
focus on addressing the questions described above. Please do not submit
applications, proposals, resumes or promotional materials. The
submission shall be written in English and typed on standard 8\1/2\'' x
11'' electronic paper (216 mm by 297 mm paper), single spaced, font
size 12, with each page numbered consecutively. Any information
obtained from this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a
non-attribution basis for planning and developing a pilot program for
non-traditional, shelf-stable commodities. This RFI does not constitute
a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. Your response to this
notice will be treated as information only. FAS will not reimburse any
costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Respondents are advised that
FAS is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information
received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any
information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind
FAS to any further actions related to this topic. Responses will become
government property.
[[Page 57385]]
No confidential information, such as confidential business
information or proprietary information, should be submitted in comments
for this RFI. Comments received in response to this notice will be a
matter of public record and will be made available for public
inspection and posted without change and as received, including any
business information or personal information provided in the comments,
such as names and addresses. Please do not include anything in your
comment submission that you do not wish to share with the public.
Daniel Whitley,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15474 Filed 7-11-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
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