Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2024
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative run by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Its main purpose is to help build and expand overseas markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by getting product samples into the hands of potential foreign buyers. The program is built around a practical idea: when importers can test, evaluate, and use real U.S. commodity samples in their own operations, they are more likely to understand the quality, performance, and value of U.S. products and, over time, convert that exposure into sustained commercial demand.
Under QSP, participating U.S. organizations are responsible for the full execution of the sample effort. That means they must procure the commodity samples (or arrange for procurement), handle export logistics, and provide on-site technical assistance to foreign importers so the samples are used correctly and effectively. Technical assistance is not optional; it is a required part of every project because the program is not just about shipping product, but also about ensuring the importer can successfully apply it in real-world conditions (for example, in processing, manufacturing, feed use, or other commercial applications depending on the commodity). Even though that support is required, the program does not reimburse the costs of providing technical assistance, so applicants need to plan to cover those expenses with their own funds or other resources.
Financially, QSP operates strictly on a reimbursement basis. Organizations pay costs upfront and then request reimbursement from FAS for only a limited set of eligible expenses. Reimbursable costs are restricted to the purchase price of the samples and the cost of transporting those samples within the United States to the export port, and then onward to the first foreign port or point of entry. Costs beyond that first foreign entry point, including transport from the port to the final destination in-country, are not eligible. The program also excludes a wide range of common trade-related and shipping-related add-on expenses. FAS will not reimburse costs incidental to purchasing and transporting samples, such as inspection fees, documentation charges, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, and similar items. The practical takeaway is that QSP is designed to offset the core costs of getting qualifying samples to an initial foreign entry location, but it expects participants to absorb many of the surrounding costs that often accompany export transactions.
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the agriculture funding activity category, with CFDA number 10.605. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S. entities, such as state, county, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); and other entities as allowed under the program’s additional eligibility language. The issuing agency is USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For the referenced funding round (Funding Opportunity Number USDA FAS QSP 2024), the anticipated scale included an award ceiling of up to $2,500,000, with an expectation of roughly 20 awards. The posting information provided lists a creation date of March 17, 2023, and an original closing date of May 19, 2023.Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2024
- The Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quality Samples Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.605.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Quality Samples Program (QSP) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Quality Samples Program (QSP)?
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative run by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). It is designed to help build and expand overseas markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by placing U.S. product samples in the hands of potential foreign buyers.
2) What is the main purpose of QSP?
The program aims to encourage sustained commercial demand for U.S. agricultural commodities in foreign markets by allowing importers to test and evaluate real samples in their own operations. The idea is that hands-on use helps buyers understand the quality, performance, and value of U.S. products, supporting longer-term market growth.
3) Who runs QSP?
QSP is run by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
4) What type of funding opportunity is QSP?
QSP is categorized as a discretionary grant under the agriculture funding activity category.
5) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for QSP is 10.605.
6) What does a QSP project generally involve?
QSP projects focus on getting U.S. agricultural commodity samples to potential foreign buyers and ensuring those buyers can properly evaluate and use the samples in real-world commercial conditions (for example, processing, manufacturing, or feed use, depending on the commodity).
7) What responsibilities do participating organizations have under QSP?
Participating U.S. organizations are responsible for full execution of the sample effort. This includes procuring (or arranging procurement of) commodity samples, managing export logistics, and providing on-site technical assistance to foreign importers so the samples are used correctly and effectively.
8) Is technical assistance required as part of a QSP project?
Yes. Technical assistance is a required component of every QSP project. The program is not only about shipping samples; it also expects participants to help ensure foreign importers can successfully apply the samples in practical, real-world settings.
9) Does QSP reimburse the cost of providing technical assistance?
No. Even though technical assistance is required, the program does not reimburse costs associated with providing that technical support. Applicants need to plan to cover these expenses using their own funds or other resources.
10) How does QSP funding get paid to recipients?
QSP operates strictly on a reimbursement basis. Participating organizations pay eligible costs upfront and then request reimbursement from FAS for the limited set of expenses the program allows.
11) What sample-related costs are eligible for reimbursement?
Reimbursable costs are limited to (1) the purchase price of the commodity samples and (2) the cost of transporting those samples within the United States to the export port and then onward to the first foreign port or point of entry.
12) How far does QSP reimbursement cover transportation costs?
Transportation reimbursement covers movement within the United States to the export port and international transportation to the first foreign port or point of entry. Costs beyond that first foreign entry point are not eligible.
13) Are in-country transportation costs covered (from the foreign port to the final destination)?
No. Transportation costs beyond the first foreign port or point of entry, including transport from the port to the final destination in-country, are not eligible for reimbursement.
14) What types of incidental or add-on expenses are not reimbursable?
QSP does not reimburse costs incidental to purchasing and transporting samples. Examples listed include inspection fees, documentation charges, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, and similar items.
15) Does QSP cover costs related to export paperwork and certificates?
No. The program excludes documentation charges and certificates of any kind as incidental expenses that are not reimbursable.
16) Are tariffs reimbursable under QSP?
No. Tariffs are specifically listed as costs that FAS will not reimburse.
17) Is demurrage reimbursable under QSP?
No. Demurrage is listed among the incidental costs that are not eligible for reimbursement.
18) What is the practical takeaway on what QSP pays for versus what participants must cover?
QSP is designed to offset the core costs of getting qualifying samples to an initial foreign entry location (purchase of samples and shipping to the first foreign port/entry point). Participants should expect to cover many surrounding export and trade-related costs, including technical assistance and various incidental fees and charges.
19) Who is eligible to apply for QSP?
Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S. entities, including state, county, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); and other entities as allowed under the program's additional eligibility language.
20) Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility description states that nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status may be eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the specified categories.
21) Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are included in the listed eligible applicant categories.
22) Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included among eligible applicants.
23) What is the issuing agency for this funding opportunity?
The issuing agency is USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
24) What is the Funding Opportunity Number mentioned for this round?
The referenced Funding Opportunity Number is USDA FAS QSP 2024.
25) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for the referenced funding round?
The anticipated award ceiling listed is up to $2,500,000.
26) How many awards were expected for the referenced round?
The posting indicates an expectation of roughly 20 awards.
27) What dates are provided for posting and closing?
The posting information provided lists a creation date of March 17, 2023, and an original closing date of May 19, 2023.
28) What is QSP trying to achieve in overseas markets?
QSP is intended to promote overseas market development for U.S. agricultural commodities by enabling potential buyers to evaluate U.S. products directly through sample use, which can lead to ongoing commercial relationships and repeat demand.
29) Does QSP require that applicants handle export logistics themselves?
Yes. The information provided states that participating organizations must handle export logistics as part of full execution of the sample effort.
30) What kinds of real-world uses of samples does QSP anticipate?
The program description notes that samples may need to be applied in real-world commercial conditions, such as processing, manufacturing, or feed use, depending on the commodity involved.
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